Myrmidons of Melodrama: Definitive Collection [Import]

Shangri-Las | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Rpm Records UK
• ASIN: B0000632M3
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,033 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Remember (Walking in the Sand)

2. It's Easier to Cry

3. Leader of the Pack

4. What Is Love?

5. Give Him a Great Big Kiss

6. Maybe

7. Out in the Streets

8. The Boy

9. Give Us Your Blessings

10. Heaven Only Knows

11. Right Now and Not Later

12. Train from Kansas City

13. Never Again

14. I'm Blue

15. What's a Girl Supposed to Do?

16. The Dum Dum Ditty

17. You Cheated, You Lied

18. I Can Never Go Home Anymore

19. Bull Dog

20. Long Live Our Love

See all 31 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Full title, 'Myrmidons Of Melodrama The Definitive Collection'. UK compilation for the best girl group in the world ever. All the hits including, 'Remember (Walking In The Sand)', 'Leader Of The Pack' & 'Give Him A Great Big Kiss'. Additional material includes original mono versions, rarities, adverts & for the first time on CD, both sides of their extremely rare debut single. 32 tracks. Digipak. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It sounds...DIFFERENT., June 22, 2005

By 

Music Fan (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myrmidons of Melodrama: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

I adore the Shangri-Las, and was anxious to upgrade my budget CD to something more complete. I wanted to get the original version of "Myrmidons of Melodrama," the one with the color cover, which also includes the songs "Maybe," "Wishing Well" and "I Hate to Say I Told You So," not found on this edition. However, when I found the black-and-white cover in a local record store, I decided to spring for it instead. MISTAKE.

I have no idea what these people did to "Remember," "Leader of the Pack" and "Great Big Kiss," but they sound very different from what I've heard in the past. "Leader of the Pack" sounds very hollow and devoid of the sharp rhythm I always heard in the recording. The same can be said of "Remember," which sounds unusually flat besides. As for "Kiss," something about this mix seems rhythmically wonky, as though the tambourine isn't matching up with the drums; there are also parts of the song which are unusually quiet, such as that great "MWAH!" which now virtually disappears. Maybe I'll get used to the differences with time; it's probably just me. I doubt these would bother the casual listener.

The rest of the tracks are all very well-remastered, and sound very clear. I've got some particular gripes about the packaging, however. A paper case, guys? Gimme a break. Before I got the shrink-wrap off, the case was already ripped. And the CD is also mislabeled. It reads:
24. Paradise
25. Love You More Than Yesterday
26. Simon Says
27. Simon Speaks
28. Give Him a Great Big Kiss (alternate version)
In actuality, the tracks go thusly:
24. Love You More Than Yesterday
25. Paradise
26. Give Him a Great Big Kiss (alternate version)
27. Simon Says
28. Simon Speaks
This really threw me, and I wonder what sort of a company puts out a CD without checking the track listing first. One final gripe: couldn't the Revlon commercials have been jettisoned in favor of including "Maybe," "Wishing Well" and/or "I Hate to Say I Told You So"?

Flaws aside, this is still a nice disc, and if it's convenient (say you discover it in your local record store and you've got a few extra bucks burning in your pocket?) you'll want to pick it up just the same.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Differences Between The Two Versions of "Myrmidons of Melodrama", October 5, 2007

By 

Jessica Winney (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Myrmidons of Melodrama: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

As most buyers of Shangri-Las music have already discovered, there are two versions of the group's greatest hits collecton "Myrmidons of Melodrama," one released in 1995 that sports a color, pop art-inspired cover and one released in 2002 that sports a black-and-white cover with a photo of the group. Although both versions have essentially the same tracks on them, there are some minor differences that could influence a customer's decision to purchase one over the other. These differences are listed below:

Original version with color artwork released in 1995: This version includes the singles "Maybe," "Wishing Well," and "Hate To Say I Told You So," which are NOT included on the 2002 re-release. This version, however, lacks any stereo mixes of the songs and does not include the single "Simon Says/Simon Speaks."

2002 re-release with the black-and-white cover: This version includes stereo mixes of some of the group's singles and includes the single "Simon Says/Simon Speaks." Excluding the three songs mentioned above, the track listing is identical to the original version (taking into account the fact that the tracks are listed out of order on the back of the CD). This is a minor, albeit irritating, clerical error.

So the question really becomes one of importance. If it is more important to you to have the three songs that are included on the 1995 version, then that is the one you should buy. If having stereo mixes of the songs is what you're after, then the 2002 re-release is for you. Personally, I would rather have the stereo mixes of some of the group's classic hits than have three songs that I have never heard before, but that it merely my preference. Collectors will probably want to buy both versions.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really the best Shangs comp ever., January 16, 2007

By 

L. L. Waterreus "Music Fiend" (Melbourne Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Myrmidons of Melodrama: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

To put it blunt this is miles ahead of the other cheapo comps. It took 2 years for the compiler to get this together, the alternate takes on it are STEREO TAKES !!! You previously would have paid an arm to get a stereo mix of the girls in action ( they were rare indeed ). Almost every compilation previously used the original MONO mixes, hence the rarity of the stereo mixes. The stereo mixes are also the classic hits, which is a bonus. You can listen to Mary on the right with Margie,Maryann and Betty to the left, incredible. The packaging is nice, and the liner notes fold out to a poster . As for the Revlon ads, theyre cute, and a nice add on touch to the compilation. Again these Ads would have appeared on a collector revelon picture disc ( vinyl), again a highly collectible item.

In regards to the missing tracks, well you cant have everything, Cds can only contain so many tracks. And the track order mis print ... leave that to the librarian, I am only happy I have finally purchased a TOP quality compilation with excellent sound quality.

I give it 10 out of 5 !! In other words, a cd I know I cant live without, should I lose it, Id replace it instantly. Not alot of cds I could say that about.