| Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994–2000 | |
| Type: | Greatest hits |
| Artist: | Powderfinger |
| Cover: | Fingerprints best of.jpg |
| Released: | 30 October 2004 (Australia) |
| Recorded: | Various |
| Genre: | Alternative rock |
| Label: | Universal Music Australia |
| Prev Title: | Vulture Street |
| Prev Year: | 2003 |
| Next Title: | Dream Days at the Hotel Existence |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994–2000 is a greatest hits album by Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger, released on 30 October 2004 in Australia.
The album contained tracks from Powderfinger's first four albums, as well as two previously unreleased songs, "Bless My Soul" and "Process This". "Bless My Soul" was also released as a single. On 17 February 2009, Fingerprints was released in the United States with an alternate track listing including more recent songs and discarding older songs to align with releases that had previously been released in the US. The album was released on the back of the band's success on the TV show Grey's Anatomy, which featured two songs from the album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence.
Prior to the release of Fingerprints, there was some talk of the idea that a best-of album would be a mistake by the band, as they were generally seen as the "end of an artist's creative haul". Australian Music Online, publishing a Universal Music Australia press release, said these fears were not justified, and that the album would be "a Powderfinger biography that really tells the story better than anyone can on paper".[1]
MTV Scene writer Craig Tangsley also commented on fears about the "death" of the band, stating that he spoke to Bernard Fanning about the band's death as "it's inevitable to talk when someone releases a best[-]of album". Fanning denied that the band was finished, instead claiming that Fingerprints was spawned due to a deal with the band's record label. He also assured readers that the band had another album planned.[2]
Ciao reviewer cocoklo agreed with Universal's assessment, stating that "If there ever was a band, in my opinion, that needed a greatest hits album, it's Powderfinger". However, he noted another issue which had some influence on the production of the album; namely, the issue of which songs to include. As the band had only released five albums, they were forced to mostly include the singles they had previously released.[3]
Throughout production stages, the album was not referred to as Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994–2000 but rather by its alternative title, From Heavy Metal to Centenary Medal. It is unknown when the band decided on the final title of the album.[4] [5]
Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994–2000 was released on 30 October 2004 in Australia, and it entered the ARIA charts on 14 November that year. It spent 17 weeks on the ARIA charts, peaking at #2 for one week.[6] The album was certified double platinum.[7] "Bless My Soul", the only single released from the album, failed to chart.[8] It did, however, appear on the Triple J Hottest 100 in 2004, at position #9. "Process This", which was not released as a single, appeared at #68 on the same list.[9]
Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994–2000 was received well by reviewers. Sputnikmusic contributor Nandrucu gave the album a perfect five, describing it as "perfect way to introduce you" to the band. New song "Bless My Soul" was seen in a positive light: "it has a great opening, with neat little guitar fills popping up all over the place". However, the Nandrucu disliked "Process This", stating the song had "a try-hard feel about it".[10]
Soulshine reviewer Dave Hardwick gave the album three stars, stating that "the cynic in me can't help asking whether that is the point", alluding to the overbearing presence of industry politics regarding the release of a best-of collection, and he complained that there was a lack of surprises in the choice of tracks. However, he agreed that the album was a good starting point for "those new to the band".[11]
Ciao reviewer cocoklo rated the album positively. The new songs on the album were praised, with the comment "both of which are stunning", and stating that none of the songs were disappointing. The review highly recommended the album, and again stated that it was an excellent introduction to the band. Fasterlouder.com.au commentator Elissa said the album contained an excellent selection of songs that represented "essence of the band from its signature melodies", adding that "Bless My Soul" was set "to become a Powderfinger favourite".[12]
Powderfinger did not include notable singles "Good-Day Ray", "The Metre", "Take Me In" or any single from their first album, Parables for Wooden Ears, instead including non-single fan favourites "Thrilloilogy", "Belter", and "Sink Low" in their place.
| Chart (2004) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart[13] | 29 | |
| Australian Artist Albums Chart[14] | 11 | |
| Chart (2005) | Position | |
| Australian Albums Chart[15] | 49 | |
| Australian Artist Albums Chart[16] | 15 |