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."

Track Listing
1 The Hungry Wolf
2 Motel Room in My Bed
3 Riding With Mary
4 Come Back to Me
5 Under the Big Black Sun
6 Because I Do
7 Blue Spark
8 Dancing With Tears in My Eyes
9 Real Child of Hell
10 How I (Learned My Lesson)
11 The Have Nots