All tracks have been digitally remastered.

X: John Doe (vocals, bass); Exene Cervenka (vocals); Billy Zoom (guitar); D.J. Bonebrake (drums).

X's first album issued on a major label, 1982's Under the Big Black Sun, is arguably their finest record. All 11 songs are exceptional, from both a performance and compositional point of view. Ray Manzarek's production is more akin to hard rock bands than their earlier punk works, but the songs still pack quite a punch. Before the recording of the album, singer Exene Cervenka's sister was killed by a drunk driver, and the band decided to work out their grief in the music, as evidenced by two of the album's best tracks: the melodic "Riding With Mary" and the vintage '50s sound of "Come Back to Me." The highlights don't stop there, however; also included are the Led Zeppelin-esque "The Hungry Wolf" (an early video favorite of MTV), the accelerating "Motel Room in My Bed," the rocker "Blue Spark," the spacious title track, and the album closer "The Have Nots." Again, Cervenka and John Doe supply some great vocal harmonies (perhaps the only punk band to ever do so), while Billy Zoom shows off great rockabilly chops throughout. Under the Big Black Sun is one of the quintessential rock records from the '80s. ~ Greg Prato

Like the band's first two albums, UNDER A BIG BLACK SUN was produced by Ray Manzarek. Mazarek was an appropriate choice and the sound he created, very near that of that of his former band, The Doors, served the band well, as evidenced by "Come Back To Me," which occupies a sonic world that is at once fresh and familiar. Where X's first two albums, LOS ANGELES and WILD GIFT, can be seen as a pair (both rife with the cocky exuberance that was a hallmark of the L.A. punk scene that launched them), so too can albums number three and four (MORE FUN IN THE NEW WORLD) be appreciated in tandem.

The already strong songwriting was blossoming, stretching the bounds of what was considered possible in the genre. "The Hungry Wolf" and "The Have Nots" show the breadth of the band's knowledge of musical tradition, a tradition they are at once upsetting and continuing. "Blue Spark" is yet another display of Billy Zoom's monolithic approach to the guitar. X even takes a successful turn on the old chestnut, "Dancing With Tears With My Eyes," bringing the heart that is always at the center of this band to the fore.

Like the band's first two albums, UNDER A BIG BLACK SUN was produced by Ray Manzarek. Mazarek was an appropriate choice and the sound he created, very near that of that of his former band, The Doors, served the band well, as evidenced by "Come Back To Me," which occupies a sonic world that is at once fresh and familiar. Where X's first two albums, LOS ANGELES and WILD GIFT, can be seen as a pair (both rife with the cocky exuberance that was a hallmark of the L.A. punk scene that launched them), so too can albums number three and four (MORE FUN IN THE NEW WORLD) be appreciated in tandem.

The already strong songwriting was blossoming, stretching the bounds of what was considered possible in the genre. "The Hungry Wolf" and "The Have Nots" show the breadth of the band's knowledge of musical tradition, a tradition they are at once upsetting and continuing. "Blue Spark" is yet another display of Billy Zoom's monolithic approach to the guitar. X even takes a successful turn on the old chestnut, "Dancing With Tears With My Eyes," bringing the heart that is always at the center of this band to the fore.