`The Nips Are Better Bigger` was the first hit for Mental As Anything. The year was 1979, the month was August, and little did we know at the time that this was the start of another exciting chapter in Australian rock.
Mental As Anything were original, commercial and diverse. The band featured multiple singers (Greedy Smith rotating with Martin Plaza), even more songwriters (add in Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa) and they were prolific. (I can count 14 major hits in just the first 6 years).
Musically, the Mentals were under-rated. They came from the same era as INXS, Icehouse and Midnight Oil, so the credence went to “the rock bands” but individually, the Mentals could really play. Reg Mombassa’s sound was Reg Mombassa’s sound. No-one sounded like Reg. Greedy on keyboards added a different layer to a rock band while Wayne ‘The Bird’ De Lisle’s drumming was impeccable and keep everyone in pace.
Australia loves the Mentals because they were uniquely Australian. They were all blokes. But England liked them too. ‘Live It Up’ went to number 3 in the UK. ‘Too Many Times’ reached number 34 in America.
Rarely will you find such a bona-fide album of hits as ‘Essential As Anything’. This is a band with a great back catalogue. You put on ‘Essential As Anything’ and you know every song. That is not bad for a 24 track compilation.
The album also comes with a bonus DVD featuring all of the videos from the albums. Included for the first time on DVD are the video compilations ‘Monumental’ and ‘Monumental 2’.
It is hard to pick your favorite Mentals song because there are so many, but who needs a favorite when you can have them all.
Tracklisting for Essential As Anything:
Disk 1 CD
1.àThe Nips Are Getting Bigger
2.àEgypt
3. Come Around
4.à(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet
5.àIf You Leave Me Can I Come Too?
6.àToo Many Times
7.àBerserk Warriors
8.àLet's Cook
9.àI Didn't Mean To Be Mean
10.àClose Again
11.àSpirit Got Lost
12.àBrain Brain
13.àWorking For The Man
14.àApocalypso
15.àYou're So Strong
16.àLive It Up
17.àDate With Destiny
18.àConcrete And Clay
19.àLet's Go To Paradise
20.àHe's Just No Good For You
21.àRock 'N Roll Music
22.àThe World Seems Difficult
23.àMr Natural
24.àNigel
Disk 2 DVD
1.àYou're So Strong
2.à(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet
3.àIf You Leave Me Can I Come Too?
4.àToo Many Times
5.àThe Nips Are Getting Bigger
6.àClose Again
7.àLive It Up
8.àWorking For The Man
9.àI Didn't Mean To Be Mean
10.àHoliday In Auckland
11. Egypt
12. Berserk Warriors
13.àSpirit Got Lost
14.àReady For You Now
15.àLet's Cook
16.àGot Hit
17.àWouldn't Try To Explain
18.àBrain Brain
19.àApocalypso
20.àCome Around
21.àDate With Destiny
22.àBig Wheel
23.àHold On
24.àLet's Go To Paradise
25.àHe's Just No Good For You
26.àDon't Tell Me Now
27.àLove Me Tender
28.àRock 'N Roll Music
29.àThe World Seems Difficult
30.àBaby You're Wild
31.àOverwhelmed
32.àMr Natural
33.àNigel
