Kylie Minogue commands one of the most consistent and objectively free-of-flaw catalogues of any pop star of all time.
It makes sense, then, that she continues to churn out compilations. Like, a lot of compilations. Like, over a dozen and counting since 1992.
But Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection, announced on Thursday (May 2) and out on June 28, is different. Why? Because it’s the definitive collection. (It’s right there in the name, you see.) But…is it?
Well, sort of. But not quite.
The 2-CD collection includes 41 of her best singles spread across over three decades, from the very beginning (“The Loco-Motion”) to the Golden Era (“Dancing”). But it’s still missing some crucial cuts – and some of the omissions are more glaring than others. Where’s “Chocolate”? “Finer Feelings”? “Giving You Up”? “Some Kind of Bliss”? “Did It Again”? Where’s the entire Kiss Me Once era? And most importantly of all: where’s “GBI (German Bold Italic)”?
Granted, it’s still a solid selection. Basically all of the crucial singles are here if we can remove the stan goggles for a moment. But the #Lover in me could easily sort this package into a 3 or 4-CD collection. Or a Girls Aloud singles box with a comprehensive collection of B-sides and remixes. And just think of all the deep cuts that need to be given more attention: “Love Affair” alone deserves a picture disc.
While an entire bonus disc of Anti Tour-ready rarities, demos and unreleased songs would have probably made this one a bit more enticing, the album instead features just one new song: “New York City.” I was lucky enough (lucky, lucky, lucky) to be in the same room with Kylie when she premiered the song live in, well, New York City a year ago. Watch it here.
There are about forty million different bundle options for Step Back In Time; the biggest of which includes a deluxe CD album, a double vinyl, a picture disc and an absurd amount of cassettes for $167.99. Dive in.
For newer fans, this is an excellent overview of an incredible career. This is pop precision, just as advertised.
For diehards, there’s…well, one new song? Which we’ve heard already? Honestly, there’s not a whole lot of incentive to buy this compilation. It’s solely for those who have to own all things Kylie. But I won’t complain too much more – I’m sure there’ll be an even more definitive collection soon enough. In Kylie, We Trust. In our bank accounts, we (maybe) go digging.
Check out the full track listing below…
CD1
1. CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD
2. SPINNING AROUND
3. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
4. DANCING
5. IN YOUR EYES
6. SLOW
7. ALL THE LOVERS
8. I BELIEVE IN YOU
9. IN MY ARMS
10. ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS
11. YOUR DISCO NEEDS YOU
12. PLEASE STAY
13. 2 HEARTS
14. BREATHE
15. RED BLOODED WOMAN
16. THE ONE
17. COME INTO MY WORLD
18. WOW
19. GET OUTTA MY WAY
20. TIMEBOMB
21. KIDS (WITH ROBBIE WILLIAMS)
22. STOP ME FROM FALLING
CD2
1. STEP BACK IN TIME
2. BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
3. HAND ON YOUR HEART
4. WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING
5. SHOCKED
6. ESPECIALLY FOR YOU (WITH JASON DONOVAN)
7. I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY
8. CELEBRATION
9. THE LOCO-MOTION
10. GIVE ME JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME
11. NEVER TOO LATE
12. GOT TO BE CERTAIN
13. TEARS ON MY PILLOW
14. JE NE SAIS PAS POURQUOI
15. WHAT KIND OF FOOL (HEARD ALL THAT BEFORE)
16. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
17. CONFIDE IN ME
18. PUT YOURSELF IN MY PLACE
19. WHERE THE WILD ROSES GROW (WITH NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS)
20. NEW YORK CITY (HIDDEN TRACK)
Step Back In Time: The Definitive Collection will be released on June 28. (iTunes)
