I’m sorry? A B-sides and rarities collection? From Copeland? Why? I have to say I’m slightly surprised as to why they think after 3 full-lengths that they warrant such a type of release that’s usually reserved for past-it, aging rockers to be used as stocking-fillers… oh wait…
Perhaps it’s to fulfil prior contract expectations or to provide their super fans with a “new” CD to pass the time on Christmas day, but from a musical perspective I just don’t see the point. With a number of tracks displaying the telltale signs of B-sides: the dreaded bracketed words (Acoustic Version) (Remix) and (Slow Version) I had to momentarily bite my tongue and just listen.
Copeland‘s cover of ‘Every Breath You Take’ is actually pretty impressive and is probably the highlight of an otherwise disappointing and overly lengthy 16 tracker. But again why? No offence, I like you Copeland, but The Police just did it better than you… I’d even be forced to say the same of their cover of Soundgarden’s ‘Black Hole Sun.’
Copeland are a soft rock band so the reasoning behind recording acoustic versions of ‘Brightest,’ ‘No One Really Wins’ and ‘Careful Now’ that just sound the same as on their previous albums is seemingly pointless, so again why bother?
Most B-side reviews usually end by saying something like this:
“If you’re a fan of (insert band name here) then you’ll enjoy this collection of rarities and B-sides, however if you’re new to this band then check out their older material first, these are B-sides for a reason.”
I’d probably agree with that statement, except to say if you’re a super fan then you’ll no doubt have heard these before, in which case don’t waste your money. I’d never seen Copeland as a potential cash cow before but someone’s milking them dry and I think it’s unfair on them (as I doubt this was their idea) and their fans who deserve better.
Rich Rowe