The Best That I Could Do: 1978-1988

Chronicling John Mellencamp's first decade of music makes for a dizzying ride. This encompasses arena-rock stompers like "I Need a Lover," riff-happy heartland snapshots like "Pink Houses" and "Jack and Diane," hard-charging garage-rockers like "R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A.," and plenty more. And besides racking up the biggest tunes in the Midwestern rock 'n' roll hero's catalogue, this collection throws hardcore fans a bone with the addition of a previously unreleased recording—the earthy, swaying "Without Expression."