Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What the world is waiting for, September 20, 2005
Normally I wouldn't recommend buying a best-of compilation for a band whose proper albums are readily (and cheaply) available, but this particular disc has two things going for it:
One, the track selection is impeccable. Of course there are additional songs that could have been included, but CDs only hold 80 minutes and it is impossible to quibble with any of the tracks that made the cut. It also works great as an album; the tracks are sequenced smartly and flow smoothly for a satisfying listen with no awkward transitions.
Two, the remastered sound is jaw-droppingly great compared to the original CDs. I am talking night-and-day difference; you don't need to be an audiophile to appreciate it. This CD makes the original albums sound like hissy, worn-out cassette tapes in comparison, and in fact it's hard to go back and enjoy listening to them once you've heard this.
For those two reasons, this CD is what I usually reach for when I want to hear some Stone Roses. Until "The Stone Roses," "Second Coming," and "Turns into Stone" are remastered with acceptable sound quality, this CD is the best way to experience the Stone Roses, despite some great material not included on the compilation.
Oh yeah, and the music itself is spectacular! These songs are ground zero for Britpop; a must-hear for any fan of Oasis, Blur, or great rock music in general. Buy this now!
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Without a doubt the one to get for Americans, March 16, 2004
I agree with a lot of the comments made below, especially waiman. I had the first CD years ago as I've always loved the British scene, but never had their early singles or the 2nd CD. When I looked into it, there was quite the discussion in both review sections between this and the Complete Stone Roses as to which one was the better compilation. First off, this one sounds far better and if you like to listen to your CDs on a decent home theater or car stereo there is no choice. Ever make a CD mix with other CDs and throw in something from the first CD or Complete? You will notice the drop in quality. Secondly, this one has Love Spreads which, at least in Chicago, was their big hit on MTV and radio. People tend to remember the "she's my sister" video when thinking about the Roses, at least people I've met and tried to convert. That's good in a way... this compilation has the song and will introduce the casual music fan looking for it to their superior sound from earlier work. It basically has all the essentials... I bought it on Amazon, and now own every Stone Roses CD including Garage Flowers so it truly converted me. Yes, it would have been nice to have some of the B-sides, especially Mersey Paradise, Going Down and Where Angels Play, but I'm hard pressed to think of a track that would be dropped to make room. Some may say anything from Second Coming, but I like the fact that this CD is TRULY Complete. Also, in my opinion only, the Very Best of has the superior version of Elephant Stone. You will play this CD over and over and not get sick of it if you like upbeat, positive anthems. It was actually incredible that most of these songs were from their first CD... they sounded like a band that had totally perfected their sound. Any fan of the Flaming Lips "Soft Bulletin" should check this out.. it's an essential addition to your CD collection. You will not be dissapointed- nobody I've played this for, from my friends stuck in their hard rock closemindedness to people who only listen to what's on the radio, has not praised it.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic remastering job, July 11, 2004
What the previous reviewers have said about the excellent remastering job on this compilation is an understatement. The remastering is easily 10 times better sonically than the original and 100 times better than "The Complete Stone Roses" on Silvertone which sounds terrible next to the standard first CD or this compilation. I'd also wager that John Leckie (producer/engineer of the best Roses material) actually remixed "She Bangs the Drums" with more background vocals and better reverbs/outboard gear...it sounds like an actual remix-check it out...it's that good!This band is easily one of the best English bands of all time. There's a reason why fellow musicians and the critics continually rate the first Roses CD as one of the top 10 English rock CDs ever released.
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