I completely understand what the original point of this compilation was, but what I’ve wondered for a long time is why it’s still in print, and why it was included with the rest of the re-masters in ‘Complete’. It seems pretty redundant when you also have the far superior ‘Louder than Bombs’. So, why is it still around? And, does anybody here still listen to it?
Great question.
Yes, it is
in retrospect redundant...
mainly to Americans. In Britain,
The World Won't Listen was a much more concise, post 1984 roundup of singles and b-sides...you didn't need the
Hatful of Hollow tracks; we did. Once
Louder Than Bombs became available where you guys are, yeah, I could see
The World Won't Listen seeming somewhat superfluous. But originally, it was a great idea.
It's got the alternate (and superior) take of
Stretch Out and Wait...it's got the single versions of
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side and
You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby.
It's got a better sleeve? Shit, I don't know.
I think it's included in the box set because it was a part of their original-run catalog. Very simple answer.