Eddie Money

A collection of Eddie Money tracks limited to just his '80s output sells the Moneyman short. It may work for bands like A Flock of Seagulls or the Bangles who had their hits and best work only in that one decade, but Eddie Money had hits in both the '70s and the '80s. While the hits included here are classics of AOR and pop radio -- "Think I'm in Love," "Shakin'," "I Wanna Go Back," and "Take Me Home Tonight/Be My Baby," -- you really miss out on Money's earlier work. Not that this isn't a fine collection on its own; only a couple of the songs from the late '80s ("Let Me In," "The Love in Your Eyes") let down the side. It's just that it would be much stronger if tracks like "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Baby Hold On" were included. In fact, there are Money collections that do include the best of his '70s and '80s work, most notably The Essential Eddie Money released in 2003. You really can't blame Columbia for milking Money's catalog; that's what back catalog is for, after all. Still, you can blame them for shoehorning him into a series that doesn't fit him. If you need some Money, look for something that has all his best work instead. ~ Tim Sendra, All Music Guide