Scorpions - Classic Bites (2002) CD-Rip

Few rock bands remaining from the '70s or '80s era can still whip an arena full of metalheads into a frenzy like the Scorpions can (or still have as loyal a following, as well). This may explain why multitudinousScorps collections, anthologies, and live sets have reared their heads throughout the '90s and the early 21st century, long after the group had reached its commercial peak worldwide. One such compilation, the 2002 Euro import Classic Bites, possesses quite a misleading title, since it focuses entirely on their early-'90s period (the albums Crazy World and Face the Heat) and nothing earlier. Included is the Scorpions' last mega-hit single, the power ballad "Wind of Change" (a tribute to the falling of the Berlin Wall), as well as the anthemic rockers "Crazy World," "No Pain No Gain," and "Tease Me Please Me." Interestingly, while most veteran arena rock bands were distancing themselves from the '80s-era bombastic production popularized in the wake of Nirvana/alt-rock, the Scorpions continued to embrace the sound well into the '90s. You get the feeling that this 17-track collection is meant as a companion to 1989's Best of Rockers 'n' Ballads, but by only focusing on the aforementioned two subsequent albums, Classic Bites falls very short. For a much more thorough collection, go with 2002's superior Bad for Good: The Very Best of the Scorpions.