Wave [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

Wave [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

Track Listings

1. Wave - Cosmic Gate

2. Cosmic Mix: Raging [Flutlicht Vocal Remix]/The Wave [New Club Mix]/Ragi - Cosmic Gate, Jan Johnston

3. Wave Video [Music Video] - Cosmic Gate

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:

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.

Excellent compilation that could have been perfect with some additional songs...4 1/2 stars.......2007-07-06

A perfect excuse to exploit their catalog again, A&M/Universal (or whatever the congolmerate is called now)has put together a terrific compilation of the band's album tracks and hits. It appears that the masters used for the album reissues from a couple of years ago are the source here as they sound excellent and exactly the same as the previous set. This is a huge improvement over the various single disc sets released since 1986.

With 14 songs on each disc there was some room for additional tracks some of which might not have been big hits but deserved a larger audience. "I Burn For You","Bombs Away", "Darkness", "Nothing Achieving" and "Visions of the Night", "Low Life", "Once Upon a Daydream". Either way this is a very good set for fans looking for the bulk of the best album tracks and hits. The packaging includes a one sheet with some credits on it that folds out into a replica of an early concert poster for the band. The slip case is kind of cool as well. When you slide the holder out of the slipcase the band's songs are listed on the yellow cover (and you can see them when you hold it up to the light).

Overall, this ia terrific package for fans that captures the best tracks from each of their albums (with a few curious omissions). The audio sounds extremely good I just wish that there had been a larger selection from the band's singles/live tracks released during their brief tenure together.

By the way having seen the concert the band sticks pretty close to the songs released on this set with a few exceptions(for some reason they dropped "Murder by Numbers" at their Oakland, CA show not sure why).

Another Greatest Greatest Hits...........2007-07-03

The Police were and still are my all-time favorite band. But the last thing I need is another hits collection. I think we're up to four greatest hits packages with this band. C'mon guys! Break out the rarities and unreleased stuff. I know there's a ton. Perhaps this collection was put together to help booster this summer's reunion tour - like they needed any help with that. I still give it 5 stars - these songs are some of the best ever recorded in my opinion. Andy, Stewart and Sting will always rock!

Must have Police Set.......2007-07-01

back in the day I was a Big time Fan of the Police. I always dug there Jams and Grooves. "Every little thing she does is magic", Canary in a Coalmine" was my jam back in the day. Spirits in the Material world, Every Breath you take,Roxanne,etc.... are all here. the Grooves and Versatility Highlighted by the songwriting of Sting and the chemistry of the Musicianship truly made for some tight Jams. the Police in some ways were the link between the Clash,U2 ,Red Hot chilli Pepers and No Doubt on some levels. they Bridged quite a few themes and styles that worked. this is the best overall set that best Highlights there Greatest Hits.

Average customer rating:

Drive
The carrs cd
DRIVE
Hooked on the Cars
Just What I Needed (and Wanted)

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

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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:

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

Hooked on the Cars.......2007-05-08

The more I play (almost every afternoon) the 20 hits on this CD the more I love each and every one of them. From the 80s I was hooked on the video for "You Might Think" and only now am able to appreciate the other great Cars recordings as included on the CD. They put a lift in the day of this old Disco music fanatic. How fortunate that they are available today.

Just What I Needed (and Wanted).......2007-04-12

Looking back, I sometimes think of the '80s as kind of a wasteland of rock music--dominated by Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Tears for Fears and the like, but an impulsive, successful Karaoke rendition of "Best Friend's Girl" inspired me to buy this compilation of the best songs by one of the best bands of that era--The Cars. The band had a great mix--just edgy enough not to be pop, but catchy enough to grab your attention, without the sledgehammer hooks of the contemporaneous Huey Lewis and the News. The accompanying CD book describes well the evolution of the band and their sound. Overall, there's nothing here that will save the world, but right now a good mix of singable tunes artfully arranged, played with spirit (like "Let's Go") and sold at a reasonable price is just what I needed.

Average customer rating:

not too good...
Slick sounds by guys in white suits
Get your Duran Duran Fix
GREAT CD
Everything you want

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

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The Best of INXS
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Discography: The Complete Singles Collection
Cars - Complete Greatest Hits

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:

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.

GREAT CD.......2007-04-04

I LOVE THIS CD. ALTHOUGH IM ONLY 21 I THINK DURAN DURAN IS ONE OF THE MOST COOLEST BANDS. THIS HOLE CD IS UPBEAT, AND IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF THE 80'S. MY FAVORITE SONG ON THIS CD IS COME UNDONE. THERES JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SONG THAT'S CATCHY AND THE VIDEO IS EVEN BETTER. I DEFINITLEY RECOMMEND THIS CD.

Everything you want.......2007-03-30

I'll keep this short. This CD has absolutely every song that you want by Duran Duran.
Absolutely worth every penny.

Average customer rating:

EVERY PERSON SHOULD HAVE THIS ALBUM
The Clash's greatest album, and one of rock's most enduring masterpieces....
Every Wannabe Rock & Roller Should Own This
Sattamassaganna for Jimmy Dred!
The definitive 'must have' album

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

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Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols
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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
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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:

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...

Every Wannabe Rock & Roller Should Own This.......2007-06-05

London Calling is an unforgettable and classic CD that I personally think every wannabe rock and roller should have! Its jam packed with plenty songs, songs to get you riled up, songs to calmed down. This fantastic Album is filled with songs like, of course, "London Calling", "Lovers Rock", and "Spanish Bombs". All of these great tracks rolled into one terrific album. I have to say this is one of my faves, should be one of yours too.

Sattamassaganna for Jimmy Dred!.......2007-05-08

Great album if you like the Clash. In fact if you like the Clash you should already have this. I had it on vinyl and decided to replace it with CD now that I've done away with my turntable.

Five stars for anyone who likes the Clash. Otherwise it could range between zero and five stars, but isn't that how music always is? Amazon recommended "Never Mind The Bollocks" by the Sex Pistols to be purchased with this CD, and both are great but I much prefer "London Calling" in my old age of 45. I still crank up my car stereo when I play either one on the highway and suggest you do so as well, preferably with the windows down and a good breeze. It's just one of those albums that feels better that way!

Not sure if I spelled "sattamassaganna" correctly in my title for this review, but this is the only album I know with that word on it.

Definitely worth far more than the $8.99 price. I ordered this at the same time I ordered Rockpile's "Seconds of Pleasure", a completely different style of album from about the same time-- both are worthy of places in the collection of anyone who likes music from around the 1979-80 time frame. That was a time of many styles of music, many of which are now classics, including "London Calling".

The definitive 'must have' album.......2007-04-16

Hard to believe that this originally released in 1979 because I am still listening to it!! But then again this is what defines a classic -it's timelessness.

Plenty of reviews on this site cram as many facts about the band as they can muster in a few paragraphs to impress the other sicophants. It seems everyone is a frustrated rock critic. I'm not going to bore you with my rock knowledge of the Clash except to make this statement....This is one of the real 5 star albums out there..make no mistakes. The lyrics make a statement about the times and the music complements them perfectly.

A quick appraisal of the highlights....

London Calling needs no introduction as the killer track of the last few decades. It's powerful lyrics and chords thump it along until it reaches its haunting conclusion.."I never felt so much alike".....

Spanish Bombs...classic song with the spanish lyrics in the chorus...pure genius....

Lost in the supermarket....great storytelling type song about consumerism with Mick Jones pumping out the lyrics and supported by Strummer singing back up as only he can....

Death or Glory...when my 12 year old sang along to this in the car a few weeks ago I knew that this is the music that can transcend the generations. The line that starts "its been tested by research" still gives me a laugh

Train in Vain...Mick singing a melancholy ballad about being let down....

In short, everyone should have a copy of this album in their collections. The best part for any new fans is that there are so many great Clash songs on their other albums that you will not be disappointed and maybe like me you will be listening and still loving it 20 years later......

Average customer rating:

Has all of the good ones!
Truly Classic in every sense of the word!
Sting is King!
Great CD
Best of Sting is Best

The Very Best of... Sting & the Police
Sting
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994
Hits
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ASIN: B000060KB6
Release Date: 2002-10-01

Tracks:

Message In A Bottle
Can't Stand Losing You
An Englishman In New York
Every Breath You Take
Seven Days
Walking On The Moon
Fields Of Gold
Fragile
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Brand New Day
Desert Rose
If I Ever Lose My Faith In You
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Roxanne
So Lonely

Album Description

UK exclusive reissue includes new artwork, 13 of the 15 tracks which appear on the 1997 domestic & five more tracks, 'Seven Days', 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da', 'Brand New Day', 'Desert Rose' & 'So Lonely'. 18 tracks. 2002.

Album Details

UK-ONLY Release to Commemorate Sting's Award for 'outstanding Contribution to the UK Music Industry' Received at the 2002 Brit Awards. A&m Has Repackaged 'the Very Best of Sting and the Police,' Updating it with his Most Recent Hits 'brand New Day' and 'desert Rose.' This Release Carries a New Sleeve Image and Includes 18 Hit Singles, Five of which were Number One Smashes.

Customer Reviews:

Has all of the good ones!.......2007-04-28

This one is perfect if you are looking for all of The Police & Stings best hits!

Truly Classic in every sense of the word!.......2007-03-01

I grew up listening to the band "The Police" and always liked the different pop sound and songwriting they did. Although in later years I myself did not follow Sting's solo albums much, I had to pick this up. This album has all the classic songs like "Message in a bottle" and "Roxanne". This album does show you that Sting WAS the Police, because I don't know how else the band could even keep that name without him. Other great songs like the mystical "Walking on the Moon" and the famous super hit "Every breath you take" are also on here. From what this fan can tell, this is maybe the best single CD "best of" if you don't already have the boxed set "Message in a box: The complete recordings". The nice thing is that on this CD you have some of Sting's own wonderful songs like "Fields of Gold". All I can say, if you liked the Police, Sting on his own or both I think this album is a must have for any fan.

Sting is King!.......2007-01-13

This has to be the best music CD I have ever owned. Sting has an incredible voice. All of his songs tell stories. I especially enjoy "Don't Stand So Close To Me". It is the story of a male teacher being subtlely seduced by a girl in his classroom, but he resists the urge to satisfy her desires. That is the way of life. There is always that impulsive feeling to do what one would like to do even though it would be a huge mistake to do so. Stories like that were clearly made possible by Sting's Catholic faith. Everyone should listen to this album. It is so romantic. Sting sang from the heart. It's obvious that he was in love during the making of this album.

Great CD.......2006-11-03

This is a great CD for Sting and Police fans. Highly recommended.

Best of Sting is Best.......2006-07-08

Wonderful compilation of Sting's best songs. Includes most of my favorites.

Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free

Average customer rating:

They Just Came To Party Down
It's a good time
The Fish are Back

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

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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:

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!

The Fish are Back.......2007-07-12

Lets face the facts. Reel Big Fish's last true album was the downright disappointing "We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy." It had a few gems in it, but it quickly grew stale after track 5 or so. "Cheer Up," which was before that, introduced our fellow Fish to a slightly different Ska-Punk / Ska-Pop sound, with slightly more 'teenage nerd-slash-loser"-esque lyrics. And you couldn't deny it with songs called 'Dateless Losers" and "What Are Friends For." But Cheer Up was still a great album in its own sense, but it didn't have that RBF sound many fans were used to listening to.

Now, after a few years, a great live album, a worthless Greatest Hits album released by the evil mind monkeys at Jive, Reel Big Fish are back. Now here is a disclaimer: Not all of these songs are "new" songs; some of them are past songs that have been redone. But that just adds to this albums greatness. RBF truely return to form in this album, and by form I mean the "Sell Out" days. The ska rhythm makes a comeback for RBF. Where as the past 2 albums have been full of power chords and have drifted away from the whole ska beat, this album finally brings it back.

And its orgasmic. Bottom line, this is far from RBF's best album, but my todays ridiculous music standards, this album is a pure gem. If you are a Fish fan, you need to get it, no matter what.

Average customer rating:

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!
The greatest CD EVER!!!

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

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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:

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.

The greatest CD EVER!!!.......2007-02-18

This CD is amazing. It totally brings me back to my high school years. It's perfect. What more can I say.

The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years

Average customer rating:

A Casual Fan Semi-Review...
"The Only Elvis That Matters" Done Justice
Same Old Music in Yet Another New Sleeve
how many times can you jump out of the cupboard
+1/2 -- The best early Costello single CD yet

The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years
Elvis Costello
Manufacturer: Hip-O Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Favourite Worst Nightmare

ASIN: B000OHZJJQ
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Tracks:

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
Alison
Watching The Detectives
(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
Pump It Up
Radio, Radio
Accidents Will Happen
Oliver's Army
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding
I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
High Fidelity
Clubland
New Lace Sleeves
Good Year For The Roses
Beyond Belief
Man Out Of Time
Almost Blue
Every Day I Write The Book
Shipbuilding
Brilliant Mistake
Indoor Fireworks
I Want You

Customer Reviews:

A Casual Fan Semi-Review..........2007-05-29

Being a fan,but not a fanatic of Elvis,I came across this new collection of hits from him and thought it was a great time to buy. I had purchased an old hits of his from the 80's, on cassette.Of course,I know the standard hits.Alison,Pump It Up,Accident's Will Happen and my fave, What's So Funny...,among a couple of others. Noticed a whole bunch of songs I wasn't familiar with and look forward to hearing them,when I receive this new set.Of late,I am digging deeper into many classic artists I listen to.Elvis fits into that. For that reason,I am giving this collection,4 stars.For the songs I know. After listening to the others,perhaps I can raise it to 5 stars.

"The Only Elvis That Matters" Done Justice.......2007-05-20

In my opinion, this is the best single-disc Elvis Costello compilation anyone has ever released. In fact, it may even be the best introduction to E.C. out there (He's so stylistically diverse that no single album is an effective introduction, and both of the more extensive collections - "Girls Girls Girls" on Columbia and "The Very Best of Elvis Costello" on Rhino - would probably be overwhelming to someone unfamiliar with the majority of his work). Also, the collection "Rock and Roll Music," as is evident in the title, ignores his non-"Rock and Roll" songs.

But this disc finally gets it right. There was a "The Very Best of Elvis Costello & the Attractions" single-disc issued on Rykodisc in 1994 that came close, but as good as that disc was, this collection makes three substitutions that are actually improvements: "(The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes," "New Lace Sleeves," and "Almost Blue" replace "Watch Your Step," "New Amsterdam," and "Love Field."

Not only are the substitutions slightly better songs in my opinion, they also paint a more complete picture of Elvis Costello as an artist and writer. Especially "Red Shoes" - if you'd only heard the ballad "Alison" and the reggae-influenced "Watching the Detectives" from his debut album, you'd have no idea what to expect from the rest of the CD, but "Red Shoes" really sets the tone for the rest of that disc (and it's just an amazing song). Some people complain that these songs have been repackaged too many times, but I have a hard time arguing with the final result.

The remastering of this collection sounds as good as the Rhino remasters (which managed to be a slight improvement over the already great-sounding Rykodisc versions), and I really don't understand why some people complain about the sound (but I never owned any of the vinyl records, so maybe I am missing something). Still, the sound is the best that I've heard on CD, and in terms of song selection, this is a near-perfect set. For some, this will be all the Elvis Costello they ever need. For others, it will be the beginning of a long journey into the career of one of the best, most insightful and most interesting singer-songwriters in popular music. Either way, it's hard to go wrong with this collection.

Same Old Music in Yet Another New Sleeve.......2007-05-15

Now that thirty years has passed since his debut, it is apparent to me that Elvis Costello has a lot more in common with his namesake than a singing career. Case in point - Almost immediately upon his arrival at RCA, Elvis Presley's recordings were packaged with little regard to the consumer, and then re-packaged so relentlessly that nobody except the most dedicated, wealthy, and mentally unbalanced collector could possibly hope to amass all of Presley's catalog. With blithe regularity, RCA executives would abuse their position as the historic caretakers of a rock and roll legend by digging deeper and deeper into obscurities, then packaging them with recycled classic recordings. Very, very little was genuinely `new' except the package itself. These collections are innumerable, and I pity the poor soul who suffers the disease of being a completist collector, because it can cost you your bank account, your house, and maybe even your marriage, all in the pursuit of owning all that is Elvis.
It now appears as though the same type of abuse has befallen the recorded works of Elvis Costello. I should know. I was one of those `mentally unbalanced' individuals who felt the need to own every Elvis Costello item released on the marketplace. In the beginning, it was kind of fun. Costello had numerous singles with non-LP b-sides, and plenty of `alternate' versions to keep fans quite busy. I was a part of that vinyl junkie set, a cult of obsessed lunatics who lived to find the rarest single, or an alternate package. After three years and hundreds of dollars spent, I remember feeling betrayed when Columbia issued "Taking Liberties," a collection of Elvis' rare b-sides. In an instant, one five-dollar album made twenty rarities commonplace. Nevertheless, I soldiered on; buying 10" collector's singles, alternate mixes, and all sorts of oddities. Then, the CD era began, and it started to happen all over again. Elvis changed labels (from Columbia to Warner Brothers), and his catalog albums were subjected to not one, not two, but three separate repackagings, each of them containing unique `rarities' that could be obtained nowhere else. A dedicated collector would require four versions of each Elvis Costello album. At this point, I finally surrendered, but I already spent enough to finance a Hawaiian vacation for some record executive and his family of four. Nowadays I simply stand by, amazed as the repackaging craze continues unabated. By my count, the above named collections represent the 10th and 11th re-compilation of Elvis Costello's `hits'. I'm not saying they are bad collections. The booklets contain song lyrics, which is a nice touch, especially for the older material. Naturally, the songs are great and I should know, because I bought each of these tracks at least a half-dozen times already. If you still don't own them, then go ahead and buy them. You will enjoy them. I, however, will stare at my room full of Elvis-related plastic and acknowledge the reason that I never made that trip to Hawaii myself.
B+ Tom Ryan

how many times can you jump out of the cupboard.......2007-05-12

i swore i wouldnt buy the elvis cannon again=LPs,Singles,3 sets of CDs etc., unless it was on SACD,and i wont.But the 2 comps were worth a listen,rock and roll for the unreleased stuff{how is it possible?}and 10 years for the 4th remaster.Seeing Elvis's Lexus commercial with him enjoying surround sound just makes me sad for what could have been.Rock on,EC!

+1/2 -- The best early Costello single CD yet.......2007-05-09

You can't hardly swing a dead cat without hitting Costello's early material in reissue form. With Ryko and Rhino both having taken ever-lengthening passes at his albums, Hip-O picks up the catalog years of 1977-1986 for another round. In addition to a new pair of compilations (this one and "Rock and Roll Music") that skim the initial decade's eleven albums, their May 1 release date also marks the re-re-re-reissue of the albums on CD and the catalog's digital download debut (initially from iTunes, later from addtiional services).

After so many Costello reissues and compilations, this collection is mostly a retail shelving refresher and a beacon for Hip-O's album reissue and digital programs; all 22 of these tracks have been available on CD before. And as with other single-disc Costello anthologies such as Sony's 1990 19-track "Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions" and Ryko's 1994 22-track "Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions," there's simply too much worthy material in Costello's initial eleven albums (not to mention assorted singles and B-sides) to fully essay in 80 minutes.

What you get here is a well drawn sketch that provides the neophyte a sense of Costello's incredible torrent of early creativity, the sustain of his first few years, a few missteps in the mid-80s, and a stronger-than-ever comeback with 1986's "King of America" and "Blood & Chocolate" LPs." Though fans of the albums will mentally flinch at the inter-album segues (and thus the missing classics), condensing Costello's career arc does demonstrate how his punk-era angst and blistering song-writing aged and then reasserted itself in a more mature, but no less powerful form a decade later. Reducing 10 years to a single CD also creates a bit of genre whiplash as Costello applied himself to rock, punk, pop, soul, R&B blues, and jazz.

As on Ryko's 1994 collection, Costello aided in the track selection. No surprise then that there are 19 tracks in common with Ryko's earlier release. The three substitutions add the essential "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes," "Almost Blue," and "New Lace Sleeves" in place of the expendable "Watch Your Step," "New Amsterdam," and "Love Field," making this the best single-disc Costello anthology on the market. Costello fans are better off making their own anthologies from the original albums, but those just coming to his work decades after the fact will find this an excellent primer. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2007 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

Average customer rating:

The Police Deliver Perfection With This Album
oh those intelligent brits
Amazing, Would Give a 4.9 If I Could
Police State
ZENYATTA MONDATTA IS THE POLICE IN THEIR PRIME.

Zenyatta Mondatta [Digipak]
The Police
Manufacturer: Interscope Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Live

ASIN: B00008BRDV
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Tracks:

Don't Stand So Close To Me
Driven To Tears
When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around
Canary In A Coalmine
Voices Inside My Head
Bombs Away
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Behind My Camel
Man In A Suitcase
Shadows In The Rain
The Other Way Of Stopping

Customer Reviews:

The Police Deliver Perfection With This Album.......2007-05-08

This album is defiantely a masterpiece and may very well be their best all-around album. All of the songs are GREAT, the sound is GREAT and this version, in my opinion is much better than the Digipak version, with it's cardboard casing and I don't even think the sound is as good, as on this version. I love that this has the standard jewel casing, too. The Police made this a great album, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it. A must have for Police fans.

oh those intelligent brits.......2007-04-01

boy oh boy, how i wish the musical airwaves were still swimming with music like this. Bands like the Police - Sting, Stewart and Andy - are the real teachers of the world in a day where intelligence and education takes a backseat... just listen to songs like Canary in a Coal Mine, "Now if I tell you that you suffer from delusions, you pay your analyst to reach the same conclusions", and Bombs Away, "The general scratches his belly and thinks, his pay is good but his company stinks", I mean c'mon...what's better than dry wit and sardonic humour? Driven To Tears is another good one (not to brag or anything, but I'm one of the few people on this planet that has the live version of this song on the cd Urgh - A Music War) and When The World is Running Down is another good Police song that hasn't been shoved down our throat a million times. This being said, and I hate to say this, even though they have literally a ton of great songs( Walking on the Moon, Invisible Sun, etc.) the Police have always been one of those bands that I find myself just kind of coming across on the radio...as much as I like them, I don't find myself playing their cd's that often...I can sorta understand how they were kind of hesitant to go back on tour this year, "Wow, do people really wanna see us that bad?" But make no mistake, Sting and his mates are as intelligent as they come, and definitely deserve their place in rock'n'roll history. I'd love to kick back and share a guiness and some good bourbon whiskey with these boys sometime...Thank you sting andy and stewart for blessing us with your existence.

Amazing, Would Give a 4.9 If I Could.......2007-03-06

This album was sitting in the rack at the used cd store for 7 bucks. I thought to myself that I like the Police, so this will be great. I then go home and open the sleek packaging. I pop the cd in and I immediately fall in love with what I'm hearing. I played it over and over again.

There's a definite reason for such feelings towards this album. This album displays one thing extravagently; The Police were at their peak, performing with such a laid back feel while embracing the songwriting talents of Sting. You can hear Stewart Copeland's nonchalant attitude while laying down some of the greatest drumming this side of the eighties. His drums blend well with the fluid playing of Sting and the tastefully placed guitar lines by Andy Summers.

What's even more amazing about this album is the fact that there is practically no filler! If you know the Police, then you know that every one of their albums contains filler (especially the album Walking on the Moon), but the filler here is reduced to a minimum. Maybe Behind My Camel was a period piece, because I just have not liked it in the past few days ive listened to it. But that's it! You could select favorites (for me that includes the enjoyable Canary in a Coal Mine, the interesting Man In A Suit Case, the politically charged reggae workout When The World Is Running Down, You've Got To Make The Best Of What's Still Around and the hits De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da and Don't Stand So CLose To Me) but all the songs are enjoyable.

The ONLY thing that I didn't enjoy was the fact that there was no booklet. In all my previous cds, I enjoy reading the information and stuff about the band, along with the fact that when i put my cds into my humongous cd case, i put it in with the booklet. Just a minor incovenience, but other than that, the packaging was pretty professional.

Definitely a solid album

Police State.......2007-02-23

The Police were already being viewed as smart rock by the time their first two albums had made their impact. With "Zenyatta Mondatta," they not only landed the intelligentsia, but the commercial crowd as well. Funny how they had to resort to baby-talk to do it. "De do do do, De Da Da Da" exploded onto American radio and MTV, and suddenly these very good looking musicians were being lauded as one of New Wave's brightest hopes. So, "Dx8" was pretty silly and the video had them clowning around...where else could you here a song this catchy on the same album as a song that name-checks Nabokov?

"Zenyatta Mondatta" did just that. "Don't Stand So Close To Me" became a calling card for the band, and their second top ten hit. Social awareness songs were creeping into the mix - a tour of Asia and Africa moved Sting to write the still stunning "Driven To Tears." (And Stewart Copeland throws his conscience in the ring with "Bombs Away," a more satirical look at the war mentality.)

The increase in variety also indicated the band's growth. There are no overt 'white reggae' songs here (other than the near instrumental "Voices In My Head"), and Sting's pop skills were becoming hard to top. "De Do do Do.." and "Canary In A Coal Mine" were shimmering pop, while the darker hues color "Shadows In The Rain." The album's sole drawbacks are (like on "Regatta De Blanc") the instrumental tracks. "Behind My Camel" and "The Other Way Of Stopping" come off as bad prog-rock, lacking the immediacy and the staying powewr of the rest of "Zenyatta Mondatta."

But withstanding those two tracks, the remainder of "Zenyatta Mondatta" is stellar. The Police also managed something with their third album that meets my critereon for a classic/five star rating; they altered the course of what was to follow. With the first class re-mastering, 1980's "Zenyatta Mondatta" sounds fresher than ever.

ZENYATTA MONDATTA IS THE POLICE IN THEIR PRIME. .......2007-02-13

I will be writing a review on the legendary album entitled "ZENYATTA MONDATTA" by one of Rock's most legendary bands, THE POLICE. This album was originally released in 1980 on Vinyl/LP and Cassette on the A&M Records label. I purchased the very first release of this album on Compact Disc in the mid 80's. As always, if I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary album or the artist, I will edit this review immediately so that you the consumer will get the best informative and most accurate review possible.

I watched the Grammy's yesterday and saw the reunion performance of THE POLICE. Despite not rehearsing in years, they still did not sound to bad. Sting can still sing all of the high vocal ranges after all these years. However, they do need to prepare for their first world tour in years which will kick off in three months from now. Seeing THE POLICE gave me as well as all the Rock fans hope that great bands do get back together to set the record straight. THE POLICE began in 1977 comprising of lead vocalist and bassist Sting (Born Gordon Sumner), lead and rhythm guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland. THE POLICE would be a legendary band that would be in the glorious tradition of the great three man bands such as CREAM and RUSH. THE POLICE would be one of the very first early pioneers to play a combined mixture of Progressive Rock, New Wave Rock and Raggae music. With these new combined mixtures, the result would be an extremely rare sound. In my opinion, if any album were to prove this new sound and formula, it would have to be the "ZENYATTA MONDATTA" album. When you listen to this album you will think just how really good it really is.

Now for the music, if you really want to get down and listen to some extremely rare songs on this album, listen to "Don't Stand So Close To Me," the heartfelt "Driven To Tears," the breathtaking and groundbreaking "When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around," the fast driving "Canary In A Coalmine," the haunting "Voices Inside My Head," the free spirited "Bombs Away," the ever popular "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da," the horrific "Behind My Camel," the blistering "Man In A Suitcase," the soulful "Shadows In The Rain" and the extraordinary "The Other Way Of Stopping."

Overall, this is an incredible album with an extremely rare sound. I would say that this legendary album is worth looking into and checking out.

I would like to highly recommend purchasing this legendary album to own as a valuable and important part of his or her own personal music collection. This album has already proven to stand the test of time and will always be around to be enjoyed, appreciated and cherished for many years to come, NOW AND FOREVER.

In closing, when THE POLICE officially disbanded in 1984, the whole world was left wondering if they would ever reunite. In this case, be careful what you wish for, it just might happen. THE POLICE is the story of three men who decided to come home to their roots and perform together one more time, in 2007. It's been a long time since THE POLICE last performed together as a unit but I get the feeling that Rock n' Roll and the fans are going to be in for a big treat and a surprise from this legendary band in 2007. With that in mind, there will be new tales and stories that would need to conquered, told and written in new pages and chapters in this band's legendary storied career. But that, my fellow readers and reviewers, as well as myself, we will just have to wait and see what unfolds in the future for this great band. So here's to you Sting, Andy and Stewart. Good Luck. Keep Persevering. Keep The Faith. Keep On Rockin'. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," am I wrong? Thanks for reading my review and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also hope that you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. THE POLICE RULES. Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever In Rock, John L.

Average customer rating:

I love Billy Idol!
Entertaining--sometimes for the wrong reasons
For some of the great guitar cameos in music
Awesome!
Billy's best

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:

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.

Billy's best.......2006-11-26

I love this CD. I have been a fan of Billy's since the early '80s, and this CD encompasses all of his best songs. It finds its way into my CD player quite often, and I just never seem to tire of it!

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