Released simultaneously with Sound System, but separately, Hits Back is a collection of studio tracks following the set list of the band’s legendary 1982 Brixton Fairdeal show. The two CDs (or 3-vinyl set, 32 tracks total) start with “London Calling” and end with “Garageland,” with eight well-selected bonus tracks thrown in (including “White Riot” and “Hitsville UK”). “Joe [Strummer] would spend a lot of time composing the running order, considering dynamics, emotional impact and the key the songs were in,” the surviving members said in the liner notes. If you’re too lazy to make your own mix, get it.
