THE BEST OF THE FIRESIGN THEATRE... contains two disc's worth of material compiled in honor of the group's 25th anniversary. It includes a 23-page booklet with track annotations, recording information and extensive liner notes.

The Firesign Theatre: Peter Bergman, Philip Proctor, David Ossman, Philip Austin.

Producers include: Gary Usher, James William Guercio, Philip Austin, Steve Gilmore, David Ossman.

Compilation producer: Bob Irwin

Recorded between 1967-1975. Includes liner notes by Steve Simels.

Digitally remastered by Vic Anesini (Sony Music Studios, New York).

The Firesign Theater has been called, with some justification, the Beatles of comedy. Their best work--created in a white heat of inspiration in the late '60s and early '70s-- is a multi-layered and extremely funny mix. Their approach incorporates tropes from old radio drama, literary Magical Realism, aural found objects and collage, the Goon Show, science fiction, topical counter-cultural satire, Lewis Carroll word play, and a complete mastery of the potential of the recording studio.

The two-CD "best-of" SHOES FOR INDUSTRY doesn't include all the Firesign's most mind-bending material (their first three albums really should be in everybody's collection), but it's a well-constructed anthology and is gorgeously re-mastered. Highlights include the hilarious hard-boiled detective parody "The Further Adventures of Nick Danger" (which originally occupied one side of their second LP), plus the best moments from their masterpiece DON"T CRUSH THAT DWARF, HAND ME THE PLIERS and lots more, including the sui generis "I Was a Cock-Teaser for Roosterama!"

Entertainment Weekly (10/29/93, p.75) - "...Fans and neophytes alike can brush up with [SHOES FOR INDUSTRY]..." - Rating: A