Missing Persons

Compiler, editor, and producer Warren Cuccurullo, who formerly served as the band's guitarist, calls this album the "Rest Of" Missing Persons, which is a reasonable way of putting it. Cuccurullo looks back to the band's beginnings in 1980 and 1981 for live versions of songs like "Bad Streets" and "Words" that made it onto Missing Persons' later LPs, as well as ones like the catchy "None of Your Business" that didn't. He also includes some performances from the band's 2001 reunion and several outtakes. There are no revelations here, but there are some good, previously unheard songs and novelties. Most important, the live tracks demonstrate that Missing Persons could be impressive onstage, which is notable for a group viewed as a studio and video creation primarily. One Way, which has already reissued the three regular studio albums, might next consider a full-fledged Missing Persons live album, if Cuccurullo can be persuaded to go back into the vault (or the tape box, as the case may be). ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide