This two-disc bundle includes both volumes of
Journey
's
Greatest Hits
. The first collection is an excellent, thorough 14-track overview containing all of the band's big early hits, from 1978's "Wheel in the Sky" to 1986's "I'll Be Alright Without You." Although the songs aren't presented in chronological order and a handful of minor hits ("Suzanne," "Walks Like a Lady") aren't included, it doesn't matter, since every essential
single -- "Only the Young," "Don't Stop Believin'," "Any Way You Want It," "Separate Ways," "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'," "Open Arms," "Send Her My Love" -- is here, which means that it's all most casual fans will ever need.
Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
collects the singles, album rock hits, and album tracks that didn't make it onto the first hits disc. This doesn't leave too many familiar tunes; the charting hits here are "Stone in Love," "Still They Ride," "After the Fall," "The Party's Over (Hopelessly in Love)," "Suzanne," and "Walks Like a Lady," the first of which is a
classic that likely should have been on the first
, but apart from "Still They Ride," the rest are the kind of second-tier singles recognized only by listeners already somewhat dedicated. This says nothing about the quality of the songs -- they are the kinds of tunes that make for a "more of the best" compilation, songs reminiscent of other hits but just not quite as immediate or epic, not as memorable for one reason or another. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine