The Best Of - BREAD*****

Make It With You/Too Much Love/If/Let Your Love Go/Everything I Own/Been Too Long On The Road/Baby I'm A Want You/Down On My Knees/It Don't Matter To Me/Mother Freedom/Look What You've Done/Truckin'

Bread were the most popular American soft rock group in the early 1970s thanks to the songwriting talents of David Gates. This compilation omits some later hits. (US:2 UK:7)

“Bread were the pinnacle of soft rock during the early seventies with vocalist David Gates writing a series of ballads comparable to The Carpenters at their best. This compilation includes all of those on side one, whilst side two, more countrified and rocky contains the more obscure tracks and is all the better for it.”

“Pure pop with perfect vocals from David Gates. Their five or six best songs are masterful displays of harmony, song-structure and arrangement.”

“This band wrote the book on soft rock. This compilation mainly sticks to what they did best, as the title suggests. A few rockers are included but there are few surprises. Recommended for any fan of soft rock but less so for the general listener.”

“Bread's sound as well as their lyrics were rather sweet, but so what? They were love songs that work a bit better when they generally are sweet.”

“The music of Bread is simply some of the most meaningful pop music ever, that touched the hearts of so many people.”

“They were decent songwriters who knew that a good hook is the key to great pop music. They knew how to get under the listener's skin with their skilful melodies and these tracks have a definite resiliency that elevates them above mere pop fluff.”

“The beautiful secret of Bread is simplicity and sincerity. The instrumental accompaniment is kept to a minimum, which lends the music a simple, accessible folk sound and emphasizes the beautiful voice of David Gates.”

“Bread were probably one of the most underrated bands of all time. They certainly did not get the recognition they deserved. David Gates is a very talented singer, songwriter and musician. Their music is very light, mellow and can bring back fond memories.”