I know this might seem like a prank, and given that I’m putting this first of 3 reviews out on April Fools Day, it’s not really helping matters. However, compilations can actually do wonders for the metal community & music in general: a time capsule from a band that reflected their musical style at that moment. Other times, they’re as simple as a great collection of songs that are fun to listen to. In any case, some compilations actually have a story behind them, and even a band like Type-O Negative can’t escape the compilation phenomenon.
That’s right, it’s Type-O Negative once again! I recently took a look at the 10-year anniversary of their final album, Dead Again. It was a solemn record, and it seems like today’s review might follow suit. Released not long after the darkest album of their entire career, this collection of songs was reflective of perhaps the toughest time of the band. This compilation also happens to be a fine gem in the rough, even if some people can’t see it. So dim the lights, light a candle, and take a look at my review of Type-O Negative’s first compilation, The Least Worst Of. Enjoy!
Background
With World Coming Down still relatively recent, Pete Steele was not in a good state of mind. The memories of that album were still too fresh for his taste, and eventually would slip into a case of writer’s block mixed with drugs, depression, and alcohol. However, Roadrunner Records was knocking at Type-O Negative’s door for a new album, and while they weren’t in the mood to make anything new, they did manage to crank out a compilation album, and with their patented dry humor they named it.....The Least Worst Of.
Released on Halloween Day in 2000, The Least Worst Of was a collection of remixed tracks taken from all of their records (Except for The Origin of the Feces), along with a few special songs. Ironically, despite Pete’s ramblings & rumors that Roadrunner was interfering with the song selection, in truth the band actually had total control over what was to be put onto the album. Unfortunately, it was the lowest charting album in Type-O Negative’s history, as it landed at the 99th spot on the Billboard 200, which is probably why a lot of fans don’t talk about the compilation.
Basic Description
A good collection of songs if I do say so myself!
Despite my one gripe about this compilation (See “Worst Track” section for details), Pete Steele & the rest of the Drab Four did a damn fine job picking out the best songs to be place on The Least Worse Of. This compilation reflects the band’s current run really well, and while it might not have aged well in terms of the band’s history (More on this in the eventual review for their other compilation), at the same time it shows that when Type-O Negative was in the 90s, they were goth kings!
Best Track
Like I said back in my overview for Type-O Negative, if you’re searching for The Least Worst Of, you’re probably looking for it for the 3 tracks that were originally meant for World Coming Down. You can definitely tell they were meant for that record, given how depressive they are. While it is a shame that World Coming Down never got them, being placed on The Least Worst Of almost comes across as a WCD 2.0. The themes are also very apparent as well: It’s Never Enough seems to deal with god, 12 Black Rainbows deals with a bunch of darker subjects (non-sexual foreplay, relationship breakups, alcohol abuse, and heartache), and Stay Out Of My Dreams talks about the thoughts of a woman that can’t escape Pete Steele’s mind. That last track is my personal favorite off of The Least Worst Of, but overall, these 3 tracks are all excellent.
It’s Never Enough
12 Black Rainbows
Stay Out Of My Dreams
Worst Track
I also mentioned this back in the overview, the only bad track on The Least Worst Of would be the Wombs and Tombs mix of The Misinterpretation of Silence and Its Disastrous Consequences. The song itself was not remixed in any way, but instead it’s running time was cut right in half, and plays for only 39 seconds. This is an even bigger waste of time, despite it being a shorter track. Definitely a “Skip Button” of a song.
The Misinterpretation of Silence and Its Disastrous Consequences (Wombs and Tombs Mix)
Apart from that one track, the only other fault with this compilation is how disorganized it is. As much as I loathe The Best Of Type-O Negative, the one thing it does right is how organized it’s compilation of songs are. The Least Worst Of comes across as rather jumbled with it’s songs, and this jumbled nature doesn’t reflect the timeline of the songs in question. A silly complaint, but one that some listeners might make.
Other
If you’re interested in listening to this, check out the link below.
The Least Worst Of (Full Album)
Overall Impression & Rating
The Least Worst Of came out at a time where it’s frontman was at his lowest, and when a band seemed to be in trouble. At the sametime, Type-O Negative didn’t waver, and released some great music when it seemed like they couldn’t. It might take some searching, but if you’re a loyal fan of the Drab Four, then The Least Worst Of is for you!
The Least Worst Of gets a 9.5 out of 10.
And this marks part 1 of Compilation Month. I’m genuinely looking forward to the others I have planned for April, and they’ll be surprises for anyone who’s never heard of them! However, I do have something a little more serious for next week sometime. See you then!
**
For anyone wondering, the structure on the album cover is the iconic Parachute Jump ride at Coney Island. Here’s a link on it’s history:
Parachute Jump (Coney Island)
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