Usually when a band releases a "greatest hits" record, it is after they have already released a library of around five or more albums. In The Insyderz' case, this is not true. Before their temporary break up, they released The Greatest and Rarest, a compilation of hits, b-sides, and unreleased tracks.

The record starts off with the unreleased "Here We Come," a song marked with The Insyderz' signature skacore sound and Joe Yerke's rough vocals. After that, hits and fan favorites from previous records claim the middle of the tracklist. More than half of the record is made up of these tracks, so if you already own the other records, you will not be missing out on anything.

The last part of the record though contains some unreleased tracks and b-sides. For the true Insyderz fan, this is the part of the record that is worth buying it. An unreleased cover of "Walking On Sunshine" is a special treat and the song "Only a Sailor Knows," which was on a compilation record called Surfonic Water Revival, serves as a unique addition. Probably the most interesting track is the Fight of My Life b-side, "Our Wars" from the Paradise Single that preceded the album's release. The song draws many comparisons between Star Wars and the Bible. Lines such as, "Jesus Christ is a Jedi master, comin' at you like a laser blaster" get the point across.

Overall, The Greatest and Rarest is a release worth listening to and buying if you still like ska, but since this was released in 2001, tracks from Soundtrack To A Revolution will not be found here, and with a new release on the way, it might just be better for fans to buy each individual record instead.

Review date: 10/30/09, written by Brett Wanamaker for Jesusfreakhideout.com