Best single artist compilations

AtTheBorderGuy 2017-09-11 09:46:38 UTC #1

Are there any compilations of an artist’s music that you think stand up as a truly satisfying listen? Given their nature, I’m not usually a fan of them - A bunch of singles strung together without any thought to how they flow. However, I got a compilation of The Temptations’ late-60s stuff called ‘Psychedelic Soul’ recently. It’s outstanding. All the good shit.

littlebirds 2017-09-11 10:00:27 UTC #2

Stock answer is SFA’s Songbook. As solid an album band as they are, that’s their definitive work by some way IMO

hanshotfirst 2017-09-11 10:05:30 UTC #3

colon_closed_bracket 2017-09-11 10:08:29 UTC #4

Are we including compilations of EPs? If so, The Three EPs by The Beta Band, or Push Barman… by Belle and Sebastian

AtTheBorderGuy 2017-09-11 10:15:59 UTC #5

Good call, that. Seems to be the only one I reach for when I want to listen to them now.

TKC 2017-09-11 10:24:38 UTC #6

Squeeze

NotEvenDreams 2017-09-11 10:25:17 UTC #7

New Order - Substance

badcustard 2017-09-11 10:28:00 UTC #8

Abba Gold is the best one
Discography by the Pet Shop Boys is also very good

spiritofjazz 2017-09-11 10:32:21 UTC #9

Neil Young’s Decade is pretty flawless

Fintans_Cat 2017-09-11 10:38:08 UTC #10

Love a good best of. Immaculate Collection is obviously wonderful. Also James best of is perfect

NotEvenDreams 2017-09-11 10:40:19 UTC #11

Great call

Gert 2017-09-11 10:42:50 UTC #12

Kinks - the Ultimate Collection
Ramones - Anthology

Both 30-odd tracks of pure excellence which have pretty much sated my appetite for either band. I check out their albums sometimes but mostly end up thinking all the best tracks are on the compilation

Richie_Ronco 2017-09-11 10:51:14 UTC #13

erm, The Best of the Beatles.

Fintans_Cat 2017-09-11 10:58:59 UTC #14

Also if anyone knows of a waterboys comp that does the job I’d be much obliged

The_Cosh 2017-09-12 10:10:01 UTC #15

New Order - Singles (Disc 1)

Doesn’t really matter that the tracks were recorded over a period of ten years and then just run together chronologically because every single one is an absolute belter. It’s like how some people claim an outfit should match in some tedious way but I maintain that if the T-shirt looks good and the shoes look good then together it’s impossible for them to be less than twice as good.

I guess all 4 Drexciya - Journey of the Deep Sea Dweller compilations are amazing too.

thewarn 2017-09-12 10:26:41 UTC #16

buzzcocks - singles going steady
leonard cohen - greatest hits

howtobealone 2017-09-12 10:44:06 UTC #17

just make a cd with ‘the whole of the moon’ on it as many times as the cd will allow

AtTheBorderGuy 2017-09-12 10:57:10 UTC #18

Got to include one instance of Fisherman’s Blues in there, surely? Ensures both pub band favourites are covered.

BMS1 2017-09-12 11:03:14 UTC #19

You’re right. It’s Abba Gold. Just amazing pop songs. No contest.

A relatively recent favourite of mine is Goldfrapp’s.

howtobealone 2017-09-12 11:07:40 UTC #20

possibly. i’ve more or less convinced myself at this point that the whole of the moon might be the best song ever written, although i’m aware that it would probably be unwise to hold this up to too much scrutiny…