The Ultimate in Ultimate Collections (Top 10 Albums)

Member Name: bilbob20

Product:	Top 10 Albums
Date:	21/04/09 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 10 superb hits collections

Disadvantages: People should just enjoy the music and not worry about the format of the album

I have difficulty choosing my Top 10 favourite albums. Mainly because the music on my ipod is so changeable. Therefore, I have decided to write about my favourite Greatest Hits albums instead. For whatever reason, Greatest Hits are somewhat frowned upon. Even established artists get a bad write up whenever they opt for that all important Christmas market cash cow. Perhaps its down to the lesser known artists or newer one's who release these collections without so much as a successful follow up hit to their names. For me though, those collections bring together the best work of artists, many of whom struggle to sustain the quality across a series of studio album's.

Top 10
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10. Oasis - Stop The Clocks

I'm not the biggest fan of these guys, and only really enjoyed in full their Morning Glory album. For me, they are nothing more than a hark back to better bands with better idea's. It cant be disputed though that Noel Gallagher is a decent enough songwriter and that his daft brother can certainly carry a tune. This album captures the best of their work across their first decade in the charts. From the early sombreness of the brilliant Champagne Supernova through to the catchy Lyla, they have certainly catered for their fans. The best of the singles and a couple of barnstorming album tracks make the cut to give us 18 tracks that mostly thrill.

9. Queen - Greatest Hits II

I'm neither a fan of the original Hits collection, albeit full of classics, or the guest-vocal tribute of Greatest Hits III, but for me this collection is excellent. Opening with A Kind Of Magic, Mercury's big vocals paired with the bands trademark quirky tunes make for a collection of well deserved hits. Tracks like I Want It All and the oddly addictive and aptly titled I'm Going Slightly Mad are highlights on a collection that rarely dwindles into lowlights. If there are moments that grate, I would be pushed to choose lesser remembered tracks such as Headlong and Hammer To Fall. There are 17 greatest hits to choose from.

8. Kylie Minogue - Ultimate Kylie

I really wanted to put this at number 1, I'm sure readers and raters familiar with me will be only too aware of that. In fairness though, if you take away the warmth for Kylie herself, the songs amount to something far less substantial. Its often said that Disc 1 is really just treading the boards as we await the far stronger Disc 2, but in all honesty, there are some classic hits such as Better The Devil You Know and Shocked. The early Kylie days really weren't as bad as some remember. Disc 2 is a hit-a-thon though with the excellence of Scissor Sister's I Believe In You, Cathy Dennis' Cant Get You Out Of My Head and Kylie's own additions in the form of Breathe and Did It Again. This isn't quite so ultimate as it misses half a dozen pretty decent singles from the 90s, but with 33 tracks, who is complaining?

7. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Greatest Hits

I cant imagine its cool to like this bearded rock throwback from the 80's, but as you'll see from my list, I'm hardly the summit of cool anyway. There are some brilliant tracks on this album. My personal favourite is the melodic upbeat ballad The Fire Inside. Elsewhere, before it was murdered by Scottish drawlers Lulu and Sheena Easton (both duetting on different versions), We've Got Tonight was a pretty solid love song. Seger's gravely voice makes it all the more enjoyable. There is also karaoke-moments-a-plenty in the form of Old Time Rock & Roll. I even quite enjoyed his liner notes in the sleeve between the credits and the lyrics of each song. He probably hasn't had that many hits, but the album boasts 14 tracks.

6. Frank Sinatra - The Collection

I couldn't tell you if this was collection vol 1, or vol 800, but its one of only two that I own. Sinatra needs no introduction, he is a thee legend of his time. It doesn't take much listening to understand why, and this 18 tracked album gives us some of his finest moments. My Funny Valentine is every bit as haunting as it ever was, leading into upbeat brilliance such as the jazzed up I've Got The World On A String. Sinatra may not be around to enjoy his continued success, but I'm sure the record label will continue to rake it in on the back of this terrific collection.

5. Garth Brooks - The Ultimate Hits

With 34 tracks, and an amazing 33 track DVD inclusive, nobody could complain that this country rocker doesn't give value for money. The DVD is a side issue, but with many live performances and all of the greatest video's from his career, its enjoyable in its own right. However, it's the more famous of his country compositions that make this album worth paying the £14 for. Friends in Low Places is a knee slapping singalong number whilst his most famous writing effort If Tomorrow Never Comes is a haunting theme for anybody who might have lost somebody dear. Another brilliant track worth watching for is The Thunder Rolls, a song that makes murder and jealousy sound like the recipe for sweet romance.

4. Enrique Iglesias - Greatest Hits

I'm sure any small amount of credibility I might have clutched on to will have gone out the window now. As far as I can tell though, this bloke gets a bit of a rough time. His songs aren't all ballads or manipulative love songs like Hero. Soul is the order of the day as he grooves with Whitney Houston on Could I Have This Kiss Forever about ten minutes before she went into meltdown. Whilst his finest moments may come in the form of collaborations (the Kelis duet Not In Love is also here), he does a fine line in decent pop with recent single Tired Of Being Sorry and Escape. In addition to this, nearly all of the 18 tracks on display have been hits in either his homeland or here in the UK.

3. U2 - 18 Singles

I was surprised recently to discover I even owned this. Bono is another of those preachy rockers that I cant really be bothered with. However, behind his big headed bravado is a big old voice and some of the finest radio-friendly rock tunes of the past 20 years. With Or Without You probably turns up on at least one Hollywood rom-com a year, but its still their finest moment. Neither did I discover Beautiful Day as much as it creeped up on me through tireless radio rotation. Where The Streets Have No Name and Desire are two more classic U2 hits that pad out this collection of 20 (the title tricks you) tracks. Now, if only Bono would shut up and stick to the singing.

2. Travis - Singles

Perhaps it's the Scottish in me, but I just love these guys. Fran Healy is a thoroughly nice bloke, and it helps that many of their radio-friendly tunes aren't long in ingraining themselves in your ear. I do a karaoke night once a fortnight, and one of my sought after songs is Side. It was the best track that they ever wrote. I also enjoy bouncing around to the adrenalin rush that is Happy, whilst I'm not adverse to hearing the solemn but lovely Why Does It Always Rain On Me. Perhaps if they were from another land, I wouldn't be quite so quick to defend them, but I can see nothing wrong with this collection of 18 singles.

1. Eurhythmics - Ultimate Collection

I didn't choose this because Annie Lennox is Scottish, but I know what you're thinking. I love this collection because its one of the finest pop / rock collections of the past couple of decades. Annie Lennox is one of the best voices in music. With classics such as Love Is A Stranger and Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This, its no wonder this is such a beloved collection among fans. Here Comes The Rain Again and You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart are both mesmerising whilst other classics come thick and fast in the form of Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves and Thorn In My Side. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favourite from this album as many of the 19 tracks, the more recent recordings inclusive, are so good. Lennox is doing it for herself now, but I wouldn't be too upset if she and Stewart re-formed and actually did some work together again.

Summary: 10 Greatest Hits albums from my collection that I love.