Although her solo career has hit many a peak and valley, Joan Jett's perseverance paid off greatly, as she became a major leading figure and inspiration for the "riot grrrl" movement of the 1990s and its main exponents, such as L7, 7 Year Bitch, and Bikini Kill. And while the 1997 best-of collection, FIT TO BE TIED, is the best place to start for the Jett newcomer, her 1994 rarities collection, FLASHBACK, isn't too shabby, either.

Jett has relied on covering other artists' songs perhaps more than any other rocker of recent times, but she has a way of putting her own unmistakable stamp on the compositions of others. She may have veered from her original direction briefly in the late-'80s, trying her hand at more mainstream fare, but FLASHBACK focuses on her raw punk side. Standouts include an early version of "I Love Rock N' Roll" recorded with ex-Sex Pistols Steve Jones and Paul Cook, as well as covers of tracks made popular by Alice Cooper ("Be My Lover") and David Bowie ("Rebel Rebel"), plus a live version of "Cherry Bomb" with L7. In many ways, FLASHBACK is a collection of Joan Jett's true greatest hits.