Everything Is Beautiful / A Retrospective 1983-1995

Wolfgang Press | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: 4AD
• ASIN: B00005N6OL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,982 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #15 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars at least something is in print, September 19, 2003

By 

tvstatic (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everything Is Beautiful / A Retrospective 1983-1995 (Audio CD)

As retrospectives go, this one's a bit unusual. It has 4 rare mixes though most of the originals are out of print. It has a live track that is nice to have, but the original is out of print. And though they were primarily known for their more experimental 80's work, 11 of the 17 songs are from their last 2 albums in the 90's. So I'm not sure who this album was intended for: a fan looking for some mixes, or a new listener trying to get exposed. It just doesn't represent their indy 4AD years very well.

Irritating. Because they are one of my favorite bands of all time, and unfortunately if you are living in the states this is pretty much your only choice at the moment. so the breakdown:

The burden of mules: nothing, but you won't miss it unless you are obsessed.

the legendary tall tales album: 1. sweatbox: brilliant 2. Respect: I wouldn't have chosen this but it has elizabeth frasier from the cocteau twins on backup.

Birdwood Cage: 1. Kansas (the flood mix which is strong) 2. Slowtime (a slow mix of raintime which is hard to find) 3. Shut That Door - is damn good.

Standing Up Straight: 1) I Am the Crime (Chase this album for the other stuff.)

Queer: 1. Birdie Song 2. Dreams and Light 3. Heaven's Gate 4. Honey Tree 5. Sucker (Young Mix) 6. Momma Told Me Not to Come 7. A Girl Like You (only on US version of that album) ----Hey Why Not Just Keep It In Print? It's GENIUS.

Funky Little Demons: 1. Going South (a beautiful song) 2. Chains 3. Executioner (Barry Adamson Mix)

Unreleased Live track: 1) People Say 1995 (it's good. they were a lot stronger live than you might have thought.)

Perhaps the most revealing thing about this album, besides the sizeable booklet with observations on each song by Allen Cox, are the publishing notes. The Wolfgang Press was a 4AD band. This is published by Universal Music Publishing LTD. That pretty much sums up the music industry today. BUY IT ANYWAYS.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars against homogenous music making!, October 3, 2006

By 

cubik dervish "mroddyssey" (burque, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everything Is Beautiful / A Retrospective 1983-1995 (Audio CD)

Wolfgang Press developed much like Cabaret Voltaire, unfortunately. Strong beginings and lackluster "commercialy successful" later years. So, If you dig cookie cutter production and tunes, late era 'press is for you. However, if you value independent voices in the arts, early 'press is the thing to go for. This is a complete-ish compilation, spanning the band's entire career, but it almost feels like two different bands altogether. Some of the early song mixes are very good, but it pales in comparison to early gems such as "Coming Home," "Tremble (My Girl Doesn't)" and "Heart of Stone" which are not included.
Skip this and buy the individual early rec's if you value wonderfully weird music . . .

'nuff said

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars late era press -fantastic, May 24, 2004

By 

emvb "loghome2" (SEATTLE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everything Is Beautiful / A Retrospective 1983-1995 (Audio CD)

not being too much of an early fan of the wolfgang press due to dated production and allens lackluster voice- the press began to really develop into something special towards the end of the eighties- and with 1992s queer both band and allen had found their voice. Mixing funk-hiphop dance beats- the nick cave low voice of allen(now within his range) wolfgang released two of the best in succession albums with the organic followup funky little demons. This collection highlights most of this late period and succeeds because of it. three dog nights cover of randy newmans tune gets covered brillantly by the trio (mama told me not to come( a funky dirty ode to the original. Chains is brilliant- as is heavens gate-going south- and the other dance soul excursions. Some of the wellchosen older tracks fare well but the aretha franklin/otis redding cover is plain bad. ODDly alot of this sounds like the theme music to the sopranos-years before the show! Most of this stuff sounds great ten years later and the production of queer and funky little demons is timeless. A great comp but you could do yourself no harm by picking up the uk import of queer and funky little demons. Two of the 90s best.