Search - Radiohead :: The Best of (Special Edition 2CD)

A compilation done right

Mark Weisinger | Houston, TX USA | 06/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On Amazon U.K., a number of Radiohead fans are already complaining that this compilation is unwarranted, unnecessary and unjust, and I'm sure they'll be doing the same here soon. Many of these fans argue that Radiohead should not be anthologized because their albums should be heard as albums, not as parts of a collection. While I can respect that opinion to a point, Radiohead has released singles for every album, and I see no reason why those singles can't be anthologized for neophytes. Almost every band in history has been anthologized at some point. Why is Radiohead different? What makes them above a "greatest hits" collection? Even Pink Floyd has had the compilation treatment, and they are the epitome of the difficult to anthologize, album-oriented band.



Sure, I'll agree that new fans should check out the individual Radiohead albums (especially "The Bends," "OK Computer" & "Kid A"), but what's wrong with starting with this collection first? When I was younger, I was turned on to R.E.M. through the compilation "Eponymous;" I got into the Psychedelic Furs with "All of This and Nothing;" and I discovered Echo & the Bunnymen on "Songs to Learn and Sing." All of these bands were album-oriented artists, and hearing those collections made me go out and purchase the original albums by those bands. So, if you're already a die-hard Radiohead fan, obviously this compilation is not for you, but if you're new to the band, this is not a bad place to start.



Also, any fan could criticize certain omissions (for me, "Stop Whispering," "Morning Bell," and "You and Whose Army" were the most strangely M.I.A.), and certain albums get more exposure than others (seven songs from "The Bends" seems a bit excessive), but overall this compilation has a strong track selection. The track listing is a bit haphazard at times (a straightforward chronological order might have been preferable), but again, that's a minor complaint.



As for the also-prevalent fan criticism that this is a cash-grab from the record company, what compilation isn't? Record companies are in the business of making money (in exchange for promoting artists and bringing them to a wider audience), and I for one see nothing wrong with that, especially considering how many people download albums for free from P2P sites these days (wrong in my opinion), leaving record companies little choice but to try and make money wherever possible.



Finally, I like that this compilation is being issued as both a single-disc and a double-disc collection, depending on how interested you are in the band. If you've never heard anything besides "Creep" on modern rock radio, stick with the single-disc version. If, however, you've heard over half of the singles on the first disc, and you like them, you should probably consider getting the double-disc version. Overall, if you want a well-put-together collection by one of the most influential bands of the last fifteen years, ignore the naysayers and pick up this set. It's a great place to begin.

"

The Best Of

Ben Dugan | Flying Monkey Killer | 06/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's weird. If you would have asked me what one band I thought wouldn't have a greatest hits sort of record, Radiohead probably would've been on the top of the shortlist. Not because Radiohead don't have their far share of great tunes, but because if there was an album band in the ninties and early 00, it was Radiohead, where each record had it's own distinctive flow and feel.

Containing songs from their six EMI albums (nothing from "In Rainbows" is included here as it was recorded after their contract expired), "The Best Of" is surprisingly well done, with each album represented fairly well, and is a good primer for people who may not know much about Radiohead, or don't own any of their albums.

DISC ONE:

"The Bends" and "OK Computer" are best represented here probably, with five of disc one's tracks coming from "The Bends" and four coming from "OK Computer", while "Pablo Honey", "Kid A" and "Amnesiac" all account for the other eight songs.

Any song here that a caual fan would want are here, from their first hit single through their alt-rock radio staples "Fake Plastic Trees", "High and Dry" and "Karma Police". This disc also features some of their more experimental material, as "Everything In It's Right Place" (which is even odder sounding I think not leading off a record), and "Pyramid Song" represent. The selection of songs on this disc, the one that will be more widely availble as a single disc variation, is strong, and will please the casual listener.

The problems with the disc come down to sequencing, as it is weird to hear "Fake Plastic Trees" between "Optimistic" and "Idioteque". As a group with records that were individual entities, it provides for a slightly incoherant mix, which might confuse people, and doesn't help out the overall flow of the record.

Another problem with the first disc, again the one that is going to be more widely bought over time I have to believe, and I never thought that I would say this being a non-fan of these albums, is that "Amnesiac" and "Hail to the Thief" are underrepresented. By focusing so much on "The Bends" and "OK Computer", still my personal favorite Radiohead discs, it doesn't show Radiohead in it's fullest light. And I have to wonder where is "Sit Down, Stand Up", still one of the best Radiohead songs in my opinion.

But hey, you can't please everyone, so...

DISC TWO:

The bonus disc for this special edition is where you can find more album tracks, and is pretty cool in it's own right. It's pretty interesting to hear "Anyone Can Play Guitar" on the same disc as "I Might Be Wrong" and "The National Anthem". And the selection, too, is strong, with any lesser known more popular favorites (odd statement that), and the inclusion of "True Love Waits", availble on the live EP "I Might Be Wrong" is a nice choice.

The problem with this disc is it renders itself fairly worthless. Not the quality of music (in fact, the stuff from "Amnesiac", my least favorite record from the band, sounds better not on the album itself, if that makes sense), but one has to wonder who needs the second disc. It skimps on new material (no surprise as Radiohead did not endorse of support this product) or even remixes, meaning that fans who dig the band don't need it, and casual fans will shrug it off because the single disc edition already has everything they want.

The packaging and booklet for the record are strong, on par with what you see with most comps of this sort.

Overall, EMI put their work into putting together this record. It features everything that a casuel fan could ask for, and for those who decide to splurge on this edition will get a fairly strong overview of Radiohead's music thus far. It's a strong collection, well put together, flawed but for sure does what it was setting out to do. Fans probably don't need it, but newcomers will enjoy it."

For everyone else (and you)

psychomuse | 06/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Radiohead fans will want every complete release. Because everything they do IS the best of. Sure, this is a compilation of highlights, but Radiohead has never made anything less. There are no filler songs on a single one of their cds.



Of course, die-hard fans have to get it all. A special edition collectors booklet is just enough carrot. Even a little Radiohead goes a long way.



So who is this really for? Everyone else. Get this for the friend who thinks you're talking about a part of your stereo system when you mention the band's name. Best Of is for your lover who wants to know you better. It's for anyone who doesn't know Radiohead.



Everyone needs to know Radiohead.



And yes, this is for you, the fan, even though you already have every single thing they've ever released. Even though you know that the best of is this and the rest of. It's everything they've done, are doing, and will continue to do."