Is The Very Best Things a good place to start with Filter?

Yes, The Very Best Things is recommended as a starting point for new Filter listeners. A gritty blend of industrial rock anthems and introspective ballads, driven by raw emotion and heavy guitar riffs. Released in 2009, The Very Best Things is a compilation album that showcases Filter's most significant tracks from their early career, including hits from their debut album Short Bus and the follow-up, Title of Record. At this point, the band had already established themselves in the industrial rock genre but faced lineup changes and evolving sound with each subsequent release.

Who is The Very Best Things for?

The Very Best Things works well if you're into dynamic peaks and valleys, gritty introspection and energy and for late-night drives.

How many songs are on The Very Best Things?

The Very Best Things has 14 tracks, running approximately 65 minutes.

The Very Best Things

Filter · 2009

65 min · 14 tracks · industrial rock

A gritty blend of industrial rock anthems and introspective ballads, driven by raw emotion and heavy guitar riffs.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Hey Man Nice Shot Start here — This track encapsulates Filter's signature sound with its haunting lyrics and powerful instrumentation, serving as an anthem of defiance against societal pressures.
→
Take a Picture (radio edit) — As one of Filter's biggest hits, this song combines introspective lyrics with a catchy chorus, highlighting the band's ability to merge emotional depth with radio-friendly appeal.
→
(Can’t You) Trip Like I Do — Featuring a collaboration with The Crystal Method, this track is emblematic of the band’s exploration into electronic influences while maintaining their rock roots, showcasing their versatility.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

44 /100

Lowland

Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

The compilation showcases Filter's notable tracks but lacks cohesive flow due to its mixed nature.

What we noticed

Tracks like 'Hey Man Nice Shot' and 'Take a Picture' are positioned early in the tracklist, establishing a strong opening.
The last three tracks shift towards a more introspective tone, creating a noticeable contrast with the earlier anthems.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 5/10
Durability 25% of the score: 4/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 3/10

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

dynamic peaks and valleys
gritty introspection and energy
for late-night drives
engaging sing-alongs with friends

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
avoid lengthy, cohesive journeys

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Starting Point — Compilation of key tracks makes it accessible for new listeners.
Themes: societal pressures· industrial alienation
Career context: Released in 2009, The Very Best Things is a compilation album that showcases Filter's most significant tracks from their early career, including hits from their debut album Short Bus and the follow-up, Title of Record. At this point, the band had already established themselves in the industrial rock genre but faced lineup changes and evolving sound with each subsequent release.
Stylistic neighbors: Nine Inch Nails· Ministry· Stabbing Westward