Retrospective 1963-1974

Before this, there had not been a new compilation since 1990, when issued the single disc, 12-track in the wake of 's excellent, exhaustive 1989 double-disc, 32-track set . The 2005 compilation falls between those two extremes. While not digging as deep as , it contains all 12 songs on and adds another eight cuts, including 's 1968 solo single Although the disc might have been better served by a strict chronological sequencing -- after opening with it jumps all over the place -- this nevertheless contains all of the big hits, all in great sound, and has enough of their lesser-known material to illustrate that were more than just the pair who sang such oldies staples as and remains the definitive word on the duo, but for listeners who don't want an exhaustive collection (or shell out the money for that out-of-print collection) yet want a little bit more than the hits, this is the perfect choice. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine