NTD Greatest Hits albums

[GL]

Something I've been thinking of, when going through my CD collection:

Do you guys buy band's greatest hits CDs at all before a groups regular album?

I know there's a few groups that decide to release additional material on a greatest hits CD (cover songs, unreleased B-sides, live songs, demos, etc) but a lot of times, by just having the collection contain the songs and nothing else ruins the experience a little.

So, what do you guys do?

[HNT]

I rarely buy greatest hits albums. I am a bit f a purist and like to hear full albums in the original form that the band intended. If I buy a greatest hits album it is usually because I only wanted one song or something like that

[Canetoad]

I don't mind them ocassionally, though I couldn't tell you the last one I bought or how long ago. In terms of that sort of 'greatest hits' collects I far prefer to pick up live albums (stuff like Maiden's Rock in Rio, AC/DC Live at Donington ertc etc)

[7]

Being quite a big fan of Morrissey's, I must say that I am increasingly disappointed with his releasing of compilations.

Morrissey has nine solo studio albums. Morrissey has nine compilation albums.

I know that, at least with Morrissey, this is the result of his frequent label changing and contract signing due to his, I would imagine, stubborn personality . . . but still, it seems to me that compilations are almost never called for and necessary. A blatant money grab.

The only compilation albums I enjoy and find purpose in their existence are compilations of classical works.

[HNT]

Yeah, Morrissey's are just over the top. I will say, though, that a handful of those studio albums are not exactly the best, so there could be some value in getting just the highlights of the weaker albums without all of the lesser works. Then again, Morrissey is not an artist that I would accuse of outting a lot of filler on his albums. Even when a song of his doesn't work it is usually just becase the idea didn't fully flesh out, and those can be worth hearing too

[The Walking Dude]

I will buy a greatest hits if i have heard one or two songs that i like,and am interested enough to hear more,if I like enough i seek out the albums with the songs I like the most first.