Customer Reviews

Least Worst of

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This interesting greatest hits CD of New York Goth band Type O Negative is a great starting point for new converts. Led by gigantic front man Peter Steele, towering over six feet with a voice that would crack a castle door, TON has been touring and recording long enough to impress even the most conservative of rock critics. These guys, including Kenny Hickey, Josh Silver and Johnny Kelly, love their craft. But that's just a small part of the allure of this extremely unique quartet.

One of the greatest Goth bands in history, TON pounds through one hit after another including "Black," "Everyone I Love is Dead," "Christian Woman," "Love You to Death," "Everything Dies" (my favorite) and of course, the David Leanian anthem, "Unsuccessfully Coping with the Natural Beauty of Infidelity." Their confident skill comes only from a band having toured for well over a decade.

When watching these guys live, all eyes are on Steele. Call it mesmerizing intimidation. Put an ax in his hand and a helmet on his head and, by God, you have the mutant son of Thor and Satan. I suppose I have a peculiar fascination with this talented group. Songs last 10 to 12 minutes. Choruses change in mid-verse, riffs slow down at unexpected moments. A silhouetted Steele tells stories into the insanely tall microphone. It's not easy to understand just what inspires this foursome to write such unusual songs played for us mere hobbits.

Type O Negative is not really jamming during their endless numbers more than they just perform indefinable productions within their brooding heads. They are an acquired taste, requiring great concentration before finally reaching the foggy climatic plateau where Christopher Lee crouches and Alice Cooper hides. Once within their wax museum nightmare, welcome to a lost paradise.

"The Least Worst" CD has most of the songs that put these guys on the map. These cuts will never compare to seeing their live performances, but it gives a clue to the fruitful career of a dedicated and immensely talented Goth rock band. For those unknowing, this purchase is well worth your time.

Who would've thought that we would get a greatest hits collection from Type O Negative? Granted, the band has a strong and loyal following, and 'Christian Woman' and 'Black No. 1' were both minor hits...but still, we're not talking about chart toppers here. Their brand of dark, doomy metal sounds like the Cure being strangled by Black Sabbath with a little Sisters of Mercy thrown in for good measure.

Quite possibly the most underrated group in music today, this compilation could serve as an introduction to the band to newcomers. The songs you'd expect to be here are here (albeit in shortened form):'Christian Woman', 'Black No. 1', 'Love You To Death', 'My Girlfriend's Girlfriend' and 'Everything Dies'. But, as an added bonus to those of us that already own the respective albums these were drawn from, we get 3 new songs and a couple of remixes/alternate versions of songs.

1. The Misinterprestation of Silence And Its Disastrous Consequences (Wombs and Tombs Mix)-Very funny, guys. 2.Everyone I Love Is Dead-Shortened from World Coming Down. 3. Black No. 1-Same version used in the video. 4. It's Never Enough-New song. Probably the best of the new 3. 5. Love You To Death-Same version used in video. 6. Black Sabbath-The band did a version of Black Sabbath for the first Nativity in Black album, and this alternate version uses lyrics from the perspective of Satan. This song was the best one on NIB. 7. Christian Woman-Pretty much their signature song. Points off for not putting the complete version on this album. 8. 12 Black Rainbows-New song that was an outtake from World Coming Down. 9. My Girlfriend's Girlfriend-Don't be fooled by 'Cheese Organ Mix' in the title. This pretty much the same as the album version with a slightly different intro. 10. Hey Pete-Again, pretty much the same as the album version without the crowd noise. 11. Everything Dies-Shortened version 12. Cinnamon Girl-Dancey remix of their cover of Neil Young's Song. 13. Unsuccessfully Coping With The Natural Beauty Of Infidelity-Heavy song from their first record. Thankfully, put here in its complete form. 14. Stay Out Of My Dreams-Another new song that sounds like it was leftover from World Coming Down. A wonder why the new songs never made it onto that album.

I gave this album 4 out of 5 stars, because, well there can't really be a decent greatest hits package of Type O Negative. There are so many good songs on their other 5 albums that there is no way that you can cram the 'least worst' on one disc. Hopefully, this album will introduce new listeners to the dark, gothic/metal music of Type O Negative and they will end up buying each of the respective albums.

Type O Negative have been around for ten years and now bless us with a "Greatest Hits" record. But wait, that's not all. Not only does it include all the popular songs, but rare, unreleased and remixed tracks as well. What a bargain! The three "new" songs; 12 Black Rainbows, Stay out of my Dreams, and It's Never Enough, are faster and less doomy than most of the songs off World Coming Down--their last album--thus proving some relief from the otherwise morbid songs on this album. Stand out tracks also include the studio version of "Hey Pete", the remix of "Cinnamon Girl" and the Trash Metal-Thug Opera-Mini Epic "Unsuccessfully Coping With the Natural Beauty of Infidelity". In short, this is a welcome addition whether you a casual or die hard Type O Negative fan.

The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the shortened versions ruin their best songs. Seriously, shortening a 12 minute song down to 5 minutes makes me glad I have the CD that the original one is on. However, I definately recommend this, both for newcomers to the band as well as Type O fanatics like myself. The new songs are pretty good. My favorites on THIS CD (not the full versions on previous CDs) would have to be "Hey Pete", "It's never enough", "Stay out of my dreams" and "Cinnamon Girl." Don't get me wrong, the other songs are among their best, but the fact they were shortened ruins them in my opinion.

First of all, (the) track list is misleading, it's for the edited version. On the 'explicit' version, it has "It's Never Enough", which is a new track. Plus, it contains "Unsuccessfully Coping with the Natural Beauty of Infidelity" instead of "Gravitional Constant". This is virtually a flawless collection. Track 1 really has no purpose except being a trivial prank. 2 is an radio edit of Everyone I Love is Dead, which is a great song if that uses upbeat riffs to keep the lyrics from being too depressing (Type O does that a lot). 3 is an extremely condensed version of Black No.1, and I don't mind edits except they took out an entire verse of the song to eleven minutes down to four and a half. Still a good song, but I would've preferred to at least half all three verses in. 4 is a new track called "It's Never Enough". Some people will not like some of the comments Peter makes towards God, but if they can get past that, it's a wonderful song about how a man can never satisfy truly satisfy a woman (which is often but not always true). 5 is a radio edit of "Love You to Death". This was a bigger hit in Europe than America, but it's one of their best. It's a unique love song that focuses on the eroticism of lover-subordination. Although I prefer the original version, this is a good edit. It doesn't lose the original feel, and for people that just aren't patient enough to listen to a seven minute song can look at this one. 6 appears as an alternate version of their cover of "Black Sabbath (from the Satanic Perspective)". The one of the Black Sabbath tribute album "Nativity in Black" is just a cover. This version has Peter's original (and somewhat devious) lyrics. A good song with quite enjoyable lyrics if you have a dark sense of humor like mine. 7 is the first part of "Christian Woman". It's completely unchanged except it doesn't the b or c parts to it. It's original is a)Body of Christ, b)Know her God, c)J.C. Looks Like Me. This one just has a). They probably did it for room on the disk, but they should have kept it intact. 8 is the song "12 Black Rainbows". The booklet will tell you it's a new track but it's not. It appeared on the European single "Everything Dies", but this is it's first appearance on an LP. It's a straight song in a neo-Sabbath style. Great lyrics and music. 9 is "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend". It says 'Cheese Organ Mix' on the package, but the intro is the only change. It's the same song, but just as awesome. It's M.G.G. Need I say more? 10 is a 'studio' version of "Hey Pete" (called 'Peter's Ego Trip Version). The original version was pseudo-live to begin with, but the song is really funy (in a sarcastically sadistic way) and any Type O fan will love it. 11 is a radio edit of "Everything Dies". A great song, a should have been a bigger hit than it was. It's pretty riffs and sentimental beat should make anyone feel good. It sounds depressing, but don't get too fooled. It's a beautiful sentiment. 12 is "Cinnamon Girl (Depressed Mode Mix)". This a dance mix by Charlie Clouser (one of my favorites). It is a Neil Young cover, but completely different from Type O's original version, but, like I said, absolutely awesome. 13 is "Unsuccessfully Coping with the Natural Beauty of Infidelity", brought in its entirety from the album it appeared on. A head forth rocker, irresistable, sarcastic and hilarious. 14 is the new song "Stay Out of My Dreams". Words cannot describe this song, it is just flawless. The music, the darkness of the lyrics are all just impecible. An instant favorite, the whole collection is worth the price just for this song if nothing else. There you have it, a great collection from a great band. Get it, you will not regret it. This band, mainstream or not, deserved a greatest hits package.

I have been a Type O Negative fan for years and years, one of the first bands I ever got into. Let me tell you, I may have most of these songs already, but this is one fine CD!

Like most other reviewers, I found the shortened versions of some of the songs tobeunsatisfying, and like others have said, it makes me glad I have all the other CD's. Also, the failure to include Summer Breeze, a Type O classic, kind of depressed me, but these flaws alone cannot overcome a great CD such as this. For new Type O fans, you are hearing simply the best of the best. Songs like "Cinnamon Girl" and "Everything Dies" have been my favorites for quite some time. The new tracks are even more awesome. If you are interested in trying out Type O Negative, I suggest you start with this CD first, it gives you a great idea of what the band is all about and the CD is just one of those ones where you DO NOT have to skip a track at all.

I was hesitant to buy this album at first being that I had most of these tracks on earlier Typ O Negative CD's. Eventually, I caved and got it. My only regret is that I didn't get this CD earlier! Listening to it once, I knew it was my new favorite. It's a great mix of their earlier albums. I also have to say that "12 Black Rainbows" is simply a phenominal song. This CD is for any Type O fan. It's great for someone new to their music, because it has a great variety of their tracks, old and new. It really lets you get a feel for their style. On the other end of the spectrum are the veteran listeners like myself. It's great to listen to this album and hear the different versions of the previously released tracks. You can see how their music has evolved over the years and is still as original and powerful as it was in the beginning. The only criticism I could even imaginge for this album is that I like the "Origin Of The Feces" version of Unsuccessfully Coping With the Natural Beauty Of Infadelity better that the "Slow Deep and Hard" version that appears on this album. But [heck], that's just personal opinion. I still have to give this album 5 stars and say it is a must have. Buy it, you wil not regret it! ~MT~

If Soundgarden had a head-on collision with Black Sabbath (whose "Black Sabbath" they cover) while Sisters Of Mercy was in the middle, you'd get Type O Negative. Or, as better described by brooding frontman/bassist Peter Steele, Type O Negative play a unique brand of "Gothadelic Industrimetal." Well put. I have no clue as to how these guys aren't more successful, they're absolutely amazing. I've always liked Type O Negative's songs, I just never got around to buying any of their CDs, so when "The Least Worst Of" came out, I had to buy it. I'm still kicking myself for not getting into them much sooner. The only real complaint I have, which I'm getting out of the way first, is that "Haunted" isn't included. That was the first Type O Negative song I ever heard, and its absence is definitely tragic. Never mind that though, that's not even a fault, just me whining. Besides, with amazing songs like "Black No.1," "Everyone I Love Is Dead," "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend," "Cinnamon Girl," and, well, the rest of the CD, there's nothing to complain about. What makes TON so good though, is Peter Steele. His vocals are deeper than a grave, and he is definitely one of the greatest lyricists in music. He's smarter than Marilyn Manson, funnier than Insane Clown Posse (just pretend they're funny), more depressed than, um, me, and more cynical than anybody I've ever heard. Take, for example, "Unsuccessfully Coping With The Natural Beauty Of Infidelity." Not only is it the greatest title for a song ever, but it's a mini-epic unto itself successfully combining rage, humor, and the drive of thrash. My favorite part is when Peter starts screaming "I know!" while his band repeats him in the background (I know, as in, I know you're cheating on me; that's what they're talking about). If you don't laugh after hearing that song, check your pulse, as you probably are dead. My personal favorite on this album is "Black No. 1," which is about hair dye (as well as the ever-occuring theme of despite for some woman). Sure, it is funny (especially if you're a Goth with a sense of humor), but it's also amazing musically as well. Another funny one is one of the four unreleased "new" tracks, "Stay Out Of My Dreams." I won't say anything other than you have to hear what Peter's saying, it's absolutely hilarious. "Cinnamon Girl (Depressed Mode Mix)," a Neil Young cover, is one of the best songs here (and if memory serves correct, the remix is done by Nine Inch Nails' Charlie Clouser). It's both psychedelic and danceable. How unique is that? The band's Metal highlight is their cover of Black Sabbath's "Black Sabbath (From The Satanic Perspective)." Peter Steele sounds even more evil than Ozzy himself, and their cover rivals the original (I'm serious). Unlike the lame poseur Goth-Metal bands that are out there today (Marilyn Manson, Coal Chamber, Cradle Of Filth, etc.), TON get both the Goth AND Metal side right. Bottom line is this: If you were foolish like I was and hadn't bought any TON albums, redeem your status and purchase "The Least Worst Of." This band is utterly brilliant. Here's to another decade of great Type O Negative material. "The Least Worst Of" is, simply put, a perfect album. If you like this CD, I also recommend: Sisters Of Mercy's "A Slight Case Of Overbombing: Greatest Hits Vol. 1," Vast's "Visual Audio Sensory Theater," and Soundgarden's "A-Sides."

The music is of course excellent and it looks to me like the some lay out is excellent, so i bought it thinking that this was a good way to hear most of my favorite type o songs without changing CDs. then i poped it in and was slapped in the face with horribly different versions of songs many of them much shorter. i would imagine that most of the people who are looking at this collection have at least a couple type o cds or ast least know a couple people who do, so my advice to you is to take the songs that you love and build your own "greatest hits"

This album is great, and definitely worth the buy, but don't expect the full Type O experience. The unreleased songs "12 Black Rainbows," "It's Never Enough," and "Stay Out of my Dreams" are worth the price alone. I don't understand how Stay Out of my Dreams didn't make the cut for World Coming Down. Not gloomy enough? Maybe. I personally consider it better than most of the songs on WCD.

Anyway, concerning the rest of the album, a few of the classics were shortened in length to make the 80 minute time limit on the CD. Specifically "Everyone I Love is Dead," "Black No. 1," "Christian Woman," "Love You to Death," and "Everything Dies" (Black No. 1 and Christian Woman being almost halved from their original lengths).

While I would recommend this as an album for any aspiring Type O fan (this is where I started, after all), and definitely for the unreleased songs, I wouldn't really recommend it as a compilation album to keep in your car to listen to all the classics. That is, unless you want to listen to edited songs. I, personally, would rather burn a CD with the original songs on it for that stuff.