Considering how far across the spectrum Lou has gone over a 40 year period, the songs manage to interweave nicely, and is not a conventional "greatest hits" by any stretch to be called "Ultimate" or "Essential". But it's typical of Reed to confuse, confound, frustrate, and upset critics and fans...

He wrote these songs and sequenced them in order to a way that he was satisfied with listening to as an album in its own right versus a chronological "hits" package, pulled the masters and gave a short commentary of each song in the booklet (including revealing that the epic "Street Hassle" cut features an uncredited Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith on part of the song).

He chose to go with the edited "Sweet Jane" versus the found extended version or the 70s radio classic from "Rock and Roll Animal". The VU songs at times go with the original recordings, and others (I'll Be Your Mirror, White Light White Heat and Heroin) go with his solo versions in concert.

In the notes he felt a lot of the songs took years to catch on, and gave "Perfect Day" as an example, even though he prefers "Hangin' Around" as a favorite. He includes cuts from "Live In Italy" and "Take No Prisoners", although leaves hits like "I Love You Suzanne" off.

For an intro it's essential. But most people would be better off with the original CDs these came off of.