This Station Is Non-Operational/Anthology *

Rating

Album: This Station Is Non-Operational/Anthology *
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Fahrenheit
2)	Picket Fence Cartel
3)	Chanbara
4)	Lopsided
5)	Napoleon Solo
6)	Pickpocket
7)	Metronome Arthritis
8)	198d
9)	One Armed Scissor
10)	Enfilade
11)	Non-Zero Possibilty
12)	Incetardis
13)	Doorman's Placebo
14)	Autorelo Ocator
15)	Rascuache
16)	This Night Has Opened My Eyes - (previously unreleased)
17)	Initation
18)	Take up Thy Stethoscope and Walk
19)	One Armed Scissor
20)	Invalid Litter Dept.
21)	Metronome Arthritis
22)	Operations Manual
23)	Discography
24)	Extras

Album: This Station Is Non-Operational/Anthology *
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Fahrenheit
2)	Picket Fence Cartel
3)	Chanbara
4)	Lopsided
5)	Napoleon Solo
6)	Pickpocket
7)	Metronome Arthritis
8)	198d
9)	One Armed Scissor
10)	Enfilade
11)	Non-Zero Possibilty
12)	Incetardis
13)	Doorman's Placebo
14)	Autorelo Ocator
15)	Rascuache
16)	This Night Has Opened My Eyes - (previously unreleased)
17)	Initation
18)	Take up Thy Stethoscope and Walk
19)	One Armed Scissor
20)	Invalid Litter Dept.
21)	Metronome Arthritis
22)	Operations Manual
23)	Discography
24)	Extras

Performer Notes

Given the success and artistic range that the members of At the Drive-In achieved in the bands they formed after their initial group's breakup--singer Cedric Bixler and guitarist Omar Rodriguez in the Mars Volta, and guitarist Jim Ward, bassist Paul Hinojos, and drummer Tony Hajjar in Sparta--it might be tempting to overlook the accomplishments of their first project. As THIS STATION IS NON-OPERATIONAL reminds us, however, that would be a mistake. A CD-plus-DVD compilation of hits, B-sides, BBC sessions, remixes, and videos, THIS STATION is a career-defining retrospective worthy of this influential indie band.
Disc One contains tracks culled from the group's 1998 EP, EL GRAN ORGO, through to its final full-length album, 2000's RELATIONSHIP OF COMMAND (the songs are chronologically arranged), and appends them with a series of rarities (including covers of tunes by the Smiths and Pink Floyd). Disc Two is a DVD with videos, a discography, and extras. Though its life-span was relatively brief, and its output small, ATDI fused the angst-ridden fire of emo, the moody angles of indie rock, and the sonic intensity of hardcore with an integrity that few of its imitators have been able to match. This excellent, well-selected set is a testament to the band's influence.

Professional Reviews

Spin (p.104) - "[T]hese El Paso iconoclasts were one great band. Ward and company focused Bixler-Zavala's and Rodriguez-Lopez's flailing arms into powerful one-two combinations. And the Volta duo scuffed up the others' verse-chorus-verse format." - Grade: B+

Uncut (p.114) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[T]his 18-track compilation is a vivid reminder of both their songwriting prowess and their incendiary live shows."

Magnet (p.88) - "This collection contains some essential album tracks...Good, for sure..."