Greatest

Raspberries | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 24, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B0008G2EVY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,112 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #93 in Music > Rock > Power Pop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With most comprehensive Raspberries' hits collections out of print as of 2005 and the band set to reconvene for a summer tour, Capitol dusts off its tapes and issues this sturdy but unimaginative overview. Those who already own one of the previous best-of sets won't need to spring again for this generous 20 track, nearly 80 minute rarity and B-side-free set. That said, anyone new to the 70s power pop band's Beatle-esque charms will delight in hearing these songs. Eric Carmen's distinctive voice effectively combines McCartney's cutesy charisma with Lennon's more cynical edge, and his tunes, while not as revolutionary or innovative as the Fab Four's, sure make for some hummable retro listening. This go-round adds "I Can Remember," an ambitious eight minute, string-enhanced suite not found on most of the band's compilations and it is a welcome addition. Lesser known but defining album tracks like the enticing "Nobody Knows" share space with more popular tunes from the band's four discs, providing an excellent career summation of the quartet's short (1972-'75) yet productive run. From the opening blast of "Go All the Way," to the closing Phil Spector-styled mega-production of the bite-the-hand-that-feeds epic "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)," The Raspberries' music blasts out of the speakers with a surly, confident pop authority that few other groups--English or American--ever achieved. Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ACTUALLY REALLY SUPRISED, June 25, 2005

By 

Mitchell Cassman (BUFFALO GROVE, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Greatest (Audio CD)

Over the years I've bought and re-bought Rasberries greatest hits collections. Hoping...for something different. A new mix?
I had no idea. On this collection which I bought for the same reasons, really knocked me out. Not only sounding excellent, it includes 6 more songs then the 1995 greatest hits. I love this band. Having their original 4 albums released for the first time on CD this year makes buying all of the other "Hits" albums worth it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars America's best Power Pop Band. Ever. Period., February 18, 2010

By 

Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Greatest (Audio CD)

In a short career that spanned barely 5 years and 4 albums, The Raspberries ran up a string of brilliant singles. Their goal was to reclaim the mantel of early Beatles and Who singles, while rejecting the overblown pomposity much of 70's prog rock had meandered into. They even wore matching suits and poofy hair on the first album cover, along with a scratch and sniff Raspberries sticker. The first hit from that album, "Go All The Way," roared out with loud, sweet guitars and Beach Boy harmony, setting up the future for the band.

Centered mainly on Eric Carmen's McCartney-esque voice and songwriting, The Rasperries began knocking out single marvels with the consistency of the best Badfinger hits. They used lyrical teases instead of blatant come-ons to make their songs cover more ground, like when Carmen chirps "Oh! I wanna be with you! So Baaaaaaad!" or the winsome want of "Let's Pretend." The band also were excellent mimics, with "Drivin' Around" a flawless Beach Boys concoction.

However, Carmen began to exert domination over the band and tension caused both Dave Smalley and Jim Bonfanti to split after Side 3. Regrouping led to the appropriately named Starting Over and Carmen's last single masterpiece with The Raspberries. With the plea for success that is the pocket symphony "Overnight Sensation," Carmen blended Brian Wilson's songwriting with Phil Spector production to create one of power pop's perfect four minutes. About midway into the single, Carmen and the band get sucked into a car radio and the tinny speaker cranks out the boys as they chant "want a hit record, yeah!" across the nation's airwaves. I can still occasionally get the goosebumps when I hear this song.

That bit of wishful thinking not withstanding, The Raspberries broke up soon after. Eric Carmen had a fairly successful solo career and Wally Bryson went on to join power pop maestros (and cult faves) Fotomaker. But for a brief and fiery moment, The Raspberries made the kid of guilty pleasure music you didn't have to feel guilty about.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Raspberries Still Fresh, December 19, 2005

By 

Tony James "A J" (Canadarocks) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greatest (Audio CD)

Originally known as "The Choir", the "Raspberries" sounded like a cross between a Beach Boys tribute band and bubble gum pop. There were a couple of exceptions. One of the 70's best make out songs had to be "Go all the Way", self explanatory. "I Wanna be With You" had a catchy guitar riff at its beginning and a quick change chorus. "Overnight Sensation" has the "radio" intro. Most of the rest were solid little ditties but not overly memorable. This is a great little disc for the drive in, the highway, the drive way or the rec room. Its all pretty harmless fun, much like the 70's were to most of us back then.