ignores 's 1983 debut, (which sounded more like an album, anyway), starting with the pair of -produced mid-'80s albums, and . Though these had a sheen, they were holdovers. didn't get the balance between and commercial gloss right until 1989's , whose featured songs -- -- form the heart of this compilation. was overshadowed by the phenomenal success of and 1992's . Not only did go platinum ten times, it established a new public image -- classy, stylish, and substantial. That's the image that prevails on . His triple-platinum album is written out of the picture, with songs from movie taking its place. Apart from the -produced these tunes are a little too self-conscious and subdued, as are selections from 1998's . However, this deliberate move to paint 's '80s and '90s recordings as fare is accurate. 's musical journey from 1985 to 1999 was taken mostly in the middle of the road, and certainly captures that journey, missing no major hits from the late '80s and '90s. Whether it's a necessary addition to a collection is a matter of taste. It's certainly an excellent compliment to , his two most popular and -oriented albums, but that might not be what every fan wants. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine