Customer Reviews

Our Finest Flowers

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album was sold and billed as a greatest hits collection. In truth that is exactly what it is: A collection of lyrics from some songs, music from others and new treatments piled upon each other and formed into a collection of Great songs. (a little joke from them I am sure) For the experienced listener, this is a compilation that reminds you of all releases that have come before. For the new listener this stands alone as a great album. I have been a fan of the Eyeballed ones for over 15 years and while this is not my favorite of their works, I enjoy listening to it as the layering of tracks and styles is like a little musical test to figure them all out. One could argue this album was a test base for what later became Icky Flix, but that is another review for another album. If you are a Residents fan, you're gonna buy it anyway, if you are new to the Residents and looking for a Greatest hits album, try Our Poor, Our Tired, Our huddled masses instead.

The Residents' 20th Anniversary summation of their previous output could have ended up sounding like a cheap rehash of past glory. Instead, "Our Finest Flowers" is a completely fresh and orignal sounding collection. The concept here was to merge themes and snippets of older Residents songs into new songs. The formula works, and the result is songs that are both interesting and new while at the same time giving long time fans a warm, fuzzy, familiar feeling. Not for serious fans only, this CD would be a welcome addition to even the casual fan's collection.

Rather than celebrate their anniversary (I cannot remember which) with yet another compilation "greatest hits" collection, the Residents set out to refurbish their old stuff, and make it look new.

Overall, it's a successful undertaking, with such cuts as "Gone Again" and "Fourty-Four No More" (which, since I've since turned 44, I have a special liking to) polished to the point that you could play it at your Grandma's funeral.

These polished tunes may not be to everyone's liking. After all, I'm certain many fans are crying, the Residents were unaccessible to everyone but them. Being a Resident fan can be a lonely life, but at least you have the knowledge of knowing this obscure group, with their web site, and products will always be willing to take your money, and make you happy. Why share?

However, it is an excellent way to get others hooked to this obscure band. This band has too good of music for someone to sit on.

Recommended for fans and non-fans alike.

44 No More is by far and away the best classic country ballad ever written. RZ have raised the bar by which all other ballads will be measured.

EVERY SONG sounds exactly the same! Good idea, but musicaly this doesn't cut it. "Kick a Picnic" is the real stand out track, everything else is the same "jungle sound" follow.