Greatest Hits Albums

[crusaderlord]

I dont really understand why this is really but i just cant make myself like greatest hits albums - now of course i do own a few and certainly i understand the logic and the huge benefit of having hits all in one place, but i just cant love them like my favourite albums.

I guess in the main i like to sit down and listen to a whole album or cd right through. Historically at least (maybe less so in the pop world today) an album was recorded in a shortish time frame probably using the same instruments and therefore an album would gell together as a whole - a snapshot recording if you like.

Listening to a greatest hits album is much more pick a track here and there, and doesnt really flow through in the same way at all. Im am even starting to ditch some greatest hits i have and buy albums that contain the tracks i like best instead. It costs more but has more end satisfaction.

I just wondered if this was 'normal' ......

 

[Anonymous]

Hi crusaderlord,

I definitely prefer albums as well. I think radio and greatest hits albums did quite a bit to reduce the quality of albums, but MP3s (Napster) have really been the nail in the coffin. The single has replaced the album as the quintessential unit of music, and my sense is that the ratio of filler continues to increase on newer albums (though I don't listen to much new music).

It's become difficult to discuss music even with music lovers. I always speak in terms of albums, whereas most people these days only know singles. If I know the album very well, then I may know the names of singles, but normally I play albums start to finish and (especially without a chorus) I often don't know the names of individual songs!

That said, it's not only endemic to the MP3 generation (which I'm a member of). My parents grew up on greatest hits albums and we have the same problems when we discuss bands.

Anyway, I like the idea of albums as a coherent artistic statement of some kind, and I definitely agree with the "snapshot" idea. I've never really thought about it in terms of instruments but that's a good point too.

I guess the answer to your question is no, it's not normal in the sense of commonplace. But I completely sympathize as I'm a massive fan of albums myself. Most people just don't have the patience for them!

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Yup, greatest hits albums are a record company tool for extracting cash out of the general public, and I've heard that unless the artist is a bit strapped for cash, they generally don't like them!

 

[The_Lhc]

I find them a useful starting point for bands I don't know (assuming they've had enough albums to make it worthwhile), listen to the greatest hits, find the tracks I like, see what album they're from and then go and track down that album.

And of course they're good for bands that only have a few decent tracks on each album! All killer, no filler I believe is the phrase!

 

[Sliced Bread]

I generally prefer Albums too, however I have a real soft spot for the Live Lounge compilations. I think they are fantastic and often very musical.

 

[Anonymous]

Always feel the majority of greatest hits albums are let down by sound quality compared to the same tracks which come off an album.

 

[Terryff]

The only greatest hits album i own is Ian Dury and The Blockheads and that is superbly produced. I think there is a valid place for them, not being a total fan of the band but enjoying their best songs it makes perfect sense to not buy an album that I would probably not enjoy most of and, instead, buy one that is full of songs that I probably will like or, at least, know.ÿ

To say that the single (someone in a previous post) has become the counter in terms of record companies and artists output is a little narrow minded, i know plenty of people (myself included) that never buy singles and only listen to albums, including itunes etc. ÿ

Another point, if you have an artist that has created 15 albums but you want a selective mix of their whole work, would it make sense to go and buy all 15 albums? Nope, hence the place that a greatest hits occupies.

ÿ

Don't get me wrong, there are certainly instances where ÿthe lure of filthy lucre is the motivator behind the record companies releasing them, but then, the internet was paid for by pornography....doesn't mean you have to enjoy the motives (or products) to appreicate the fruits.....

 

[survivor]

Not generally a fan of greatest hits albums but as the_lhc said they can be a useful starting point for certain artists.

I tend to buy compilations of artists I quite like but don`t go overboard on. Most of these you can pick up very cheaply if you shop around though the sound quality if variable. They can come in handy if you`ve got friends round and they`re not appreciating your efforts to re-educate them musically so you can fall back on a good old compilation by an artist they are used to hearing and have indeed heard many, many times before.

`Are you sure you wouldn`t like to hear something you`ve never heard before?`

`No thanks`.

Oh well.

If I`m really into an artist then it has to be studio albums.

Quick mention about AC/DC - in over 35 years they`ve only released studio and live albums. Never released a greatest hits collection. Good on `em!

 

[Big Chris]

If I really like an artist, I'll buy their 'proper' albums, not any of the greatest hits stuff. I love Queen, but find the greatest hits albums seem to miss out all my favourite songs!

I do have a Deep Purple best of, which I like, and also Level 42 Greatest Hits. Both of which aren't bands that I love, but do like, so having a selection of their tracks/hits is fine by me.

 

[idc]

The worst best of albums are those where they trawl through the hits and add one new track not available elsewhere. Hopefully downloads will end that piece of nonsense.

The best best of albums are those where thought has gone into them and they showcase or introduce an artist. The ones I can think of are Robert Plant's 'Sixty Six to Timbuktu' and New Order 'Substance'. Both have the hits, and other tracks which help to showcase them.

Live albums are also a good source of best of material and there is atmosphere and often extras with them as well.

A special mention to Deep Purple, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix who have so many best ofs and compilations it is not true.

 

[Anonymous]

really good shout with new order's substance there idc. its a best of that feels like a cohesive album in its own right.

 

[idc]

LowFeller:

.. its a best of that feels like a cohesive album in its own right.

Very well put LowFeller. Any Best of or live album that is worthwile having even if you have the regular albums.

 

[manicm]

idc:

The worst best of albums are those where they trawl through the hits and add one new track not available elsewhere. Hopefully downloads will end that piece of nonsense.

The best best of albums are those where thought has gone into them and they showcase or introduce an artist. The ones I can think of are Robert Plant's 'Sixty Six to Timbuktu' and New Order 'Substance'. Both have the hits, and other tracks which help to showcase them.

Live albums are also a good source of best of material and there is atmosphere and often extras with them as well.

A special mention to Deep Purple, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix who have so many best ofs and compilations it is not true.

I have found a few compilations really compete - one is Steely Dan's Showbiz Kids - that you don't really need the individual albums.



However, I don't consider Robert Plant's Timbaktu a greatest hits compilation, it's more of a curio piece, and I think the I Believe remix is plainly awful - bad judgement from Percy - the drums are horrid, and that's my main beef with the album. Also, it leaves out The Way I Feel.

I have the following Percy albums and I consider them classics: The Principle Of Moments, Now And Zen and Manic Nirvana. The first half of Fate Of Nations is brilliant, the 2nd half a bit tedious. Shaken And Stirred is worth investigating just for its experimentation.

 

[idc]

I am the only person I know who likes the Timbuktu album. You are right, it is not a traditional best of album, but for me that is what makes it so interesting and a 'cohesive' album on its own. Another album I would nominate as a Greatest hits worth getting is 'Sand in the vaseline' by the Talking Heads. It is an anthology of the band and well packaged.

 

[Anonymous]

There you go again - Sand In The Vaseline - another brilliant collection of songs. Once In A Lifetime is a remarkable song - its one of those tracks I use to gauge a system's bass with. It will be 30 years old next year and yet could have been released last week. I can't think of many songs that have retained their ability to sound so contemporary. (I dont mean timeless - there are plenty of those - I mean 'current').

 

[matthewpiano]

Albums and complete works all the way here. To me, there is nothing better than sitting down and really enjoying a complete album from start to finish.

In classical music, compilations which take individual symphonic, sonata or concerto movements out of context really annoy me. I don't want to hear just the opening movement of a Beethoven Piano Sonata - I want to hear the work as a whole, the way it was conceived by the composer.

 

[The_Lhc]

Big Chris:If I really like an artist, I'll buy their 'proper' albums, not any of the greatest hits stuff.

So you've heard one or two tracks by an artist, you're not sure if you really like them or not, so you go and and buy all their albums, just to make sure? I couldn't justify that, especially not when it's an older artist with years of back catalogue, so the greatest hits is like a sampler so I can figure out whether I really do want to go and pick up all those albums.

I do have a Deep Purple best of, which I like, and also Level 42 Greatest Hits. Both of which aren't bands that I love, but do like, so having a selection of their tracks/hits is fine by me.

Exactly!ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Like has been said, I have a few greatest hits (best of) albums, but agree it is the original albums that I go to every time to sit down and enjoy the artist.

The exception to this is the 'live recording' which gives me the sense of being part of the audience. i.e Eric Clapton 'Unplugged' is one of my favourite albums also (giving me memories of my youth, won't go into that!) Neil Diamond 'Hot August Night.'

 

[Anonymous]

Two notable exceptions being; Pink Floyd's Echoes & Led Zep's Mothership CD's which are both better sound quality than the earlier re-masters of their albums (including in Zep's case the boxsets) and are therefore worth having for that reason alone.

 

[Big Chris]

the_lhc:
Big Chris:If I really like an artist, I'll buy their 'proper' albums, not any of the greatest hits stuff.
So you've heard one or two tracks by an artist, you're not sure if you really like them or not, so you go and and buy all their albums, just to make sure?

Not all in one go, no. I'll find the 'proper' album with the songs on I'd heard, and buy it. If I liked the rest of the album, I'll buy another. And so on and so forth......

it also depends if I'd heard two tracks I liked, but also tracks I didn't like. That makes it more of a contender for a greatest hits purchase. (the 'Like' not 'Love' scenario I mentioned earlier).

 

[tonky]

Best ofs!

You pays your money - you takes your choice. Personally, It is one great advantage of the cd age. Lots of compilations (classcal and otherwise) to choose from.

eg The Glittering Prizes by Simple Minds - totally magnificent .

cheers - tonky

 

[idc]

Here is another hits album with twists to make it worthwhile in its own right; live, unplugged, excellent covers. It caused a storm at the time and helped grung move more mainstream as it showed these guys really can play.

 

[Anonymous]

In Nick Hornby's Hi Fidelity, there's a bit where he talks about how his girlfiend's record collection shows a level of taste and discernment which is supported as much by those albums that are missing from it (the duffers) as much as those albums that are present (the pearls). For example, take Stevie Wonder - must have albums would include those from his early 70s purple patch, such as Where I'm Coming From, Talking Book, Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life. Whereas you may not have bought Woman in Red (circa 80s fluff, "I just called to say..."). Hornby goes on to explain that this is because he shaped his girlfriend's record collection. Having lots of Best Of... albums kind of misses the enjoyment of working this sort of thing out for yourself. I will admit to a little bit of music snobery by reflecting Hornby's attitude, although this has not stopped me from buying a fair few myself over the years.

Where I hate the damn things are where record companies edit the songs to sqeeze as many tracks onto one cd as possible - missing verses, cutting intros and outros etc. U2s 18 Singles springs to mind. Half of Where The Streets... is missing! If a band is good, getting to know the albums is far more fun. (It was an un-asked-for Christmas present before you ask!).

 

[Anonymous]

idc - that's another big tick. i suspect there's a fair bit of overlap with our music collections.

 

[idc]

I have loads of hits albums, whether greatest, compilations or live. A whole load arrived last christmas when I completed a good few albums on itunes, mainly hits where I had downloaded a track or two and made up my own compilations. For some bands a greatest hits is essential, for example The Who. Tracks such as Join Together were not on any actual album release. My Generation was not on the original My Generation album. It was considered to be a con to put singles onto albums, so making the consumer buy twice. Another example is Pink Floyd with the singles Arnold Lane and See Emily Play. That was a major reason for me switching to itunes, so I could make up my own compilations by band, decade or genre.