Given the glut of Stone Roses compilations, it's easy to assume that there's already been a collection called The Very Best of the Stone Roses prior to this 2002 release, or at least one that does something similar to its career-spanning overview. No, this is the first disc to run from "Sally Cinnamon" to "Ten Storey Love Song," the first to sketch the band's great promise, glory days, and bewildering downfall. Though there are album versions of songs instead of singles on occasion on this collection, there's nothing rare and nothing that any Stone Roses fan doesn't already have. Nor does it shine as brightly as their debut. That said, the song selection can't be faulted, and the non-chronological sequencing proves that the Roses' lambasted second album did, in fact, have several excellent moments (all of which can be found here) that fit well next to the best of the debut. For that reason, it may be worthwhile for the hardcore, but this is truly for those that want all the singles on one, nicely packaged disc. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine