Bear Family
2001
The Singles 1965-1969
About This Album
Comprising both sides of a dozen 1965-1969 singles, plus four previously unreleased alternates and outtakes, this is about as close to a best-of as exists on this German band. It's not perfect, of course. There's nothing from numerous 1963-1965 singles that precede the time covered by this disc, and there were plenty of LP tracks that aren't sampled. It still does a reasonable job of scanning their progress from a heavily British R&B/beat-influenced band to a soul-rock one with some mild psychedelic/progressive aspects. Always singing in English on the tunes contained in this anthology, the Rattles were considerably above the average by the standards of German '60s rock bands, yet unremarkable when compared to the global competition. They played with a taut raucousness, yet their original material was only competent, and the tracks on which they opted for gravel-soul lead vocals can be unpleasant. They were at their best when they played in a sub-Mersey/British R&B style, as on "(Stopping In) Las Vegas," the exuberant 1965 single that's the best selection here. Particularly around 1967, however, they had an overwrought soul-rock bent, obviously influenced by (but much inferior to) the Righteous Brothers and the Walker Brothers. Ultimately it's a curiosity, their sound and vision leaning toward a moody tension that's not too well articulated or moving, and pretty derivative of British and American rock trends. It's accompanied by a big booklet of liner notes (entirely in German) and pictures. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 and 21)

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