With their 25th anniversary in progress, Cowboy Mouth really deserve a definitive, career­-spanning anthology—but since their catalogue is spread across a half-­dozen different labels, we’re not likely to see that anytime soon. Instead they’ve done this self­-released compilation, with nine re­-recorded hits and three new songs.

On the plus side, this may be the best­-sounding studio album the band’s ever made: Instead of getting caught up in studio technology, they’ve finally captured their full­-blooded live sound. The new songs all fit the direct approach: “Broken Up” is the kind of pithy kiss­-off that’s always been one of singer/drummer Fred LeBlanc’s specialties (it makes a good follow-­up to “Love of My Life”, also included); “These Days” is a less pissed-­off version of same. Best of the bunch is “Bad Men,” really the band’s first political song. With a pointed shout-­along chorus (“Listen up, boys and girls/ Bad men rule the world”) and the rare sound of LeBlanc and guitarist John Thomas Griffith trading off vocals, it bears out the band’s roots in the Clash and Replacements, not to mention Griffith’s own Red Rockers.

Far as the oldies go, there’s a lot missing—not just live standbys like “Joe Strummer,” “I Believe” and “Man on the Run,” but most of the slower songs that represent the more thoughtful side of the band (the only one here is “Take Me Back to New Orleans,” still one of LeBlanc’s best). Co-­founder Griffith gets only one song and former member Paul Sanchez isn’t represented at all (even though his “Light It On Fire” remains their regular concert­-opener). But most of their best-­known songs are here, and if the new versions aren’t strictly necessary, they’re all done with the proper energy—no small feat, since most were first recorded decades ago. And LeBlanc’s vocals are at least as forceful as before—especially on “Disconnected,” a tough song about being sensitive. This makes a good starting point for anyone coming aboard, but Mouth fans will know it’s only the tip of the iceberg.