goldwax wrote:geoffcowgill wrote:And what's up with the six bonus tracks on my copy of Thirteen? Is that a reissue thing, or were they on all copies from the start? Were they worried about naming their record after a Paul Hardcastle song rather than a Big Star one?
U.S. bonus tracks ever since its original release in this country. Unfortunately or not, I bought a UK import back when I lived in Japan, but six months ago I got a U.S. copy dirt cheap just because. However, I still haven't listened to the six extra tracks yet.
The bonus tracks are all b-sides to the Thirteen singles, and are well worth a listen. I think some of them are stronger than the actual album tracks.
Thirteen is for me definately the runt of the litter. 'The Cabbage' and 'Radio' are the only songs which are up to par with TFC's incredibly high standards. I think it's well below any of their albums, including the very good 'Catholic Education' which has at least six great songs.
I'd say if anything Grand Prix sags at the end. THe last three or four aren't as good as the rest. BUt they ain't bad.
On the subject of singles, if you're a fan it's well worth collecting as many f the singles as possible, if you don't already have them. Particularly the Grand Prix singles which have three b-sides on each cd, and a total of three singles each with two cds. 18 b-sides, almost all are fantastic. And the SFNB b-sides are also worth getting. If you like the albums. If not, probably not worth getting.