Modest title, eh? While it's true that Creation became the U.K.'s most important independent record label, the self-serving praise grows as tiresome as Liam Gallagher's umpteenth boastful comment. What were the other great indies between the period covered here? Chopped liver? With the corpse of Alan McGee's label still fresh, their distribution outlet via Sony released this two disc set in late 2000, compiling 30 highlights of the label's lifespan. McGee selected these tracks, thankfully balancing the known hit with the buried gem rather well. Some of his choices are questionable, like choosing early acts like Slaughter Joe and Meat Whiplash over Revolving Paint Dream and his own Biff Bang Pow. Choosing Ride's "Drive Blind" over the more representative "Vapour Trail" and favoring the House of Love's "Shine On" over "Christine" is a bit bizarre. Pop elitists will chuckle at Teenage Fanclub's two inclusions over Oasis' lone entry. Many don't realize that the label had a history prior to Oasis' Definitely Maybe, and even more don't realize that the label had a history prior to Primal Scream's Screamadelica, which International Guardians illustrates. It does trace something of a timeline in trendsetting British music, from the Jesus and Mary Chain's Velvet Underground-with-daggers, then Primal Scream's dancefloor hedonism, and on to Oasis' retro polishing. The biggest omission is clearly My Bloody Valentine's otherworldly dream pop; allegedly, Kevin Shields pulled his band's three tracks just prior to release. Later acts aren't forgotten, such as Super Furry Animals and Bernard Butler's first solo single. Like the label's ascension from the gutters to the penthouse, International Guardians is a thrilling, bumpy ride. Frustrating but ridiculously accomplished. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide