PiL:
The Greatest Hits So Far (Japanese import)
NIPPON COLUMBIA
COCY-78381
Tracks:
PUBLIC IMAGE / DEATH
DISCO / CAREERING / FLOWERS OF ROMANCE / THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG / THE
ORDER OF DEATH / RISE / HOME / SEATTLE / THE BODY / RULES AND REGULATIONS
/ DON'T ASK ME / DISAPPOINTED / ACID DROPS
Running Time: 67.58 mins
review by Scott
M, August 1997 (First published F&F 3)
© 1997 Fodderstompf.com
/ F&F Publishing
This
Japanese version of "GHSF" was originally released in 1994 (four
years after the UK and US versions) but has recently been reissued. It
features a slightly different track listing to the UK/US versions with
the 'Order Of Death' and 'Acid Drops' replacing 'Memories' and 'Warrior'.
Although the front and back covers still feature the brilliant Reg Mombassa
artwork the CD booklet is again slightly different, featuring less artwork
plus b&w photos instead of colour. Also included is an extra Japanese
lyric/biograpghy booklet that includes two b&w photos of Lydon that
originally appeared in the limited edition 1991 PiL Japanese box sets.
The artwork on the CD is totally different too, instead of just plain
yellow its blue/green with the "Space-monster" graphics on it.
I didn't think GHSF was as good as it could have been, there were too
many naff remixes like Dave Dorrel's mix of 'Warrior' or the terrible
LP version of 'Love Song', although Bob Clearmountain's mix of 'Rise'
is brilliant and I still can't understand why Virgin pulled out of releasing
it as a single. I also thought 'Careering' and 'Rules And Regulations'
were a strange choice of album tracks they weren't the first that sprang
to mind, especially considering it didn't even include all the singles
(no 'Bad Life'). This Japanese version is quite good because of the different
tracks etc but at around £20+ on import it's really for collectors
only. If you don't already have 'GHSF' its now available on mid-price
in the UK and is definitely worth getting despite all the dodgy remixes.
© Sleeves/labels etc are copyrighted by their respective copyright owners