Amazon.co.uk Review
For those who spent the whole of the 1970s actually living on the dark side of the moon rather than listening to it,
A Collection of Great Dance Songs offers an opportunity to hear some of the most timeless, thoughtful and influential rock music ever made by rich, bitter Englishmen. The album's title certainly seems less deceptive now, considering just how much of the Floyds' instrumental ambience eventually seeped into the techno and dance scenes of the 90s. Initially released during one of those yawning epochs between studio albums (namely
The Wall and
The Final Cut) this "Best Of " cherry-picks from Pink Floyd's 1970s material--from an era when the band (and they were a band in those days) bestrode the stadiums of the world like light-show Leviathans and sold records by the nation-load--and is only undermined by the omission of such sprawling masterpieces as "Echoes" and "Atom Heart Mother" (such were the time limitations of the old vinyl format). Never mind the dance floor, this a great portable Pink Floyd collection for car journeys, long ones mind. --
Kevin Maidment
Description
Tongue-in-cheek title aside, this short-but-sweet compilation makes a convincing case for latter-day Pink Floyd as solid students of rock-pop songcraft. Their reputation as space cadets and (in the very early days) acid heads is a million miles away from the expertly crafted, melodic accessibility of the Pink Floyd presented here. Sure, they were sonic explorers, but first and foremost they were a crowd-pleasing rock band (whether they liked it or not). From the longing ode to Syd Barrett "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" to the forceful social commentary of "Sheep" and "Another Brick In The Wall", the band shows off their compositional chops over and above their considerable instrumental facility. As a nod to the present, there's even a remix of the classic "Money", with aslightly more forceful rhythmic slant added.