Great Metal Albums of 1985: The Best of Hanoi Rocks

When I first discovered that Hanoi Rocks had released a greatest hits album in 1985, I nearly brushed it aside. I mean, how could it be a greatest hits album when “Up Around the Bend” wasn’t on it? That was the first Hanoi Rocks song I had ever heard and it was the springboard into further investigation of the band. Seeing them live in 1984 had a lot to do with it as well but they did play the CCR classic which got my attention that night. But it was that live performance which convinced me that I would be rather silly if I refused to buy an album because one song wasn’t on it.

In spite of the fact that “Up Around the Bend” gets left out, “The Best of Hanoi Rocks” includes three other tracks from that album, “Two Steps from the Move.” Great songs like the ballad,”Don’t You Ever Leave Me,” “Million Miles Away” and “Underwater Word” do appear on the album. “Back to Mystery City” has the title cut and the very entertaining “Malibu Beach Nightmare.” Knowing what I know now that I didn’t know then, these two albums were possibly the strongest in the Hanoi Rocks discography. Therefore getting them together on one album was a no brainer.

Listeners are treated to two live recordings on this best of album. At the time, I didn’t know what a huge song “Tragedy” was and it was only after hearing the studio version of said song that I got why they would have put a live recording of it here. The other live recording was also taken from the same album “Tragedy” appears on, the first album, “Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, “Hanoi Rocks.” “11th Street Kids” is also a cool tune, though I don’t hold it with the same esteem as I do “Tragedy.” Another if I knew that back then surprise comes in the form of “Taxi Driver,” which appears on the “Self Destruction Blues” album. It would be a long time before I discovered that the album was originally a collection of B-sides from 1981 and 82, good song though. Two of the remaining songs come from the “Oriental Beat” album and “Lost In the City” is the only non live track from the debut album. In conclusion, what you got is a full complement of the four years Hanoi Rocks was kicking ass with some cool metal.

Track Listing:

1. Two Steps From the Move
2. Don’t You Ever Leave Me
3. Malibu Beach Nightmare
4. Lost in the City
5. Motorvatin’
6. Underwater World
7. 11 Street Kids
8. Oriental Beat
9. Until I Get You
10. Back to Mystery City
11. Million Miles Away
12. Taxi Driver
13. Tragedy

Hanoi Rocks

Michael Monroe- lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone

Andy McCoy- lead guitar, backing vocals

Nasty Suicide- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Sam Yaffa- bass

Gyp Casino- drums on tracks 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13

Razzle- drums on tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11

A great thing about listening to “The Best of Hanoi Rocks” before the most of their other albums was that it got me to listen to those albums. While Hanoi Rocks never made the big time so to speak, they were loved by many metalheads, including me.

Next post: Helix- Long Way to Heaven

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