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The Alan Parsons Project's *The Definitive Collection* CD (Arista, 1997) receives strong praise in reviews as the top greatest hits compilation, particularly for its remastered sound quality and comprehensive track selection, though community discussions offer limited direct user feedback on the physical product.
### Sound Quality
Reviews highlight the remastering as a standout feature, breathing "new, vibrant life" into early tracks like "Don't Let It Show" and "Damned If I Do," which were originally limited by 1970s technology. The production is described as exceptionally well-produced overall, true to Alan Parsons' engineering reputation. One critic calls much of the Project's music "dull 'engineer-music,'" suggesting polished but uninspired sound to some ears.
### Build Quality and Reliability
No specific user reviews or discussions mention the CD's physical build quality, such as disc durability, packaging, or longevity. As a 1997 Arista release with 34 tracks, it lacks comments on replication issues common in budget compilations.
### Strengths
- Best single CD choice: Labeled the only worthwhile APP collection amid many inferior ones; chronological order traces evolution from prog-rock to 1980s hits and solo work.
- Comprehensive and value-packed: 34 tracks from *Tales of Mystery and Imagination* to *Try Anything Once*, including hidden gems like "If I Could Change Your Mind" and "The Eagle Will Rise Again."
- Encourages deeper exploration of the band's catalog.
### Weaknesses
- Represents broader criticisms of APP: Some tracks lean toward disco-pop rather than progressive rock, feeling like generic "engineer-music."
- No mentions of audio glitches, skips, or mastering flaws in available sources.
### Overall Reputation
Positioned as an excellent, definitive summary of the band's career, far superior to other compilations—reviewers urge avoiding alternatives. Audiophile forums affirm Parsons' production prowess but focus more on original albums than this CD. User reviews are sparse in results, with reputation driven by one enthusiastic professional critique; no widespread community consensus on the physical CD emerges.
English (US)