Compilations, continued

Yes, artist compilations, be they b-sides, best ofs or greatest hits can often go awry.

Of course, sometimes a hits compilation is just what a group needs. Other times, even if the group doesn't need one, they can still turn out to be fantastic compilations.

One example of a compilation done right is The Who's Then And Now, which originally came out in 2004 but was updated in 2007 to include a song from their then-new album Endless Wire.

Like so many of the bands of the sixties and seventies, The Who had a bunch of non-album singles which were vital to understanding their progression yet never made it onto an album. Singles like 'I Can't Explain' or 'Magic Bus.'

As such, best-ofs are very useful for groups of that era. Then And Now was something like their seventh compilation, but the dangling carrot on it was the two new songs (one new song in the 2007 version) tacked on the end.

This is one time when the extra material was not simply a way of getting completists to buy it. There hadn't been a new Who song recorded since 1982 and the death of John Entwistle in 2002, so a new recording was big news.

What's more, these new recordings are pretty great. 'Old Red Wine' is a decent enough tune, but not one to write home about. 'Real Good Looking Boy,' however, is an epic, immaculately written and played song that well deserves its place in the Who's catalogue.

It also shows how wonderfully Roger Daltrey's voice has aged; he can't hit those high notes any more but his burly growl is a delight to hear again.

What's more, the rest of the album has all the hits, from the early mod stuff (which I hate) through their shaky middle period (like the one song I like from The Who Sell Out, 'I Can See For Miles') and up to their soaring AOR period on the three cuts from Who's Next, which is undoubtedly one of the finest albums ever made.

Another artist with a quality greatest hits is Robbie Williams. Although his musical background suggests someone who is undoubtedly a singles-only artist, he actually had some quality albums; nevertheless, his hits collection would be his defining statement, and it is that.

The selection of it is incredibly smart. It cuts a few of his lower charting singles, doesn't include his awful cover of George Michael's 'Freedom,' and nothing from his swing album.

It also includes two new songs; a lovely ballad called 'Misunderstood' and an honest-to-goodness electro track on 'Radio.'

Many people hate 'Radio' with a passion; I love it for how ridiculous and bad it is. I can't believe he had the guts to release it as a single. Can't fault the man for it...

Basically, compilations are impossible to quantify. Does the artist need it, or not? Will it be worth buying? Is new material a cash-in, or value for money?

Who knows?

I sure don't.