Scorpions - The Platinum Collection

It appears as though many metalheads lost track of the Scorpions after their whistle-heavy ballad, "Wind of Change," hit in 1991. But as fans who have faithfully stuck by the group's side will tell you, they have continued to issue new albums and tour on a regular basis since then. And while there have been quite a few Scorpions compilations issued over the years, none traced their career over a 30-year span from 1974's In Trance through 2004's Unbreakable. But all that changed with the arrival of 2006's three-disc overview, Platinum Collection. What you get is quite a lot of the expected fare -- some of arena rock's most foundation-shaking anthems ("Rock You Like a Hurricane," "Big City Nights"), as well as Bic-hoisting power ballads ("Still Loving You," the aforementioned "Wind of Change"). With 1984's Love at First Sting considered by many to be the group's high-water mark both artistically and commercially, this set can neatly be summed up as "before Love at First Sting" and "after Love at First Sting." This point certainly has evidence stacked in its favor here, as it appears as though the group was building momentum ("The Zoo," "Blackout") hit the jackpot, and then lost their way, as they favored more pop-based material over metallic muscle ("Believe in Love," "Send Me an Angel"). As a result, the Scorpions saw their stature as one of metal's leaders dwindle considerably, but have subsequently returned to their hard rocking roots ("Alien Nation") -- as well as experimenting with modern sounds ("Mysterious") and orchestras ("Here in My Heart"). Ultimately, although it consists of a trio of discs, Platinum Collection features far too much post-1984 material (a full disc and a half), and not nearly enough '70s selections, when the Scorpions were one darn vicious metal act (and the non-inclusion of such early classics as "Speedy's Coming" and "The Sails of Charon" is absolutely ridiculous). As a result, one of the many shorter -- yet more wisely assembled -- Scorpions collections would make a better purchase (such as 2006's Gold). ~ Greg Prato

Three CD set. The Platinum Collection is a veritable archive of hits, combining the band's greatest with all the old favorites for the very first time! With 52 million albums sold worldwide and over 4500 live concerts, the Scorpions are not just Germany's most successful Rock band, they are continental Europe's most successful group ever! This boxed set of three CD's contains the first representative summary of the Scorpions' unique career spanning four decades of Rock music history! A must-have for all rock fans, not to mention countless Scorpions fans! 48 tracks including the massive hits 'Rock You Like A Hurricane', 'Big City Nights', 'Still Loving You' and many more. EMI. 2006.

Audio Mixer: Ronald Prent.

Arrangers: Dieter Dierks; Scorpions; Matthias Jabs.
Platinum Collection CD DISC 1:
1. In Trance
2. Crying Days
3. Pictured Life
4. He's a Woman - She's a Man
5. Coast to Coast
6. Lovedrive
7. Is There Anybody out There?
8. Holiday
9. Another Piece of Meat
10. Make It Real
11. Zoo, The
12. Hey You
13. Blackout
14. Can't Live Without You
15. Now!
16. Dynamite
Platinum Collection Songs DISC 2:
1. No One Like You
2. Bad Boys Running Wild
3. Still Loving You
4. Big City Nights
5. Rock You Like a Hurricane
6. Coming Home
7. Rhythm of Love
8. Believe in Love
9. Passion Rules the Game
10. Can't Explain
11. Living for Tomorrow
12. Wind of Change
13. Send Me an Angel
14. Alien Nation
15. No Pain No Gain
16. Under the Same Sun
Platinum Collection Album DISC 3:
1. You and I
2. Does Anyone Know
3. Wild Child
4. Where the River Flows
5. Edge of Time
6. When You Came into My Life
7. Moment in a Million Years, A
8. 10 Light Years Away
9. Eye to Eye
10. Mysterious
11. Aleyah
12. Moment of Glory
13. Here in My Heart
14. When Love Kills Love
15. Deep and Dark
16. Remember the Good Times - (Rerro Garage Mix)