20,000 Watts R.S.L.: Greatest Hits
Like the Violent Femmes and Concrete Blonde, Midnight Oil has released a few all-around terrific albums and several others with just a couple great songs. Collecting the familiar radio hits ("Blue Sky Mine," "Forgotten Years," "Beds Are Burning") and standout tracks from less worthy CDs ("Surf's Up Tonight," from 1996's otherwise forgettableBreathethe Australian rock band's highly political first career retrospective is a good starting point for new fans. This collection could have delved more into the classic albums, such as 1988'sDiesel and Dust,but then every working band has to maintain the illusion that its later work is also vital.--Steve Knopper