Customer Reviews

Flashback - Best of 38 Special

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a rare case of a compilation that is worthwhile and pleasant to listen.

The tunes were well chosen, the tracks flow like if they belonged to the same studio album.

As a band, 38 Special were really gifted songwriters.

You know all these songs, but may not know it was 38 special that did them. The music is pure rockin 80's radio friendly music where each song is a story of life. Double drum sets, and double lead guitars gave the music its beat and fire. How about Like No Other Night which starts -

I was feelin like a prisoner inside myself, I saw you,

looking like you might be in the mode to try anything that was new.

This music is fun and family friendly from a completely different era than today.

38 special, led by donnie van Zandt brother of Ronnie and Johnny of Skynyrd, were more pop than southern rock like Skynyrd and Allman's. The comp. is ok for the price, but I'm sure there are better ones out there. Has some tracks that are live instead of in there best form.

FLASHBACK is a great compilation from .38 Special. It's not as great as ANTHOLOGY or the new CD anthology, but it's still a 5-star record. However, it does what any good compilation will do- it makes you want to get the original albums.

.38 Special was one of the greatest rock bands of the seventies and the eighties, but these days they have become forgotten. Why? THESE GUYS ARE A GREAT BAND! The mere fact that their music has become forgotten fills me with rage, because it's about a thousand times better than the junk that gets radioplay these days. This is probably their best known hits compilation. Read on for my review.

PROS:
-If you're the casual fan of the band, it's doubtful this compilation will fail to please you, because all of the major hits (Hold On Loosely, Caught Up In You, Rockin' Into The Night, etc.) can all be found here.
-A plethora of underrated masterpieces can also be found here, which explore a number of rock styles. It's about time they put Back To Paradise on one of their hits compilations!
-This is an affordable compilation.
-Most major retailers of compact discs carry this compilation, so you shouldn't have to look to hard for it.

CONS:
-It doesn't fill the CD to the eighty minute time limit. Any non-budget priced hits compilation should ALWAYS fill the time limit.
-Songs aren't in their original release order. Why do hits compilations have to do this to us?

OVERALL:
Despite my complaints, this is an excellent hits package. If you're a casual fan of the band, then I suggest picking this up. This, my friends, is REAL rock and roll, not the junk that's been flooding the mainstream in recent years.

.38 Special took up the mantle of those fallen southern rock heros Lynyrd Skynyrd and turned it inot a radio ready formula that was unavoidable on the airwaves in the early 1980s. That didn't mean that they weren't capable of writing a catchy hook or two, as songs like "Hold On Loosely," "Caught Up in You," and "Rockin' Into the Night" show. The problem with this band can be summed up with the song "Wild Eyed Southern Boys," another hummable tune that, despite its title, is about as threatening as a AMC Gremlin. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a single disc to rekindle some of that early 80s nostalgia, this disc has about as much .38 Special as you need. It beats listening to Duran Duran anyday.

This "greatest hits" is a mere rehash of music from what is a mediocre band. There are four throw away live tracks coupled with a series of mundane "hits". The two greatest songs recorded by this band, "You Keep Runnin' Away" and "Chain Lightnin'" are neglected. If you are interested in potential, check out their "Special Forces" CD. It is shame that what passes for "greatest hits" is yet another mere attempt at making money. You'll find yourself quickly bored with "Flashback" and will be flashing back to the money you wish you still owned.

This is a good c.d., mainly because "Back to Paradise" was in Revenge of the Nerds 2: Nerds in Paradise. It was in the opening scene and the scene where Booger goes "Let's get funky". That was awesome.

38 Special is probably the best SOUTHERN ROCK band that came out of the late 70's-80's. Their hard driving vocals and guitars on all their songs is unmistakable. They have a unique sound, unlike other so called Southern Rock Bands, they seem less REDNECK, there, I said it.... Anyway, their songs have been on many movie sountracks. Remember Spring Break, Teachers, and other 80's movies? I highly recommend this recording. Its just good time, feel good music, the way it should be....

Flashback is a masterly collection of 38 Special one of the greatest arena rock bands of 80s. Although they have only two top 10 hits(Caught Up In You-#10 in 1982, Second Chance-#6 in 1990), they are remembered by great hit tracks such as Like No Other Night, If I'd Been The One, or as the greatest live band on earth. So the choice of four live tracks for this compilation doesn't surprise me. All greatest hits with the exception of Second Chance in their 1990 album Rock'n Roll Strategy are there. Since "Rock'n Roll Strategy" release,they have been still rocking with two studio albums, Bone Against Steel in 1991 and Resolution in 1997, one live album "Live From Sturgis" in 2000. They are to release new studio album later this year. I can't wait for another shot of their fully charged rock'n roll gun.