Originally posted by drewhiggins:You just know when someone who isn't a big fan has compiled one. Edits are alright if they're edited in such a way they actually work. Then again, you listen to how butchered Magnificent's edit (the UK one) is and it really makes you wonder who the hell comissioned it.
If you want to get a compilation cheap - I wouldn't pay more than $15, King Of Pop is the way to go - skip Number Ones. You get several demo tracks, a good spread of tracks chosen by Australian fans and actually does a good job of covering every album as well as the songs most people would know, and most aren't edits either. If you like the 70s, 80s and group work then Essential is a great one.
What's that Clash one like? I'm trying this year to get into loads of new (to me, at least) bands.
That King Of Pop compilation reminds me of the Best Of Bowie compilations where every country has a different tracklisting. It's pretty cool that it's a fan voted CD, I wish U2 would do something like that. That other one (The Essential MJ) looks nice, but it's severly lacking in 90's stuff.
I've got that Number Ones compilation (it cost $10). I'm not very impressed with it's truly shocking selection. Many great songs are nowhere to be found on that disc.
The Essential Clash is fairly good, but way too long (2 CDs) since that they've only recorded 5 albums and the 1st disc is mostly tracks from their debut album. I would recommend to buy London Calling (their greatest album) or any single disc compilation.
It seems so damn awkward! 
