Simply put: The Police are the most accomplished and creative band of the late 1970s and early 1980s. At a time when punk rock was the musical movement, Sting wrote songs which were intricate and melodic. Each album that the Police released would build and expand on the previous album. This box set shows the evolution of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. By the time the Police disbanded in 1984, they were the most successful band in the world.
"In Your Honor" never received the recognition and praise it deserves. Most fans of the band will claim that "The Colour and the Shape" or possibly "Wasting Light" is their finest work. However, disc one of "In Your Honor" from beginning to end showcases Dave Grohl's strongest set of songs. Highlights include "Best of You", "Resolve" and "The Last Song". Both the music and the lyrics are exceptional.
Simply put: Eddie Van Halen is the greatest guitar player alive today. He creates unique, explosive, manic and swirling sounds which are unmatched by any other musician. On "1984", the finest songs are examples of this. Despite the lame lyrics in "Hot for Teacher", the song remains great because of the virtuoso guitar work. Other highlights include "Top Jimmy", "Drop Dead Legs", "Girl Gone Bad" and "House of Pain".
"Fair Warning" is a nearly perfect album of songs. The album contains four of the best songs Van Halen has ever written and performed: "Mean Streets", "Dirty Movies", "Sinner's Swing" and "Unchained".
"Van Halen 1" is simply the greatest hard rock album ever released. Highlights include "Eruption", "Ain't Talking about Love", "I'm the One" and "Atomic Punk".
On "Women and Children First", Van Halen stays true to what they do best: Create brilliant guitar-driven hard rock with scorching vocals. Highlights include "....And the Cradle Will Rock", "Everybody Wants Some", "Loss of Control" and "Take Your Whiskey Home".
Van Halen is at their best when they show their true passion for hard rock. On "A Different Kind of Truth", Eddie Van Halen writes a collection of songs which rival "Van Halen 1", "Women and Children First" and "Fair Warning". While David Lee Roth's vocals are not nearly as strong as they used to be, Roth can still write creative and clever lyrics and sign them in his signature style. Add Alex Van Halen's thunderous drumming and you have Van Halen firing on all cylinders. "A Different Kind of Truth" is one of Van Halen's best albums.
Most Cars fans will say that the first Cars album is the best Cars album. But Candy-O contained Ric Ocasek's best songwriting. "Let's Go", "It's All I Can Do", "The Dangerous Type" and "Candy-O" are all inspired classics. "Got a Lot on my Head" has the Cars firing on all cylinders.
Ric Ocasek had a real talent for writing well-constructed pop songs. This album proved that Ocasek could also write rock songs with an edge. "Strap Me In", "Double Trouble" and "Door-to-Door" are three hard rock masterpieces. In addition, "Everything You Say" is simply one of the best songs Ocasek has ever written. Elliot Easton remains one of the best and most underrated guitarists of all time.
After the huge critical success of Superunknown, Chris Cornell wisely chose to write a collection of songs that were similar to his prior work, but more musically diverse. Down on the Upside continues Cornell's journey with stronger melodies and a more accessible sound. While some of the songs don't hit the target, the majority of the songs work well.