Do you ever wish you could get a do-over? I feel like it’s a common theme as we get older. What would it be like to go back in time to take advantage of all the energy and passion from your teens or 20s, but with all the knowledge you have now, and absolutely none of the fucks you gave then?
As a new Picky Bastard, I was hesitant to reply to an email of the month’s new record releases thus far, noting that a prominent record for September had been missed from the list – lest it reveal that I was not in fact, that picky after all.
September saw the release of Hits 2.0 by pop-punk noughties outfit Busted. The album features re-recorded versions of Busted hits (the clue is in the title), complete with a plethora of special guests: Simple Plan, You Me at Six, Wheatus, Dashboard Confessional, Hanson and more. Hits 2.0 arguably adds absolutely nothing to the current musical landscape, other than a pinch of nostalgia and quite possibly, some spiritual redemption for three relatively talented musicians who were pimped out as teenie-bopper fodder two decades prior, as opposed to an actual band who wrote their own songs, to be taken in any way seriously.
It’s well catalogued that this was to be the downfall of Busted the first time around: going from winning three Brit Awards in 2004, selling out 15 night at Wembley, to a subsequent split in 2005 when Charlie Simpson left the band to pursue his “more authentic” rock outfit Fightstar. At £5.99 for a digital download, containing no less than 23 songs (with, admittedly, some repetition), it’s a relative bargain being punted as an attempt their first number one album.
With the charts due in a matter of hours as of writing this, it would not surprise me if they achieve this goal (They did!). Not necessarily by merit of the album’s quality, but by the earnest pledges by band members on social media and during their live shows, about how much it would mean to them.
The album release is accompanied by a sold-out UK tour, of which I attended the first Glasgow date. Having also been at their 2004 Glasgow show, the differences were marked. The presence of a standing section in the venue, the inclusion of a cameo introduction by Christopher Lloyd in character of Doc – and shots from Team America spliced into the background visuals during a performance of ‘Thunderbirds are Go.’ There was a sense of humour, an appreciation of the audience.
It’s almost as if the trio – now in their 40s, with wives, kids and full-blown lives outside of the band – are getting a chance to revisit days, with their own mark, a sense of humour, and a true appreciation of the audience. And it was a joy to witness.“We love being in Busted – we’re going to keep doing this as long as you keep turning up!” Quips Matt Willis mid set – a sentiment Simpson is vocally in agreement with, as all three leap into the air, legs akimbo, with their instruments. Ridiculous.
In terms of content, Hits 2.0’s version of ‘Mmmmbop’ is also a little ridiculous. It’s the cover that nobody asked for, but somehow manages to bring a twist to the original that is unexpectedly enjoyable. The lyrics of ‘Year 3000’ – exploring time travel via flux capacitor, in a nod to James Bourne’s fascination with Back to the Future – to ultimately discover that “Not much has changed but they live underwater… and your great, great, great granddaughter Is pretty fine” sets the tone. However, it’s not without some depth, and ‘3AM’ manages to conjour up some involuntary emo fist action.
In isolation, the album itself is a nostalgic nod to Busted’s past success, and a fun listening experience. Taking their journey into consideration, it feels like a reclamation of that time in your life you have regrets about. A chance to own your own story.
In the absence of a do-over, there’s always the opportunity to do it better the second time around: 2.0 indeed.
Words by Kate Burke
Picky Bastards 
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