Search - Luscious Jackson :: Greatest Hits

A pretty good overview

Daniel Maltzman | Arlington, MA, USA | 02/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Luscious Jackson may not have been the most ground-breaking influential band of all-time, but they were still pretty damn cool.



Over the course of eight years, the band--Jill Cunniff, (bass, guitar, vocals) Gabby Glaser, (guitar) Vivian Trimble, (keyboards) and Kate Schellenbach (drums) released one EP "In Search of Manny" (1992) and three albums "Natural Ingredients," (1994) "Fever In, Fever Out" (1996) and "Electric Honey" (1999) (which Trimble didn't play on). While the band started out as a sort of "female Beastie Boys" on their EP and debut album, their music became slightly more commercial and radio-friendly with their last two albums.



Overall, "Greatest Hits" (2007) does a pretty good capturing the best of LJ, even if it slightly misses the mark.



My biggest compliant with "Greatest Hits" is that it includes only one song from "In Search of Manny," the opening "Let Yourself Get Down." It actually wouldn't have been a bad idea to just have included all seven songs from the "In Search of Manny" EP, as all seven songs stand as some of the band's best work and the EP is, overall, the band's finest hour. Too many okay-but-not-great songs like "Love is Here" and the pointless remixes are included when the band could have been much better served by including the entire debut EP (clocking in at under 25 minutes, the band's other three albums still could still have been fairly represented). Since "In Search of Manny" is now out-of-print, including the entire EP here would have made it all the more desirable. It also would have been cool if a few songs from the outstanding "Klassics with a K" (1995) album had been included (a side project from Cunniff and Trimble's band the Kostars).



I also kind of wish the music from the GAP commercial had been thrown in (yeah it's only 30 seconds, but it was still infectious!)



All complaints aside, this compilation is still pretty good, gathering all their hits and essential songs from their three major studio albums. Songs like "Naked Eye," "Here," "Under Your Skin," "Deep Shag," "Ladyfingers" etc. have held up really well. If you are just a casual LJ fan, this compilation is will serve you well, although one is advised to check out the used CD bins and pick up the "In Search of Manny" EP.



Even if you already own all three albums and the EP, "Greatest Hits" is still worth picking up as it contains some hard-to-find songs like "Love is Here" and "69 Annee Erotique." The four remixes "Lady Fingers," "Naked Eye," "Why Do I Lie" and "Nervous Breakthrough" don't really do much for me personally, but they should be of interest to those interested in dance-type remixes.





"

INTRODUCING "Luscious Jackson"

Pocha Dot | Los Angeles | 01/03/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"INTRODUCTION:



The band consists of (4) ladies, Jill Cunniff (vocals, bass), Gabby Glaser (vocals, guitar), Kate Schellenbach (drums) & Vivian Trimble (keyboards, vocals). Combining elements of Alternative, Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop and Electronica. What I like mostly about this band is that they're not too mainstream, They're most remembered song is "Naked Eye". Vivian Trimble left the band in (1998). The album (FEVER IN FEVER OUT) is a success. LUSCIOUS JACKSON's considered a Rock Band but (again) they've got Rock, Pop, Electronica and Hip Hop influences. ALL of their songs were written by the band themselves, The majority were written by Jill and/or Gabby. Each band member brought a different element to the band. Gabby (Rock), Jill (Pop/Alternative), Kate a former member of The Beastie boys (Hip-Hop) & Vivian (Disco/Electronica). All together they formed Luscious jackson



THIS COLLECTION:



This has "just about" all the best songs from all the albums except for anything off the [EP] "In Search Of Manny". These are basically ALL of my favorite songs, And are the standout tracks in their catalog. they created this collection JUST FOR ME. How did they know?



Although I feel this collection is HOT I feel all consumers still need to purchase each individual album if they want to get the full Luscious Jackson experience because some stuff isn't on here, I'm just sayin'... BUT!... If you're curious as to who Luscious Jackson is and want to explore their sound this would be a fine place to start "With This Greatest Hits"



Honestly, I don't even recall most of these tracks as singles, the same can be said for many "Not-So-Famous" bands or artists that create a greatest hits, Look at this album as a "COLLECTION"... A Collection of Luscious Jackson standout's as opposed to a "Greatest Hits". Seeing it this way you'll view this more as a "Who-Is-Luscious-Jackson?" or "Getting-To-Know-Luscious-Jackson" set which makes the package more of an adventure, Still a fun collection though.



MISSING SONGS:



"Gridlock" from, This song should definitely be on the tracklist,is a b-side from the "Ladyfingers" single, "Sexy Hypnotist" from "ELECTRIC HONEY" along with "Mood Swing" from the album "FEVER IN FEVER OUT" we really couldv'e done without those remixes of songs that already sound the best in their original state.



STANDOUT SONGS OF THIS COLLECTION:



"Naked Eye" "Under Your Skin" "Here" & "Ladyfingers", I would recommend giving these (4) songs a listen if you're just getting into the band.

"

I didn't know them...

Marco Bazzini | Milan, Italy | 02/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A group I didn't even heard of up to some months ago (such a shame!). Really fine music, 4 chicks that go from rock to soul always in an elegant mood. This CD contains a smart version of Gainsbourg's "69 annèe erotique" too. Really lovely."