Back in January, I pre-ordered what was called The Scorpions' new album. Calling it a new album was quite a joke. It is, in fact, yet another compilation album. Calling it a pre-order was a joke as well. The album has been available in Hong Kong since September. At the time of my order I was not really certain that I wanted this collection. There are only five songs on it that I don't already own on at least one other album. But, hey, the guys need a bit more of my money...right? How could I possibly deprive them?
Who could deprive faces like these?
This morning my brand new copy of The Platinum Collection arrived in my mailbox (from Australia. God only knows if or when this album will be released in the US). I was excited. My excitement was short lived.Upon opening the package, I discover that the jewel case is mangled. I can barely open it to get to the three CDs which are inside. Fortunately the CDs are unharmed.
My next disappointment comes when I discover that this boxed set contains no added extras; no bio, no photos large enough to be seen without a magnifying glass, no lyric sheet...
I was further disappointed by those five songs that I didn't already have, all of them from the pre-Matthias days of the band. I am sorry to say that neither Uli Jon Roth nor Michael Schenker can hold a candle to Mati's style. The band just wasn't as good without him. I was particularly disappointed by the studio version of In Trance. The live (1995) version is incredible. The studio version just sort of falls flat. What is the point of having Kaus make all of those delightful orgasmic sounds if you're going to muff up his vocals?
Overall, I'd reccommend this "new album" only to those who don't own very much of the band's other material. It is quite the definitive collection, although IMHO one of their very best songs was omitted, Du Bist So Schmutzig. Why they left out this song is beyond my comprehension!
I own this album because I'm a die hard fan. I suppose that knowing what I do now, I would probably still have bought it, but was it worth the price I paid for it? Quite honestly, I can say no.
Do us all a favor, guys, and go into the studio and record some new material. Quit rehashing the old stuff. Klaus sounds better now than he ever did when he was young. Matthias outshines both of his predecessors on guitar. Pawel deserves a chance to really be heard. In short, you are better now than ever before. Go out and flaunt it!
