The pride of San Jose, California, Smash Mouth were among the biggest alternative rock bands of the late '90s. But far from the emo, hardcore, grunge schools, Smash Mouth incorporate retro sounds, including ska and Sixties garage rock to make their super-happy sound.

The collection starts with the upbeat "All Star," a just do it anthem about the transformation of a loser into a big winner. From the band's '99 album, Astro Lounge, the song may not have been their biggest hit, but it will probably be remembered the most as it was also used in the film Mystery Men (and seemed to be ubiquitous on the airwaves at the time of its release).

"Walkin' on the Sun" was the group's biggest chart hit ever, a number one modern track in 1997. "Then the Morning Comes" repeats the groovy retro formula by using a slinky riff that became a Smash Mouth trademark. "Holiday In My Head" is the perfect marriage of punky new wave style and old school pop/garage.

The high energy punk of "Beer Googles" is punctuated by bits of doo-wop-style vocals and surf guitar. "Waste" is about as downbeat as the band get... in the laidback sound wash style of Radiohead and Coldplay. "Ain't No Mystery" has the feeling of an old track by Sly & the Family Stone, another Bay Area smash hit group.

The group pays respects to their homies in War by covering the old '70s hit, "Why Can't We Be Friends," with just the right touch of funk before busting into a frantic ska beat. Though the band has no shortage of original material, part of the fun of their catalog is the number of cover songs they became known for doing. Smash Mouth sound as if they were destined to cover "Can't Get Enough of You Baby;" the old '60s garage number by ? and the Mysterians fits their lighthearted but tight style like a glove.

"Do It Again" was a hit for Steely Dan which Smash Mouth contributed to the soundtrack of the comedy, Me, Myself & Irene. Their version is even more back-alley sly than the original thanks to Greg Camp's expressive guitar. Their version of the Monkees' "I'm A Believer" is irresistible (and a little tougher than the original). They take on a more obscure alternative rock classic when they try Lets Active's "Every Word Means No," while they close the collection with the very familiar "Getting Better" by the Beatles.

What shines through on all of their songs is that the guys in Smash Mouth are music lovers, pure and simple. They don't discriminate -- a good song is a good song, whether its theirs or someone else's. And when Smash Mouth covers them, they tend to make the good songs even better.

By Daisy Duarte