Let me start with the packaging. In 1996, Van Halen released an album called, Best of, Vol. 1. Considering, you would think that their second “best of” release would be titled Vol. 2. With any normal band it would have, but this is Van Halen. I think it has to do with marketing. The men upstairs probably figured that with their first CD release in six years, and a major reunion tour to promote it, anyone who was going to buy a new album would probably buy a double set album. But of course, you couldn’t make a double set hits album and not include material from the first one, so you just make a whole new “best of” compilation. And yes, we bought it.

It gets sillier though. For some reason, Van Halen III was totally ignored on this compilation. Their one single from that album, “Without You”, was not included, even though it is their only new single since the release of Best of, Vol 1. Not only is “Without You” left off the album, but Van Halen III is completely left off the liner notes which describe and show pictures of each Van Halen album. I don’t know who decided it wasn’t worth even recognizing; maybe it just doesn’t fit with the album’s title.

All of this would be overlookable if the album’s contents were at its best, but it’s not. Both Worlds does include some fun ones left off Best of, such as “Top of the World” and “Hot for Teacher”, and includes some of my favorite power ballads in “Not Enough” and “Love Walks In”, but it also includes some of the drunken-era cover crap in “Pretty Woman” and “Dancing in the Street”.

Both Worlds also includes three new tracks. I kind of think it’s pretentious for bands to include unreleased tracks on a “best of” compilation, but really don’t mind it when the songs are good. Not only are Both Worlds three new tracks not among Van Halen’s best, they’re not even that good. They feel like outtakes from OU812 or something. Smells like a marketing ploy to me.

Then there are the three live tracks. Again, I think it’s unnecessary to put live tracks on a “best of” album, but hey, at least it’s some new material. Only it’s not. The three live tracks are pulled straight from Live: Right Here, Right Now. After all the above, I should have known.

For all the marketing silliness that’s going on, I must admit its range is broader their first hits album: Both Worlds includes all the regular album tracks on Best of, Vol. 1, and adds sixteen others, not including the three new tracks and the three live tracks. Point being, it may just be a better introduction to Van Halen than the previous hits album, simply for its breadth. I just think it would have been better to put those sixteen tracks onto a single disc labeled Vol. 2.

Disc: 1
1. Eruption
2. You Really Got Me
3. Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love
4. Jamie’s Cryin’
5. Runnin’ With The Devil
6. Beautiful Girls
7. Dance The Night Away
8. And The Cradle Will Rock...
9. Everybody Wants Some
10. Unchained
11. Dancing In The Street
12. (Oh) Pretty Woman
13. Hot For Teacher
14. Jump
15. Panama
16. I’ll Wait
17. Why Can’t This Be Love
18. Dreams
19. Best Of Both Worlds
20. Love Walks In

Disc: 2
1. When It’s Love
2. Finish What You Started
3. Feels So Good
4. Black And Blue
5. Poundcake
6. Runaround
7. Right Now
8. Top Of The World
9. Can’t Stop Loving You
10. Not Enough
11. It’s About Time
12. Learning To See
13. Up For Breakfast
14. Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love (Live)
15. Jump (Live)
16. Panama (Live)