Customer Reviews

Super Hits

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

 

 

When the Clash broke up following the release of "Combat Rock," Mick Jones formed Big Audio Dynamite (B.A.D.). The band built upon the more adventurous aspects of the Clash, such as 1980's "Sandinista." As it says on the back cover of this CD - Rock-Reggae-House-Hip-Hip...B.A.D. The group really combined a dizzying array of musical styles, and at their best, they pulled it off beautifully. The group never received as much attention as they deserved, which is a shame considering the success that other groups have had in the 1990s and 2000s by combining genres in a similar manner, such as the rock-rap of Limp Bizkit.

"Super Hits" gathers 10 of their best known songs. The CD starts off with two of their most hip-hip flavored songs - "The Bottom Line" and "C'mon Every Beatbox." These songs are a bit sample-crazy but work surprisingly well. After releasing a few records, BAD broke up in the late 80s, only to reunite as Big Audio Dynamite II in the early 90s and release their two biggest hits - "Rush" and "The Globe." "Rush" has an extremely memorable and catchy chorus - "Situation no win/ Rush for a change of atmosphere," and it even managed to become a Top 40 hit, peaking at #32 in 1991. "The Globe" is equally memorable, although some people may scoff at the sampling of the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

I'm puzzled by the other reviewer's comment that his version contained a different song in place of E=MC2. My CD contains the right song, and it's brilliant - full of incongruous samples that blend masterfully. I also really love "Medicine Show" which samples liberally from the Clint Eastwood film, "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." The group was sampling before it became popular outside of rap and before the technology caught up with the group's ambition. I wonder what they would be able to accomplish today with their music?

B.A.D. recorded some really great music. The only reason that I didn't give this CD 5-stars is because an even more complete collection is available; "Big Audio Dynamite - Planet BAD: Greatest Hits" contains all 10 songs from "Super Hits" as well as 5 additional selections at a similiar price. Although I don't have that CD and therefore cannot attest to its sound quality, I suggest that you check it out before making a purchase.

Before writing off this 10 song compilation in favor of the 15 song "Big Audio Dynamite - Planet BAD: Greatest Hits" consider this tidbit - this CD contains longer versions of several tracks. For example Rush is 4:18 vs 3:11, The Bottom Line 4:37 vs 3:46, The Globe 6:05 vs 3:47 (!), Beatbox 5:28 vs 4:32. I'm not saying that one CD is better than the other, just bringing up something to consider. Of course you can always get both ...

BAD was such a great band, with an innovative mix of punk, rock, and dance music. This is a good collection from a band that was way ahead of its time.

This is a good mix of some of their best music over several albums. Includes all the songs you've heard.

My only complaint is that these are the shorter versions of these songs. Would like a package from this band with the 12" mixes and alternative versions.

B.A.D. was always an interesting group, arguably more consistent than the Clash ever were. Their 1986 disc "This Is B.A.D." pioneered the use of movie dialogue samples which is absolutely everywhere now. This is a good intro to their material, but I must warn you that if you buy it to get their excellent early song 'E=mc squared', it is not on here despite its listing on the case. Not sure how they did it, but it is a totally different song, not a remix or version but just the wrong song. Funny in a way but I bought it for that song, I already have almost all their stuff on CD. Still, the rest of it is a good example of their stuff, and will let you know whether you would want to buy some of their more crucial discs, such as the first ('This Is B.A.D.') or 'The Globe' by a later line-up known as B.A.D. II, still including main man Mick Jones (the Clash MJ, not the Foreigner with the Spooky Teeth).