Search - Theatre of Hate :: Complete Singles Collection

How could they do this?

BrainDrain | Oshkosh, WI USA | 03/09/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"A serious disappointment. This is supposed to be the 'complete' singles collection. If so, how is it that the version of LEGION included here is *not the same* as the version I have on 45? My version is from SS3A, the version on the CD is listed as from SS3. I'm wondering if this is an unreleased demo version or if TOH actually released TWO versions of the ORIGINAL SIN/LEGION single. Well, the first thing I noticed about the version of LEGION on this CD is that THE SAXOPHONE IS MISSING!!!! As a result, the instrumental break devolves into a lot of bass thup-thupping and a couple guitar power chords and is totally lame. It sure sounds a lot better WITH THE SAXOPHONE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THERE!!!! For cryin' out loud, the liner notes even mention the 'Canadian sax player John 'Boy' Lenard'. Are we supposed to imagine that he just took the day off when LEGION was recorded? Much more likely is that, in compiling this CD, some drooling imbecile either included the wrong version or, perhaps, someone hated the sax, or the sax player, and decided to strip the sax track from this recording, in which case they have boiled crap for brains and have ripped us off.Aside from having LEGION on CD (and in my opinion, I still DON'T have it on CD), I wanted NUMBER 12 by The Pack. They used to play it all the time at The Showbox in Seattle back in '79-'80. Well, it sounded a lot thinner than I expected, so I'm not sure if this is the official released version, either. If, by some miracle, you can find The Pack Live on cassette, get it for a better, more passionate version of this incredible song.A collection like this oughta be a no-brainer. If it's a COMPLETE SINGLES COLLECTION, that means you put THE RELEASED VERSIONS of ALL THE SINGLES on it, not some odious demo or unreleased or tampered-with versions. I couldn't find any name attached to production credit for this disaster, I only know for sure that someone named Mark Brennan wrote the liner notes. So to whoever is responsible for ruining this collection, thanks for nothing!"