Counting Crows Album: “Films About Ghosts: The Best Of... [Bonus Track 2003]”

It now amazes me how incomplete any "best of" can be when it comes to this band. Every one of these songs is great, that I do not argue, but it just does not feel like it is whole. This could easily be two disks, or even more. It does have fair representation of the studio albums, but there is so much more that the Crows have to offer.

One thing I found surprising about this CD was the fact that "Einstein on the Beach" was included after years of lead singer, Adam Duritz regretting ever having given it to Geffen Records. It is a great song and I would love to hear it played live after having heard it for the better part of a decade on the DGC Rarities Vol. 1 record.(to my knowledg there never was a Vol. 2)

There are two new recordings found on "Films About Ghosts." I rather enjoy the cover of The Greatful Dead's "Friend of the Devil." Honestly, I think the Crows did a better job on the song. "She Don't Want Nobody Near" is the second new recording on the album. It is an original song and has now been released as a single. Of the two, I prefer "Friend of the Devil," but "She Don't Want Nobody Near" is very good.

All of the hits are here; "Mr. Jones," "Round Here," and "A Long December" to mention a few. I do enjoy hearing these songs, but I think they are better in the context of their respective records. As a collection of songs it is great, as a "greatest hits" it is good, but I think it perhaps falls short in the category of "best of." Taking these songs from the context of the album does not do them justice.

epc

For those few that have held off buying previous Crows' albums, this would be a perfect introduction. It contains five songs from the amazing debut, three from "Recovering the Satellites", two from "This Desert Life" (which was fine with me because those two would've been my only choices as well), three from "Hard Candy" and three "new" recordings (one's a new cover tune, and one was available on a previous Geffen compilation).

The best part of this CD is that it starts off strong with "Angels of the Silences" and "Round Here", two different styles and moods, but two of my favorites. The rest of the collection is pretty solid except for two minor details: they included "Big Yellow Taxi", which has been covered way too often in my opinion, and left out what I feel to be their best song, "A Murder of One". If they had included it, I would have rated this five stars, easily.

At least there's a new song on here, which is pretty catchy and somewhat reminiscent of "Mr. Jones".

Definitely worth picking up, for yourself or to introduce to someone as a gift. If you already own all of their cd's, you might think about skipping it, just picking up the new song on a single.

This is an amazing group of songs by the Counting Crows. Some are better than others and a few of their best seem to be forgotten but you can't expect perfection I guess...this is close though.

1. Angels of the Silences - 8/10 - a great song but just doesn't compare to many of the other songs on the cd. A good start to the cd though.

2. Round Here - 9/10 - a classic...on any other cd this would automatically get a 10 but on this cd, there are too many great songs to give 10s out easily. Such a mellow song. One of the best songs to listen to when your pissed or sad and don't feel like changing that.

3. Rain King - 8/10 - I didn't know this song when I got the cd but quickly grew to love it. Great song to follow up Round Here.

4. A Long December - 10/10 - I thought about giving this a 9 just because I have heard it so many times and when you hear something that many times, the song usually gets old...but this is an exception for me. I never get tired of this song. Incredible music with amazing lyrics written about the lead singer's own experiences one winter when a friend was sick in the hospital and eventually died. So passionate and meaningful...In my opinion, one of the best songs ever written.

5. Hanginaround - 9/10 - Such a fun and upbeat song. The chorus is a little repetitive and simple but that is part of the fun and you can get enough enjoyment from the music and verses to compensate for the repitition. One of the only songs ever to use clapping as the beat and actually make it work. Awesome display of COunting Crows versatility.

6. Mrs. Potter's Lullaby - 8/10 - Great song with great lyrics and music including the lyric for which the cd was named after. Another upbeat song that most people haven't heard if they don't own a cd of theirs since the song is so long (over 7 minutes). Supposedly written about Monica Potter after the lead singer saw her in Patch Adams.

7. Mr. Jones - 10/10 - I love this song...Another song I have heard 50 million times and still love it. Also, once again this actually was written about a friend of the lead singer and the bar they hung out at. Awesome lyrics about the misconception that big stars who everyone loves never get lonely.

8. Recovering the Satellites - 9/10 - The music is sort of mellow and not as impactful as normal for Counting Crows but based on lyrics and meaning, it deserves a 9. This is the only song which there is a swear word and it is perfectly executed. "God, we're so f*#$ed up, you and me"

9. American Girls - 8/10 - Very fun song but not much more deep meaning to this one...very good background vocals by sheryl crow

10. Big Yellow Taxi - 8/10 - Great remake of this song. Good point and meaning behind this song...a little repetitive for my taste though.

11. Omaha - 9/10 - This song has an amazing chorus...Too bad the verses aren't quite as impressive or it would get a 10. The chorus will definitely get stuck in your head though...great stuff even though Im not from Omaha.

12. Friend of the Devil - 2/10 - This is the only song on the CD that I skip everytime that I listen to it. The music sucks and so do the lyrics...The counting crows do a great job trying to make this a decent song but even Adam's awesome voice and the rest of the bands playing can't save this song from sucking...horrible new recording that could have been used for a better classic song like Colorblind.

13. Einstein on the Beach - 8/10 - The most upbeat song on the cd and definitely livens things up...Doesn't rival hangin around for best fun song but does come close. Very weird lyrics but the music is kinda weird too...in a good way.

14. Anna Begins - 10/10 - Incredibly amazing song... The lyrics for this song are impeccable and the music progressively grows stronger and stronger as it matches the words which progress through a "story" as the song goes.

15. Holiday in Spain - 12/10 - I had never heard this song before I bought this cd and immediately loved this song after the first listen. The music is unbelievable and the lyrics and singing of Adam are amazing as well. It's very hard for me not to start the cd off with this song everytime and put it on repeat after hearing it the first time. Echos the thoughts that everyone has had at one point of just dropping all current stresses and problems and just getting away from it all....simply amazing!

16. She don't want nobody near - 8/10 - Beautiful song...plain and simple...Don't love the music quite as much as other songs but still a good new recording that is a nice addition

17. Accidentally in Love - 9/10 - Very fun and upbeat song...Appears in the movie Shrek. The music video for this song is great if you haven't seen it. This is an awesome way to end and almost perfect cd (stupid Friend of the Devil song) :).

Counting Crows seem to have a good niche: a fair amount of airplay spread out over all of their albums, concerts of comfortable size (not bars, but not arenas either), and a solid fanbase. This best-of album is an excellent journey through their catalogue, plus two new songs that are deserving of their place here.

If you don't have any of their albums (or only have one or two), this album gives a broad view of their work. It includes radio hits such as 'Big Yellow Taxi' and 'Mr Jones', as well as fan favourites like 'Anna Begins' and 'Einstein on the Beach' that got limited airplay. All of the songs that were chosen for the album deserve to be highlighted on this compilation. It's not their greatest hits, and I for one am glad that it's not: I can hear their greatest hits on the radio any time. But the haunting 'Anna Begins' or the rousing eight minutes of 'Mrs Potter's Lullabye' are well worth getting to know.

For someone who is already familiar with much of their work, this album is still worthwhile. Their new cover of 'Friend of the Devil' (one of the definitive Grateful Dead songs) is arresting. 'Einstein on a Beach' had previously been somewhat difficult to find. 'She Don't Want Nobody' is a haunting track that somewhat reminds me of 'Anna Begins', although I can't really put my finger on why.

My only complaint about this album is the inclusion of the single version of 'Big Yellow Taxi'. The original version, found on the album 'Hard Candy', does not include the backing vocals from then flavour-of-the-month Vanessa Carleton. I think that her backing vocals detract from this cover. I vastly prefer the album version. This complaint isn't enough to make me take away the fifth star, although it's a close call.

I admit, I'm one who loved "August And Everything After", yet bought nothing after. So, this disc was a great way for me (a casual fan) to catch up with them. Overall this collection succeeds quite well. 17 tracks, including every major hit, nearly every minor hit, a soundtrack hit, Grateful Dead and Joni Mitchell covers, and a new song. My only complaint is the omission of "A Murder Of One", possibly my favorite off the debut. Otherwise this is the obvious choice for your first or only Counting Crows disc. It'll go great with your Sheryl Crow and Black Crowes cd's.