2ND TO NONE
Elvis Presley
(RCA/BMG)
Last year, we incurred the wrath of the Elvis zealots when we had the nerve -- the nerve! -- to suggest Elvis: 30 #1 Hits might not be the Best Album Ever in the History of the Universe.
Our insane reasoning? The fact that it skipped big chunks of Presley's career and ignored great material for overplayed tunes everyone knows. Needless to say, the fanatics would have none of it -- but perhaps all the King's men heard our plea. Because here, 12 months later, is the inevitable sequel 2nd to None, a disc that addresses all our concerns.
Not only does this 30-cut set have chart-toppers missing from the first disc (like I Want You, I Need You, I Love You), it also offers a more intriguing romp through Elvis's catalogue.
You get early cuts like 1954's That's All Right. You get soundtrack fare like King Creole and Viva Las Vegas. You get overlooked gems like I Feel so Bad, Little Sister and Mean Woman Blues. You get later works like Kentucky Rain and Always on My Mind. You get that newly discovered version of I'm a Roustabout. And -- best of all -- you get that groovy Paul Oakenfold remix of the Change of Habit classic Rubberneckin'.
Put it all together and it's obvious that from a critical standpoint, 2nd to None earns its title -- even next to 30 #1 Hits.
Track Listing
1. That's All Right
2. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
3. Blue Suede Shoes
4. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
5. Love Me
6. Mean Woman Blues
7. Loving You
8. Treat Me Nice
9. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
10. King Creole
11. Trouble
12. I Got Stung
13. I Need Your Love Tonight
14. A Mess Of Blues
15. I Feel So Bad
16. Little Sister
17. Rock-A-Hula Baby
18. Bossa Nova Baby
19. Viva Las Vegas
20. If I Can Dream
21. Memories
22. Don't Cry Daddy
23. Kentucky Rain
24. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
25. An American Trilogy
26. Always On My Mind
27. Promised Land
28. Moody Blue
29. Bonus: I'm A Roustabout
30. Bonus: Rubberneckin' Remixed by Paul Oakenfold