Filter – The Very Best Things (1995–2008) (Vinyl Edition Review)

The mid-90s saw Industrial Rock rise in popularity with broader audiences thanks to bands like Nine Inch Nails. Leading the way for others in the genre to find new followers, you also had acts like Stabbing Westward, Marilyn Manson, as well as Filter.

Looking at Filter more closely, they are a vision of Mr. Richard Patrick. Patrick, someone who has always marched to the beat of his own drum, was actually a touring guitarist for Nine Inch Nails between 1989 and 1993. Taking the initiative, Patrick bowed out of Nine Inch Nails and went to work on his own material. A bold move for someone who could have taken the safe path of remaining on tour with the very well-known Nine Inch Nails indefinitely, instead Patrick took the chance… building what we all now know as Filter.

So, how did the roll of the dice pan out for Patrick? Well, of course it has been a wild ride for him, filled with ups and downs, but in-all, Filter has been a creative monster with a list of hits all to their credit. In fact, between 1995 and 2008 the band achieved 7 top 50 Mainstream Rock hits; including chart leading favorites such as 1995’s “Hey Man Nice Shot,” before 1999’s “Welcome to the Fold” and “Take a Picture.” An inspiring tale of success, it was acknowledged boldly in 2009 with the release of a Filter greatest hits compilation entitled The Very Best Things (1995–2008). Initially released on March 31, 2009 through Rhino Records, the set included 14 tracks lasting over an hour; touching on all of Filter’s big hits, fan favorites, plus some non-album tracks. A great way to get your Filter fix in one neat package, to this point you could either pick it up on CD, stream it, but now you will be able to experience it on vinyl for the first time ever.

Made possible by Craft Recordings, this limited-edition vinyl release arrives exclusively on Record Store Day (April 20, 2024) and has plenty of intrigue to offer. Naturally including everything the original CD format included, what the vinyl edition offers is a rich sound pressed to Mercury Swirl colored wax. Rather cool to watch spin on your player, it is split into 2 LPs and has a lovely gatefold cover with credits to look over while you are indulging in the music. 

A nice presentation as a whole with attention paid to quality, if you happened to miss the compilation itself upon its initial release 15 years ago, it still remains a fulfilling collection… especially with the inclusion of the soundtrack cuts. However, it should be noted that for this compilation you get the single/radio edits of “Welcome to the Fold,” “Take a Picture,” and “Where Do We Go From Here.” Something that may throw off the more well-versed Filter fan, it is really not something to view as negative; because chances are you have the full-length editions with the original album versions anyway. All this in mind, it is great to see such a collection from Filter jump to vinyl, and Cryptic Rock gives this Record Store Day exclusive 5 out of 5 stars.