Retrospective 1995-2005 [Import]

Natalie Merchant | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 24, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• ASIN: B000B9OA1K
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #645,017 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Album Information: Following a phenomenal early run in the '80s and '90s with alt-rock sensations 10,000 Maniacs, Natalie Merchant went on to even greater success as a solo artist. Her 1995 solo debut Tigerlily delivered the Billboard Top 10 Smash "Carnival," as well as "Wonder" and "Jealousy," #20 and #23, respectively. Through subsequent albums, Merchant's emotive vocals and literate songs have established her as one of the most distinctive and popular women in contemporary pop-rock. Compiled by Natalie herself, Rhino's new collection represents her first-ever solo "best of", beautifully highlighting her socially conscious and melodious signature style. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strictly for the 'casual' Natalie Merchant fan (if there is such a thing), October 4, 2005

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Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Retrospective 1995-2005 (Audio CD)

Since Natalie Merchant went solo 10 years ago, she has released only 5 albums, and that includes the "Live in Concert" album, so really only 4 studio albums.

"Retrospective 1995-2005" (13 tracks, 60 min.) brings a nice chronological overview of Natalie's greatest hits, and the use of that term is loose at best, as there really have been only a few mainstream hits on the first 2 albums. It makes sense then that the bulk of his collection centers around those songs: 8 of the 13 tracks are from the "Tigerlily" and "Ophelia" albums, including the true hits "Wonder", "Carnival" and "Kind and Generous". The last third of the album gives us the best tracks from "Motherland" and the independently released "The House Carpenter's Daughter". While these songs are not hits, they are mesmerizing nevertheless. Check out "Motherland" and "Sally Ann". At 60 min., they could easily have added a couple more songs, such as "Just Can't Last" (from "Motherland") and "Space Oddity" (from "Live in Concert")

If you are a casual Natalie Merchant fan (if there is such a thing), this collection will do the trick. Or you may want to stick with just "Tigerlily" if you are looking for the 10,000 Maniacs sound. But for the fanatical Natalie Merchant fans, who have all the albums already, it makes no sense to buy this collection. Instead, head on over to the "Limited Edition" of this set, which includes a second CD with covers, duets, rarities, and unreleased tracks. I rate that collection close to 5 stars.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction To Natalie Merchant, November 23, 2005

By 

Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Retrospective 1995-2005 (Audio CD)

This CD is a very good introduction to the solo works of Natalie Merchant. I am a bit more of a fan of 10,000 Maniacs and her earlier solo work, and while no CD retrospective meets everyone's desires, I think this set is good for the fan who is just starting to appreciate Natalie; fans who own all of her solo CDs would be advised to skip this CD entirely (as they already own all the material), or better yet pay a few dollars more for the limited edition of this set which contains a second CD of rarities and lesser known gems.

The CD is great in that it features the big hits (including my favorite, "Jealousy") as well as cuts which were largely ignored by the mainstream (though they shouldn't have been.)

In an age of popular music where the recording industry can't wait to get the newest augmented pop princess on the cover of "People" magazine, Natalie Merchant stands out: she is not flashy; rather she is graceful and humble. She also has one thing going for her which is so often sadly missing in the contemporary music world: genuine talent. If you are not familiar with Natalie Merchant, this is a great place to start. If you are familiar with her, then you probably own her CDs already.

I recommend this CD to any fan of thoughtful, original music.

14 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Her first 10 solo years., September 27, 2005

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H3@+h "Over 1500 reviews!" (thanks for the helpful review votes) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Retrospective 1995-2005 (Audio CD)

Well I hope this isn't a retirement statement. However, it's a nice collection, even if it's a bit short. We get 4 tracks from her most popular album "Tigerlily", 4 from "Ophelia", 3 from "Motherland", and 2 from "The House Carpenters Daughter". I would have liked a new or unreleased track, or something from her live album like her "After The Gold Rush" cover. I almost wonder if her first album is overall better than this collection is, and I know I'm slightly still more of a 10,000 Maniacs fan. There's a deluxe edition of "Greatest Hits" also, that comes with a bonus disc of extras for the mega-fan.