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41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For Crows On A Budget - A Solid Best Of, October 20, 2005
I am not the biggest fan of Counting Crows, feeling that the two albums after "Recovering The Satellites" were inconsistent at best and never added them to my collection. I also dumped the live album into a used store bin soon after I'd bought it. But for "August and Everything After," Adam Duritz and company struck a chord in the year that Nirvana was king of the world (and Kurt closed the window on that chapter at roughly the same time), and radio was being ruled by the likes of Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton. It didn't hurt that Counting Crows were making music that echoed the best of Van Morrison or Bob Dylan. Another plus was having a producer like T-Bone Burnett, who understood the traditional intimacy of the Crow's sound. He helped make "August" sound like a bridge between the rage of grunge and the introspection of R.E.M.'s then hugely successful "Automatic For The People."
Like the Autumnal tree that graces the cover of "Films About Ghosts," the best work of Counting Crows gives one the feeling that some sort of somber change is always lurking nearby, often with a chill to accompany it. Think of how "A Long December" resonates long after the song ends. Same with "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby," which was the best song on "This Desert Life." Again, the comparison to Van Morrison is an apt one as Adam exorcises a certain amount of pain during his best songs.
This has often led to a criticism of the Crows in that a lot of their music sounded "whiny." That argument is easily dispelled by "American Girls," "Angels Of The Silences" or the statement of band unity, "Hanginaround." Each of these songs are concert pleasers and show the Crow's more playful side, something each album had for those that waited for the simple pleasures of a buoyant rock song.
The new songs here are worth having as well. "She Don't Want Nobody Near" is a close cousin to "Anna Begins," maybe to the point that you wonder if it's the same woman ten years later. Choosing San Francisco legends The Grateful Dead as their second source for a cover is a clear nod to the Crow's Bay Area roots, and they pull off "Friend Of The Devil" with flair. By maintaining a continually assured quality of musicianship and a sort of insider's effacing sense of self, Counting Crows may not have maintained the levels of success that the six-million selling "August and Everything After" dropped into their lap on the first try, but "Films About Ghosts" also proves that they have nothing to be embarrassed by. At 72 minutes and no duds in the bunch, it's as strong a collection of folk influenced popular music that one could hope for from the nineties.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent selection of Crows tunes, November 22, 2004
This best-of album collects 10+ years of radio singles and fan favorites, as well as a few more obscure tracks. Long-time Counting Crows fans will already own most of these songs on the band's older albums, but this is the first time on a full-length US release for "Friends of the Devil," "She Don't Want Nobody Near," and "Einstein on the Beach." This re-released version also includes the radio single from Shrek 2, "Accidentally in Love," and it's hard to complain about one more bonus track.
For folks unfamiliar with the Counting Crows, this album would make an excellent introduction, consisting of some of the best tunes across the band's range of styles. From the slow and emotional sound of fan favorite "Anna Begins," to the more recent upbeat radio hit "Hangin Around," Films About Ghosts serves as an excellent sampler.
For long-time fans, well, you know what to expect - if the extra tracks or this particular combination of songs appeals to you, you won't be disappointed.
For those who already own the original version of Films About Ghosts, who are only missing "Accidentally in Love," I would suggest the song's import single, which includes the video and a live version of Miami. Or, if you're willing to gamble on some new music, the Shrek 2 soundtrack will get you the song you're looking for, plus 13 tracks from other artists.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Counting hits., October 30, 2005
I admit, I'm one who loved "August And Everything After", yet bought nothing after. So, this disc was a great way for me (a casual fan) to catch up with them. Overall this collection succeeds quite well. 17 tracks, including every major hit, nearly every minor hit, a soundtrack hit, Grateful Dead and Joni Mitchell covers, and a new song. My only complaint is the omission of "A Murder Of One", possibly my favorite off the debut. Otherwise this is the obvious choice for your first or only Counting Crows disc. It'll go great with your Sheryl Crow and Black Crowes cd's.
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