Customer Reviews

Best of 94-99 (Bonus CD)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I would barely call this record "The Best of Bush 94-99". I must say that I consider this title a mistake. Don't get me wrong, the songs included in this album are great and Bush is in my opinion one of the greatest bands of the 90's. But, this one leaves tons of Bush in the air.
First of all, in a 13 song record, I consider unfair to give 6 songs to Sixteen Stone and 4 to Razorblade Suitcase. Also, Swallowed and Everything Zen comes twice in a mix version. So where did they leave songs like Cold Contagious or Alien?
Despite that this album has great songs, I thinks it's a bad compilation if you really want to know the best of Bush. So, if you are buying this to get a general idea of what this Band is, I would recommend you to buy first Sixteen Stone, then Golden State and after that you choose, Razorblade Suitcase or The Science of Things.
The 3 stars are because of the bad compilation, despite the great songs included.

Say what you will about Bush, there is no doubt this was one of the most popular bands of the mid to late 90's. In fact the band still has a strong following, "Everything Zen" is still a track that gets lots of airplay on rock radio and this Best Of set is a reminder of the days when Gavin Rossdale was famous for things other than just being Gwen Stefani's husband. The truth is Bush was a good band, sure they sounded a lot like Nirvana at times, but for a while who didn't during the grunge explosion? And even then, this band still has its own unique sound and style. The playing was real tight and Rossdale was a skilled vocalist, even with his trippy lyrics that feel like Arthur Rimbaud meets Stanley Kubrick with a dash of Jim Morrison. Like the more superior Stone Temple Pilots, Bush was one of those bands bashed by a few hack writers but embraced by the public who vindicated them and made them vital. Sometimes the people can see what the critics can't. For example, "Everything Zen" doesn't sound like Nirvana at all, it sounds more like a trip into the future, almost like what grunge should sound like...in the year 2089. The song is still an exhilarating ride with Nigel Pulsford's stirring slide guitar and Rossdale's urgent vocals. "Warm Machine" is crowd friendly rock with a poppy chorus, but it's good corn, like "Little Things" which will take you back to high school in the 90's instantly. "Machinehead" is pure, ripping hard rock with slick production. "The Chemicals Between Us" is a look at what Bush was attempting at the close of the decade when Rossdale expressed a desire to experiment with electronica. You could say there are a few techno touches, but in reality the band flourished with the album "The Science Of Things" in terms of melody. As a bonus this set comes with a live CD featuring the band's "Woodstock '99" performance. It's a good look at how the band was strong live, probably more than on record. Their playing shines and the best moment is when they cover R.E.M.'s "The One I Love," it's done with style and feeling, turning it into an edgier, darker expression. "The Best Of '94-'99" is a worthy set for the casual listener who wants the hits and doesn't feel like purchasing all the Bush albums. But it is also a look back at the band and the trashers might be able to begin and see the actual talent present in these recordings.

Reviewer "Paper" wrote: "What about songs from Golden State, considered by many as the best Bush album? There are none. This is a big disappointment."

Well, this "Best of 1994-1999" album, covers songs from their career during the years 1994-1999.

Golden State was released on October 23, 2001. Therefore does not make sense to put songs originally recorded and released in the year 2001 on a "Best of 1994-1999" collection that spans the years 1994-1999. Don't worry; I gave 5 stars to compensate for your ignorance.

Disc 1 of this compilation is a pretty good introduction to the band, though you have to wonder at some of the choices. Unsurprisingly, all five singles from "Sixteen Stone" are included, as are "The Science of Things"' three singles. I guess the compilers aren't fans of "Razorblade Suitcase," because it's represented by a paltry two songs even though the album spawned five singles. The poorly received remix album "Deconstructed" wins three slots-- space which would have been better used for album tracks like "Alien" or "Mindchanger," or the missing "Razorblade Suitcase" singles.

The draw here for existing Bush fans is the band's Woodstock '99 performance captured on disc 2. It's a great set and Gavin is in good voice throughout, though the rest of the band sometimes gets drowned out by the screaming crowd. The highlight is probably a cover of R.E.M.'s "The One I Love."

All in all, this package is a nice souvenir of the band's first five years, but it could have been a lot more comprehensive.

If this CD was packed with "Zen x 4" then we'd be set. a DVD & a cd companion of their singles. Better to call it a "singles colelction" rather than "hits" when we all know some of bushs best stuff wasnt released on radio or MTV. Still, this cd is badass & if you want "hits" you HAVE to order this because of course, Zen x 4 is a damn DVD that comes with a lousy additional cd. if i want hits, i want to hear the studio versions, not live (unless its relased as a live track) & i LISTEN more than I WATCH so of course this gets a better rating than zen x 4. just remember than THIS is a CD & Zen is a DVD. they fool you by putting zen in the cd section. go & import this if you have a Bush craving :)

Sometimes you forget how great a band is that you used to love and then when you find the highlights of their career on one cd... along with a few extra goodies... its just so wonderful! I honestly can't say enough good things about this cd! If you love Bush... or ever liked any of their songs... you should pick this up because you won't be disappointed! :)

I think this is a great CD set to have. It's a nice reminder of the band and a great concert Cd is also included (Woodstock). All of the popular songs are on the Cd. A true fan should have it.

I am a huge fan and this album is a must. Several great songs with a few okay at best songs. Well worth the price for a whole album verus the price for just the hits.

This compilation is simply great. It's got every single hit and the live concert cd is awesome. If you want all their hits and don't wanna spend too much money buying each album then you should definitely get this. You won't be dissapointed.

Simply put: an orgasm in a box. Bush has put out so many high quality songs in this 6 year span.

The CD was mixed well, has some catchy remixes (and this is coming from someone who usually hates remixes), and a live CD for the chery on top.

I won't talk about the individual songs, simply because its a best of album, but this CD contains Bush at their finest. It just goes to show how talented the band is, especially frontman Gavin Rossdale (who wrote all the songs).

If you dont own a Bush CD, get this immediately! Its some of the best Music from the 90s