Album Comparisons: Aerosmith's Greatest Hits

A sampler disc of Aerosmith's earlier work, this first of multiple "greatest hits" compilations for the band was originally released in 1980 on vinyl LP, 8 track, and cassette. As an introduction to the group's first decade, it serves as more of a teaser than an essential collection, given the presence of multiple significantly edited and shortened versions of numerous classic tracks. The most glaring of these are the version of "Sweet Emotion," which lacks the definitive long intro, and the alternate version of "Same Old Song and Dance," which features changed lyrics and some major edits. The compilation's first compact disc release occurred in 1986, with a follow up remastered version replacing it in 1993. Which is the better version?

Dream On

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

Same Old Song and Dance [single version]

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

Sweet Emotion [single version]

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

Walk This Way [edited verison]

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

Last Child

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

Back in the Saddle

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

Draw the Line

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

Kings and Queens [single version]

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

Come Together

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

Remember (Walking in the Sand)

1986 original CD release

1993 CD remaster

And the winner is: 1993 remastered release. This is one of the clearest examples of an improved CD re-release. The 1993 version beats the 1986 disc in every meaningful way, boasting a markedly cleaner, richer, and more vibrant sound; a superior print job and and interior notes for the inserts; and a sonically far superior transfer from better source materials. The earlier disc sounds multiple generations removed from the original master recordings, while the later one benefits from a top notch 20-bit mastering job from the original master tapes, released at a time when "remastered" didn't mean brickwalled. Both versions are fairly common in the second hand market (as is a later, expanded 1997 release), so hold out until you come across the re-release.

Aerosmith concert ticket, October 3, 1994