The Horslips Greatest Hits [2/1] *

Description

"Greatest Hits [Brentwood]" (02/01/2005) Rock & Pop Horslips, Brentwood RecordsArrangers: OConnor; Carr; Lockhart. This relatively obscure but surprisingly influential Irish folk-rock-prog band of the '70s released some solid material during its eight-year run, and deserves a comprehensive, well-compiled retrospective. Unfortunately, this isn't it. With no liner notes, track references, or even a list of who was in the band, what instruments they played, and what albums they released, this is an extremely cut-rate package that barely scratches the surface, even for the budget-minded. The songs aren't sequenced in any logical fashion, the abominable sound is thin and lacking in any definition, and the graphics are laughably inept, making the set just short of a disgrace to a band that was a worldwide headliner during its late-'70s heyday. While the track selection is reasonably solid, covering the highlights and -- in the case of the hard rock "Guest of the Nation" -- lowlights of Horslips' nine albums (unfortunately nothing is included from 1976's Drive the Cold Winter Away or either of the band's live releases), the abbreviated playing time and distressingly cheap approach to the entire disc is an affront to the consumer and the band. Search for 1989's The Horslips Story instead, which practically doubles the time and tracks of this anemic set. Or, better still, pick up any of Horslips' four-star catalog albums to get a better picture of this innovative and often exhilarating group. ~ Hal Horowitz

Ready to buy? Click this button to choose a store: