Top Gear....Top Tunes (Top Gear Anthems)

Member Name: NikkiH

Product:	Top Gear Anthems
Date:	24/07/01 (4341 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant music

Disadvantages: A couple of songs not to my taste

“Top Gear Anthems” was heralded as the perfect driving CD. Now, for me it is certainly the case, but that is because the music is to my taste, but it is not a mainstream CD by any stretch of the imagination.

It is a double compilation CD that starts with “Bitch” by Meredith Brooks. In America, she is a household name, but this seems to the only hit she will have in the UK. This song is about woman are expected to take on many roles on life and never complain. A great song. This is quickly followed by the upbeat “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” by Deep Blue Something, who also seemed to have been one hit wonders. It has a catchy chorus and a great hook that gets you singing along each time.

Sheryl Crow is the next featured artist, and “Everyday Is A Winding Road” is one of her best tracks. To me, this is a true driving track, but it can have the knock on effect of giving you such a high when you sing along, your foot presses a little too hard on the accelerator. The next track is a low point on the CD for me, as I have never liked “Inside” by Stiltskin. It was just too average for me.

My mood is lightened again by “Old Before I Die” by Robbie Williams, but to be fair, he could probably sing “Jack and Jill”, and I would think he was great. Just when I thought it could not get any better, I am presented with “The Whole Of The Moon” by The Waterboys. This is one of my all time favourite songs, and the lyrics are pure genius. The next song one I can never stop myself singing along to. “Put Your Hands Up” by Reef was ignored by the record buying public, but it always gives people a laugh when they pull up next to me at traffic lights, and I am singing as if my life depends on it.

If you are expecting another low point, it does not come with the next song. “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz is a foot stomping tun
e, and I defy you not to nod your head vigorously as you sing. This song rocks! If you have tired yourself out, you can chill out to the next song, and wonder whatever happened to Garbage? “Stupid Girl” was probably their finest song.

“Halo” from Texas is next, and it changes the tempo and mood again. This is an upbeat song, with a catchy chorus, as is the next song “All You Good People” from Embrace. This was a group which promised so much, and ended up delivering very little that could match this track. An oldie but goody next from Iggy Pop. “Passengers” is a classic, and while I am surprised to see it included on this compilation, it is a welcome inclusion.

Roxy Music’s “Virginia Plain” is the 13th track. Unlucky for some, but not for me, as it is a great song, and the tempo changes make it a great driving song. We had to get here eventually, we have reached another low point. “We Want The Same Thing” by Belinda Carlisle is just not my cup of tea. I find her whiny voice grates on me, and this song is no exception. It seems that we have reached the downhill section of our journey with “A Girl Like You” by Edwyn Collins. I never liked it when it was released, and my opinion has not changed.

Great, we’ve picked up again, and have left those disappointing tracks behind, and we are now listening to “Life Of Riley” by The Lightening Seeds. It is a mellow track whilst still having a bit of pace. A strange inclusion, although a good one is “Your Woman” by White Town. The uniqueness of this song means it was ignored by many, so well done the makers of this CD.

The final tracks on the first CD is the magnificent window down, wind through the hair “Weather With You” by Crowded House. This is a classic, and always brings sunny days to mind no matter where I am or what I am doing.

Now onto the second
CD, and I am not hopeful, because as some of you may know I believe that the second CD on a compilation release is normally filled full of poor songs, and when I hear the first song, I feel I am in for the same as usual. “Street Spirit” by Radiohead is dire. I am not, never have been and never will be a fan of this over rated bunch of outgrown students, and I find their music totally overrated. Now there!!!

My opinion is not changed by what I hear next. “Be Thankful For What You’ve Got” must be the worst Massive Attack song in history. There were so many others that would have fit better in this collection. What is this though? “There She Goes” by The La’s. This is a great song. Could my theory be proved wrong. I feel this could be the case with the next song, the hilarious “Ballad Of Tom Jones” from Space featuring Cerys Matthews. The voices of Tommy and Cerys compliment each other, and the lyrics are truly original.

The compilation truly redeems itself with “Scooby Snacks” by Fun Lovin Criminals. It has what a successful song needs, and that is a hook. “Running around, robbing banks, all whacked off the Scooby Snacks”. What does it mean? Oh, who cares, it’s a great song. Next, the ultimate driving song if you are in with me. “Road From Nowhere” by Talking Heads. Say no more!

Another sunny summer day comes to mind when I hear “The Day We Caught The Train” by Ocean Colour Scene. It also takes me back to the Britpop era, and a time when there was so much music I liked, which included the next artists, Mansun. “Wide Open Space” is a top ballad, which not enough people have heard, and that is a shame. Another group from that era were The Charlatans, and their comeback single was “North Country Boy”. I did not like them first time around, but this caught my attention, so I gave their music another try, and I
am glad I did.

If I said the name Dandy Warhols, a lot of you would say who??? Well the next track “Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth” is from them, and it is absolutely brilliant. The lyrics are witty and well put together. It is not a song that glorifies drug use, in fact it is anti drugs. Give it a listen. “Trash” from Suede was certainly their finest hour. After Bernard Butler left, they were written off by the media, but they returned with this defining song.

“Alright” was the endearing debut from cheeky chappies Supergrass, whose lead singer Gaz looked like an extra from Planet Of The Apes. They did not take themselves seriously at the time, and it showed in this light hearted banter. Not so laid back are Skunk Anansie, and “Weak” is one of their better known tracks, and it is fantastic. Skin, the lead singer has such a powerful voice, and every emotion she feels comes across in the lyrics of this song.

The only artist to be featured twice is the gangling Iggy Pop. “Lust For Life” is more in your face than the other offering on this CD. It was featured on the soundtrack of “Trainspotting”, and became an instant hit. Fatboy Slim is also a veteran of the music scene. Norman Cook has been involved in many projects, and seems to have the Midas Touch. “Rockafeller Skank” hard edged dance track with a very catchy beat.

Another song from the “Trainspotting” soundtrack is next. PF Project used Ewan Macgregor’s words from the film on the song “Choose Life”. The track was innovative at the time of release, although a strange inclusion in this collection. A track for all the football fans out there next. “Eat My Goal” by the strangely named Collapsed Lung was a summer hit, and had people chanting at every opportunity.

I hate the next song with a passion. “Tubthumping” by Chumbawumba
must be the most annoying song ever, by the most annoying band ever. Skip straight past here please driver. Stop at the next one though or you will miss a treat. “Nancy Boy” by Placebo is a rocking track, and my mood is upbeat again, only for the CD to lurch to a sudden disappointing stop with “I’m Not A Fool” by Cockney Rejects. A strange choice as it leaves you feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

Overall, it makes for a good journey, and the mix of artists and styles will mean you are never bored, and I have to say that it is a great driving CD.

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