Customer Reviews

Best of

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

 

 

When I see a compilation of hits by a relatively young act, an inevitable feeling of "are they officially done?" invades me. This was how I felt when I learned about this "Best of" Groove Armada, which followed their "Lovebox" album. Sure it's loaded with groovy tunes that will keep you dancing, but coming after an album where they essentially feel as if they're loosing their original edge, it leaves a question lingering in the air: are the boys grooving away?

Hopefully they still have much more to offer, but in the meantime, enjoy this four-star compilation. It's not a five-star, because few compilations are. It only carries three of my favorite GA tracks: "Superstylin'", "If Everybody Looked the Same" and "Chicago".

cI have to admit that I was never wild about Groove Armada. I always felt that Basement Jaxx, Daft Punk, and The Chemical Brothers were far better. Still Groove Armada did manage to put out some solid dance songs such as the reggae-influenced "Superstylin'", my favorite GA song. That simply makes me want to get up and dance. I fell in love with the song again when I saw "Bride & Prejudice" and it was included in the rave on the beach scene. It was what made me buy Groove Armada's best of compilation. I never liked "I See You Baby" (Fatboy Slim Radio Edit) to begin with. I still don't after all these years. The songs on the album for me were a hit or miss. The songs that I did like was "Madder" with the killer guitar riffs, the funky house track "Easy", and the laid back "At the River". I especially dug the piano ballad "Twink Twice". I found it quite soulful. This isn't a bad compilation. I liked most of the songs. There were just a few clunkers that I didn't care for. I thought it was good for this casual listener.

Just happened to be watching a TV show featuring The Who, this "set-up" band played first. I was instantly hooked by the beat and mix of instrument sounds of "Easy", then really snagged by "Superstlylin'". Just based on hearing these 2 cuts, prompted me to buy this album "in the dark". And Groove Armada did NOT disappoint - I loved nearly every track on the CD. New, exciting, sophisticated - it's hard to believe that all the arrangements are performed by the sane group.

For me, this is not Groove Armada at their absolute best. Sure there are many tracks here which secreted themselves into the mainstream and became utterly addictive, but only some of the tracks are from the outstanding "Vertigo", which truly is the best work these guys have produced.
That is not to do this work down, it is a nice retrospective and these guys work hard to produce original, quirky, chilled and ambiant music and their is no one to hold a candle to them. Lots of imitation bands have sprung up but none can quite cut it like these guys.
If you have never heard them then you should because you are doing them a diservice and denying yourself. Incidently, "Back to mine" and "Northern Star" are crackers too.

I am an ardent GA fan and have followed the band since they began in 1998. They have written some brilliant songs and they have gathered the best of them onto this CD. However the DVD is brilliant, I pity the poor bloke above who didn't get his copy. I have actually seen them live and they are BRILLIANT! This is a must have album for those like me who love the band and for those who will hear all the "best bits" and want more!!
Buy it!

This is a fabulous party album. I discovered Groove Armada with Love Box and fell in love with them even harder after hearing this compilation. I never tire of hearing Madder and Easy, and who wouldn't want to be dancing with "I See You Baby" pumping in the back ground!?!

GA is one of my fave bands and having seen them perform, I was absolutely salivating at the prospect of seeing the Live at Brixton DVD that was to be included in this package. Turns out, it's only available on the import version as a Region 2 disc. May all record companies end in utter financial ruin.

(Having said that, if you haven't heard these tracks before, I suppose this is a good intro, but no substitute for the entirety of the full-lengths).

This is a good introduction to Groove Armada. Superstylin is a standout for anyone unfamilar with the group and Purple Haze and Madder taught me that I didn't know them as well as I thought. Madder is a really great, relentless tune.