Essential As Anything or Essential As Anything – 30th Anniversary Edition is the fourth compilation album by Australian rock band Mental As Anything, which was released in May 2009 via Warner Music Australia.[1][2][3] It celebrates the band's 30th anniversary. Essential As Anything includes tracks from their eight studio albums.[4] It also included a DVD featuring Monumental and Monumental II; two compilations of the band's music videos plus bonus footage and interviews. The album reached number 54 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[5] It was later re-released by Universal Music Australia through Syray Music.[6]

Essential as Anything
The main image is a posed black-and-white upper body photo of the five band members. Across the bottom in large multi-coloured block capitals is the group's name. Below it and to the right in white block capitals is the album name.
Compilation album by
ReleasedMay 2009
Recorded1979–1995
Genre
Length1:17:20
LabelWarner Australia, Syray Music
Producer
Mental As Anything chronology
Plucked
(2005)
Essential as Anything
(2009)
Tents Up
(2009)

Track listing

edit
Essential As Anything – 30th Anniversary Edition The Hits
No.TitleWriter(s)AlbumLength
1."The Nips Are Getting Bigger"Martin PlazaGet Wet, 19793:20
2."Egypt"Reg MombassaGet Wet, 19793:27
3."Come Around"Martin PlazaEspresso Bongo, 19803:03
4."(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet"Bob Hamilton, Freddie GormanNon-album single, 19802:13
5."If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too?"Martin PlazaCats & Dogs, 19812:54
6."Too Many Times"Greedy SmithCats & Dogs, 19812:38
7."Berserk Warriors"Peter O'DohertyCats & Dogs, 19813:26
8."Let's Cook"Martin PlazaCats & Dogs, 19813:30
9."I Didn't Mean to Be Mean"Martin PlazaNon-album single, 19823:13
10."Close Again"Peter O'DohertyCreatures of Leisure, 19832:54
11."Spirit Got Lost"Reg Mombassa, Andrew 'Greedy' SmithCreatures of Leisure, 19832:57
12."Brain Brain"Peter O'DohertyCreatures of Leisure, 19834:26
13."Working for the Man"Roy OrbisonNon-album single, 19833:22
14."Apocalypso"Martin Plaza, Reg MombassaNon-album single, 19843:38
15."You're So Strong"Andrew "Greedy" SmithFundamental, 19853:26
16."Live It Up"Andrew "Greedy" SmithFundamental, 19853:47
17."Date with Destiny"Andrew "Greedy" SmithFundamental, 19852:59
18."Concrete and Clay" (Martin Plaza solo)Tommy Moeller, Brian ParkerSingle, 19862:44
19."Let's Go to Paradise"Andrew 'Greedy' SmithMouth to Mouth, 19873:10
20."He's Just No Good for You"Andrew 'Greedy' SmithMouth to Mouth, 19873:25
21."Rock and Roll Music"Chuck BerryCyclone Raymond, 19893:00
22."The World Seems Difficult"Andrew 'Greedy' SmithCyclone Raymond, 19893:51
23."Mr. Natural"Martin PlazaLiar Liar Pants on Fire, 19953:58
24."Nigel"Reg MombassaLiar Liar Pants on Fire, 19952:47
Total length:1:17:22
Essential As Anything – 30th Anniversary Edition The Videos
No.TitleLength
1."You're so Strong"3:21
2."Romeo and Juliet"2:11
3."If You Leave Me Can I Come Too?"3:08
4."Too Many Times"2:44
5."The Nips Are Getting Bigger"3:20
6."Close Again"2:48
7."Live It Up"3:22
8."Working for the Man"3:32
9."I Didn't Mean to Be Mean"3:10
10."Holiday in Auckland"1:58
11."Egypt"3:19
12."Berserk Warriors"3:29
13."Spirit Got Lost"2:54
14."Ready for You Now"1:16
15."Let's Cook"2:34
16."Got Hit"3:14
17."Wouldn't Try to Explain"3:28
18."Brain Brain"4:39
19."Apocalypso"3:52
20."Come Around"3:01
21."Date with Destiny"2:58
22."Big Wheel"4:00
23."Hold On"2:59
24."Let's Go to Paradise"3:08
25."He's Just no Good for You"3:32
26."Don't Tell Me Now"3:53
27."Love Me Tender"3:36
28."Rock 'n' Roll Music"3:24
29."The World Seems Difficult"4:04
30."Baby You're Wild"3:17
31."Overwhelmed"3:55
32."Mr Natural"3:56
33."Nigel"2:46
34."Whole Wide World"2:49
35."Calling Colin"3:44
36."Just My Luck"3:08
37."The Nips Are Getting Bigger" (live)3:20
Total length:2:39:49

Personnel

edit
  • Martin Plaza – lead vocals, guitar
  • Wayne de Lisle – drums
  • Reg Mombassa – guitar, vocals
  • Greedy Smith – lead vocals, keyboards, harmonica
  • Peter O'Doherty – bass guitar, vocals

Charts

edit
Chart performance for Essential as Anything
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[5] 54

References

edit
  1. ^ "Mental As Anything – Essential As Anything – 30th Anniversary Edition" on iTunes.
  2. ^ "Mental As Anything – Essential As Anything – 30th Anniversary Edition" at Sanity.
  3. ^ "Mental As Anything – Essential As Anything: 30th Anniversary Edition" at Spotify.
  4. ^ Mental As Anything - Essential As Anything: 30th Anniversary Edition at JB Hi Fi
  5. ^ a b Wallace, Ian (22 June 2009). "Week Commencing ~ 22nd June 2009 ~ Issue #1008" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1008). Australian Recording Industry Association(ARIA): 6, 10, 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Mental As Anything - Essential As Anything - 30th Anniversary Edition". Discogs. Retrieved 13 October 2019.