The first thing that crosses your mind is did Lloyd Cole ( & The Commotions) really have enough singles released to fill a complete CD and 21 tracks at that? The answer is a unanimous yes! His clean-cut image, strong melodies and his slightly dark persona has intrigued and enthralled the public for twenty years.
This collection aptly titled The Singles starts with probably his most famous track 1984s Perfect Skin taken from the album Rattlesnakes. Brand New Friend taken from the 1985 album Easy Pieces was one of his most popular tracks and is again memorable with its light electronic drums and pseudo Cajun accordion. All this mixed with Coles trademark jangly guitars, every day lyrics and strong choruses. Lost Weekend is another up bea,t strong melodic track also taken from Easy Pieces and suddenly you can see exactly why this collection has been released. Cut Me Down also from the same album continues Coles songwriting brilliance. All these tracks were with his band The Commotions.
One could say that Cole was and in part still is the UKs answer to Lou Reed albeit in a much more lighter way. Lighter in the sense that there is certainly more positivity in the majority of Coles work. Perhaps not the intense depth found in Reeds work but certainly in the same field.
The collection follows Coles musical journey over the last twenty years and includes other gems such as From The Hip, Dont Look back and Jennifer She Said. Coles solo work continued with his album ‘Lloyd Cole’ in 1990. Cole had split with his band and moved to New York hooking up with some key US musicians and continued his songwriting brilliance with a more mature, more country tinged blend of pop. Sentimental fool sounds like a classic as does the evocative and beautiful Baby.
With eleven albums released over 20 years this collection takes the best of Coles work both as a solo artist and with The Commotions. This release also includes a DVD of 22 tracks and is an absolute must for any Cole fan or indeed anyone who wants to be reminded what a fine singer songwriter and musician he is.
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Track Listing
1. Perfect Skin
2. Forest Fire
3. Rattlesnakes
4. Brand New Friend
5. Lost Weekend
6. Cut Me Down
7. My Bag
8. Jennifer She Said
9. From The Hip
10. No Blue Skies
11. Don’t Look Back
12. Downtown
13. She’s A Girl And I’m A Man
14. Weeping Wine
15. Butterfly
16. So You’d Like To Save The World
17. Morning Is Broken [Single Edit]
18. Like Lovers Do
19. Sentimental Fool
20. Baby
21. Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?
Bonus DVD
1. Perfect Skin
2. Forest Fire
3. Rattlesnakes
4. Brand New Friend
5. Lost Weekend
6. Cut Me Down
7. My Bag
8. Jennifer She Said
9. From The Hip
10. No Blue Skies
11. Don’t Look Back
12. Downtown
13. Weeping Wine
14. Butterfly
15. She’s A Girl I’m A Man
16. So You’d Like To Save The World
17. Morning Is Broken
18. Like Lovers Do
19. Baby
20. Sentimental Fool
21. Mainstream
22. Fool You Are
Publication date: 09/27/2004