Hall & Oates

This is quite a package, but one that makes little sense in a way. As a way of clearing inventory, Sony/BMG has been assembling five-album sets, calling the entire series Original Album Classics. Simply put, they pack five albums in sequence and reissue them. In the case of Hall & Oates, they don't follow a strict in-sequence release pattern, instead picking five hit albums. This starts with the self-titled album and Bigger Than Both of Us, but then jumps right to Beauty on a Back Street and leaves out Along the Red Ledge, then goes back to order with Voices, leaving out X-Static. It also includes Private Eyes. This is all well and good but doesn't really fill a void, and anyone who collects Hall & Oates material already has most if not all of these albums. The price point isn't terribly attractive either -- they are standard budget-line prices without a discount for the quantity. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide