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Good Overview of Counting Crows

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 11/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Maybe you are like me who, after "August and Everything After" and "Recovering the Sattelites", have fallen off the Counting Crows' band-wagon as a result of the less than great (if not to say mediocre) albums "The Desert Life" and "Hard Candy". Well, our problems have been solved by this "greatest hits" album."Films About Ghosts: The Best Of Counting Crows" (16 tracks, 72 min.) pretty much delivers on the premise, which is to say: all the hits and best known tracks are here. Rightfully, this compilation centers on the first album: 5 tracks from "August and Everything After", including the essential "Mr. Jones" (the song that put the band on the musical map), "Round Here", the exquisite "Rain King", "Omaha" and "Anna Begins". "Recovering the Sattelites" is represented by 3 tracks, including the haunting "A Long December", the hard-rocking "Angels of the Silences" and the title track. The later years have some good songs, including the jamming "Hanginaround", and even the cover of "Big Yellow Taxi", an unexpected radio hit. But the true treasure on this compilation is "Einstein on the Beach", which appears for the first time on a Counting Crows release. "Einstein" is a 1991 "demo" (but not sounding like a demo), which lead the band to getting a record deal, and is arguably Counting Crows' best song ever. Adam Duritz never sounded so upbeat again.Is this compilation perfect? No. For one, I like "best of" compilations to run chronogically, and this one doesn't. But that quibble aside, "Films About Ghosts" is a really great overview of Counting Crows' best songs to date."

The Very Best of the Counting Crows. . . maybe

E. Callaway | Grand Rapids, MI USA | 01/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It now amazes me how incomplete any "best of" can be when it comes to this band. Every one of these songs is great, that I do not argue, but it just does not feel like it is whole. This could easily be two disks, or even more. It does have fair representation of the studio albums, but there is so much more that the Crows have to offer. One thing I found surprising about this CD was the fact that "Einstein on the Beach" was included after years of lead singer, Adam Duritz regretting ever having given it to Geffen Records. It is a great song and I would love to hear it played live after having heard it for the better part of a decade on the DGC Rarities Vol. 1 record.(to my knowledg there never was a Vol. 2)There are two new recordings found on "Films About Ghosts." I rather enjoy the cover of The Greatful Dead's "Friend of the Devil." Honestly, I think the Crows did a better job on the song. "She Don't Want Nobody Near" is the second new recording on the album. It is an original song and has now been released as a single. Of the two, I prefer "Friend of the Devil," but "She Don't Want Nobody Near" is very good.All of the hits are here; "Mr. Jones," "Round Here," and "A Long December" to mention a few. I do enjoy hearing these songs, but I think they are better in the context of their respective records. As a collection of songs it is great, as a "greatest hits" it is good, but I think it perhaps falls short in the category of "best of." Taking these songs from the context of the album does not do them justice. epc"

Incredible compilation even if a few great songs were missed

Jacob Fast | Ohio | 03/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an amazing group of songs by the Counting Crows. Some are better than others and a few of their best seem to be forgotten but you can't expect perfection I guess...this is close though.

1. Angels of the Silences - 8/10 - a great song but just doesn't compare to many of the other songs on the cd. A good start to the cd though.

2. Round Here - 9/10 - a classic...on any other cd this would automatically get a 10 but on this cd, there are too many great songs to give 10s out easily. Such a mellow song. One of the best songs to listen to when your pissed or sad and don't feel like changing that.

3. Rain King - 8/10 - I didn't know this song when I got the cd but quickly grew to love it. Great song to follow up Round Here.

4. A Long December - 10/10 - I thought about giving this a 9 just because I have heard it so many times and when you hear something that many times, the song usually gets old...but this is an exception for me. I never get tired of this song. Incredible music with amazing lyrics written about the lead singer's own experiences one winter when a friend was sick in the hospital and eventually died. So passionate and meaningful...In my opinion, one of the best songs ever written.

5. Hanginaround - 9/10 - Such a fun and upbeat song. The chorus is a little repetitive and simple but that is part of the fun and you can get enough enjoyment from the music and verses to compensate for the repitition. One of the only songs ever to use clapping as the beat and actually make it work. Awesome display of COunting Crows versatility.

6. Mrs. Potter's Lullaby - 8/10 - Great song with great lyrics and music including the lyric for which the cd was named after. Another upbeat song that most people haven't heard if they don't own a cd of theirs since the song is so long (over 7 minutes). Supposedly written about Monica Potter after the lead singer saw her in Patch Adams.

7. Mr. Jones - 10/10 - I love this song...Another song I have heard 50 million times and still love it. Also, once again this actually was written about a friend of the lead singer and the bar they hung out at. Awesome lyrics about the misconception that big stars who everyone loves never get lonely.

8. Recovering the Satellites - 9/10 - The music is sort of mellow and not as impactful as normal for Counting Crows but based on lyrics and meaning, it deserves a 9. This is the only song which there is a swear word and it is perfectly executed. "God, we're so f*#$ed up, you and me"

9. American Girls - 8/10 - Very fun song but not much more deep meaning to this one...very good background vocals by sheryl crow

10. Big Yellow Taxi - 8/10 - Great remake of this song. Good point and meaning behind this song...a little repetitive for my taste though.

11. Omaha - 9/10 - This song has an amazing chorus...Too bad the verses aren't quite as impressive or it would get a 10. The chorus will definitely get stuck in your head though...great stuff even though Im not from Omaha.

12. Friend of the Devil - 2/10 - This is the only song on the CD that I skip everytime that I listen to it. The music sucks and so do the lyrics...The counting crows do a great job trying to make this a decent song but even Adam's awesome voice and the rest of the bands playing can't save this song from sucking...horrible new recording that could have been used for a better classic song like Colorblind.

13. Einstein on the Beach - 8/10 - The most upbeat song on the cd and definitely livens things up...Doesn't rival hangin around for best fun song but does come close. Very weird lyrics but the music is kinda weird too...in a good way.

14. Anna Begins - 10/10 - Incredibly amazing song... The lyrics for this song are impeccable and the music progressively grows stronger and stronger as it matches the words which progress through a "story" as the song goes.

15. Holiday in Spain - 12/10 - I had never heard this song before I bought this cd and immediately loved this song after the first listen. The music is unbelievable and the lyrics and singing of Adam are amazing as well. It's very hard for me not to start the cd off with this song everytime and put it on repeat after hearing it the first time. Echos the thoughts that everyone has had at one point of just dropping all current stresses and problems and just getting away from it all....simply amazing!

16. She don't want nobody near - 8/10 - Beautiful song...plain and simple...Don't love the music quite as much as other songs but still a good new recording that is a nice addition

17. Accidentally in Love - 9/10 - Very fun and upbeat song...Appears in the movie Shrek. The music video for this song is great if you haven't seen it. This is an awesome way to end and almost perfect cd (stupid Friend of the Devil song) :)."