Tones on Tail

As is the case with many popular bands who had relatively brief productive careers, Tones on Tail's oeuvre has been collected many times in many forms. This 16-track CD features almost all of ToT's crucial tracks: most of the Pop LP, the best songs from Tones on Tail, and the singles "Go!," "Twist," and "Christian Says," as well as a lo-fi but intriguing live cover of "Heartbreak Hotel." It lacks only a trio of songs from Pop and some miscellaneous odds and ends. While Night Music was a most welcome release in its time, marking Tones on Tail's first appearance on CD, it has since been superseded by the aptly named Everything compilation. Still, Night Music serves as a concise summary of ToT's career, effectively showcasing both their skewed pop and their darker, more experimental material. [Also available as a United Kingdom import.] ~ Bill Cassel, All Music Guide