Through The Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)

This second greatest hits collection serves up the band's classic mid- '60s period, capped off by the death of Brian Jones for whom this collection is dedicated. Having made their breakthrough with hits that challenged the status quo, the Stones were in no mood to calm down. The insistent chaos of "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow?" "Jumping Jack Flash," and "Street Fighting Man" display the Stones at their most powerful, while "Dandelion" and "She's a Rainbow" are the Stones succeeding with psychedelia. "Paint It, Black" and "Ruby Tuesday" strike a perfect balance. A decent introduction to an essential period of Stones music. --Rob O'Connor