"I anxiously waited for weeks for this album to come available. The wait was painful but well well worth it. I can't seem to bring myself to remove the album from my cd player!With material ranging from new recordings you have never heard before, to powerful live recordings of previously released material, to skratchy demos dating as far back as 1982, this album is truly a real treat! After listening to this album, you will have a much deeper perspective on a truely great and talented band of musicians. This is an excellent 3-disc album and well worth the money."
An unbiased review
Matthew W. Paradise | Indianapolis, IN United States | 06/07/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Sorry Sample fanatics, but I have to break it down for those that aren't insanely into the Samples.
As a music fan and a Samples fan I have to give this album 3 stars. If we are going by content I'd give it 2 stars since only %50 of this compilation is good. However there are 46 songs on the disc so based on the fact that there are about 20 or so songs worth listening to, I give it 3 stars.
The Samples have a unique sound, that is easy to love after you have been to one of their concerts. But unless you have already heard the album versions of classics like "Little Silver Ring", "Feel us Shaking", Weight of the World, then you would be completely disappointed with the first absolutely disastrous tracks of CD1. I'm sure for the sample enthusiast, demo versions are great, but for a new listener, it is silly to think that someone could enjoy these tracks. They probably couldn't tell the difference from these dubbed 1985 Maxell tape versions of the songs from covered versions that a BAD high school band might try to sell you out of the trunk of their car.
If you are new to the Samples and want a good representation of their music I HIGHLY recommend their Transmissions from the Sea of Tranquility album. You'll be hard pressed to find a more complete disc of there most well known work. 90% of the 2 disc album is great. Or buy the more recent "Best Of".
Better than that would be to see these guys in concert. 7 concerts and counting form 93-05 and I've never been to a bad show :) And now they have video screens of past concerts etc! Fun stuff!"
Incredibly underrated band!
Joseph Borreson | Napa, CA United States | 04/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Samples continue to put out wonderful music album after album, amidst label and line-up chaos. This is a great compilation, and is highly recommended to new and old fans alike. Support the Samples; get this album and check them out live if they are in your area they are even better live!"