release date: Apr. 21, 2003
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
Compilation album by Kitchens of Distinction and an essential and fine collection, actually. Compilation albums rarely are. The album comes in two versions: a standard 1-disc cd release containing many of their best tracks from all four studio albums and a total of 16 tracks in no particular order, it seems, and then it comes in a limited 2 cd version, mainly for collectors because it includes a bonus cd containing rare single tracks - live, acoustic, or demo versions. What they really should've done was to release a 'rarities edition' only (excluding all the familiar songs) 'cause if you're really interested in singles, B-sides, live versions, and rare takes, well, you obviously already have most of their official releases. So, the 2 cd edition is a costly investment when you're only interested in disc two :-/ Needless to say, I chose the limited 2 disc edition, and the first disc is a rather strange compilation. The tracks are brilliant singles but the order of the songs makes it hard to listen to when you happen to know what great tracks normally would follow on the original release, and if I should rate that disc alone, I would hand it 3-4 stars. The strange order is not good but if you have no idea of the band's music, the order is irrelevant, and the single tracks are truly fine but also insufficient as a best of, and that is the name of the release, isn't it?! The second disc is simply great, and I'm thankful that it was released, but as an album it's hardly homogeneous, as all best of albums, but as a musical document, it's priceless.
