Search - Foreigner :: Jukebox Heroes: The Foreigner Anthology

Why do they always figure out new ways to rip us off?

birddogger5150 | Roseville, MN USA | 08/15/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Literally from the very first noises out of this CD it pisses you off. The version of "Feels Like The First Time" included here starts off with the synth bubbling underneath the guitar, instead of with just the lone guitar part eventually segueing into the synth/guitar part (which is a much better version). In addition, the song is SEVERELY edited. The second song, "Long Long Way From Home" is also the 45 version and not the full length album version. I have a feeling all of these are going to be that way. If you're a true Foreigner fan, you've already got everything on here. There's no previously unreleased tracks. You do get some nice solo tracks from Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, and a couple from Spooky Tooth (Mick's old band), but no rarities or anything like that. Just some slick packaging, remastering, and the requisite liner notes. If you're a casual fan, this is a good starting point. Overall, a good compilation, but I really wish they had full-length versions of these songs."

The Anthology For Casual Fans

Rachel Lai | London, Ontario Canada | 03/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a Foreigner purist, what are you doing with this 2-disc set? Put it back on the shelf and pick up all their digitally remastered albums instead. This isn't the collection for you.If you're someone who's new to the band, and wants only the hits, some truly excellent album tracks, and some superb solo material from band members, this is the one to get.Disc One contains most of the hits (including personal favourites "Feels Like The First Time", "Cold As Ice", "Hot Blooded", "Urgent", "Waiting For A Girl Like You", and "Juke Box Hero"), all presented in chronological order (I wish all compilations would do that), so you can clearly hear the band's musical and artistic progression. Very nice, but where's "Girl On The Moon" from 4? That is perhaps the only startling omission.One note: Only the first pressing had the two tracks from Spooky Tooth (the track listing Amazon provides); all subsequent pressings substitute "Night Life", another track from 4, in place of track 20, "All Sewn Up", which is bumped to track 21 ("Hoofer" is deleted entirely). Since the Spooky Tooth material didn't really appeal to me at all, this was a welcome change.Disc Two is not as strong as the first (to be expected), though it does feature the haunting "I Want To Know What Love Is" (their only #1 hit, sadly) and the rocking "Reaction To Action". I was very pleased to see some of Lou Gramm's and Mick Jones's solo material made it onto this disc, with "Midnight Blue" being the standout -- it's the perfect song for driving late at night. Many might not appreciate Foreigner's later material, but it still constitutes part of their history, and as such belongs on this set.As usual, Rhino's remastering job is impeccable. I found myself discovering new sonic elements in each song. The liner notes are also superb, but do not contain the updated track listing.Approximately 10 of the songs are in their single versions, which means they're edited (9 songs) or remixed (one song). Somehow, I wish Rhino had expanded this set to 3 discs to accomodate the full-length album versions, but this is acceptable."

Foreigner's best retrospective on disc(s)

R. Gorham | 08/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE BAND: Lou Gramm (lead vocals, percussion), Mick Jones (guitar, keyboards, bass, vocals), Dennis Elliott (drums), Ian McDonald (keyboards), Al Greenwood (keyboards), Ed Gagliardi (bass), Rick Wills (bass), Jeff Jacobs (keyboards on "Mr. Moonlight" only), Bruce Turgon (bass on "Mr. Moonlight" only), Johnny Edwards (vocals on "Unusual Heat" only).



THE DISCS: (2000) 39 tracks on 2 discs clocking in at approximately 154 total minutes (77:23 on disc-1, 76:13 on disc-2). Included with the discs is a 46-page booklet containing numerous band photos, extensive history of the band, all studio album cover artwork, song titles/credits, and what songs came from which albums. Label - Rhino.



ALBUM REPRESENTATION: "Foreigner" (6 songs), "Double Vision" (4), "Head Games" (4), "Four" (5), "Agent Provocateur" (5), "Inside Information" (4), "Unusual Heat" (1), "The Very Best...And Beyond" (1), "Mr. Moonlight" (2), Spooky Tooth (2), Lou Gramm solo (3), Mick Jones solo (2).



COMMENTS: "Anthology: Jukebox Heroes" is my pick of the bunch for best Foreigner compilation. You'll have several choices to make before settling on this one... "Complete Greatest Hits" (2002: 20 songs), "The Essentials" (2005: 12 songs), "The Very Best... And Beyond" (1992: 17 songs), "Records" (1982: 10 songs), and Rhino Records double dipping with a 2nd Foreigner compilation "The Definitive Collection" (2006: 30 songs). "Anthology" offers the most songs, as well as giving you a taste of the band before it became Foreigner (aka "Spooky Tooth"), as well as solo works from Lou Gramm and Mick Jones. The standards are ALL here - "Feels Like The First Time", "At War With The World", "Cold As Ice", "Long, Long Way From Home", "Hot Blooded", "Double Vision", "Head Games", "Rev On The Red Line", "Dirty White Boy", "I Want To Know What Love Is", "Urgent", "Break It Up", "Juke Box Hero", "Waiting For A Girl Like You", "That Was Yesterday", etc. As well as some choice deeper album cuts that had minor success - "Headknocker", "Starrider", "Blue Morning, Blue Day", "Women", "Night Life", and "Heart Turns To Stone". All compilations will have minor things wrong (and this "Anthology" is no exception). Here's my opinion on the faults - 1. too many edited or remixed songs (ten); 2. questionable tracks included like "Luanne", "Street Thunder", a total of six songs from Spooky Tooth, Mick Jones solo, Lou Gramm solo (one from each would have been my choice); 3. questionable omissions - no "Spellbinder", "Seventeen", "Love Has Taken Its Toll", "Lonely Children", "Blinded By Science" or "Girl On The Moon"; and 4. five (a few too many) tracks from "Agent Provocateur". Ultimately, the faults are minor. And, with the massive booklet that comes with the disc and it's 39 tracks, this "Anthology" is hands down the most complete retrospective of Foreigner... period (5 stars).

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