Customer Reviews

Best of

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Unlike what other reviewers have stated, the tracks on this disc ARE ORIGINAL RECORDINGS. Some of the confusion with Sweet is a lot of CD's from the group (primarily imports) are re-recordings or re-mixes of their famous 1970's-hits, so buyers beware. In the early 1970's these British glam-rockers were rated up there with David Bowie, but while Bowie moved on to bigger and better things, Sweet was never able to make the transition (the rise of disco music may be partly to blame). More unfortunate is the fact that recordings from Sweet's most productive period (1972-76) are not readily available (Capitol Records: Are you listening?). All that is available is the 1975 LP "Desolation Boulevard", which was clearly the band's best, and "Best of Sweet". "Best of" is a fairly decent compilation. Other than the glaring omission of their 1973 hit "Hell Raiser", most of the tracks that should be on the disc are included. Among the highlights: "Little Willy"; "Wig Wam Bam"; "Ballroom Blitz" (later covered by Tia Carrere on "Wayne's World"); "Fox On The Run"; "Action"; and "Love Is Like Oxygen" (I actually prefer the edited version that appears on this disc). I've owned these songs on vinyl and still listen 25 years later, which probably says enough. Further note to record "executives": the European version of "Desolation Boulevard" contained different songs than the U.S. LP (and CD). It would be nice if someone showed some foresight to re-issue the LP with these "missing" songs.

This collection completely ignores their early pre-Glam period when they had brilliant bubblegum hits with songs like Funny Funny and Coco. So it covers mainly their best songs from the glam era when their sound gained a harder edge, and their late 70s period when they gained rock/heavy metal credibility. They always had the best hooks, their harmonies were tops and the expert production assured them regular top 10 status for a good many years. Songs like Ballroom Blitz, Fox On The Run and Teenage Rampage are rowdy little teen anthems which still sound fresh today. Love Is Like Oxygen is a lush rock ballad while Mother Earth impresses with its beautiful acoustic guitar sound. Besides the aforementioned Funny Funny and Coco, some of their other big hits not found here are Poppa Joe, Hell Raiser, Set Me Free, Restless and Sweet FA. Although incomplete, this album is worthwhile as a showcase of seventies power pop and includes enough of their most popular numbers to satisfy the fans.

The Sweet went through three very distinct periods, and this Greatest Hits paints a picture for each segment. There was the early bubble-glam period, where the Sweetshop shortened their name to Sweet and churned out Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman insta-hits like the insanely catchy "Little Willy" and the inane "Wig Wam Bam." The band was soon tired of being pop pretty boys and really wanted to rock. Chinn/Chapman fed them "Ballroom Blitz," but with "Fox On The Run," Sweet proved they could make international hits fine on their own.

After that, the band broke off with Chinn/Chapman and recorded "Give Us A Wink," a sly glitter rock album that featured the incendiary "Action." That was the roar that inspired 80's pop metal from Def Lepard to Poison, with "Stairway to the Stars" and "The Lies In Your Eyes," while not American Hits, are just as tasty.

Then the band decided that hits alone weren't good enough, and they took a shot at musical "credibility." "Level Headed" sounded less like Sweet and more like Alan Parsons, but "Love Is Like Oxygen" (included here in the single edit) was a masterpiece. Unfortunately, the following album was without Brian Conolly and pretty much was a forgettable work. ("Mother Earth" was ok, "Sixties Man," better.) But most of these songs are guilty pleasures, and still sound fresh now. After all, almost 30 years later, how can you resist that opening call of "Ballroom Blitz?"

.....all right fellas, let's Goooooooooooooo!

I wasn't a big glam fan so I wasn't into Sweet when they were actually recording. I mean, I like "The Ballroom Blitz" just because it had an original sound, and "Love is Like Oxygen" was a great rocker, although the long version (not featured here) was even better. But other than those two tunes I wasn't that aware of their music. After listening to this collection I am surprised how much great rock & roll is here. Musically they are solid, and the lyrics, coupled with their 3 & 4 part harmonies really make for an enjoyable CD. Other favorites here: "Fox on the Run" (my personal favorite), Little Willy (a silly yet engaging pop song), and "Action".

I would recommend this collection to ANY rock fan. They may have been glam but they had the talent to back it up.

Anyone who saw Brian Connolly dragging himself around seedy holiday camps in the UK, trying to make a lving in the Nineties, will instead want to remember this dynamic frontman at his best. This CD allows at least some of that. Certain key tracks are missing 'Hellraiser' in particular was a track that showed Sweet's musical proficiency and its non-inclusion is a mystery. Also their pre-1972 hits are also missing. Sweet formed back in 1968 and struggled initially until linking with Chinn and Chapman and RCA records. With the formers song writng skills, and a newly created 'glam' image (tight jump suits coiffured hair and stacked boots), Sweet took the UK charts by storm. From 1972 to 1975 they could do no wrong. The bubble began to burst when the boys decided they should write their own material. Songs like 'Action' and 'Lies in their Eyes' although hits did not compere to No'1's like 'Ballroom Blitz' and the ripped off riffed 'Blockbuster' (Bowie's Gene Genie).Punk overtook them and after a farewell hit in 1978 with 'Love is like Oxyen' Sweet split in its true form with Connolly embarking on an unsuccessful solo career. In 1981 tragedy struck and Connolly nearly died from a series of heart attacks. The wreck of a man that was left was a sorry site to see, and effectively Connolly's medical condition and his acrimonious relationship with Andy Scott prevented what every Sweet fan wanted- a reunion of the original band. Connolly died in 1997. This CD contains many great tracks. Sadly there are too many filler tracks at the expense of their well remembered songs. Nonetheless it is worth buying. Chris van der Veerden London.

This an excellent compilation. It DOES have the original versions on it, despite what some uninformed dummies have said.

Here is one of the best 70's bands.Man they produced some good songs.
They formed in the late 60's or early 70's but statrted to have alot of success in the mid to late 70's.
The band were introduced to the writing partnership of Chinn and Chapman, who were to provide the band with a string of hit singles. However, the band were writing their own hard-rock songs on the b-sides of these hits. This resulted in Chinn/Chapman coming up with heavier pop-rock numbers, most notably the powerful Blockbuster, which reached number 1 in the UK at the beginning of 1973. This group had a glam-rock image and had a succession of Top 10 hits.

Review no.48. Good sixteen track compilation of what I assume is a collection of Sweet's singles from 1971-79. If anyone more or less defines 'glam rock',Sweet is the band to do just that. I recognized all but a few of these tunes. The hits that you remember are here, like "Little Willy", "Ballroom Blitz" (personally,I liked the cover that Krokus did better),"Fox On The Run"(has special meaning to me), "Action", "Fever Of Love" and "Love Is like Oxygen". Very nice. Should appeal to fans of Slade,early Queen,Gary Glitter and Ian Hunter.

OK. Here's the deal. Yes, most of these Ten Best albums suck because they leave off essential material. This one is no exception. So why, you ask, does it get 4 stars? Because, dear reader, it has the long, album version of "Love Is Like Oxygen." That's right! I know of no other Sweet collection which does. So unless you care to pay full or import prices for "Level Headed" pick this cheapo up and bask in 7 minutes of 'Love!'

This band is one of the truly forgotten bands of the 70's. This glam rock paved the way for The New York Dolls and later bands like Poison, Motley Crue, LA Guns....

Their tunes are contagious and once in your head, they stay in there. If you like rock you have to love SWEET. They influenced a young generation with their music.

Buy the CD and listen to it without inhibition, odds are others will ask you who this is and will want to borrow this CD for awhile.

GOOD LUCK GETTING IT BACK