Greatest Hits

The Psychelic Furs: Richard Butler (vocals); John Ashton, Roger Morris, Marty Williamson (guitar); Mars Williams, Duncan Kilburn (saxophone); Jon Carin, Joe McGinty (keyboards); Tim Butler (bass); Vine Ely, Keith Forsey, Tommy Price (drums, percussion); Paul Garisto (drums); Steve Scales, Don Yellech (percussion).
Additional personnel: Ann Sheldon (cello); Todd Rundgren (saxophone, keyboards); Don Adams, Gary Windo (horns); Ed Buller (keyboards); Frank Simms (background vocals).
Producers: Steve Lillywhite, Ian Taylor, Todd Rundgren, Keith Forsey, Chris Kimsey.
Compilation producers: Bruce Dickinson, Tim Butler.
Recorded between 1980 and 1991. Includes liner notes by Paul Lester.
Digitally remastered by Mark Wilder (2001 Sony Music Studios).
This compilation gives a career overview for the Furs within a single-disc framework. It should, since the songs were hand-picked by bandleaders Richard and Tim Butler. Focusing on the "hits" aspect, the band's edgy, post-punk debut gets short shrift, represented only by the moody, Bowie-ish "Sister Europe." The more expansive but equally angular TALK TALK TALK gives three classic cuts (though "Mr. Jones" is presented here in the slightly different single version).
The Furs got poppier on the Todd Rundgren-produced FOREVER NOW, which is represented by three cuts. According to the scheme of this collection, the band's biggest pop success (MIRROR MOVES) receives the most attention, and its tunes (including "Heaven" and "Heartbeat") show the Furs' mixture of grit and polish at its most alluring. Those wishing to dig deeper should seek out the two-disc SHOULD GOD FORGET, but first-timers will find that this collection works quite nicely.