Customer Reviews

Collection

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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Early 80s MTV viewers probably remember China Crisis best for the "Working With Fire and Steel" video and others will remember them from alternative radio. China Crisis never really caught on stateside and it's hard to understand why. China Crisis have a great ear for hooks and catchy melodies; not too far off from Crowded House, later Roxy Music and their oft-mentioned mentors Steely Dan. Walter Becker (ex-Steely Dan) produced a number of tracks from this collection along with Mike Thorne. I dare you not to enjoy any of these tracks...there's nary a dud in the lot of them. I was deep into China Crisis in the 80s and they're one of the groups who I bothered to replace vinyl with CDs when that time came. I regularly listen to them still, which is a testament to how good they are 10 to 15 years on.

...for a superb band. African and White is one of my fave all time songs - mesmerising beat and bass riff. A truly creative duo proving that poms have the edge over the yanks by just that little bit. A compilation is your best starting point, but if you get the itch go right back to Difficult Shapes... album and feast your ears.

I recently got the DVD of a live set and found out they sound just as good. I wish Australia wasn't so far from their next gig...

In Europe, three is a volume 2 to this collection with hits like "A Golden Handshake for Every Daughter", "Some People I know To Lead Fansastic Lives" and the classic "The Gates of Door to Door" (this was the theme song to the VH1 show "Sunday Brunch" back in the 80s).

But the 1st disc is awesome. One of the few "best of" collections that actually is the best of their work.

Very good but not BEST only because of the glaring omission of "Highest High". It was the first Crisis tune that got any recognition (besides "King in a Catholic Style") on NY alternative radio due to it's alterna-pop accessibility for the general masses. It was the song that got me listening to them. So good to see that there are other people out there who appreciate this band.

They never made much of an impact in the US, but China Crisis put out several wonderful records throughout the 80's. This collection documents their development from synth-pop to the kind of layered, mature music that isn't heard much anymore. Smooth, intelligent, and very appealing.

Just about every track off of this collection is great. You can hear alot of "Steely Dan" influence in their music. Most enjoyable tracks for me are "African & White", "No More Blue Horizons", Working With Fire & Steel", & "You Did Cut Me". If you have an open mind for various 80's music, this collection would be a good purchase.

China Crisis was a great UK band. Unfortunately like many UK bands they got little rotation and airplay here in the states. The only problem with this collection is it's missing "Diary of a Hollow Horse", which is a beautifully melodic "Best of" song.

Their melodies are great and their music is rare. If you are looking for something different,here it is...