Search - Black Box Recorder :: Worst of Black Box Recorder

BBR's Worst Surpasses other bands' Best

Jorje Chica | Anaheim, CA USA | 09/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A wonderful collection of covers, remixes and other great songs relegated to b-sides. As a recent convert, these songs were beyond my reach as the early singles are long out of print. Sure, the two domestic albums have a few of these songs as bonuses (except the odd mistake on England Made Me where "Wonderful Life" is not included, despite the sleeve demarcation), but now they're all here. The closer is by far one of the best Bowie covers out there. The music is beautiful, brutal, intriguing and intelligent all at once. Who else can use a Euro-pop song structure to discuss such "taboo" subjects as murder and homophobia (see "Straight Life" on The Facts of Life)? That's what you get when you put Luke Haines--Brittain's resident cynic--together with Jesus and Mary Chain alum John Moore. Add to that mix the gorgeous Sarah Nixey and its heaven (or hell, if you like bland Americanized pop). The Auteurs never lived up to the great expectations of giving suede a run for their money, but Black Box Recorder is right up their with Brittain's best current acts. Plus you get the videos. This CD is an oddity in that for once we in America get the rare album, and the Brittish fans have to get the import!Jorje Chica"

Wonderfully Dour

Steven Moore | Ann Arbor, MI USA | 08/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Worth getting just for the four splendid videos. The songs of course are wonderfully dour, like a depressed St. Etienne. If you missed their import singles, all the B-sides are collected here."