Between November 1997 and November 1998, the
Bradley Nowell estate, MCA, and the surviving members of
Sublime released no less than three albums of outtakes, rarities, and live tracks, culminating with
Acoustic: Bradley Nowell & Friends. At first glance, this appears to be the least interesting of the three albums, since it doesn't have outtakes like
Second Hand Smoke or document the band in its live prime, like
Stand by Your Van. Strangely enough, that's the reason why it's the most engaging of any of the posthumous
Sublime releases. Throughout all these recordings, many of which are decidedly lo-fi,
Nowell and a variety of supporting musicians run through
Sublime favorites, toss-offs, and covers. It's relaxed, funny, and, funnily enough, quite moving, because it captures a human, touching side of
Nowell that only surfaced in glimpses on
Sublime's official albums. Of course, this is something that will be of interest primarily to hardcore fans, not fellow travelers who only owned
Sublime, but that's the reason why
Acoustic is the best of all the
Sublime records released after
Nowell's death. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine