EMI are raping our children and sponsoring terrorism!!!
Or they are according to Radiohead fans. They're unhappy as the evil EMI are going to release a thoughtful compiled and sequenced Best Of that is perfect for the casual music listener, who wouldn't touch an album with a barge pole.
How can they work up so much bile for something they themselves can just simply not buy as it's redundant to them. They seem to forget that not everyone has the albums. And not everyone wants more than one disc. Too many people forget that casual music listeners exist and that not every Best Of is an evil cash in designed to fleece the fans.
And in this age of MP3 playlists it seems strange to bleat on about breaking up the albums into individual songs. Personally I like to hear familiar songs juxtaposed against different tracks to what they're usually sequenced beside. Reading their comments on Amazon you would think they've never used the random button on their CD players.
Are Best Ofs evil? If you've already got the albums then simply don't buy them. If you don't have the albums? They're a cheap goldmine of great songs. And they're usually the only CDs casual listeners buy unless it's a brand new album with endless radio airplay.
This Radiohead Best Of will introduce a LOT of new people to the band. Casual listeners who don't know how to steal music on the internet will see the TV adverts and like the snatch they hear of "Karma Police". A new, unique idea will pop into their heads. "Hey, you know what, I could buy that." EMI are right to release a Best Of. And if they spend the money advertising it, then it might be a big hit.
Having said all this, I won't be buying it as I've already made it as a playlist on my iPod. And it's better than the previous Best Of I made myself.
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Just for starters
Nick Drake
Sandy Denny
Townes Van Zandt
Off the top of my head, that's the first few acts who come to mind where I have bought a best of and then investigated further.
Yes
I think most people start with a Best Of and then work their way through the albums.
You are right:
Best of's are no better or worse than cherry picking MP3s, merely being the suggestions/selections of others rather than ones own. And sometimes the compiler does start with a better knowledge of the artist than me, faced with a list of titles. I am happy to own a large lump of "Best ofs", sometimes alonside rows of albums with the odd duplicate track by the same artist, "discovered" thru' that sampler. Equivalently there are those that I own because I couldn't stand an entire helping across one LP.
What is now quite interesting is the number of artists with as many varied best ofs within their catalogue as they have original product. One can then compare the choices and smell the record companys disingenuity around what and how they have the rights to, and what to call it. Mind you, bands play this one too, Dave Pegg admits that he has frequently sold off short term licences to cheapo cheapo compilation companies for as much as he can get for the everlasting Fairport catalogue, so there are innumerable variations around the theme, with far far too many(usually) 2CD sets pertaining to be the ultimate guide, yet with far more latterday live versions than the label seems to reveal at first glance. OK often only a fiver a pop, but proceed with caution. Especially as, sooner or later, like everybody else you have or will ever have heard of, the Mail on Sunday will include them for free. Or as a penance for buying their paper.
I have just had a look on Amazon
and there Radiohead fans (can I call them that?) who are protest reviewing the CD. Its probably the wrong kind of passion I reckon but its mildly entertaining to see how seriously people can take this kind of thing.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1T5Q4KT2S83V4/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
EMI have been pretty good to Radiohead. Radiohead have been pretty good for EMI. But why is it only bands that can have deeply felt principles and the major labels can't?
How have I failed to make the connection?
According to the ranter it's like taking 3 minute slices of Mozart and cramming them together.
Mozart / Radiohead; sorry no matter how hard I try I can't see any equivalence.
However I could apply that line from Amadeus that the Austrian king throws at Mozart when he says there are too many notes. Radiohead have definitely produced far too many notes.
This one is as lucid as well
http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RUKN83012M8BC/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?%5Fencodin...
I don't understand the outrage.
After all, "The Best Of Radiohead" can only be a three track EP, surely?
Blimey!
I didn't think it could be that long.
Two...
tracks, surely? 'Street Spirit (Fade Out)' and 'Lucky'
Fan singular
Having read the discussion it only seems to be one nutter raving. The other contributors are questioning his position. It is bizzare and amusing how someone can get in such a state about a bit of pop music though.
Bests of are great Alan says so...
Best ofs are fine
Except when they have the contractually obligated two new tracks. Although I suppose iTunes means they only cost the hardcore fan a quid and a half.
THE BEST OF IRON BUTTERFLY
(recorded live at rehearsals in Cleethorpes by the Brighouse and Rastrick Kazoo Orchestra)
WAS £2.99 on K-Sel records, NOW Free with next week's Liskeard Advertiser.
Now that's what I call music.
OK Compilation
If a band produces say, twelve enjoyable tracks over its lifespan that are worth repeated listening, then I think it's done pretty well. Congratulations to any artist who can supply enough for a good "best of".
Many's the time I've bought a "best of", got interested enough to buy a few of that artist's albums, but then thought no, the "best of" was just enough.
I spend a fair amount of time seeking out the best "best of" (eg on Amazon), because obviously plenty of compilations are horrendously misrepresentative in their choice of tracks or just badly remastered.
No band is too great for a greatest hits. There are particular bands where an album would be more appropriate than a best of. To get into the Stone Roses it makes much more sense to listen to their debut album rather than a greatest hits. And a particular Radiohead album may well be a better introduction than a best of. But a compilation is still worthwhile to mop up the other good stuff for the casual fan.
All this po-faced snobbery from Radiohead fans is a lot of stuff and nonsense.
Stone Roses
Only 1 good album so all you need plus maybe Fool's Gold single.
Best of's are clearly acceptable. Cash-ins after leaving label happen to the best of them - look at Rolling Stones after Decca. My first introduction to them was via a supposedly dodgy compilation album which I got on cassette called 'Gimme Shelter' but actually all the tracks were great ones from late sixties era and led me to investigate further.
Off topic
But I love The Second Coming. It rocks like a bastard
B-sides
Some quality B-sides from debut album era singles as well, Standing here, Mersey Paradise and Going Down.
Indeed
Mersey Paradise and What the World is Waiting For - two of their finest songs.
Second Coming - 6 or 7 belters on there.
...And "Elephant Stone"...
...but my point still stands!
NB. I wish the record throwing scene from "Shaun of the Dead" was on Youtube, in which Shaun throws unwanted records from his vinyl collection at an approaching zombie.
"Stone Roses?"
"NO!!"
"But it's 'The Second Coming!'"
"I liked it!"
Seconded
I waited and waited, and when it came out I was absolutely gobsmacked; better than the first one. I played it to death in my car for weeks and weeks. It probably helped that I have always been a Zeppelin fan.
Second Coming
To me it's rather boring - bloated, stodgy and overwrought. And if it's ever Led Zep at all it's ersatz. Some potential good tracks but they just don't really get there. Still each to their own, IMHO, what do I know, and all that.
Bloated, stodgy and overwrought.....
I agree with that assessment. It's what happens when too much cocaine is knocking around the recording studio (alledgedly). See also Be Here Now by Oasis.
Best Of's
are a great way to be introduced to the music. I've bought plenty over the years to investigate bands/artists that I discovered way after they where started (in a lot of cases finished and retired!).
lso helps you get a good cross section of the music if the band has a massive back catalogue (eg The Beatles or the Stones)
Ones that come to mind that I have gone on to investigate further -
Marvin Gaye/Tom Waits/Genesis/R.E.M/Sinatra/Hendrix/The Doors/Bowie/Al Green/Ella Fitzgerald..
Put me off a few as well!!
What really gets me wound up (and it's already been mentioned) is the number of bands with multiple Best OF just put out to milk the fans or meet contractual things.
I also get really mad at Best Ofs from bands who have only had a couple of Albums out EG Girls Aloud/Spice Gils both 3 out then a best off, Robbie Williams 2 out then a best of and then 4 out and the a greatest hits. This does seem to be more around the pop artists but it's so annoying......
Pop music Best Ofs
With pop bands it's about making it while you can, as fast as you can. Would you want to buy a Girls Aloud album? No, because it's two great singles and a load of filler. At least if you buy a Best Of you get ten great singles and some filler. And the record company can delete the albums so no one else runs the risk of buying them.
the girls aloud best of
is, however, brilliant. i'd never buy one of their Albums as the risk of dire filler is too great. The Best of is perfect...
er...
Robbie had five (six if you count the non-compiled swing one) albums before the Greatest hits.
Generally, though, I agree.
Tears for Fears? 3 albums.
The Housemartins? 2 albums.
Then there's the artists who don't do compilations - just look how long it took Led Zeppelin to get one out.
Robbie only had 2
before his first "best of" -
1997: Life Thru A Lens
1998: I've Been Expecting You
1999: The Ego Has Landed - first Best Of type album
2000: Sing When You're Winning
2001: Swing When You're Winning
2002: Escapology
2004: Greatest Hits - second Best Of
2005: Intensive Care
2006: Rudebox
It's a good point about all the filler on pop albums, never really looked at it that way...
In Robbie Williams defence.....
In Robbie Williams defence I think "The Ego has landed" was released for the American audience. I'm not sure whether his first two were readily available in the U.S hence the early career comp. If it was released in the U.K it was probably to stop his fans paying inflated import prices.
I will never defend Tubby Williams again. ;)
Yep
just had a quick look as I'm no flobby williams expert and it was origonally for the American/Canadian audience and actually his first release over there.
It was later released worldwide not sure when though...
Well ya learn something everyday - didn't think today would be when I learnt more about RW than I really wanted to :)!
You wait for a Zeppelin best of for years...
...and then loads come along. There's the Remasters box set which also came in a 2 disc edition, the Early Days/Later Days ones and now that new one.
That lad wants to lighten up
Mr. M.A. Reed demonstates the danger of over-exposure to Radiohead. Idiotic political opinions (equating a record company selling its product to rape, indeed); getting heated and hung up about things that aren't really worth making such a fuss about; a general air of fury and misanthropy. He wants to lighten up a bit. Get some fresh air and a Madness greatest hits album. And, I presume, a girlfriend. Or some sort of life at least.
Indeed
How do you express yourself when there is something really bad to get irate about?
Some good best ofs;-
Alabama 3 - Hits and exit wounds
Tony Joe White - great because he has a massive back catalogue of stuff and I wouldnt know where to start
Booker T and the MG's - great because their back catalogue is full of booby traps
Dylan - Bootleg series offers intriguing versions of some of his well known stuff.
Going slightly off tangent - anyone heard the Gorillaz album D Sides which includes a lot of remix stuff? any good?
An answer
G-sides is pretty good, actually. There's a few oddball bits of noodling, but it does have the single versions of Clint Eastwood etc.
Hits & Exit Wounds
Despite already owning all of Alabama 3's legal releases (and a few dodgy ones as well) I still downloaded this from emusic and, as pointed out in an earlier thread, the juxtapositioning of songs makes it much more than just an ipod random or a cynical marketing rip-off.
Shoot me up!
I quite like radiohead...
but why are so many of their fans so bolshy and anal ??
They have produced some really good music, but lets be honest, they probably are sponsored by the Samaritans.
A best of will only add further hordes to the clinically depressed, so more soulmates to moan with. Cheer up you lot!!
Neil Young - Decade
Maybe more of career retrospective than a Best of, but that was the album that got me into the man.
Is there a difference between compilations put together by the artist and those created by the record company or some other person who is an "authority" on the band and their oover? Does an artist necessarily know best when choosing their best tracks?
I don't actually know the answer, by the way, just thought I'd chuck it in.
Band compiled Best Ofs
As long as copyright issues don't interfere with the track selection, and the person choosing the tracks has a good idea of what the band has recorded, then I'm happy.
The problem with the band making the selection is that it can either be too slanted towards newer material, or way too balanced overall giving space over to the forgotten, failed jazz-odyssey album.
I just want the compiler to put the GOOD songs on the disc. If the odd dud has to go on to represent a bad album, then fine, as long as it's just the one track.
It's nice to know the band had a hand in a Best Of, but it's not a big issue for me. I find that as long as the record company has put the effort into creating a good cover, then similar care and attention will have been applied to the CD inside. Cheap stock photograph covers are a reliable tip-off about the poorly compiled contents inside.