Foreigner: No End In Sight (2 Discs)

Undoubtedly one of the great English rock bands of the 1970s and 80s, "No End In Sight" is the latest in a long line of "Greatest Hits" packages from Foreigner. Not counting this 2008 release, the group headed by guitarist Mick Jones has dipped into their archives an incredible (read: derisory) ten times. But that said, "No End In Sight" may be the best of the bunch.

Firstly, however, from a technical standpoint, the tracks here are taken from the 2008 LP remasters. Therefore, audiophiles beware that the tracks here are significantly louder than on "The Very Best and Beyond" compilation from 1992. The remastering also means that there is some dynamic range compression, though major differences were not noticeable to these ears. On the track that I examined thoroughly for mastering issues, "That Was Yesterday", the drums provided a bigger beat in the remaster, but the compression was really only noticeable as the track built to its final moments.

For the average listener, however, such issues aren't going to be a factor, and it's the music that is included here that is going to sell the albums. In that regard, this double-CD set is tremendous, with many instantly-recognisable tracks here in "Cold As Ice", "Hot Blooded", and "I Want To Know What Love Is."

But aside from those famous hits, which admittedly deserve the plaudits they receive, there are many other great tracks here to grab the attention. The aforementioned "That Was Yesterday" is one, a lyrically poignant effort about a bitter end to a relationship, as is "Urgent", a funky synth track which also features one of the greatest saxophone solos in rock history.

Disc Two - and it should be noted that the tracks are in chronological order - is the weaker of the two discs here, and lacks a little of the diversity that is apparent in earlier cuts. That said, the new track, "Too Late", does seem like an attempt to move into the 21st century, and falls into the Matchbox Twenty/Train category of pop-rock. If that's your thing, "Too Late" is a reasonable piece.

One remarkable thing about "Too Late", and the three live tracks that are also available here, is that vocalist Kelly Hansen sounds remarkably like Lou Gramm at his peak, to the point where I had to double-check that Gramm wasn't credited for the vocal. You could shut your eyes and pretend that it is 1980, all over again.

Overall, "No End In Sight" a tremendous compilation of pop-rock songs, that anyone interested in the genre should not be without. It's a throwback to beautifully simple melodies and catchy choruses, the likes of which you can't find on the average radio station today.

It may not "Feel Like The First Time" you heard Foreigner, but this release will be one to keep as a permanent fixture on your CD changer.