R & P: What do you think of the practice of releasing a "Greatest Hits" album with?

I used to be very angry at record companies for their practices and then the great equalizer came along... file sharing.

I have bought the greatest hits collections for the greatest hits, not the new songs.

My favs:

Chicago's Greatest Hits

Elton John's GH Volume 2

America's Greatest Hits

Rolling Stones Hot Rocks

Creedence Clearwater Revival Chronicals

I think it should only be done with bands who have been around at least 10+ years and/or have released 5 albums. It's a good deal for a casual listener of the band, someone who is just getting into them, or to get around the fact that the early albums of some artists only have a few good songs. However new material should never be added to an album like this, as it should not yet be considered a hit. Instead these should be released as a seperate EP, on a new album, or at least put on itunes so they can be purchased seperately.

MQ: As I stated above, greatest hit albums are fine, but they should not include new material.

BQ1: Nope. I do buy deluxe editions of some albums though for bonus tracks though.

BQ2: The Beatles - 1

The Beach Boys - Sounds of Summer

Elvis #1 hits

Switchfoot - The Best Yet

Hawk Nelson - The Songs You've Already Heard

I think those are the only ones I have actually.

MQ: No I don't think it's a big problem but I see what you mean. It is just a way for bands to make more money. Usually greatest hit albums are just a bunch of singles and a bunch of good songs get left out.

BQ: Yes I'll buy them even if they don't have new tracks cause I'm a collector.

BQ2: The only two I have are Guns N Roses and Three Doors Down .

MQ: i have to admit im all in favour of it having been a willing buyer on more than one occasion.

in fact the band that changed my life forever, got me into rock music and helped make me the person i am today were Queen. the first album i bought was their Greatest Hits, and there isn't even new or previously unavailable songs on their album. i deliberately bought their greatest hits album, as i have with so many other bands im looking to get a taste off.

BQ: yes, simply cos i want to own everything by a band i love.

BQ2: Queen - Greatest Hits

Queen - Greatest Hits II

Alice Cooper - The Definitive Collection

Guns n Roses - Greatest Hits

Iron Maiden - Edward the Great

and like most greatest hits albums i completely disagree with a lot of the tracks included. most bands have far superior songs that weren't released as singles (but then every single fan would probably have a different list).

MQ: I agree. I think it is messed up, especially for fans who have supported the bands by buying all their albums in the first place. But that is how record companies make their money. They are dirty though and will do whatever they can to make profit. I think that the bands should just sell EPs then if they are only going to come out with a couple new stuff.

BQ: No, but I haven't bought a greatest hits album in a while. However, all of them don't have new music included.

BQ2: My Greatst hits albums are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and Radiohead. That's all I have.

MQ: That one of my biggest irritants of the record industry. Because you know its all about the money, not the artists. If it was up to the artists, they probably wouldn't ever consider putting out a Greatest Hits, or Best Of albums. I dont think I have ever purchased an album with greatest hits where there wasnt some extra unreleased tracks, or something "extra" in it.

bq1. Sometimes, like in the albums below

bq2. The Cars Greatest Hits 1985: with the unreleased song "Tonight She Comes"

Bob Seger Greatest Hits 2003: with the unreleased songs "Satisfied" and "Tomorrow"

It was mostly done a lot back in the day to keep "new" material on the shelves in shops and a cheap way to get a popular band on the road. It was also done by labels to counter a new release by a group that signed a deal with someone else -- dig into the vault for some stuff and cheaply rake in the bucks. It's the way the game has been played and still is done in different degrees. If people didn't buy 'em, the practice would fade away.

I personally do not like Greatest Hits albums. It takes out the fun of listening to an album the way it was supposed to be listened to. It's like watching a movie, you can watch it for its entirety (which is an equivalence of listening to an album) or you can watch scene by scenes of a whole bunch of different movies which is like a greatest hits album)

and this is especially true with concept albums.

MQ: Hey, it's your choice to buy it. They're not forcing you to buy it. And even if you do want these "two new songs", then just rip them off files tube or something.

BQ: No

BQ2: refer to the above ^

It is pretty lame, but it's what I've come to expect of the record industry.

BA1: I have bought a few in the past, but usually they were used so it wasn't too hard on the wallet.

BA2: Standing on a Beach (The Cure), Thomson Twins Greatest Hits (the blue one, not the one with them in a convertible), Jesus Points the Bone at You (Christian Death), The Pink Opaque (Cocteau Twins), and Every Breath You Take/Singles (The Police). To name a few.

I don't like it, all it is going to do is encourage me to go onto YouTube and download them...

BQ: It annoys me and it surprises me how this method can be effective. Some people are just dumb, I guess.

BQ: No, I typically don't buy Greatest Hits CDs, my Dad does though.

BQ: I don't have many but my top five are Jackyl, Scorpions, BTO, The Who, and Aerosmith Gold.

Courtesy of my Dad.