Greatest hits albums are pathetic attempts by record companies to soak as much money out of an artist's catalogue as is humanly possible. Bonus material has always been included on greatest hits albums to try to coerce die-hard fans to purchase the record for unreleased tracks, as well as to "justify" such a release.
The Cure's greatest hits treatment is comprised of 16 tracks that span the group's two-decade-plus career, as well as two new songs, "Cut Here" and "Just Say Yes." But the band takes the art of bonus material a step further--included is a second disc of material that features 18 acoustic versions of the "greatest hits" that make up the first disc. While I applaud the Cure's efforts to provide their fans with "bonus" material, the group doesn't seemed to have reworked the acoustic tracks in a way that makes them distinct from the original versions.
The collection will definitely appeal to the record label's intended audience of thrifty wannabe Cure fans who only purchase the "greatest" compilations. The bonus material should suffice, however, to perk the interest of die-hard fans as well; that is, if they are willing to pay the price of a two-disc set.
