The Best Of (James album)

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Q

The Best Of is the first of four compilation albums by British band James (the second album is B-Sides Ultra).

Track listing

1. "Come Home (Flood mix)"
2. "Sit Down" June 1989
3. "She's a Star" 1997
4. "Laid" October 1993
5. "Waltzing Along (single version)"
6. "Say Something"
7. "Born of Frustration"
8. "Tomorrow"
9. "Destiny Calling"
10. "Out to Get You"
11. "Runaground"
12. "Lose Control"
13. "Sometimes"
14. "How Was It for You?"
15. "Seven"
16. "Sound"
17. "Ring the Bells"
18. "Hymn from a Village"

A limited edition version contains a second CD of live material, recorded at Whitfield St Studios in London on 21 January 1998:

1. "Runaground (live/bonus track)"
2. "Ring the Bells (live/bonus track)"
3. "Out to Get You (live/bonus track)"
4. "Johnny Yen (live/bonus track)"
5. "Lose Control (live/bonus track)"
6. "Laid (live/bonus track)"
7. "Sound (live/bonus track)"

Reception

"They're as stubborn (another admirable James trait) as disenfranchised mules; their audience is not growing (Whiplash sold 150,000) and they've influenced precisely nobody," observed Q's John Aizlewood, "but every track here – including new songs 'Runaground' and 'Destiny Calling, which unveil the mature James: "Tell us when our time is up/Show us how to die well/Show us how to let it all go" – bristles with inspiration."

Preceded by Let's Talk About Love by Celine Dion

UK number one album 4 April 1998 – 10 April 1998

Succeeded by This Is Hardcore by Pulp