Cocktails and Dreams is the typical stop-gap rarities release from Chicago punk trio the Lawrence Arms. Songs from rare splits, compilations, and even a few re-recorded songs from their second full length, Ghost Stories. Thankfully, unlike many b-sides collections out there, Cocktails and Dreams is on par with the majority of the Lawrence Arms' full length releases. Containing some of the band's most classic cuts such as "100 Resolutions", "Quintcentuple Your Money", and "Nebraska". While hitting some tremendous heights, some songs just pale in comparison to others, particularly through the middle of the album. However, for someone who is a seasoned veteran fan of the band, or for someone just looking to get a glance at what the band is all about, this is an excellent addition to anyone's collection, if only for the breathtakingly emotional remake of the classic "Turnstiles".
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