Greatest Hits

Limited German reissue of 1990 'Best Of' compilation for the female pop-rock quartet, pressed onto a gold disc. 14 tracks including, 'Eternal Flame, 'Hazy Shade of Winter', 'ManicMonday', 'If She Knew What She Wants' and 'Walking Down Your Street'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case housed in a slipcase.

The Bangles' transformation from Merseybeat and garage-smart guitar band to near-definitive example of buffed-and-polished corporate popsters is one of the great rock mysteries of the '80s. What was up with that video for "Walk Like an Egyptian," anyway? Greatest Hits puts it all in perspective, tracing the curve from the post-Beatles group sneer of "Hero Takes a Fall" to the deadly earnest Susanna Hoffs showcase of "Eternal Flame." Shortly after that ballad hit No. 1, the group split. Now unfairly remembered as little more than space fillers on turn-of-the-decade airwaves, the Bangles here make a good case for their spirit, their own songwriting gifts, and, of course, those voices. --Rickey Wright