Rhino/Edsel’s 2011 double-disc set
The Atlantic Albums combines
Hall & Oates’ three albums for the label -- 1972’s
Whole Oats, 1973’s
Abandoned Luncheonette, 1974’s
War Babies -- adding four bonus tracks that popped up on the 1977
No Goodbyes compilation and Rhino’s 1996
The Atlantic Collection, all presented in sterling new remasters, the whole package buttressed with new liner notes from
Alan Robinson. While there is no undiscovered unreleased material -- it seems that the vaults have been picked pretty clean -- this is the best-sounding, most affordable package of
Hall & Oates' earliest work and it’s worthwhile either for the curious or the dedicated looking to replace their old CDs.
–
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi