Instead of a pure greatest hits package (which has already been done), or a collectors disc to clean up the odds and ends from the Bangles discography which haven't been released on disc yet, this set offers falls short on both.

As stated before, "Going Down to Liverpool" is missing. And that fact alone would make the "average" fan opt for the 1990 Greatest Hits package. Which I would recommend over this if the goal was to have all the singles.

On the other hand, if Sony/Columbia wanted to satisfy the die-hards they would have cleaned the closet and gave us all those rarities. While its great to have "What I Meant To Say", why would they exclude "Getting Out of Hand" while its B-side "Call On Me" is presented? Very odd. What's even more frustrating is that only one cut from the Bangles 1982 EP is featured ("I'm In Line", probably the weakest track.) If they wanted a singles compilation, they should have included "Real World" instead, which was released as a remixed 12-inch. "I Got Nothing" is a pleasant surprise, however it's been dramatically remixed so anyone who wants the original still has to hunt down "The Goonies" soundtrack.

For an odds and ends disc other possiblities would have been "Mary Street", "Want You", "How Is the Air Up There", the rare "Bitchin' Summer (Speedway)" instrumental and the mega-rare live version of "Hero Takes a Fall". And while "I'll Be Your Mirror" and "I'll Keep It With Mine" are solo Susanna songs, they were made during her Bangles tenure. We also know that a live version of "Tell Me" was recorded in 1985 but is still sitting in the can. Let's not also forget "Get The Girl", the 1999 "Spy Who Shagged Me" cut, and the UK B-side edit of "In Your Room". Bonus or hidden tracks could have included the No Magazine ad (set to the tune of "Getting Out of Hand") and Michael's spoken word "El Polo Loco".

So you see there was enough obscure material for a 2-disc Bangles anthology which would have kept everyone happy.

I basically agree with everyone else who reviewed this CD: "Going Down to Liverpool" is missing, but my complaint goes further than that. The 1990 Greatest Hits album contained 2 tracks from their first major-label album, 'All Over the Place' ("Liverpool" being one of them). Even on the 1990 CD, the first album was barely represented. WHY? Sure, it was before they started cranking out hit singles, but it's arguably their best album of original material. On the upside, 'Essential' has included two "pre-record contract" songs, a great 1988 B-side, and a rarely-heard song from the "Goonies" soundtrack (!!) All four of these additions rank among their best work, and help give the casual listener a more well-rounded impression of their work. Also, the songs are not in order of release, which makes one better appreciate each song. On 'Grtst Hits,' you couldn't help but notice how increasingly slick, and occasionally bland, their sound became towards the end of their run. These are the reasons I rate 'Essential' higher than 'Greatest,' even though "Hero Takes a Fall" is the ONLY representaion of 'All Over the Place.' Get 'Essential,' and seek out their first album....and good luck, because it's now out of print! Such injustice!!!

Like another review pointed out, this 5-star collection is missing "Goin' Down To Liverpool." Luckily, I have that track on another compilation by Sony Music. Why wasn't it included here? Sometimes I wonder if record company executives just throw things together without checking things over first. There's easily enough room to squeeze several more tracks on here!

Besides the mistake of leaving out "Liverpool," this collection is very well done for an "Essential" collection. All tracks have been digitally remastered for the best sound - and one can really hear the difference in listening to such tracks as "Hazy Shade Of Winter." It sounds crisp! That's how I like it!

It would have been nice to get the extended versions/mixes of their singles as well. Perhaps someday Sony Music will issue their catalog remastered with these tracks. Yet for the price and for an essential collection of hits, this one meets my standards.

There must be at least 20 Bangle compilations out there, and this isn't better than any of them. This one differs in that it has Im In Line and Getting Out of Hand -- 2 wonderful early Bangle (minus Michael Steele) songs. It also has What I Meant to Say (Eternal Flame B-side) and I Got Nothing (from the Goonies soundtrack) 2 tracks that have been very difficult to get anywhere until now. But quite frankly, these two songs are mediocre and really shouldn't be on any "Essential Bangles" compilations -- only die-hard Bangle fans will be elated to have them on CD. To make this a five star album they should have included Going Down to Liverpool, How is the Air Up There from the Bangles EP and something from Doll Revolution, like Ride the Ride.

For those of you who own this CD, may I please ask for an ear comparison between this "remastered" version and the 1990 Bangles Greatest Hits CD? I have the 1990 Greatest Hits, which doesn't sound bad to my ear. However the CD case says "AAD" which means it was recorded analog, mixed analog, and transferred digitally. Is this new version ADD? (And I'm not asking about attention deficit disorder) In summation, how does the audio sound head-to-head with the 1990 Best-of? Already having these songs across several CDs, some of us would appreciate an opinionated appraisal of the sound quality vs earlier releases. Thanks. Rock on Bangles! I'll always love the electric inflection that pulses in Susanna Hoffs's singing voice. It's something really special... (I wish her vocals had been more prominent in the Doll Revolution songs rather than having her share singing duties) Thanks again!