One of the great British bands of the 1960s, the Animals' star has been eclipsed over the years by the likes of the Rolling Stones, the Who and even the retro cultists' favourites, the Yardbirds. This authoritative Best Of serves as a reminder of just how unfair that is. The Animals caught the spirit of the blues and gave it an English force and feel in a way other, equally reverent bands never quite accomplished. Their version of "We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place" sums up the industrial north of its era as well as any John Braine novel, while "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is an R&B classic to stand proudly with any of its American inspirations. There's plenty to enjoy in many of the less famous tracks, too--"I'm Crying", "Bright Lights Big City", "Baby Let Me Take You Home", the band's take on John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom". It's true that the Animals never produced the extensive repertoire some of their contemporaries achieved; but that means every bit of their coarse energy has been preserved on this collection. --David Bennun