Best Shots

Until the release of 2005′s Greatest Hits, 1989′s Best Shots was the finest Pat Benatar collection, largely because it was the most concise. True, there may be a few lesser hits missing in favor of a couple newly recorded songs — “Sex as a Weapon,” “Treat Me Right,” “I Need a Lover,” “Little Too Late,” and “Looking for a Stranger” all could have made the cut instead of “Painted Desert” and “Outlaw Blues” — but the remainder of the disc is nearly flawless, delivering arena rock staples such as “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Fire and Ice,” “Heartbreaker,” “We Belong,” “Invincible,” and “All Fired Up” one after another. It may not be perfect, but it delivers enough thrills to make it all worthwhile. – Stephen Thomas Erlewine