I am a huge fan of Gomez. The first 2 albums are classics and are completely overlooked. I can't believe that this album is getting such good reviews. Buena Vista is the only song which is at the level of Bring it on or Liquid Skin. These are almost all songs that they didn't think were good enough to put on the first 2 albums but they had enough of them to make some money. I am sure that there next studio album will be another masterpiece but, this one is far from the best Gomez.

if only to hear buena vista alone, it is worth it to pick this album up. i would give it 5 stars, but i need to be realistic in that, sure, this album is meant for the fans in particular. the other reviewers who say they are "the hugest" fans and loved the first two albums but can't get a feel for this one... well, they really aren't such fans as they say, and that's all.

so obviously you need more reasons than just buena vista to buy this, cuz you're skeptical enough to be reading this. ok, then listen for waster, flavors, getting better, bring your lovin back here, touchin' up, and machismo.

and rosemary. simply amazing. the atmosphere that this song creates is simply astounding. each note sinks deep into your veins, and penetrates your senses.

so buy it.

I don't agree with the reviewer above (or is it below? How are these reviews listed? In chronological order? whatever...) who finds only a couple of gems on this release. There's easily half an LP worth of great stuff in here, especially the super groovy "Flavors." I also don't fault the band for not putting every import B-side on this thing. Those of us who shelled out big bucks for the original import singles are happy not to be asked to buy them all again just so we can also have a few "never before released" cuts (although in buying this release I did end up re-purchasing the appended, previously released 5-cut "Machismo" EP, dammit).

On the other hand, there *is* a fair amount of self-indulgent noodling on this thing, so unless you're a completist Gomez fanboy like myself, you might want to start with "Bring It On" or "Liquid Skin." And before you purchase any Gomez recordings, really, I suggest you get quite stoned and see the band live. THEN and only then will you understand...

What happened? Where's "Pick up the Pieces", "The Best In The Town",and the turbo version of "Whippin' Piccadilly", these are the real B-sides that Gomez fans need to hear (not two pointless versions of "Sh--bag"). Although, this disc isn't completely lost, "Buena Vista" and "Bring your Lovin' Back Here" are excellent tracks that truly exhibit SOME of Gomez's hidden treasures, but certainly not all of it. Gomez could have had it's third straight classic, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.

This album is surely one to remember. A scrapbook of unreleased tracks "Abandoned Shopping Trolley Hotline" is musically indirect, drifty and spacey. It entraps your mind and holds on the whole way through. Gomez in the raw is delivered here, giving a true sense of what they put into their music. it's avant garde rock, that discomforts the unexperienced listener but as with all worthwhile things is an aquired taste. The album includes the machismo e.p.; a five song addition with more purposely orchestrated tracks. a fine cut, the rocker "Waster" and the stoned "Dajon Song" stick out. Overall this release is an outstanding one, that should please any Gomez fan, and for newcomers think Radiohead + Miles Davis + the Beatles and you might start to get a feel for Gomez and their music.