The Wave

The Wave

Track Listings

1. the wave

2. life after you

3. shining star

4. candy

5. little piece of sky

6. raindrops

7. mary's song

8. pretty girl

9. this kiss

10. i am yours

Tracks:

Fallout
Can't Stand Losing You
Next To You
Roxanne
Truth Hits Everybody
Hole In My Life
So Lonely
Message In a Bottle
Reggatta De Blanc
Bring On the Night
Walking On the Moon
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Driven To Tears
Canary In a Coalmine

Tracks:

De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Voices Inside My Head
Invisible Sun
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Spirits In the Material World
Demolition Man
Every Breath You Take
Synchronicity I
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Walking In Your Footsteps
Synchronicity II
King Of Pain
Murder By Numbers
Tea In the Sahara

Album Description

The Police celebrate the 30th anniversary of their recording debut with their first double-disc CD "best of" collection entitled, The Police. The 28 songs bring together the biggest hits from the band's five original studio albums and includes their very first single, 1977's "Fall Out."

From that rarity to one of the most-remembered and most performed rock ballads of the `80s, 1983's "Every Breath You Take," The Police spans the group's six-year journey from sweaty clubs to sold-out stadiums - establishing them as one of the definitive and most popular rock groups in the world.

Customer Reviews:

...but only four stars for the American version.......2007-08-01

For those who bemoan the lack of additional songs, specifically 'The Bed's Too Big Without You', I would recommend seeking out the Australian or British edition of this compilation; it has all 28 songs from the American release and includes 'Bed's Too Big' and 'Rehumanise Yourself'. These two songs rectify the shortfall of songs from 'Regatta De Blanc' and Ghost In The Machine' (only four each on the American version) and makes it feel a significantly more comprehensive compilation.

Yes, there are still tracks missing that would make it truly perfect, but remember that the Police only released five studio albums; if A&M had added yet more tracks to this compilation it would have come close to negating the need to buy the original releases and they were never going to allow that to happen were they? So the thirty-song version is about as good as we could ask for, it's an excellent blast through the past. Enjoy!

It's simple..........2007-07-31

...the Police were a singles driven band and this distillation of their musical career is almost flawless (we all have favorites that were not included; mine is "Beds Too Big Without You"). This is pretty near perfect in it's conception because it does cut-out the filler and 'silly songs' that are present on most of their albums. Excellento!

Very Good, but there is one compilation that is better.......2007-07-28

It is hard to believe that a band can become a Hall of Fame band with just five studio albums to their name, but the Police are such a band. This is an honor that the Police are most worthy of. The Police were sort of an off-shoot of the Punk Rock movement of the late 1970s. The band would eventually encompass other influences - namely Classic Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Dance, and even Folk. For the most part, it is fair to say there was a Punk Rock and Reggae influence on the band for their first two albums" - "Outlandos D'Amour" and "Regatta de Blanc". Both of these albums were terrific efforts - mostly because The Police used applied their unique style to a formula that worked. The Police would soon transform their sound to a more Classic Rock sound. With each successive album ("Zenyatta Mondatta", "Ghost in the Machine", and "Synchronicity"), the Police would continue to grow as a band and incorporate a variety of genres into their sound. In 1986, the Police officially disbanded and it wouldn't be until 2007 when they would officially reunite for a reunion tour. To build some momentum for the tour, the Police would release a two CD greatest hits collection entitled "The Police". This compilation does provide a good portfolio of the band's classic tracks.

"The Police" takes tracks from each of the band's five albums. Six tracks from "Outlandos D'Amour" ("Can't Stand Losing You", "Next to You", "Roxanne", "Truth Hits Everybody", "Hole in My Life", "So Lonely"); Four tracks from "Regatta De Blanc" ("Message in a Bottle", "Regatta De Blanc", "Bring on the Night", "Walking on the Moon"); Five tracks from "Zenyatta Mondatta" ("Don't Stand So Close to Me", "Driven to Tears", "Canary in a Coalmine", "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da", "Voices Inside My Head"); Four tracks from "Ghost in the Machine" ("Invisible Sun", "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic", "Demolition Man"); Eight tracks from "Synchronicity" ("Synchronicity I", "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "Walking In Your Footsteps", "Synchronicity II", "King of Pain", "Murder By Numbers", "Tea in the Sahara"). This collection also includes the band's debut single - not released on the five studio albums - "Fallout". There is an import version of this collection that includes two addition tracks - "The Bed's Too Big Without You" (from "Regatta De Blanc") and "Rehumanize Yourself" (from "Ghost in the Machine"). My big argument is that this collection tends to go too heavy on "Synchronicity" - with eight of the eleven tracks from that album on this collection. One can also make the argument not enough was taken from "Regatta De Blanc" or "Ghost in the Machine". For the most part, this compilation does a good job at taking the essential tracks from the Police's music portfolio.

One strength of this collection is that the tracks are chronologically arranged by the studio album they released. This allows you to see how a band has progressed over time. In the case of the Police, this is essential because I think it is important to hear how their sound evolved.

When considering a greatest hits compilation, it is important to know that bands often release several flavors of compilations.

"Every Breath You Take - The Singles": This was a compilation released in 1986. It only includes twelve tracks. It contains an updated version of "Don't Stand So Close to Me" called "Don't Stand So Close to Me '86"). All of the tracks on this collection are found on "The Police" 2 CD compilation. For the most part, this collection preserves the chronological ordering of the band.

"Every Breath You Take - The Classics": An Updated Version of "Every Breath You Take - The Singles". It includes both versions of "Don't Stand So Close to Me" and an additional version of "Message in a Bottle" (that version is not found on "The Police" 2 CD compilation). For the most part, this collection preserves the chronological ordering of the band.

"The Very Best of Sting and The Police": This provides a mix of Sting's solo work with some of the Police's best hits. There are two versions of this collection - one from 1997 and one from 2002 with the latter one being more complete. These compilations do not preserve the chronological ordering of the band.

"Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings": This is exactly as advertised. It includes every song from each of the five studio albums as well as some B side songs, live tracks, and songs not originally found on CD. These songs are arranged in chronological order on four CDs. It also includes the "Don't Stand So Close to Me '86" version.

It is worth noting that "The Police" 2 CD compilation is very good. If you are looking for a greatest hits collection by the Police, this stands up much stronger than the two "Every Breath You Take" compilations. It also provides more depth from the Police perspective than the two versions of "The Very Best of Sting and The Police". However, if one is considering a greatest hits collection, I would easily opt for the "Message in a Box" collection over this 2 CD compilation. You are going to get so much more for your money. You also get the benefits of a boxed set (including a very good booklet). Every song on this 2 CD compilation is going to be found on the "Message in a Box" collection. My recommendation would be to go for the "Message in a Box" collection over this 2 CD compilation.

Literate, poetic...great pop/rock 4.5 out of 5.......2007-07-13

I'm not giving this cd 5 out of 5 because of some issues about the sound...the first cd seems to lack presence in the sound and there is some distortion in the first track of disc 2 [I listen to cds on good quality headphones and I feel that these sound issues could be eliminated if people did the same prior to releasing cds].

Anyway, The Police are perhaps THE major British band of the 1980s. Looking at the credits in the double cd, it seems that lead singer "Sting" pretty much did everything himself...from writing the songs to arranging the music.

Many of the songs on this compilation show Sting to be the former English teacher that he was...from his superior way with words, to his literary allusions.

The highlights of the first cd for me are:

Can't stand losing you-a song about breaking up. The 'voice' of the song sounds like a pouty teenager and is amusing for its melodrama. Suicide is mentioned in this song. This topic seems fertile for rock. E.g. Metallica have the beautiful and absolute classic song "Fade to black", with its adult sensibility; and Megadeth have "A tout le monde", which, like this Police song, seems to have a teenage 'voice' singing. Both latter songs have melodrama, but The Police give their song a nice dose of humour.

Roxanne-perhaps the song which broke the band, especially in the UK. It's about the boyfriend of a prostitute, I think. Along with the song above, it is one of the strongest songs on the first cd. It has a nice mixture of a vulnerable 'voice' doing the singing, and the pounding, repetitive lyrics of the chorus.

Two other songs from the first cd which take my fancy are "Message in a bottle" and "Walking on the moon". Both songs are more towards the "ballad" end of the pop/rock spectrum. The latter song, particulary, illustrates Sting's great lyrical imagery...i.e. he likens walking, when one is in love, to walking on the moon...brilliant use of lyrics and imagery.

The second cd contains most of the songs that I particularly like from this band. "De do do do, de da da da" is a terrific song about how the powerful use language for their own benefit. Many years ago I wasn't very keen on this song, as it SOUNDED like non-sense [and going on the title too]. Listening to this song years later, you appreciate the depth of meaning it has behind it. Nice turn of phrase "Poets, priests and politicians, have words to thank for their positions". Sting doesn't seem to include pop/rock stars!

"Invisible sun" has a terrificly eerie opening [not unlike Synchronicity II...in fact, the intros could just as easily be used to introduce darker themes and music, but settles for terrific pop/rock]. I'm not so keen on the chorus of Invisible Sun, but I really like the verses and the ambiance of the introduction.

"Spirits in the material world" is another highlight from the second disc.
It exemplifies an attractive trait of this band...mixing up the hooks in one song. The song is catchy from the start, with nice melodies [vocal], but it really picks up when a NEW melody [keyboard] is introduced in the latter part of the song. This song may be the one where Sting's glib political views are at the fore ["Our so called leaders speak. With words they try to gaol you. They subjugate the meek, but it's the rhetoric of failure"]. That's a VERY nice turn of phrase, but, like I say, rather glib and lacking in hope for the political process.

Perhaps the band's biggest hit is "Every breath you take". This song isn't one that has ever really grabbed me. To me it's like the curate's egg...good in parts. An Australian equivalent would be Mondo Rock's "Come said the boy"-both bands had monumentally great pop/rock songs, but their most successful songs were not the ones I rated as great. Anyway, The Police's ballad is perhaps growing more on me now...it's 'good' bits are making the song gel better now, for me, perhaps.

"Wrapped around your finger" is another very good Police song, and which has those literary allusions I spoke of earlier "Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes". Perhaps my favourite Police song of all is "King of pain", which also has some literary allusions that I know of "There's a king with his eyes torn out" and some that elude me "There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread". Both these songs illustrate the great thing about Police songs...how they change gears, so to speak, by changing tempo or pitch or melody. The bit in King Of Pain where this happens is where Sting raises his voice higher and starts the line about the King. Reading the lyrics, I saw that it was more gruesome than I remember, but nonetheless beautiful to listen to.

"Synchronicity" is one of the band's more adventurous sounding rock songs but they carry it off with aplomb.

I do remember hearing somewhere about the song "Murder by numbers" causing controversy in the US and the band's response to this. Having read the lyrics that come with this cd, I see that the band is right to defend the song, but perhaps they only have themselves to blame by making the point of their song towards the end, making it difficult to come by, perhaps. It is also another politically glib song by Sting, though perhaps containing a germ of truth.

Lastly, I did find "Walking in your footsteps" to be a lyrically interesting song. Perhaps it is Sting likening humans to dinosaurs...with us heading for extinction too, like the dinosaurs, if we keep toying with nuclear power.

In conclusion, this is a terrific buy for people into lyrically sophisticated music with catchy pop/rock that is also sophisticated. I do find the drumming sound by this band to be satisfying and their melodies gorgeous when they're at their best. It's just a pity though that on occasion it sounds like the master tapes are in fact LP records...with dust or scratches on them.

P.S. if you like poetic music, I recommend and have reviewed:

Patti Smith's album Horses.

If you like political music, I recommend and have reviewed numerous albums by Midnight Oil here [highly recommended are their albums "10-1" and "Diesel and dust".

I've reviewed Metallica and Megadeth albums here too.

Best rhythm section in rock........2007-07-08

I wouldn't give you more than 50 cents for Sting, but listening to Copeland and Summers on this compilation confirms that they are/were the best rhythm section in rock - or, at the very least, one of the best. Focusing on their playing throughout these 28 tracks is a real delight. I don't know of many other bass/drum duos who can make so much happen so economically.

Buy and get a master class in how to make a rock rhythm section work to perfection.

Average customer rating:

Good Enough
economic car collection
Drive
The carrs cd
DRIVE

Cars - Complete Greatest Hits
The Cars , and Cars
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Foreigner - Complete Greatest Hits
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Greatest Hits
Styx - Greatest Hits
The Very Best Of Supertramp
Boston - Greatest Hits

ASIN: B00005Y1XY
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

Just What I Needed
My Best Friend's Girl
Good Times Roll
You're All I've Got Tonight
Bye Bye Love
Moving In Stereo
Let's Go
It's All I Can Do
Dangerous Type
Touch And Go
Shake It Up
Since You're Gone
I'm Not The One
You Might Think
Drive
Magic
Hello Again
Why Can't I Have You
Tonight She Comes
You Are The Girl

Amazon.com

If rock's most successful and memorable acts have usually succeeded by wrapping their own distillation of music history and personal tastes in whatever fashionable trappings are currently gripping the culture, it's hardly surprising that the Cars remain one of the most enduring symbols of the punk/new wave era. This 20-track anthology distills that argument perfectly. Ric Ocasek's songs embody a solid '60s sense of pop craftsmanship informed by a trend-conscious stylistic sheen and a cynical, slippery emotional detachment that's often betrayed by his own distinctly weary brand of romanticism, from the anxious pop of "Just What I Needed" and "You're All I've Got Tonight" to the melancholy-on-ice musings of "Drive" and "Tonight She Comes." Sixteen of the 20 cuts here were chart singles, and radio staples like "Bye Bye Love" and "Dangerous Type" might as well have been. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

20 of their best tracks available on 1 CD, including 'Just What I Needed', 'You're All I've Got Tonight', Touch and Go', 'Magic', 'You Might Think' & more. Rhino Records. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Good Enough.......2007-07-29

A decent enough compilation, but it's missing two of my favorites that showed more of their non-commercial roots at the time; "This Could Be Love" and "Don't Tell Me No". I think people forget that this is New Wave. They were a Post-Punk band when they came out and not really an FM radio band. So it would've beeen nice to hear some of the more "home played" cuts. I agree, a double disk would've been nice.But overall, I'm getting it.

economic car collection.......2007-07-17

Excellent condensed collection of Cars hits. Easily could have been a 2 cd
collection as the Cars were a hit machine in their day. Very good selection of songs that are catchy and fun as well as mysterious and open-ended. Once you get this you will likely want more.

Drive.......2007-07-06

A good late 70s early 80s CD. Reminds on of early MTV. Good mix, great sound

The carrs cd.......2007-06-08

The itemwas fine but it took wayyyyy toooooo long to receive it!!!

DRIVE.......2007-05-17

DRIVE--My favorite Cars' song and one of my top five songs EVER. Just so beautiful. It touches me in some way, even now.

Fran Mobley

Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free

Average customer rating:

RBF going back to what they are great at
Please enter a title for your review
Good Album
They Just Came To Party Down
It's a good time

Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free
Reel Big Fish
Manufacturer: Rock Ridge Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album
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ASIN: B000QGE7OI
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

Party Down
Another F.U. Song
Live Your Dream
My Imaginary Friend
Slow Down
The New Version Of You
Will the Revolution Come?
Another Day In Paradise
Everybody's Drunk
Please Don't Tell Her I Have a Girlfriend
Way Back
Hate You
Call You
Why Do All Girls Think They're Fat
I'm Her Man
Til I Hit the Ground
Cannibal

Album Details

After More Than 15 Years of Conveying Negative Vibes, Warning Listeners About the Dangers of Being in a Band and Lamenting their Time in the Music Industry (Case in Point: The Band's Radio Hit, "Sell Out"), the Members of Southern California Ska-punk Stalwarts Reel Big Fish Want to Let the World Know of a Big Change: They're Finally Happy. The Self-produced Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free is Reel Big Fish's First Independent Studio Album Since Leaving their Former Label and it Finds the Members of Reel Big Fish Doing Things their Way. In Fact, it features Material Done their Way, from Quite a Long Ways Back.

Customer Reviews:

RBF going back to what they are great at.......2007-07-23

First off, I have been a RBF fan since my high school days (late 90s) and still love them -- so take this review for what its worth. Also I am not a music expert, just someone who appreciates ska & RBF.

RBF comes back with a really solid SKA cd that reminds me why I love these guys. Most of the songs are good with a few that I didn't care for (Cannibal, Party Down, & Everybody's Drunk).

The good ones are the traditional fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, ska/rock that RBF is known for. I'd put "Another F.U. Song", "My Imaginary Friend", & "Why do all Girls Think they're Fat" in this category. Really good songs; very happy, lots of horns, things that RBF do well.

In my opinion, RBFs' true talent can be heard in songs like "Slow Down", "Will the Revolution Come", "Way Back", & "Another Day in Paradise". They are just really great, what I would call, "traditional" ska songs with much less rock/punk influence (if that makes any sense). I always come back to RBF after every new release because of their ability to create excellent ska music. After hearing "A Little Doubt Goes a Long Way" on their previous release, I hoped this next album would sound more like that. In my opinion there wasn't enough "traditional ska" which is why it only got a 4 out of 5 stars.

So after all that, this is a really good cd & definitely worth your money. If you are a RBF fan, buy it. If you are new to ska/RBF - get Turn the Radio Off first. After you hear that one, you'll be hooked & end up buying this cd anyway...that is in addition to all their other ones (with the possible exception of Cheer Up).

Please enter a title for your review.......2007-07-22

I haven't followed this band very hard so I didn't really notice the gaps between albums, and I doubt this one is going to replace Cheer Up in my sporadic rotation, it doesn't party as hard, but it's refreshing to hear something new from these guys that I can actually get into. The one thing this album does have in common with We're Not Happy Til You're Not Happy is that the title is the best thing about it, although a lot of kids might not recognize the absurd Dire Straits reference.
The chord progressions are often bland, the guitar tone is too bassy and lacking in gain, the riffs never really rock and the melodies rarely pop as much as they could, but it's hooky enough most of the time with the funny lyrics and energetic vocals picking up the slack, and the band are at their best on the slower reggaeish tracks Slow Down and Will The Revolution Come and the guitar soloing outro to the album which is reminiscent of the outro jam on Why Do They Rock So Hard. The only dud tracks for me are Live Your Dream and Everybody's Drunk.
The bonus DVD, which was a purchasing incentive for me, is 20 minutes of footage of the band in the studio which I found pretty disappointing.
I'd probably rather watch a sitcom Aaron wrote than listen to his songwriting at this point but I do rank this as one of the top 20 albums of the year so far.

Good Album.......2007-07-16

just bought the album and i like it, i dont think it is their best work, but seriously its great.

They Just Came To Party Down.......2007-07-13

Reel Big Fish couldn't have picked a better mission statement for new album "Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free" than lead track "Party Down." In addition to boldly stating that "[Reel Big Fish] just came to party down," the hyperactive romp offers a smorgasbord of musical styles from disco to country to glam rock. Casual RBF fans may identify this diversity only with the band's practice of playing their many versions of "S.R." live, but it's really been a hallmark of their studio work since "Why Do They Rock So Hard."

This album's best moments continue in Reel Big Fish's tradition of mixing ska energy with other musical conventions and interesting arrangements, from "My Imaginary Friend" - which sounds like the theme song from a children's show about atheism - to "Please Don't Tell Her I Have A Girlfriend," where the band sounds like They Might Be Giants and Billy Joel teaming up to sing a sweet drinking sway about infidelity (from the cheater's point of view, of course). It's also hard not to crack a smile during the hair metal guitar solo on "Drunk Tonight" (And, if not during the solo, at least during the hilarious Twisted Sister breakdown). Album closer "Cannibal" is another standout, as Reel Big Fish unleashes their inner Oingo Boingo for about three-and-a-half minutes before launching into an epic heavy metal epilogue.

RBF has a strong contingent of fans who (for whatever reason) profess only to like the band's first two albums. These traditionalists will enjoy the more straightforward ska-punk of "Another F.U. Song," "Live Your Dream," and "The New Version of You," not to mention a cover of Phil Collins's "Another Day in Paradise," danceable tracks that hearken back to the band's roots in the 1990s ska explosion.

Though the mood on this CD is lighter than other RBF efforts, lead singer Aaron Barrett still exudes some of his trademark pessimism. Not only does he ponder life in a godless universe, but he also notes in "Will the Revolution Come?" that "each generation's mess is bigger than the one before them has made."

MFNATCFF also includes re-recordings of old songs reaching as far back as "Everything Sucks," and even a pre-"Everything Sucks" demo. "Hate You," "Call You," "I'm Her Man," and "'Til I Hit The Ground" all sound ten times better on this disc, aided largely by the addition of Scott Klopfestein's excellent backing vocals, which have been one of RBF's best features since "Turn the Radio Off." It doesn't hurt that they've been re-recorded on such a clean-sounding album, which is a refreshing change from "We're Not Happy...," a disc whose vocals could have been recorded in a port-a-potty using an iBook's onboard microphone. Highly recommended!

It's a good time.......2007-07-13

This album is nothing less of a good, fun, energetic ska album. However, it's barely more. The new songs that were written for this album are fun to sing along to and make us longtime Reel Big Fish fans happy because of the abundance of upstrokes and horns, but after a few listens, the songs start to get boring. When I first heard this album, I was putting it right up there with Why Do They Rock So Hard? and Turn the Radio Off, but then a week or two later I started to realize how generic some of these songs are.

However, in the end this album is saved by the last few tracks which include mostly re-recorded songs off of Everything Sucks, and they sound amazing, and completely original because they were written when Reel Big Fish hadn't run out of material to write about. But don't take this review and my negativity the wrong way. It's a very good album, and there are some amazing songs on here, re-recorded and new, but it's apparent how little time they spent on it which was said to be just around a few months.

Overall, I loved to see that Reel Big Fish has made a full return to their ska roots, and the only thing this album is short of is just a pinch of originality and it'd be a 5 star album no doubt. Definitely check this one out!

Average customer rating:

Too big a reputation for so mediocre an album
The Clash's best album!!!.
Clash City Shocker
EVERY PERSON SHOULD HAVE THIS ALBUM
The Clash's greatest album, and one of rock's most enduring masterpieces....

London Calling
The Clash
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols
Combat Rock
The Velvet Underground & Nico
Ramones
The Clash

ASIN: B00004BZ0N
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

London Calling
Brand New Cadillac
Jimmy Jazz
Hateful
Rudie Can't Fail
Spanish Bombs
The Right Profile
Lost In The Supermarket
Clampdown
The Guns Of Brixton
Wrong 'Em Boyo
Death Or Glory
Koka Kola
The Card Cheat
Lover's Rock
Four Horsemen
I'm Not Down
Revolution Rock
Train In Vain

Amazon.com essential recording

Bursting at the seams with creative energy, the Clash's stunning 1979 double album more than made up for the artistic and commercial disappointment of its predecessor, 1978's tried-too-hard Give 'Em Enough Rope. With ex-Mott the Hoople producer Guy Stevens harnessing their sound as never before, the band yielded what proved to be the best work of their career. Bouncing from hard rock (the apocalyptic vision of the title track) to rockabilly ("Brand New Cadillac") to reggae ("Rudy Can't Fail") to pop (the Top 40 hit "Train in Vain"), the Clash knocked down all musical walls and, in the process, ended the argument over punk's viability in the U.S. --Billy Altman

Album Description

Digitally remastered from the original production master tapes, this a reissue of the 1979 & third album by 'the only band that matters'. Features the original artwork and all 19 of the original tracks, including the hidden hit 'Train In Vain (Stand By Me)', their first U.S. single to chart (it reached #23 at the time). Also contains reproductions of the original LP sleeves, including the lyrics. 1999 release.

Album Details

Limited Millennium Edition. Packed in a Heavy Weight Card Wallet that Faithfully Recreates the Original Vinyl Sleeve, Right Down to the Inner Bag. The Wallet Will Come in a Plastic Cover.

Customer Reviews:

Too big a reputation for so mediocre an album.......2007-08-01

This album is a favourite with people who think they're too cool to like the Beatles or Guns & Roses and want something more "real" to feel smug about. Somehow The Clash are meant to be a blow to all carefree bands writing songs in their ivory towers. People want *real* songs about suburban alienation! Songs that the common joe in the streets of Britain can relate to! Uh...supermarkets! Yeah!

Somehow this album has also gained popularity among North American university elitists who mistakenly think they have some empathy with the British working class and who tend to say things like "Did you read those Hunter S. Thompson and Jack Kerouac's I recommended?"

The album itself is just bland late 70s British new wave with moderately pointless reggae experiments.

The Clash's best album!!!........2007-07-26

O.K. first of all I'm not sure why Amazon wouldn't let me review this, they have done this before and its annoying and frustrating so I'm gonna write a short review, before The Clash has experimented with with reggae and ska mixed with punk but then on London Calling they tried a dizzying array of styles everything from punk to jazz can be found on this great album and it also shows how far ahead these guys were. You've got great songs like The guns of Brixton, Spanish bombs, Lost in the supermarket, London calling, brand new Cadillac ect. basically all the songs were brilliant except for Lover's rock which I can't stand. This album is so invigorating that every time you listen to it never gets boring and also happens to beat out any modern rock album out there especially nowadays with the truly pathetic music scene, Joe Strummer and Mick Jones have written some of the best and politically charged lyrics of all time and are anti-establishment which is typical punk only The Clash really mean it cause they came from poverty in the street of England unlike those fake wannabe punk groups that have no idea what they're talking about and their playing skills are usually sh**. I highly recomend this album to everyone and if you haven't gotten this yet then what are you waiting for GET THIS NOW!!!.

Clash City Shocker.......2007-07-17

Just about the Clash's worst album, (I think the lumpen `Sandinista' is better because a} it has a whole lp more and b} it's got the fabulous `Somebody Got Murdered' on it.) `London Calling' is as bland and dreary as it's title suggests. I thought London was burning with boredom (Dial 99999!) but now it seems it's just...calling. Oh well.
It starts brilliantly with the title track but then it's downhill fast, with lack-luster forays into r+b and reggae, rockabilly and jazz. Drifting and meandering all over the place in a vain attempt to find some badly needed cohesion, some sort of direction in among the painfully forced `diversity'.
It's a well known rock truism that Strummer and Jones weren't getting on at the time this was recorded, and you can tell, it sounds like they were in different rooms! It's sad to watch this once-great song-writing team align against each other in such an obvious (and childish!) way. Strummer with his slurry `rocka' pose, and Jones with his toe-curling `Americanisms`.
Strummer didn't recover `til `Combat Rock', and before you start scoffing, compare `Straight to Hell' with ANYTHING on here, and it'll be the stronger song by streets.
Anything with the inexplicably awful `Guns of Brixton' on it, just HAS to suck a big one,(now THERE'S a song worth a giggle or two) along with `This Is Radio Clash', their poorest song in a frustratingly inconsistent canon. (if ever a group's output was justifiably labeled `peaks and troughs' it's the Clash`s.)
If only `London Calling' the album was as good as `London Calling' the song, we would indeed have something special on our hands. As it is, we've got something tired, a bit derivative, and really rather tatty.
`London Calling' was voted the best album of all time in a poll. It's not even the best Clash album.

EVERY PERSON SHOULD HAVE THIS ALBUM.......2007-07-04

This is not gonna be a long review like others because it is simply put. Wonderful. In general, The Clash opens your mind and makes you wonder about things in this world of ours. I'm not just giving this a 5 because they are my favorate band. Another thing I would like to add, The Clash aren't just punk, they hit every single genre out there including reggae and jazz. If your a jazz fan, you will LOVE this album. EVERYONE WILL LOVE THIS ALBUM! LOOK HOW MANY 5 STARS THIS HAS!! ANYONE will love this album I guarentee It. Just to let you know I am 19 and being young, I bet even younger kids will like it. Or else they have no clue what music is.

The Clash's greatest album, and one of rock's most enduring masterpieces...........2007-07-02

Some critic said that this was the album where The Clash stopped being punks and learned how to play their instruments. Luckily for us, The Clash instantly matured as a band here to make arguably one of the greatest rock albums of all time, and maybe the greatest double album of all time. Out of the 19 tracks here, not one is a throwaway. The album is one of the best sequenced, most coherent albums ever made. There is not one song on here that I skip over. There are some that I like more than others, but there isn't one song that sucks. Most punk bands did one of two things. They either died/faded away, or they stopped being punks and learned how to make real music (I never liked punk, obviously). Luckily, The Clash followed the 2nd path, and made their masterpiece. I'll pick my favorite 10 songs here, but it isn't easy. The title track, Spanish Bombs, The Right Profile, Clampdown, The Guns of Brixton, Wrong 'em Boyo, Death or Glory, The Card Cheat, Revolution Rock, and Train in Vain are my favorites here. The Clash, along with The Sex Pistols who became Public Image Ltd., grew into a great band after giving up the punk thing (which really is very limiting, if you think about it). Their follow ups, Sandinista! and Combat Rock, are very good, but this is the best of their 5 studio albums (I don't count Cut the Crap). It's a shame they broke up (and Joe Strummer died), but we still have this great album...

Average customer rating:

Attention Guitarists
The cure I remember...
The Cure has some really great hits
One way or the other, get the song "Cut Here"
For ultra casual fans only

The Cure - Greatest Hits
The Cure
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Psychedelic Furs - Greatest Hits

ASIN: B00005R09Z
Release Date: 2001-11-13

Tracks:

Boys Don't Cry
A Forest
Let's Go To Bed
The Walk
The Lovecats
Inbetween Days
Close To Me
Why Can't I Be You?
Just Like Heaven
Lullaby
Lovesong
Never Enough
High
Friday I'm In Love
Mint Car
Wrong Number
Cut Here
Just Say Yes

Amazon.com

As Greatest Hits--and particularly the busking pavement jazz of "Lovecats"--reminds us, the best Cure singles were very often tangential exercises; they offered a goth-free playtime divergence from some of the weightier studiousness of those early albums. Or, as smudged frontman Robert Smith says of this 18-track collection, "Songs that are sung with a smile." This wasn't always true--witness the refrigerated fogginess of the classic "A Forest," the Blair Witch Project of its day. What this compilation does is focus attention on the Cure's perennial unpredictability--the breathless claustrophobia of "Close to Me," the New Order-lite of "The Walk," the brass- section embellished thrust of "Why Can't I Be You." Oddly, chart-wise, the Cure's lost weekend began immediately after "Friday I'm in Love," their most ebullient melodic moment and the ultimate "clocking-off to kick those heels" anthem. But at least the inclusion of two new songs, "Cut Here" and "Just Say Yes" (with Saffron from Republica), indicate that the Cure remain a healthy, ongoing concern. --Kevin Maidment

Customer Reviews:

Attention Guitarists.......2007-07-14

For you guitarists out there, there is a companion tab book to this CD. So if your Cure collection is not 100% complete, you can buy this CD and have all the songs in the books. Very helpful!

The cure I remember..........2007-03-27

This is a great cd, that offers some "old" stuff and some "new" stuff all in 1 cd. After the 80's tapes that have long been "borrowed" and all the songs I wanted to hear again, they are here on this cd. Only a couple missing, which would have made this cd the "motts", but I guess that's why it's not called the all time greatest hits. Not a bad cd at all, worth the bucks.

The Cure has some really great hits.......2007-03-23

I bought this cd only for about 3 songs but after listening to the cd I found that I liked every song on the cd. My friends and I love to listen to it in the car. Its such a great cd, and you totally get your moneys worth.

One way or the other, get the song "Cut Here".......2007-03-18

For a greatest hits collection, you are much better off getting "Staring at the Sea" and/or "Galore", depending on whether you like early Cure, later Cure or both. But the one thing you should not miss from this latest greatest hits package is the song "Cut Here". It is one of the most lovely songs the Cure has done in a long while, including some of Robert Smith's most personal and heartfelt lyrics. (It is about Billy MacKenzie; check wikipedia for more info.) Musically, the 6-string bass evokes the heyday of both the Cure and New Order. Don't miss out on this gem. Download that track or find a copy of the import cd single or get a used copy of "Greatest Hits" just for this song. You'll be glad you did.

For ultra casual fans only.......2007-03-13

If "Staring at the Sea", undoubtadly one of the best greatest hits albums ever released period, was for casual listeners, then "Greatest Hits" is for ultra casual Cure fans only. We get many songs that we would come to expect when seeing a Cure disc with this title on the cover: "Boys Don't Cry", "Inbetween Days", "Close To Me", "Why Can't I Be You?", "Lovesong", and "Friday I'm in Love" are here as they should be, while two songs recorded just for this release, "Cut Here" and "Just Say Yes", are included as well. Both songs are pretty decent enough, but nothing real special to make completists rush out to get this if they own every Cure album and "Staring at the Sea" and "Galore". There is nothing from "Bloodflowers" included here, nor is fan favorite song "Burn" from The Crow soundtrack or breakthrough hit "Pictures of You", which leads one to wonder what the point of putting this together was (well, besides to make a little extra dough, then again, that was the reason this was made, but I disgress). That aside, there's nothing bad to be found here, and "Greatest Hits" is instantly enjoyable for ultra casual fans who don't own any other Cure discs or compilations.

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what do you want? i want rock n' roll!
Should have been five stars, but wasn't...
Absolute must have for Def Leppard fans
Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Def Leppard?
Brilliant!

Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection
Def Leppard
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Yeah!
Def Leppard - Rock of Ages: Definitive Collection DVD
Greatest Hits
Red, White, & Crue

ASIN: B0009299LU
Release Date: 2005-05-17

Tracks:

Pour Some Sugar On Me (HISTORIA video edit)
Photograph
Love Bites
Let's Get Rocked
Two Steps Behind (acoustic version)
Animal
Heaven Is
Foolin'
Rocket (VISUALIZE video edit)
When Love & Hate Collide
Armageddon It
Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad?
Rock Of Ages
Hysteria
Miss You In A Heartbeat
Bringin' On The Heartbreak
Switch 625

Tracks:

Rock Rock (Till You Drop)
Let It Go
High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night)
Too Late For Love
No Matter What
Promises
Mirror, Mirror (Look Into My Eyes)
Women
Another Hit And Run
Slang
Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion)
Rock Brigade
Now
Paper Sun
Work It Out
Die Hard The Hunter
Wasted
Billy's Got A Gun

Amazon.com

While many of their peers were abandoning '70s metal and arena rock to hop the punk/new wave bandwagon, Def Leppard smartly stripped the earlier era's music of its excesses, bolstered it with energetic, pop-savvy hooks and quickly found itself the vanguard of the UK's new metal revival and one of the '80s most spectacularly successful rock acts. The first disc of this 35-track, two-and-a-half hour double-disc retrospective focuses on the familiar hits of their early MTV, platinum-selling prime, though the inclusion of the video edit/remixes of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rocket" attempts to cast them in a more club-friendly contemporary groove. But the grittier second disc showcases some of the early, overlooked roots of On Through the Night and High 'N' Dry, as well as underappreciated later gems like '99's "Promises" and a power-pop-perfect take on Badfinger's "No Matter What" from an upcoming covers project. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

what do you want? i want rock n' roll!.......2007-07-25

what do you want?/i want rock n'roll!/you betcha!/long live rock n' roll!/def leppard sing in the classic rock of ages. that song gives this collection its title. 35 classic songs on 2 cds. isn't that awsome or what? ok i'll give you the song list. the songs include pour some sugar on me,foolin',photograph,high and dry(saturday night),women, love bites,rocket,no matter what,two steps behind,let's get eocked,and have you ever needed someone so bad. that' quite a list isn't it? listen to this album ,you will hear these songs and many more great songs. trust me you will like this album as much as i do. ed wilson

Should have been five stars, but wasn't..........2007-07-07

The concept was correct: Use of a full two CD's to represent all the great songs the band has produced. However, the selection was incorrect. There is too much emphasis on obscure tracks like "Paper Sun"? and "Waterloo...". But perhaps the most glaring faux pas, is that the albums "High and Dry" and "Pyromania" are under represented. Where is "Action...Not Words" and "Stagefright" or "You've got me Runnin'" and "Lady Strange". Also, "Die Hard the Hunter" is likely the ONLY weak song from "Pyro" and they choose it? Nonsense... Once they release Pyro and High n' Dry in a remaster, those are the two to get after Hysteria.

Absolute must have for Def Leppard fans.......2007-06-19

This 2-disc collection rules. It's got all the hits and more. The songs are put in a good order on both discs. Great summary of Def Leppard's music. The fan gets well over 2 hours of Def Leppard for his/her money. Great value! Get it.

Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Def Leppard?.......2007-03-25

This is far better retrospective than the old one disc set, The Valut. That being said, I think the casual listener may find this collection to be too much Def Leppard. The first disc is fairly solid disc filled with radio hits and popular album favorites, with only maybe one or two questionable tracks. The second disc is highly indulgent with newer material that only a hardcore fan who continued to follow the band through less popular albums like Slang, X, etc. will know. If you haven't bought a Leppard album in the past decade, you won't know a lot of this disc. Overall, a very thorough set, but the passive fan may opt for the one disc import only version, Best of Def Leppard. Its not complete, but its got more than The Vault without the filler of ROCK OF AGES.

Brilliant!.......2007-03-10

I was NOT disappointed with my purchase here. There's a great selection of songs on here, showcasing the band's changing image over time. If there are particular songs that you like that aren't in this collection, I'd suggest you download them, or get them elsewhere, but definitely get this CD for the absolute best of Def Leppard. It contains great liner notes on each song, with input from each of the band members, something I particularly enjoyed. Getting these liner notes helped me understand a lot more about where the band was coming from on each song and what it truly meant to them to be writing and recording it. With this input on their take on lyrics and such, I daresay I understood the songs themselves better. It also includes pictures of the band over time, including Steve Clark (R.I.P.). Overall: Perfect for fans and those simply looking to get the best of this phenomenal band.

Average customer rating:

the wild boy are calling ,and i'm answering!
Duran Duran leave a strong legacy
not too good...
Slick sounds by guys in white suits
Get your Duran Duran Fix

Greatest
Duran Duran
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Cure - Greatest Hits
Discography: The Complete Singles Collection

ASIN: B00000DG1R
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

Is There Something I Should Know?
The Reflex
A View To A Kill
Ordinary World (Single Version)
Save A Prayer (US Single Version)
Rio (US Edit)
Hungry Like A Wolf
Girls On Film
Planet Earth (Single Version)
Union Of The Snake
New Moon On Monday
Wild Boys
Notorious
I Don't Want Your Love (Shep Pettibone 7-in Mix)
All She Wants Is (45 Mix)
Electric Barbarella (Edit)
Serious (Edit)
Skin Trade (Radio Cut)
Come Undone (Edit)

Amazon.com

While English pop monarchs Duran Duran have remained active for two decades, it's clear that the indomitable ensemble was at its peak during those mercurial '80s. This greatest-hits collection documents the band's ambitious beginnings as a funky glam-rock outfit and follows its gradual transformation into a high-tech pop band with loads of commercial appeal. Featuring now-classic tunes like "Girls on Film," "Rio," and "Planet Earth" as well as more recent songs like "Ordinary World," Greatest focuses on Duran Duran's unending string of hit singles. Although the young quintet that performs "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "A View to a Kill" has little in common with the posh, aging trio featured on 1997's "Electric Barbarella," vocalist Simon Le Bon provides some impressive continuity to these proceedings. --Mitch Myers

Customer Reviews:

the wild boy are calling ,and i'm answering!.......2007-07-24

why do i like duran duran so much? because they made some great music in thr'80s,and continue to make great music today. this collection has a lot of great songs on it.those songs are planet earth,girls on film,is thre something i should know,rio,hungry like the wolf,save a prayer,the reflex,the wild boys,a view to a kill,notorius,,i don't want your love,all she wants is,ordinary world,and come undone. if you like duran duran,you will like this album. also check out the original albums,the power station album, and arcadia's so red the rose. ed wilson

Duran Duran leave a strong legacy.......2007-07-16

One great song after another on this disc. Duran Duran took the 80s by storm but the later part of the decade there was a backlash against them. Maybe it was the big hair and pretty boy attitude among other things. Grunge and Nirvana hit the scene and it became uncool to like Duran Duran, Hair Metal, and other things 80s. Overshadowed by all this is that Duran Duran are great musicians and songwriters and had a unique sound that has never been matched. Simon Le Bon wrote interesting lyrics with striking imagery and sung with a force and conviction that brought the songs to another level. Under appreciated bassist John Taylor drove these songs with cool, funky basslines (a good example is "Rio".)

These songs have stood the test of time and still sound good. Proof is that most of their work is still in print and selling over 20 years later. Here are some highlights:

1) Is There Something I Should Know? --A good opening and one of my favorites. Catchy as hell and a prime example of Simon Le Bon's talent for giving a song energy and urgency with intense singing and lyrics. "People stare and cross the road from me/And jungle drums they all clear the way for me/Can you read my mind, can you see in the snow/And fiery demons all dance when you walk through that door" --How many pop song's today have fiery demons in them? None.

2) The Reflex --One of their biggest hits and it was overplayed on the radio, but you can't deny the originality of this song. It goes in all kinds of unexpected directions and we'll never hear a pop song like this again. Some of Le Bon's most obscure lyrics.

3) A View to Kill --One of the best Bond themes and I think what makes this song is the pounding drums and the Bond-like horns.

4) Ordinary World --A later hit for them and one of their most beautiful. Highlights are the guitar solo and soaring vocals at the end.

5) Save a Prayer --Very close to Ordinary World as one of their best ballads. The magical keyboards by Nick Rhodes grab you immediately and "You saw me standing by the wall/Corner of a main street/And the lights are flashing on your window sill" --draws you in.

6) Rio --A defining song for them that everyone knows. John Taylor drives this song with killer bass, Nick Rhodes with great keyboards, Roger Taylor with excellent drumming, and Andy Taylor completes a band in top form. Even though this is the edited version the memorable sax solo is there. I bought this cd so I felt justified downloading the full version from the net which is about 5:37.

7) Hungry Like the Wolf --One of the most famous uses of "do do do do do, do do." The song that made them famous in America because of the video. Has that signature sort of tribal, jungle Duran Duran sound. A classic.

10) Union of the Snake --Another one of my favorites. Unorthodox verses and choruses make this song unique.

11) New Moon on Monday --Once again Simon Le Bon brings a song to great heights with an excellent vocal performance and "I light my torch and wave it for the/New moon on monday/And a firedance through the night/I stayed the cold day with a lonely satellite". You ponder those words during the song and interesting images are put in your mind and that's what good lyrics do.

12) Wild Boys --This song might be a bit over-the-top for some but it's power can't be denied. Simon sings the hell out of this one.

13) Notorious --Does it ever end? Yet another ridiculously catchy song.

14) I Don't Want Your Love (Shep Pettibone Mix) --A solid dance song that has aged well. Can't be resisted.

19) Come Undone --The sister hit to Ordinary World. Dreamy underwater sound with the backing beat made famous previously by Erik B. & Rakim.
Pretty female backing vocals and nice lyrics: "Words, playing me deja vu, like a radio tune I swear I've heard before/Chill, is it something real, or the magic Im feeding off your fingers."

And the other songs I didn't mention are good too. I bought "Astronaut", their latest cd as of this writing, and it's pretty good I like it. It doesn't match these songs though and I don't fault them. They were at their peak of creativity during this period and these songs are too good to be topped. Fortunately the 80s backlash is long over and it seems Duran Duran are finally getting the recognition they deserve, especially after people see them live in person or on TV (Live Earth for example). It's about time!

not too good..........2007-07-09

Geesh, I remember them being better than this. Perhaps it was because I was 10 years old back then. Mea culpa, sentimentality trumped by reality.

Slick sounds by guys in white suits.......2007-05-26

Few bands during the 1980s churned out as many recognizable pop hits as Duran Duran, and this "Greatest" CD captures them all. The guys in Duran Duran (no matter the band lineup) always had an ear for melody, great vocals and exotic sounds. Plus, they carried on as a true band, with everybody writing and contributing. If you like the band's radio hits, then this CD is a must-have; songs one through 13 have been played on the radio for eons. What drew me to this disc, however, was the tunes that aren't as well known.

Besides just catchy, synth-laden pop, Duran Duran were capable of adding soul to their sound ("I Don't Want Your Love"), a cold but sexy club-music vibe ("All She Wants Is") and real emotion and exoticism ("Come Undone"). Songs from the first three Duran Duran records are well represented here, and nice offerings from the same era such as "A View to a Kill" and "Wild Boys" are also present.

Duran Duran also had a nice, somewhat reinvented run in the 1990s, especially the early `90s. The songs "Serious," "Ordinary World," "Come Undone" and "Electric Barbarella" (from Medazzaland) prove that. "Serious," from 1990, sounds like a wonderful `80s leftover, updated in an organic fashion for the new decade, while "Skin Trade," a tune released in 1986, has a slick, catchy sound, but also displays some real soul and great vocal work by Simon LeBon. Though they barely received any radio airplay, each of these tunes could lay claim to being two of the strongest tracks on "Greatest," a CD that is chock full of classics. My only complaint is that "Too Much Information" from Duran Duran 2 (The Wedding Album) was left off, but beggars can't be choosers. Many non-hits by the band have been great, but if you're looking for your fix of the most popular Duran Duran music over the years, this CD is the way to go.

Get your Duran Duran Fix.......2007-05-16

If you're considering this CD, I probably don't have to introduce you to Duran Duran--but just in case you somehow got amnesia (or were born after 1985), I'll give you the quick synopsis. If you were to put all the eighties, mainstream, cheesy yet still a little bit artsy bands into some sort of battle of the bands competition, Duran Duran would finish in the top 3 (along with Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys), edging out other favorites like Billy Idol, Tears for Fears, and the Human League. Without a doubt they were a pop band--not to be confused with artists like the Talking Heads or Blondie--but they were an EXCELLENT pop band who put together 3 (maybe even 4) really good albums and an impressive string of great, sing-a-long singles. And that's a resume with which few can compete.

As for this collection, it's all the Duran Duran a person needs--and maybe even then some. Every single one of hits are here--including their James Bond song, "A View to a Kill," and early nineties hits like "Come Undone." You might have some gripes about which versions they use (for example, why the US edit for "Rio?"), but you can't argue with the track list as a whole. You've got all the smash hits (Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf, Girls on Film), as well as the popular tracks that aren't as well known (All She Wants Is, New Moon on Monday, The Reflex). This is a great collection for anyone who's a fan of eighties music or a Duran Duran lover.

Average customer rating:

CBGB
Exceptional best-of set
A nice compilation of The Talking Heads
Articulate Collection
Excellent Heads Compilation

The Best of Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003

ASIN: B0002IQMKM
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Tracks:

Love ->
Building On Fire
Psycho Killer
Oh, Love Comes To Town
Take Me To The River
Found A Job
Life During Wartime
Heaven
Memories Can't Wait
Once In A Lifetime
Houses In Motion
This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
Girlfriend Is Better
Burning Down The House
Road To Nowhere
And She Was
Wild Wild Life
Blind
(Nothing But) Flowers

Album Description

Formed in NYC in the mid-'70s by David Byrne, Chris Franz, Tina Weymouth, and ex-Modern Lover Jerry Harrison, the Talking Heads evolved out of their now-legendary humble beginnings at CBGB's to become one of the most adventurous and influential bands ever. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, the Heads' visionary, polyrhythmic sound daringly combined funk and punk, African beats, avant-garde minimalism, and pure pop. From their 1977 debut through their Brian Eno-produced classics to their '88 farewell, Naked, they both pushed artistic boundaries and delivered indelible radio hits like "Once In A Lifetime" and "Burning Down The House."

Customer Reviews:

CBGB.......2007-07-06

This collection is all a Talking Head fan (except the most devout fan) will ever need. 3/4s of the tunes are great, the rest are still good.

Exceptional best-of set.......2006-10-10

Of course you know all these songs, and of course there are many more great cuts deeper on the original albums, but for a single-disc review of a band with over 10 years' worth of releases, this 18-track set is hard to beat. The group went through several striking stylistic changes over its lifetime, but that variation actually helps this disc hold together as an album as well as a set of songs.

This would make a great introduction for a younger fan of the current crop of danceable art rock bands (Of Montreal, The Killers, Decemberists) or a casual fan looking to supplant an old LP collection.

A nice compilation of The Talking Heads.......2006-08-24

I've always liked The Talking Heads, they always had catchy songs that were fun to listen to. I must admit, my favorite of theirs has always been "Burning Down The House", but there are so many good songs on here, as well. The Talking Heads were one of the best bands of the 80's, that's when they had their best work. The 70's were ok, too, but their 80's work really shined. I'm quite happy with this.

Articulate Collection.......2006-08-17

Oddly, a compilation by Talking Heads should come out uneven and disjointed, but this collection is marvelously done. The songs meld well together and provide a sampler that wouldn't prevent anyone from buying their excellent original albums. ('Talking Heads '77,' 'Remain in Light,' and 'Speaking in Tongues' are their crowning achievements artistically, but 'Fear of Music,' 'More Songs About Buildings and Food,' and 'True Stories' demonstrate that they had a great repertoire. (Unlike, 'Sand in the Vaseline,' which is also excellent, but perhaps takes too many gems and doesn't align them as well.)

For the uninitiated, Talking Heads is one of the freshest and engaging progressive bands from the seventies and eighties. "Psycho Killer," "Once in a Lifetime," "Burning Down the House," and "Wild, Wild Life" all capture the inspired lunacy that dares to match the insanity of ordinary life. All of their albums are well represented. "Life During Wartime" represents them at their progressive best, but "And She Was" showcases their ethereal best.

In sum, 'Best of Talking Heads' provides a great mix and a thoughtful sampler without spoiling all of the fun.

Excellent Heads Compilation.......2006-04-03

Known as much for their quirky style as well as their enigmatic and creative music, Talking Heads were one of the most popular and successful bands of the late 1970s' and early 1980s'. Even today, almost 20 years after they broke up, they still have a large fanbase.

Personally speaking, I'm not the world's biggest Talking Heads fan. However, I've always liked what I heard from them, and I always wanted one of their cds in my collection. So when I found the single disc, 18 track collection "The Best Of Talking Heads", I snatched it up immediately.

This is by far the best collection for the Talking Heads novice. Pretty much all the Talking Heads essentials are here, including "Love - > Building On Fire", "Take Me To The River", "Life During Wartime", "Memories Can't Wait", "Once In A Lifetime" and "Burning Down The House" as well as many others. And every track sounds fantastic.

In addition, there is a wonderful booklet replete with great liner notes, including interviews with Talking Heads fans such as Moby and El P. It is also readily available and affordabe. I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Sublime
Maybe Worth A Listen
Good, but It's pretty overrated
Are you kidding me, what's with this main amazon review?
sublime

Sublime
Sublime
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002OZS
Release Date: 1996-07-30

Tracks:

Garden Grove
What I Got
Wrong Way
Same In The End
April 29, 1992 (Miami)
Santeria
Seed
Jailhouse
Pawn Shop
Paddle Out
The Ballad Of Johnny Butt
Burritos
Under My Voodoo
Get Ready
Caress Me Down
What I Got (Reprise)
Doin' Time

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Sublime.......2007-07-30

We have several of Sublime's albums and this was equal to the others. Good!

Maybe Worth A Listen.......2007-07-23

I'll be honest, I've never thought sublime was all that talented. That being said, this album is still listenable. A few of the songs are mindless, stoner songs, while others provide a great deal of humor.

If you're a stoner, you'll love this, if not you'll probably wonder why it's so popular.

Best Songs: What I got, Caress me down.

Good, but It's pretty overrated.......2007-07-17

Call me a closeminded person (do that, you suck), but to be honest, this album just isn't very compelling all the time. I thought it pales in comparison with their amazing debut, it has less energy, the hooks just aren't as great (too many boring pop hooks that lose their appeal quickly), it dosen't do much for me. Sublime has quite a bit of filler, it's kind of sad.

Despite the hyperbole, Sublime still is a good album, just overrated. Nothing especially horrible (besides the pointless Ballad of Johnny Butt and the bland Get Ready), just the songs miss the mark. IT also has most of their hits, and those songs lost their originaltly for me a long time ago (though they aren't fully outplayed, but What I Got was never great). I didn't think the music wasn't as complelling, the feel good alternantive that made 40 Oz. To Freedom a joy to listen is sorely lacking in Sublime. The music just isn't as memorable.

On the plus side, the songs aren't horrible, and Bradely Nowell's voice was significantly better, and he can really sing. His singing is best on this album.

Basically, my review was short, but I'm kind of out of things to say, guess that's my point. Now please click not helpful votes and bring down my ranking (ranking is pointless and stupid).

7.5/10

Are you kidding me, what's with this main amazon review?.......2007-05-29

For all his tattoos and bulked-up frat-boy persona, singer Bradley Nowell had real soul, which made his fatal heroin overdose even more tragic. There's more to this Long Beach, California, trio's debut, released shortly after Nowell's death in 1996, than white suburban punks imitating Jamaican ska music. The band comes up with great songs, notably the catchy MTV hit "What I Got"; spooky dub-reggae undertones, produced by the Butthole Surfers' Paul Leary, to go with the snappy horns; and surprisingly progressive lyrics that attack sexism and other social ills, especially on "Wrong Way." Like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Fishbone, obvious forebears, Sublime become slightly tiresome after 17 songs, but the band is great in short doses. --Steve Knoppe

Steve Knoppe is a moron. To begin with, I don't think any real Sublime fan would refer to Bradley Nowell as a "frat boy". "Imitating Jamaican ska music"???? Yea, I don't see how there's "more to this Long Beach, California trio" than that, because that's not what they're doing at all. And wow bro, you really must've gone through this cd heavily if you were able to pick out Wrong Way and What I got! I actually never caught those before, I was too busy listening to the songs everyone in the world knows like Seed and Burritos. "Sublime become slightly tiresome after 17 songs, but the band is great in short doses"... dude, your review became tiresome the second I realized you didn't know what you were talking about.. which was pretty quickly. Who gets tired of Sublime or listens to them in short doses??? I'm done ranting, someone please change this idiots review and get a true fan or someone who has at least listened to the record to review it.

sublime.......2007-05-24

This CD is a masterpiece. If you have a love for all differen't genres of music, you will be pleasently surprised with this album. Just like all three of their albums, Sublime brings together several types of genre's into one solid sound that is like nothing else ever put out. I can't promise you it will be your all-time favorite CD, but it will certainly catch on and be admired by anyone who has any decent musical taste. Buy this CD.

Average customer rating:

THIS IS A GREAT BILLY IDOL GREATEST HITS COMPILATION ALBUM!
I love Billy Idol!
Entertaining--sometimes for the wrong reasons
For some of the great guitar cameos in music
Awesome!

Billy Idol - Greatest Hits
Billy Idol
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000059QYB
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Tracks:

Dancing With Myself
Mony Mony
Hot In The City
White Wedding (Part 1)
Rebel Yell
Eyes Without A Face
Flesh For Fantasy
Catch My Fall
To Be A Lover
Don't Need A Gun (Single Edit)
Sweet Sixteen
Cradle Of Love
L.A. Woman (Single Edit)
Shock To The System
Rebel Yell (Live And Acoustic)
Don't You (Forget About Me)

Amazon.com

Billy Idol's secret is one that he shares with, of all people, Trent Reznor--the ability to take a pop base and disguise it with layers of other genres, most notably hard rock. His adaptability is on display throughout this 16-song career retrospective. It's amazing just how well the former Generation X frontman's songs have aged. Songs such as the disco-punk hit "Dancing with Myself," "White Wedding," and "Cradle of Love" are as appealing as ever, as is even "Shock to the System," just about the only listenable thing from 1993's Cyberpunk, an object lesson on the inadvisability of jumping blindly on a bandwagon. Fleshing out this best-of is a newly recorded cover of Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)," as well as a live, acoustic version of "Rebel Yell," and a few other choice rarities. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

THIS IS A GREAT BILLY IDOL GREATEST HITS COMPILATION ALBUM!.......2007-07-26

I am writing a review on the legendary greatest hits compilation album entitled "BILLY IDOL, GREATEST HITS" by one of Rock's all-time greatest artists ever. I give you one of England's pride and joy's and one of Britain's favorite sons, M-R. B-I-L-L-Y I-D-O-L! "BILLY IDOL, GREATEST HITS" was originally released in 2001 on Compact Disc on the Chrysalis Records label which is a division of Capitol Records, Inc.

WILLIAM MICHAEL ALBERT BROAD A.K.A. BILLY IDOL will forever go down in Rock n' Roll history and be remembered for composing and recording some of Rock's all-time greatest Punk anthems ever. BILLY IDOL will also forever be known for popularizing Punk Rock music in the 1980's. When BILLY IDOL came on the music scene in the early 1980's, the stage was set and there would be no looking back for this legendary artist. In my opinion, "BILLY IDOL, GREATEST HITS" is without a doubt, a true testament of the brilliance and musical creativity of legendary genius. This legendary compilation album is also a fine fitting tribute to a great 1980's icon that was truly indeed, far ahead of his time. This is the tales in the life and times of one BILLY IDOL. His music is his story that speaks for itself.

"BILLY IDOL, GREATEST HITS" begins with the a*s kicking Punk Rocker "Dancing With Myself," the a*s kicking Rockin' rendition of the TOMMY JAMES classic song "Mony Mony," the soulful synthesized Rocker "Hot In The City," the a*s kicking Progressive Punk Rocker "White Wedding (Part 1)," the a*s kicking Hard Rocker "Rebel Yell," the beautifully slow, bass pumping and synthesized mild turned Hard Rocker "Eyes Without A Face," the bass pumping and danceable Rocker "Flesh For Fantasy," the bass thumping a*s kicking Rocker "Catch My Fall," the smooth synthesized mild Rocker "To Be A Lover," the synthesized Rocker "Don't Need A Gun (Single Edit)," the beautifully slow synthesized and electric acoustic mild Rocker "Sweet Sixteen," the synthesized Hard Rocker "Cradle Of Love," the fast synthesized Hard Rockin' rendition of the legendary DOORS classic Rocker "L.A. Woman (Single Edit)," the blistering synthesized Hard Rocker "Shock To The System," the incredible live and acoustic Hard Rockin' version of "Rebel Yell" and the amazing synthesized and danceable rendition the SIMPLE MINDS classic song "Don't You (Forget About Me)." I would also like to commend BILLY IDOL on a great job well done. His merciless lead vocals truly added the finishing touches and takes the music to a different level unimagined. BILLY IDOL has the ultimate Rock n' Roll voice.

This is another great compilation album that I would highly recommend to everyone of all ages to purchase and own as a valuable and important part of his or her own personal music collection. This is a priceless gem of an album that everyone should also cherish and enjoy for many years to come. This album has definitely proven to stand the test of time and will always be around NOW AND FOREVER.

In closing, BILLY IDOL has successfully continued in releasing more great albums and performing to sell-out audiences the world over up to this very day. Knowing this, I guess it is safe to say that BILLY IDOL is here to stay and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. With this in mind, there will be more tales and stories in the BILLY IDOL legend that will still need to be told and written in many pages and chapters. But that, my fellow readers and reviewers, you will just have to stay tuned and read further more about it at a later date. In my opinion, BILLY IDOL has forever left his mark and place in Rock n' Roll history and his many contributions, accomplishments and achievements as a Rock artist will never be forgotten. So here's to you BILLY! Thanks for the many great memories and moments with many more still yet to come. Keep Persevering. Keep The Faith. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," need I say more? Thanks for reading my review and I truly hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also deeply hope that you will continue in reading all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. BILLY IDOL RULES! Long Live Rock n' Roll! Rock out always and take it easy. Forever in Rock, John L.

I love Billy Idol!.......2007-06-18

This CD is the best workout CD ever!! It's not crappy, overly synthesized music with fake drums that everyone expects you to work out to. It's Billy Idol's LOVERLY voice, and beautiful, gorgeous guitars and strong, steady drum beats that help keep your mind off the hard work. The best songs to jump rope or kick box or stair step or whatever you like to do are White Wedding, Rebel Yell (really gets your heart pumping) Don't Need a Gun,and Cradle of Love. Well, just listening to Dancing with Myself, To Be a Lover, L.A. Woman, and Shock to the System, at least makes you want to just get up and boogie which is better than nothing.

Entertaining--sometimes for the wrong reasons.......2007-05-16

In the world of pop artists inspired by punk and new wave, Billy Idol is certainly above average. He didn't have nearly enough good songs to do toe-to-toe with Duran Duran or Depeche Mode, but the guy definitely had six strong singles that stand the test of time, and this album is worth having because you can find them all here. Dancing With Myself. White Wedding. Rebel Yell. Cradle of Love. Eyes Without a Face. Flesh for Fantasy. You'll find everyone of the greats, as well as his Mony Mony cover, which was also pretty successful.

Those songs along make this album a must-have if you like eighties music. But wait--there's more. Also with the album you get an acoustic, live version of Rebel Yell. That might sound scary, but it's actually not half bad.

On the other hand, you get Billy attempting to cover "LA Woman" by the Doors. No matter what you are imagining in your head, I promise you that it's worse. But it's worse in all the best ways--like a terrible movie that you watch over and over with your friends so you can make jokes about the diabolical acting, ridiculous plot twists, and run-of-the-mill dialog and action. Everyone should own this cover of "LA Woman" so you can break it out at parties and have a laugh with your friends. Equally atrocious--Idol takes a shot at "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (originally recorded by Simple Minds for the movie "The Breakfast Club.") While it's not a full on train wreck, it's pretty bad and good for a laugh when you're down in the dumps.

For some of the great guitar cameos in music.......2007-05-15

Firstly, I'll just say that I rate AC/DC as the kings of the rock riff. What you get in Billy Idol's music, especially the good songs, are just a taste of a great guitar riff or lick. I.e. the riff/lick doesn't permeate the whole song, just a really cool bit of the song.

I'd say that this would have to be due to the guitar work of Steve Stevens. The songs that I rate highly on this compilation are:

Hot In The City, White Wedding (Part 1), Eyes Without A Face, and Flesh For Fantasy.

There are other good songs of course, and politically active songs like "You don't need a gun", as relevant as ever in light of the frequent massacres that occur in the US, always involving guns.

For examples of what I mean by great "cameo" guitar bits in songs, check out "Eyes without a face", which has a very fluid and mellow guitar break, and "Flesh for fantasy" which has a spiky and dirty sounding guitar riff with a cool synth drum beat. In AC/DC songs, often the riff forms the backbone of the whole song. With Billy Idol, the guitar is often the cherry on top of the ice-cream.

Awesome!.......2007-01-12

This CD is one of the best greatest hits CD's I have heard in a long time. There are no songs that aren't worth hearing over and over again. Best value for the money I have made in a long time.

Music Review:

Music Review

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