While this is a less expansive collection than the Greatest Hits anthology, it covers the same crucial territory and includes all of Jackson's biggest tunes. From the scrappy new wave iconoclasm of "Sunday Papers" to the swing-jazz detour of "Jumpin' Jive" and the melodic, piano-based pop balladry of "Breaking Us in Two," it's fascinating to follow the stylistic turns the mercurial Jackson made over just a few years. By the time you get to the almost Springsteen-esque drama that's the coda of "Be My Number Two" and the unabashed nostalgia of "Home Town," it's obvious that one of Jackson's most valuable traits was always his musical restlessness.
- Pete Townshend
- Talking Heads
- Graham Parker