The Babys - The Best Of The Babys (2005)

Capitol's 2005 release The Best of the Babys is a repackaging of the 1997 CEMA Special Markets release of the same name. In either incarnation, the title of The Best of the Babys shouldn't be taken too literally. Yes, the budget-priced collection does contain almost all of their hits -- "Silver Dreams," "Every Time I Think of You," "Back on My Feet Again," "Midnight Rendezvous," "Turn and Walk Away" -- but it inexplicably bypasses their highest-charting single, "Isn't It Time." Actually, that may be explicable: if all the big tunes were on a budget-line compilation, there would be no reason for many casual fans to purchase the fully formed Anthology. This leaves The Best of the Babys in a curious position -- song for song, it's stronger than the average budget-line compilation, yet it is missing a song that would truly make it of interest to casual fans. Some listeners will be willing to overlook this oversight -- and if they do, they'll likely be pleased with the rest of the disc, considering its price. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine