Whitesnake

This compilation includes three entire albums—Slide It In, Whitesnake ’87 and Slip of the Tongue—plus B-side and album outtakes. The first two albums featured the songwriting and heavy-handed guitar work of the gifted John Sykes. Even “You’re Gonna Break My Heart Again” and “Looking for Love,” tracks that didn’t make the cut for the band’s breakthrough album, are easily better than any current or classic-rock fare. Unfortunately, the latter album found singer David Coverdale struggling not only with his identity as a songwriter but also with his bandmates. His short-lived all-star studio and touring troupe—featuring Steve Vai, Tommy Aldridge, Rudy Sarzo and Adrian Vandenberg—lasted only a short time before album and ticket sales forced it to disband. This year’s touring configuration is even less impressive. It’s time for a real Whitesnake reunion, not a self-indulgent, money-grubbing affair.