TYPE O NEGATIVE THE LEAST WORST OF COMPILATION ROADRUNNER ARCADE RELEASE: OCTOBER 31, 2000 REVIEW: NOVEMBER 24, 2000

Type O Negative are the Bon Jovi of goth metal. And no matter how hideous that sounds, it's exactly what saves the band. Because when they allow themselves to revel in diabolic darkness and depravity in tune-deprived eight minute songs, they're almost unbearably boring. But when they make tongue in cheek goth rock, with choruses so purely arena rock they could have had "Classic Rock" stamped across the forehead, they're simply brilliant.
Some of those moments are captured on this spot-on entitled compilation: "Everyone I Know Is Dead", "Christian Woman", "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend", and the irresistibly over the top "Black No. 1". They are all so great examples of Type O Negative's charming qualities it almost makes you forget how dull the other songs are. Although the early, hilariously titled, track "Unsuccessfully Coping with the Natural Beauty of Infidelity" is so utterly crappy it's almost good.

KRISTOFFER NOHEDEN