Though they've only got three albums under their belt, the duo Sukimaswitch (Ohashi Takuya and Shintaro Tokita) has garnered enough of a following in the J-pop world to call for a greatest-hits compilation quickly. Part of the Office Augusta stables, Sukimaswitch stay in the overall realm of J-pop, but lean heavily toward more sophisticated versions of the genre rather than the manufactured bubblegum pop that tends to dominate. Drawing comparisons with Steely Dan, the duo incorporates a jazz influence into much of its music, as can be heard here in a myriad of elements. The album opens with an acoustic guitar romp straight from one of George Harrison's compositions, but moves quickly into swooping melodic lines tailor-made for their voices and a peppy pop sound. As the album progresses, the duo turns its attention to more funky elements, with piano grooves taking center stage from time to time, accentuated more by the vocals than the vocals are by the pianos. Song by song, they showcase an ability to write hooks and riffs both vocally and instrumentally (again, not unlike Steely Dan, but also with some brief horn interludes not unlike Tower of Power), navigating through intricate compositions that range from straightforward pop ballads ("Kanade") to songs with sweeping orchestral strings and pseudo-punk vocals ("Guarana"), as well as songs that incorporate all elements at once. The band is highly versatile, and has a reputation for more "authentic" pop. This compilation makes an excellent introduction for the listener curious about what "authentic" pop might be, and how well it can be performed amidst an industry tilted toward the "inauthentic." ~ Adam Greenberg