Log In
Register
3.39pm
16 August 2012
Offline
Not all artists are like the Beatles, in the way that their B-sides are fully-recognized by the general public and mostly indistinguishable from their album and single catalogue.
Many artists and bands used the flipside of their single as a dumping ground for album rejects, experimental ditties and generally lackluster songs. But sometimes exploring B-sides offers legitimate insight into the development and growth of an artist. I can name a couple off the top of my head of note:
Radiohead, in my opinion, offers the clearest insight into the development and evolution of their constantly-changing styles. With EMI’s deluxe sets of their first 6 albums, each collection of B-sides clearly shows the band experimenting during each album the sound that would be prevalent in each subsequent album.
Smashing Pumpkins, and their phenomenal output of B-sides and finished unreleased tracks, charts less a development of sound than an overall sense of overwhelming singular creativity. As polarizing as he is, Billy Corgan deserves at least to be recognized as an endlessly inventive songwriter who is never happier than when he’s creating something new.
I have other examples, but for now I want to see if you have any…
E is for 'Ergent'.
8.17pm
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline I think U2 are much the same – their deluxe sets also have a number of interesting second CDs where they explore a lot of territory on their b-sides and unreleased material. They are all in nice boxes with great booklets and don’t cost too much. I think Blur have done the same?
==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
8.54pm
16 August 2012
Offline Yes, Blur could release entire albums of their B-sides. The output and overall quality was remarkable.
E is for 'Ergent'.
9.27pm
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline SatanHimself said
Yes, Blur could release entire albums of their B-sides. The output and overall quality was remarkable.
Nice – I occasionally try and expand my musical experience by trying artists I haven’t heard much of, and those Blur boxes have been calling out to me from the record store shelf. Maybe when the credit card recovers from the Beatles onslaught 
==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
2.37am
17 January 2013
Offline SatanHimself said
Radiohead, in my opinion, offers the clearest insight into the development and evolution of their constantly-changing styles. With EMI’s deluxe sets of their first 6 albums, each collection of B-sides clearly shows the band experimenting during each album the sound that would be prevalent in each subsequent album.
Radiohead is amazing. They did a great job at evolving their style while still keeping that core sound that is Radiohead. 
"Please don't bring your banjo back, I know where it's been.. I wasn't hardly gone a day, when it became the scene.. Banjos! Banjos! All the time, I can't forget that tune.. and if I ever see another banjo, I'm going out and buy a big balloon!"
