What makes Ciao! Best of Lush by Lush notable?

This compilation highlights Lush's critical acclaim, featuring songs that received extensive airplay on alternative radio stations and solidifying their influence on the Britpop scene. Ciao! peaked at number 29 on the UK Albums Chart, reflecting the band's enduring legacy despite their breakup. Released in 2001, Ciao! Best of Lush serves as a retrospective compilation following Lush's disbandment in 1998. It captures their evolution from early shoegaze influences to more polished pop sounds, showcasing their significant contributions to the genre during the '90s.

Who is Ciao! Best of Lush for?

Ciao! Best of Lush works well if you're into shimmering melodies for daydreaming, introspective moments of reflection and dynamic flow with emotional peaks.

How many songs are on Ciao! Best of Lush?

Ciao! Best of Lush has 18 tracks, running approximately 72 minutes.

Ciao! Best of Lush

Lush · 2001

72 min · 18 tracks · rock music

Ethereal melodies and shimmering guitars merge with introspective lyrics, embodying the dream-pop essence of the ’90s.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ladykillers — This track features a driving rhythm and catchy hooks, encapsulating Lush's transition to a more accessible sound while retaining their distinct dreamy aesthetic.
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Sweetness and Light — With its lush instrumentation and vibrant energy, this song embodies the quintessential Lush sound, combining ethereal vocals with jangly guitars that characterize their best work.
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Ciao! — The title track encapsulates the thematic essence of the album, blending wistful reflections with an infectious chorus that resonates with listeners long after the song ends.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 6% of albums we've rated

The compilation showcases Lush's evolution but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.

What we noticed

Several songs utilize layered guitar effects and ethereal vocals, characteristic of the dream-pop genre.
The sequencing includes a gradual build-up in intensity, with the first half featuring more energetic tracks before transitioning to softer, reflective songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

shimmering melodies for daydreaming
introspective moments of reflection
dynamic flow with emotional peaks
for leisurely afternoons
catchy hooks for sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

prefer immediate gratification
seek only standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Starting Point — A career-spanning compilation offers newcomers an overview of Lush's shifts from shoegaze toward polished pop.
Career context: Released in 2001, Ciao! Best of Lush serves as a retrospective compilation following Lush's disbandment in 1998. It captures their evolution from early shoegaze influences to more polished pop sounds, showcasing their significant contributions to the genre during the '90s.
Stylistic neighbors: Ride· Slowdive· My Bloody Valentine