All the Rockers

Released in conjunction with a ballads collection, this compilation provides an excellent, if lopsided glimpse of the extensive career of April Wine, one of Canada's premiere rock institutions. Despite spanning over a decade, these songs share a remarkably consistent (some might say repetitive) sound, with only a few early offerings such as "Weeping Widow" and "Oowatanite" straying from the band's melodic hard-rock formula. Standouts such as "Roller," "I Like to Rock," and "All Over Town" invariably stem from the band's early-'80s heyday, but choice nuggets from less inspired albums help make this a satisfying set for completists and new fans alike. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia