Any single album of just 16 tracks isn’t capable of bringing all of Robyn Hitchcock’s greatest moments together. However, this is a pleasant and impressive collection that makes the case for Hitchcock as one of his generation’s best songwriters. It begins with his days in The Soft Boys, where he surprised listeners with retro-psychedelic new wave rock that went well beyond the usual goalposts. No single genre could contain him. And while Chronology focuses on Hitchcock’s more accessible side with the radio-friendly hooks of “If You Were a Priest,” “Balloon Man,” and “So You Think You’re in Love” highlighting the set, there’s still great pathos in the acoustic haunt of “Queen Elvis” and the slightly askew “I Often Dream of Trains.” After being formally introduced, new fans should consider exploring the greatness of The Soft Boys’ Can of Bees and Underwater Moonlight and Hitchcock ventures such as Black Snake Diamond Role, Fegmania, Element of Light, Eye, and Goodnight Olso for starters. Warning, though: his work is highly addictive.