Review
The last time anyone expected Eric Clapton to rock out was probably with Derek & the Dominos - almost three decades ago if you're counting. The '70s presented a sultry side to his music, and by 1985 he was just as much a refined pop vocalist as he was great white bluesman. Each of the songs on this lockstep hits package from this latest period (it covers 1985-1999) find Clapton in lite-rock male singer mode. The tracks cut with ubiquitous '80s face Phil Collins choke on glossy production ("Bad Love," "She's Waiting"); in the '90s, it's Babyface stealing the show on "Change the World" and "Runaway Bride's Blue Eyes." Clapton manages something resembling real commitment with "Tears in Heaven," even though its omnipresence on mid-'90s airwaves made its mawkish side unmistakable. Only with scattered guitar solos and a fairly passionate "Before You Accuse Me" are we reminded that Clapton the measured aristocrat was once Eric the blues hound. But modern radio listeners willing to plunk down good green for Chronicles aren't likely to be concerned either way.

-- VH1 Online