Search - Thompson Twins :: Platinum & Gold Collection

Brilliantly Remastered 12-Track Collection For The Casual Fa

Jason W. Bellenger | Byron Center, Michigan, USA | 03/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After listening to the recent 2008 reissues and remasters of both Quick Step & Side Kick and Into the Gap by Demon-Edsel I was tempted to revisit this 2003 compilation released by Thompson Twins' head label Arista/BMG Heritage and see how it held up as a hits package. I bought this disc back in 2003 shortly after it's release and have greatly enjoyed the music for nearly 5 years.



BMG has been flooding the market with various types of Thompson Twins collections over the years, some of them good and some of them bad. So how does this one hold up? All in all, it's an excellent one-disc retrospective of the band with better sound quality than on the 2008 reissues and previous collections.



Arista/BMG went the extra mile here by including a few hidden gems in both rare UK single versions of "Lay Your Hands On Me" and "Sister Of Mercy" in addition to single edits. Since neither Amazon nor the back sleeve list which versions are included of each hit, I've included a more informative tracklisting:



01 In The Name Of Love [Single Version] 3.19

02 Lies [LP Version] 3.12

03 We Are Detective [LP Version] 3.07

04 Love On Your Side [US 'Side Kicks' Version] 3.31

05 If You Were Here [LP Version] 2.58

06 Hold Me Now [LP Version] 4.47

07 Doctor! Doctor! [LP Version] 4.39

08 Sister Of Mercy [UK Single Version] 4.55

09 Lay Your Hands On Me [UK Single Version] 4.10

10 King For A Day [Single Version] 4.12

11 Nothing In Common [LP Version] 3.29

12 Get That Love [LP Version] 3.56



As you can see, most of the band's Billboard Hot 100 hits are included. Notably missing are "You Take Me Up" (#44 in the U.S. and #2 in the U.K., their highest-charting single there), "The Gap (#69 in the U.S.), and "Sugar Daddy" (#28 in the U.S., and their debut on the Warner label). Since this is an Arista release one should excuse any missing latter Warner cuts. "Love On Your Side" is the US 'Side Kicks' version, not the original UK mix, which clocked in at nearly 4 minutes.



The booklet includes informative liner notes by Bill Pitzonka and rare photos in addition to publishing credits and US Billboard peak chart positions on the Hot 100, Club Play, Album Rock, and Adult Contemporary charts. Remastering credits go to Emily Lazar at The Lodge, New York. Emily has really brought out the sonic dimensions in these recordings! Hits like "In The Name Of Love" and "Doctor! Doctor!" light up with clarity, punch, and crispness. Both "Lay Your Hands On Me" and "King For A Day" are anthemic, classic tunes, in my opinion, and shine like never before. "Lies", the band's first U.S. Top 40 hit, sounds absolutely incredible! In fact, all the recordings have never sounded better! I have yet to purchase a Twins release with audio quality that beats the remastering featured here!



For the casual Thompson Twins fan, this 2003 release may be all that you ever need. I would have given this 4 stars, but the good price, solid tracklisting, and stunning remastering easily make up for the missing hits. Highly recommended."

Underrated

Jason W. Bellenger | 07/10/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I wonder why it is that the Thompson Twins are virtually forgotten. Granted they were not as big as say the Police. But they made quite a few big hits and they have been virtually ignored by radio stations that purport to play 80's classics.
Oingo Boingo also comes to mind."