The Bangles - Glitter Years: Rarities & Gems (2005)

Compilation producer Jeff James can be credited with not just putting out the expected budget-priced Bangles best-of with this ten-track disc. The rarities are not all that rare. Nothing is previously unreleased, but "Eternal Flame," "Hero Takes a Fall," and "What I Meant to Say" (the B-side of "Eternal Flame") are presented in their "single versions," which are marginally different from the LP tracks. "Everything I Wanted," co-written by group member Susanna Hoffs with the singer/songwriter team of Lowen & Navarro, only previously appeared on the Bangles' 1990 Greatest Hits album. And "I Got Nothing" is the band's contribution to the soundtrack for The Goonies. The most unusual rarity is the Extended Dance Mix of "Walk Like an Egyptian," which is about two and a half minutes longer than the regular version. The LP tracks "Watching the Sky," "Glitter Years," "James," and "Some Dreams Come True" must be the "Gems" of the title, since they certainly aren't "Rarities."