Best of the Runaways

The Runaways | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001FFA
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,718 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good intro to a pioneering band, February 5, 2002

By 

Steven P. Justus "Steve Justus" (Westminster, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best of the Runaways (Audio CD)

This CD is a nice overview of the Runaways, spanning four of their albums. Most of the selections feature Joan Jett as lead vocalist, which is not exactly representative of the band (Cherie Currie did most of the leads on their first two records), but that's forgivable since Jett is by far the most successful of the band in her career after the Runaways. Tracks 8-12 are from the album Waiting for the Night, my favorite Runaways album which was done after Currie had departed. That has never been released on CD, and it wasn't easy to find even when it was originally released in 1977, so this is your best chance to hear these songs. Cmon is from the even harder to find Live in Japan album, which has also never been released on CD (at least in the US).

The music is basically straight-up three chord rock, with some metal and punk influence. The Runaways are definately not a pop or "girlie" band, but if you like that sort of hard-driving rock, this should be right up your alley. Some of the songs talk explicitly about subjects like female sexual desire, all night parties, and life on the streets, so if that really bothers you, consider yourself warned. It was probably too much for 1976-1978 America to accept, which is one reason the Runaways never got any acceptance by music critics of the time. Joan Jett herself said in an early 1980's interview that the Runaways were "too honest", and I think that's a fair assessment. The influence the band had on subsequent generations of female rockers is pretty well accepted now.

There isn't really a weak track on this CD, but I like some tracks better than others. Cherry Bomb is the Runaways signature song; I Love Playin' With Fire, You Drive Me Wild, and Wait For Me round out the top four. Listening to this brings me back to my teenage years, when the Runaways were playing constantly on my record player. They still sound just as good today!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great intro for Runaways newcomers, July 11, 2000

By 

frank vigliotti (Commack, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of the Runaways (Audio CD)

A nice sample of this ground breaking band from the seventies. Eventually a springboard for Joan Jett and Lita Ford, this group provided a major pathway for women in rock. Cherie Currie was touted as the lead vocalist at first, however Joan Jett attained stardom about 6 years later. This CD primarily has Jett's leads (which were shared with Currie), which is a bit of a let down, as much of their greatest stuff was with Currie on vocal. However the LP "Waitin' for the Night" has never been available on CD, and there are some awesome cuts from that. That particular album was recorded after Currie left the band, and Jett took over all of the vocals. The live cuts definitely leave something to be desired, however there are only two. Much of this materiel is very difficult to find, so it is a great collection to have. Note that the average age of the band members upon recording this materiel was about 17, which adds to it's charm. Add it to your collection.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings back the memories, January 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Best of the Runaways (Audio CD)

For a short time when I was in high school, Joan Larkin (aka Joan Jett) lived four houses down from me and went to the same high school. I thought she was weird -- platform shoes with home-made glitter embellishments on them, big hair, glam clothes, the works. My sister was good friends with Joan's younger sister, and she said that Joan had posters of Elton John and T. Rex all over her bedroom, and had put lipstick kisses all over them.

I used to hear Joan practice with the Runaways, and hearing the clamor coming from four houses down, I thought it sounded horrible. (What was a Fleetwood Mac/Dan Fogelberg fan supposed to think, anyway? :-)

Little did I know of Joan's impending success, and the Runaways' influence and greatness. This is pure rock -- raw, unadulterated, loud, crude, and noisy. I've come to appreciate this music a lot more than I did when it was actually being made. Cool stuff.