Quote:
Originally Posted by noise
i dig 'em. sometimes i like a band but not well enough to warrent getting their full discography (like The Cure or New Order), so i just get a nice multi-disc comp.
|
Funny I should see this post, as I was just going to use The Cure as an example of how a greatest hits compilation can be a gross misrepresentation of a band. The Cure have a menacing, almost nihilistic outlook that rarely makes it on to the charts, but pretty much defines the essence of the band. Tracks from their first 'grim trilogy' such as
Seventeen Seconds,
Faith, and
Pornography were excluded in favour of their more commercial late eighties poppy music. Robert Smith himself has stated that Pornography perfectly captured the essence of the band, but if memory serves me, not one track from that album made it on to their greatest hits. Bruce Springsteen's greatest hits album follows suit here.
An example of a greatest hits collection done right? Madonna's
The Immaculate Collection is about as perfect as can be, putting all her eighties gems though a filler filter and distilling them to perfection.
In short, it depends on the collection, obviously! Approach them with caution and reserve judgement for proper studio albums.