So, after three albums in as many years, pop/punk artists Stellar Kart are releasing a "Best Of" album? Well, sometimes bands do this to satisfy a record contract, or they want to head in a different musical direction, or perhaps because they're breaking up. I really can't tell you the reasoning in this case, but Life Is Good gathers the "best" of Stellar Kart into a seventeen song package. So what can fans expect?

To start, the album is in chronological order of the band's first three releases, an idea that I kind of dig. The overall song choices for the "best of" album are a good selection of the fun summertime sound that slows it down when needed. Some of the band's best material, such as "Spending Time," "Me And Jesus," "Hold On," and "Shine Like The Stars" are displayed on Life Is Good. There are also three new songs available here for the first time: "Lifeguard," which has a straight up Stellar Kart pop/punk vibe, "Centerfield," a cover of the great track from Dire Straights, and "Punk The Halls," which is a clever Christmas melody.

If you're not a fan of Stellar Kart, this album could easily turn you into one, and if you've enjoyed the band over the past few years, this is a great addition for your collection. We're not really sure what the future holds for this four-piece band from Phoenix, but Life Is Good is an enjoyable listen for those upbeat summertime parties hanging around the beach. And while there's not a lot of depth here, the tempo is great and the fun is undeniable.

- Review date: 4/8/09, written by Kevin Hoskins