Now, I'm more of an album guy myself-- the LP, the CD, the double album, the 33. Sure, there's the 7", the 45, the CD single, anthologies and boxed sets, but for some reason, the fullest artistic expression in modern music seems metered out in album lengths. Albums have character; the very best have beginnings, middles and ends. Their characters develop. Genius may be apparent in certain tracks, but truly great albums are genius plus craftsmanship. Sure, we sometimes review EPs here at Pitchfork, but our primary endeavor is the review of albums. MP3 and CD burners might very well make them obsolete, but if they're lost, something greater will be lost with them.

It's with that prejudiced ear that I listen to How the Supersuckers Became the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World, the presumptuously titled greatest hits album by the Supersuckers. Greatest hits-- the songs plucked from their natural dwelling place on an album and placed, with no consideration of their context, on a user- friendly collection. Smirk as you might at the title, but it's not a bad way of looking at things here: the band pleading its improbable case.

Over 27 tracks, the Supersuckers' case is heard. When Eddie Spaghetti sings, "She hates the Beatles and likes the Stones," on "She's My Bitch," it's understood as a compliment without question or explanation, and the challenge is made. The Supersuckers may roam the Ramones' American punk estate, but they look back a generation for their bad boy rock narcissism-- on the bluesy "Wake Me When It's Over," Spaghetti feigns the young Mick a little too well. And like the Stones, the band easily twists its rock narcissism into convincingly edgy country rock tunes like "Dead in the Water" and "Roadworn and Weary."

Among its content, the album counts two cover songs. While that may seem counter- intuitive, the nature of the band might best be reflected in these choices. See, in burning up Ice Cube's "Dead Homiez" and pacing Steve Earle through the Stones' "Before They Make Me Run," the Supersuckers are understood only as midunderstood. Are they greatest rock and roll band in the world? I'd say probably not, but with "Creepy Jackalope Eye" blaring at maximum volume, who's gonna hear me?

-Neil Lieberman