Editorial Review

The British duo Everything but the Girl (Ben Watt and ex-Marine Girl Tracey Thorn) have gone through two distinct phases in their career--they spent most of it as an acoustic, folky duo with some occasional lounge accompaniment, but after a Todd Terry remix of Read more

Features

• Import

Reviews (8)

High Hopes....big let down...
I have been a fan of EBTG for many years and was very much looking forward to "The Best" from EBTG. What a disappointment for me when there were only 3 tracks that deserved to be on the "Best of" EBTG. Save your time and money. Too bad, these guys are much better than what the CD title leads you to beleive.

Not all the best of
I was very dissapointed with this. I only liked three out 15 tracks. I thought I was getting the chic sound this group is known for. The majority of the tracks sounded very campy and too granola. NOT COOL AT ALL! save your money.

everything but the girl but short
i love everything but the girl. from the vocals to the smallest details you can find in each track. different is what i call it. but not eccentric. there are two sides so to speak of EBTG. theres the old jazzy kinda music they made and theres the music that is moving towards electronica or house. simply put their extreme music shows how talented and flexible this duo is. this album sort of sells itself a bit short of what i expected. it reared toward the electronica side. i am not against that though. dont get me wrong. i have the other compilation of their art, somehow it was much more better. if you want to be introduced properly to Ben Watt and Tracey Thorne, this would be a sort of a nudgy way to meet them. the proper and fastest way to appreciate them? buy the OTHER best of everything but the girl. now THATS what i would call a GREAT album! this would be a second date so to speak to meet the duo better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. College Rock    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Sophisti-Pop   

Features

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Reviews (5)

No-Wave PoPera?
Klaus was truly an artist on his own planet.An operatic collision of Gary Numan and Tiny Tim?This album combines elements of New Wave, Prog Rock, Disco and authentic Opera into something transcendentally strange and addictive.

Great, Nightmarish, and Yet Dreamy!
#1---Klaus Nomi was probably the most mindbending, mindnumbing, and mindblowing entertainer of his day. While many artist wannabees jumped all the way in to performance art, Klaus Nomi came VERY close to stepping out of the "entertainment" boundary without diving exclusively into "the art crowd" world. It's our treat he teetered so close to the line , but let the masses hear and see his bizarre talent!
Rock, Pop and Opera
The album opens with Keys of Life, a lovely mix of twittering electronics and Nomi's soprano chant. His vocal range is beautifully demonstrated on Lightning Strikes where it switches to falsetto on the refrain, and on The Twist, a soulful, atmospheric number ending in squalls of manic laughter. Nomi Song has a catchy hook, lovely synth lines and snatches of rousing choral vocals, while The Cold Song is an impressive operatic piece and Total Eclipse is a magical blend of rock and classical music. The highlight of the album is the Saint Saens composition Samson and Delilah, sensitively interpreted by Nomi over the most inspired instrumentation, a listening experience that leaves you breathless before it ends with an explosion of electronic noise. This unique album is a successful marriage of rock, pop and various classical styles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Club/Dance    3. Disco    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Synth Pop   

Reviews (27)

Unbelievable
"Oil and Gold" was the first album I ever loved.It mixes so many genres and emotions that I don't know how anyone could not help but fall in love with it.
Beyond the Crest
Oil & Gold marked a change in direction for Shreikback. This album has a huge sound, full of brass sections, backing singers and guitar licks that overshadow the essential Shreikback sound on too many tracks. In fact its the slower songs that work best for me on this album.
Oil & Gold
Fantastic CD.Brought back a lot of memories of the '80's. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Dance Music    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Box set
• Enhanced
• Live

Reviews (35)

An Intricate And Complex Work Of Artistic Genius
Where to begin with such a musical treat such as this? Describing how much I adore this nifty little arrangement is near impossible because my love for Bjork blinds it so much. It was a few days after Christmas in 2003 when I saw Bjork's debut album "Debut" for sale and bought it on the off-chance that I would like it. Little did I know that I was about to embark on the most profoundly amazing musical experience of my life. 2004 for me was Bjork. No one else. In the space of the year I have acquired pretty much her entire back catalogue on CD, and "Live Box" was a welcome addition to this last month.
glad to own this release
I have adquired lots of Bj�rk's material. I wanted the this Live Box because it had the 4 live cd's, with songs that were carefully chosen as the best performances, and it also included the bonus Dvd with 4 tracks that had been released in her other respective Dvds and the exclusive and wicked performance of It's Oh So Quiet at Tatarata (not in any of her dvds). A lot Of people prefered to get the individual cd's but I thought of buying the whole box cause of the money saving and the special dvd. Now that I have it in my hands, I don't regret it. I forgot to mention it also includes the Live Book, which consists of a booklet with an extensive interview by �si to Bj�rk, where she explains about touring, the musicians, the adventures of doing an album, her icelandic roots and more. It's very nice to read the interview because it's like she's storytelling. There you can see that she's reasonable and creative woman, and you can listen to the live records that have fascinating and entertaining bits of shows from the tours of Debut, Post, Homogenic and Vespertine. She's and excellent live artist, and so she proves that in this set. I was personally amazed by this collection of live songs that were magical, warm, charming, sheltering, beautiful. Definitively worth the buy. I thought it would be better off to get all the live albums at once to hear bits of each. It's so good to see a good compilation of live tracks like this one, and I'm am happy to see Bj�rk really took her time to share these incredible performances for everyone who would want to listen to them.

Not as good as seeing her live... but...
I was really excited to find out that bjork was going to be releasing live albums, and one time when I was in denver at a record store, I was surprised to see all of them in stock as I had forgotten the release date. I wanted the vespertine one, and had it in my hand, but accidentally got homogenic live... this review is based primarily around that one, and losely around the other three discs.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Electronica    4. Iceland    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Trip-Hop   

Reviews (7)

Rediculous
Saw them live and I almost peed my pants I was laughing so hard at how pathetic they were. Someone needs to tell them that disco died in 1978.

Men Women & Children are the reason I am on the dancefloor
This CD is one of the best out there.I bought it the minute I got out of the mosh pit when they opened for motion city soundtrack and I was listening to it that night when I got home.They know how to rock, they know how to make the stage their own, and their songs are to die for.They are who they are and I wouldn't change them for all the world.Get this album and see why I want their next album already!

Disco Fever
This album is amazingly fresh, and will be on repeat in my CD player for months to come.I'd like to lounge around in my leisure suit while listening this album, but the minute I sit down to lounge, I have to get up and bust a move.Start to finish this is an amazing album.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Dance-Pop    4. Disco    5. Electro    6. Funk    7. Pop    8. Post-Punk    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop    11. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Mix Bananarama with Elastica and you've got this giddy, goofy confection in the yummy Top-of-the-Pops tradition. And yes, trainspotters, that's Dave Barbarossa of Bow Wow Wow delivering the big Burundi beat. Read more

Reviews (29)

Crapola
There is a reason why you can get this disc for 1 cent plus shipping, this disc and this band suck big donkey rod. If you can't get Ready to Go out of your head (which I grooved to after watching the video on VH1 Jukebox, the chick looked sooo hot), than get the disc. Just know that you will never replay the other tracks after you hear them once.

Energetic, Fun Pop
I must have slept-walked through 1996, because I really only knew "Ready To Go" from the car commericals. I found this CD in the used section and gave it a chance.
Ready To Go?
I remember how thrilled I was to hear this when it first came out.Almost a decade later and it is still a hot album!It is full of great tracks, energetic tracks, and a few sexy tracks.This is a cool album to have.Enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (43)

(four and half stars) the begining of the "new" New Order
I can tell what type of New Order fan you are by how you answer a single simple question:Do you think "Regret" is one of the band's finest songs?If not, you almost certainly like the band's 1980's albums better (probably much better) than three post-80's releases.As to the other type of fan, which definitely includes yours truly, "Regret" weighs in easily as one of New Order's best, and "Republic," "Get Ready," and "Waiting for the Sirens' Call," are their three best albums.
Pales in comparison to previous records
Although New Order was uneven even before this one (Brotherhood is full of mediocre filler, and Low-Life has some bad stuff), the consistent quality of Technique created high expectations for the next record.
A Sound Like No Other, New Order
A phenomenal album.Rich, orchestral.Sounds like nothing else. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. College Rock    5. House    6. Pop    7. Popular Music    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (13)

People Are People~ Depeche Mode
People are People being a US only compilation must be the worst official Depeche Mode compilation out there. To pick tracks such as pipeline, now this is fun and other questionable choices is beyond me. When my friend had bought it back in the early 90's I was excited. Maybe this is a compilation of rare remixes only released in the US. But no, it is a shoddy compilation with old tracks and the selection must have come at random or in a dark room. The cover art is also the worst since Speak and Spell. This compilation should be avoided since it is just a hop scotch of tracks and not a true compilation.

"Now This Is Fun".
This is actually an early 80's collection, that I'm suprised is still in print. I have it on both vinyl and cassette, and still play it often. The bigger tracks here are "Get The Balance Right", "Everything Counts", and of course "People Are People". But to be honest, I like "Now This Is Fun" and "Love In Itself" just as much. As I said, this is still a great album, but at this point you may just want "Singles 81>85", as it's longer and includes much of what's here. Also, nothing beats live Mode, "101".

An Excellent array!!!
When People are People first came out in 1984, it was just a compilation of a few earlier songs on previous albums, several b-sides from earlier singles, and two new songs.It is an excellent CD that is wonderfully put together.The songs all flow into eachother naturally.Each song is terrific:Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Post-Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Synth Pop   

Editorial Review

Blur's debut album, this CD features none of the quirky songwriting and social observation of British life that would earn singer Damon Albarn rave reviews, comparing him to the Kinks' Ray Davies and the Who's Pete Townshend. However, as a debut Read more

Reviews (39)

Two ridiculously infectious reasons...
Ignore all the hype and mis/preconceptions about Blur's early work and buy this album for two excellent reasons: "She's So High", a wonderfully addictive slice of guitar-driven, echo-laden atmosphere, and "There's No Other Way", an amazing mix of choppy, syncopated beats overlaid with perfect Syd Barrett vocals that's, without question, the most exciting track to come out of the whole "Britpop" era. Like the Stone Roses at their peak, both are infused with the infectious enthusiasm of the "60s" transformed into something that's so much better. Brilliant...

Blurs starts with a strong foot forward
Blur's debut back in 1991 brought along a blend of psychedelic rock and heavy guitars not too far from the sound of The Stone Roses or The Smiths. Though not too welcome by critics, as beingtoo much like shoegazing (a musical trend that was on its way out), in recording "Leisure", along with Charlatan's U.K. and a handful of other bands, they led the way of a new British invasion (labeled Britpop) that would last for many years.
A blissful album of idiot glee
Yeah its true folks the Amazon reviewer was absolutely correct in that the lyrics are simply something to hang the pretty melodies on and the music is nowhere near as sophisticated as Blur would later write, but... and its a big but. Blur never again made an album this unabashedly joyful and ecstatic again. Mix great melodies, dumb dumb simple but very singable lyrics, lovely vocal harmonies strapped on top of a driving guitar with compelling and dancable rhythms and you have this rolling explosion of brit-pop bliss. Sometimes an album doesn't have to mean anything to be good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Britpop    4. Indie Pop    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Popular Music    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Import

Reviews (2)

they have the wrong track listing!!!
I have this cd and it it is not a re-issue of the first one. Amazon has the wrong track listing on here. this is the actual track listing.
Same songs, different packaging
I'm not sure what's going on with this....it's the exact same tracks as the original Back to Love collection that Mark Doyle compiled in 1999.Are they re-issuing all the old discs (a la George Lucas' 'Star Wars')???It's a good collection, but if you have the 1999 version, it's the same. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acid House    2. Acid Jazz    3. Alternative Dance    4. Club/Dance    5. Dance    6. Dance-Pop    7. Disco    8. House    9. Rock/Pop Collections    10. Urban   

Features

• Box set
• Import

Reviews (2)

Rare And Insightful
Not only is the music market currently flooded with dud bands offering sad pastiches of 1980s synth rockers, there's also a glut of bad compilations that habitually gather together the decade's worst sonic offenders. Praises to the compilers of 12"/80s/2 are in order, since this three disc set gathers together over 30 remixed cuts only vinyl conneiseurs will have heard before. Generally drawing from the UK's best in New Wave and New Romantic, highlights over the three hour compendium include obvious 12" mixes from New Order, Duran Duran and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Less obvious tracks that offer flavour include Echo & The Bunnymen's The Killing Moon (Up All Night Mix) and the forgotten Belouis Some's Imagination (12" Mix), although Spandau Ballet's Chant Number 1 and Yello's The Race are truly awful. Both seen as touchstones to the later hip hop renaissance, Tom Tom Club and Malcolm McLaren each present tidy and uncomplicated beats, while moody old friends The Cure and Siouxsie & The Banshees prove Goths aren't afraid of a solid dance overhaul thanks to the excellent sounds of The Walk (Extended Mix) and Peek A Boo (Silver Dollar Mix) respectively. Neatly providing an aural history of the remix phenomenon in its infancy, 12"/80s/2's more than three hours of massive hits and glorious misfires from the era of denim skirts, E.T. and Cabbage Patch Kids.

Another rare 12" collection gone slightly awry
These collections are becoming more and more popular, and now, we're getting to that point where there are a lot of repeats, a lot of songs you've never heard of before, and a lot of mess ups in actually bringing the true 12". This collection is a perfect case in point. Amongst the problems I noted were: 10 seconds shaved off the opening of Love Comes Quickly by the Pet Shop Boys; 2 minutes chopped off Siouxsie's Peek-a-Boo; The edit of Love on Your Side used on the Thompson Twin's greatest 12" collection ages ago rather than the full 12"; a minute missing from Tears for Fears Pale Shelter; a horrible mix of INXS with a slow house feel; the BBG remix of Life's What you Make It from the Talk Talk History the Remixes CD rather than the original 12". At the same time, there are some treasures here. The 12" of Visage's Night Train, the real US 12" version of Axel F, and some others. But where are so many other new wave tracks that still haven't made it onto any compilations? For instance, Love Tempo by Quando Quango. This is Not a Love Song by PIL. Some People by Belouise Some rather than the usual Imagination. What You Need 12" by INXS. The Detroit mix of When Smokey Sings instead of the Miami mix, which is available on ABC's original CD. Horror Movies by the Bollock Bros.And I could keep going with a huge list of vinyl I'm still holding onto in hopes these 12" mixes will some day find their way onto one of these compilations. Anyway, here is a track listing with times:
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. Dance-Pop    5. New Wave    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. Post-Punk    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop Collections    11. Synth Pop   

Reviews (3)

"The DFA took my Baby Away"
source: www.alternativemalta.com
more dancepunk than one could want
I think the purpose behind simplifying dance music to the function of a single computer program is that it can still have a driving beat and keep the party going regardless, but when something really innovative and awesome comes in it blows your mind that much harder. The Rapture and Black Dice and LCD Soundsystem are that thing that blows your mind. There is such an incredible wealth of innovation and energy here. I have not yet listened all the way through, but the Rapture remixes are a testament to how great the songs were in the first place and the eye remix of Endless Happiness is just incredible. I would go ahead and buy this if I were you, there will inevitably be something you love and all of it will get you laid.

get this
What a fantastic set. 3 disks of quality. There seems to be a bit more variety in this compared to the #1 compilation. It has everything you'd expect from these guys, but also some highly tripped out stuff I wasn't expecting. Go ahead and buy it, it's a good pick. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Dance Collections    3. Indie Electronic    4. Indie Rock    5. Left-Field House    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. V/a Compilations   

Editorial Review

Described rather astutely as "The Laurel and Hardy of Danish electro pop," Junior Senior's "D-D-Don't Stop the Beat" is the coolest thing to come out of Denmark since Lego. Already huge in Scandinavia, the JS sound (think the Cramps, the B-52's, and Wham! in some gloriously incongruous pile-up) can't fail to paint a smile on the hardest of cynic's face. Fittingly their debut is full of perversely mad pop songs, referenced to the hilt and none too complex in production; for sheer goofy charm and jump-around madness, it's hard to beat. "Chicks and Dicks," an ode to misguided sexual attention, rocks along to 60s beach guitar and surfin' harmonies, while "Move Your Feet" is the sound of Fatboy Slim body-popping to "Club Tropicana." At turns clever, irreverent, and maddeningly catchy, this is a record from Denmark that other countries will want to listen to. --Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (48)

better than you would think
this is a weird cd b/c it is so hard to categorize. It is danceable, dorky, gay overtoned, cheesy, bubble gummish yet, it actually rocks! There's even cool, fuzzed out guitar all over it.
catchy, but borderline obnoxious
I've heard Junior Senior put on quite a show live, and it's easy to imagine while listening to this frenetic set, but just like conversations can come across as banal or simplistic when transcribed, "D-D-Don't Don't" definitely stutters, occasionally snagged in its own groove, with some "umm" and "y'know" peppering the mix as well. Still, while JS has some maturing to do before it reaches the level of a powerhouse like Basement Jaxx, there are standouts at least worth a download while you wait. With "Move Your Feet," Junior Senior crafted the most contagious, overlooked dance gem of 2003. Reminiscent of the Jackson 5, Ohio Players and Sacramento's !!!, the song blazes in a roller disco sort of way. "Chicks and Dicks" channels a '50s girls band sound with a '60s guys garage band intensity. And "Shake Your Coconuts" has the oddly tasty distinction of sounding like Buzzcocks' Pete Shelley fronting KC & the Sunshine Band. Sadly, much of the rest of the album, I've determined after repeated listens, is either filler or musical experiments better to have been aborted. "D-D-Don't" comes across in the same vein as Bis' frenetic beast "New Transistor Heroes," like a kid on two gallons of soda in a fingerpainting competition. It's fun stuff but it's got no soul.

Pretty decent dance music - definitely a guilty pleasure - 3.5 stars
Let it first be known that this album is VERY silly and cheesy. Don't listen to this expecting the next "Abbey Road." However, for the style of music that Junior Senior creates, it is pretty entertaining although kind of forgettable longterm (though there's an odd charm with some of the songs that make you like them, a sort of guilty pleasure). Unfortunately, the second track on the album, "Rhythm Bandits", has an EXTREMELY better single version than what's on the album which completely baffles me (it's one of my favorites by Junior Senior). Junior Senior is entirely about fun, and if you listen to it without that in mind then you'll be sorely disapointed. If you don't like pure fun and silly albums then you'll be disappointed. Not essential at all, but buy it if you are looking for a silly and dancy album or if you have nothing better to get.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Club/Dance    3. Dance    4. Dance-Pop    5. Indie Pop    6. Pop    7. Popular Music    8. Rock   

Reviews (14)

Great stuff
Very strongcompilation of the singles and EP's of a very original and influential favourite of mine. This is actually much better as a buy than the first album. Essential. Their combination of gothic hard rock with a techno vive sung by their singer was quite something back then and it still manages to impress me.

NOT FOR ANYONE
Actually, Curve music is not an easy listening, if you consider what music market offers today...when I saw Curve on MTV for the first time in 1992 I felt that their music was different from any other sound I heard before. No compomise, you can love them or hate them because I think it's hard that somebody could think that their sound is "nice". Maybe weird, or the best ever but not middle way. I cant't tell you that this music is a mix of electronic rock, goth or something else, because is not. Only think that maybe it deserves you to run the risk to buy it.

Stunning and Essential
For those of you who have not managed to locate the EPs or did not purchase them when they were first release, this is a wonderful way to make up and complete your Curve listening experience. It also includes an extended mix of 'Fait'. Curve's earlier sound is gritty, innovative, and most importantly fun in an "angry girl gets back" kind of way. Of course Toni's voice is completed beautifully by the wonderful noise of Dean, which is the yang to her yin, and the twang and grind in what would otherwise be another chick fronted band with angst (which, as we all know, would be Garbage ; ) ).Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Shoegaze   

Editorial Review

In a market saturated by mix albums of every description, Ultra Records' Read more

Reviews (58)

Nice ambient vibe to EBTG's contribution to Back to Mine series
The Back to Mine series is designed to allows artists to create a mix that mirrors what they would play at home after a night out. Artists like Danny Tenaglia, Pet Shop Boys, and Groove Armada have all contributed mixes which vary widely in style, source music, and vibe. Everything But The Girl were tapped to bring their unique personal style to this series.
My all-time favorite compilation
I have listened to this hundreds of times and will still play it again. This compilation made me a faithful buyer of Back to Mine series (although some of the series collection is poor!) Ben Watt creates best vibes for a pre or after party.
Amazing and Unexpected
I was staying at a hotel in NYC a few years ago and this CD was in the player when I arrived.I instantly fell in love with it.Everything But the Girl has picked amazing songs that really get you relaxed and invigorated at the same time.The Donny Hathaway song "Someday We'll All Be Free" is a fantastic capper to an already amazing album.I highly reccomend this CD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Club/Dance    3. Dance Music    4. Pop    5. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Import

Reviews (21)

I Love This Band!!
I've been a fan of Saint Etienne since the age of 14 - over 12 years now. Sarah Cracknell was my first (and only) teenage crush after seeing her perform on Top of the Pops around Christmas time 1993. Not only did I find her amazingly attractive, she also had a great voice. That was the first time I had heard of the band and I have collected a lot of their stuff since then.
Great SE collection for beginners, good addition for fans
_Smash the System_ is great collection of earlier (pre-_Sound of Water_ as far as I can tell) Saint Etienne.It's less of an attempt at a definitive collection, ala the more recent anthology _Travel Edition_, and more of a nicely eclectic sampling of the group's prodigious output.If you've heard some SE that you have, of course, loved and want to get a sense of their wider catalog, this a good place to start.The two disks also serve as great party disks or fodder for brilliant pop mixes in their own right.It also shows that SE are no one consistant thing/genre except great pop music.Sometimes they are more dancey, sometimes more trip-hop, at others neo-classical Phil Spectorish pop.It's the sort of group that can make you think of Massive Attack, Sterolab, B.A.D., and Papas Fritas at the same time, while still being their own wonderfully incomparable thing.
a purchase to ponder
it seems as if i've made it my mission in life to accumulate as much saint etienne stuff as i can so i recently purchased this album.there's only one bad thing about compilation albums and it's that they seem to miss the flow that you'd get on a regularly produced project.this holds true for the first disc even though it contains a few of my favs from the saints; with that said, it is a great introduction to their sound though.the second disc however, is a gem seeing as how it has that flow that the first one misses, a rarity indeed... any saint fan would love it i think. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Britpop    4. Club/Dance    5. Dance    6. Electronica    7. Indie Electronic    8. Indie Pop    9. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (27)

Better and better as the collection proceeds
Want a really concise view of this band's progression? This collection does a brilliant job...or rather, the Boys do a brilliant job of making singles. Making sure it proceeded in chronological order was a fantastic idea. Here, you can hear how PSB went from merely being a great synth-pop duo to one of the best singles groups ever. These songs are nearly all catchy, delicious pop tartlets. And damn the argument that these are "merely" B-sides. These songs stand perfectly well on their own.
Better than other bands' singles
The only other band I'm aware of that could compile as great a b-side collection is The Cure (buy Join The Dots).This double CD is amazing.These b-sides are better than the best songs of other bands out there.Much better.And they're once gain, b-sides!Not even album tracks and they're amazing.My favorites off the first disc are tracks 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,10 and 11.My favorites off the second disc are tracks 3,11,14 and 15.SOLID.SOLID.SOLID.I own every other Pet Shop Boys album from Please to Release, and this is on the same level if not above.I also like how it's in chronoligical order so you can see the progression to a degree.Enrich your life and buy it.

What a rediscovery of PURE GOLD!!!!A masterpiece.
I recently purchased "PopArt", which is a must have greatest hits collection like only Pet Shops Boys could release. In other words, worth every penny even at import prices. It's downright criminal that these guys are not ruling the airwaves here in the US. Because of "PopArt" I've gone back to my Pet Shop Boys CDs and put "Alternative" on and I still can't believe that I'd allowed this masterpiece to remain on the shelves for so long without listening to it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Club/Dance    3. Dance Music    4. Dance-Pop    5. House    6. Pop    7. Popular Music    8. Rock/Pop