Lloyd Cole

Very strong singles overview (plus two B-sides) of the English songwriter and his Scottish band. Cole's literate lyrics and pop craftsmanship were produced differently on each of their three albums, with the sound going from pastoral 1960s folk jangle to drum-heavy '80s gloss-pop to the darkly bitter cocaine hangover found at the decade's end.

As an exemplary undergraduate he had his place in the great chain of being, but as a perpetual grad student he needs ID. (Maybe also a better rhythm section.) On this compilation, with two B sides for bait (and four accredited Rattlesnakes tracks for quality), he applies for his card. I wouldn't put it past college radio to give it to him. (The card, I mean--college radio wouldn't know a good rhythm section if one played live in the studio.) (Grade - B-)