During this gift-giving season, don't forget the tunes.
Music is a great gift, and every year there are compilation sets from every music act from Alabama to ZZ Top.
So, here are some holiday gift-giving suggestions, separated into two lists — box sets and greatest hits — with reviews by Deseret Morning News staffers.
BOXED SETS
CHICAGO; "Chicago" (Rhino) ****
With five CDs and one DVD, the Chicago box set is a must for fans. Spanning the band's career from its "Chicago Transit Authority" album to it's "Heart of Chicago II" compilation, the box set gives and keeps on giving. "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" "Free," the complete "An Hour in the Shower" suite have been remastered for this set. Newer works, such as "Look Away," "Show me a Sign" and the band's remake of Duke Ellington's "Caravan" are also included. The DVD features the band in concert at the Aerie Crown Theatre in November 1972, as well as some promotional videos for the "Chicago 13" album. — Scott Iwasaki
THE DOORS; "The Complete Studio Recordings" (Elektra) *** 1/2
This was originally released in 1999 in a cube-shaped box. It has been repackaged and remastered (again) for this year's holiday season. The only complaint: this box set (as with the one in 1999) does not contain "the complete studio recordings." Two original albums "Other Voices" and "Full Circle," which were recorded after Jim Morrison's death in 1971 by the remaining Doors — guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and drummer John Densmore, are excluded. While this set includes "The Doors," "Strange Days," "Waiting for the Sun," "The Soft Parade," "Morrison Hotel," "L.A. Woman" and a rarities disc that contains demos of "Hyacinth House," "Hello, I Love You" and "Moonlight Drive," just to name a few, it's not complete. It would be nice to hear remastered versions of "The Mosquito," "In the Eye of the Sun" and "Good Rockin.' " — S.I.
MOTLEY CRUE; "Music to Crash Your Car To Vol. I" ** 1/2
Hard-core Crue fans will wonder where the "Dr. Feelgood" songs are. And what about "Hooligan's Holiday," from the self-titled 1997 album, which featured John Corabi on lead vocals? That's why the "Vol. I" is included in this four-CD set's title. There's another volume in the works. Or at least there should be. Anyway, "Vol. I" includes the first four Crue albums — "Too Fast for Love," "Shout at the Devil," "Theatre of Pain" and "Girls Girls Girls" — in their entirety. The first disc also features the original Leathur mix of "Too Fast for Love." There are also demo takes of "City Boy Blues," "Keep Your Eye on the Money," "Shout at the Devil" and "Looks That Kill." This is the box set for Crue fans. But it should have included something from "Dr. Feelgood." — S.I.
PEARL JAM; "Lost Dogs" (Epic) *** 1/2
While you won't find Pearl Jam hits "Alive," "Jeremy," "Daughter" or "Betterman" on these two discs, you will find the band's rarities. "Yellow Ledbetter" (which seems to be inspired by Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing"), "Last Kiss," "Fatal" and "Hard to Imagine" are finally in an accessible place. No more hunting rare CD shops and paying outrageous sums for one little track. "Lost Dogs" comes complete with liner notes, explaining every note, word and song that appears in this collection. — S.I.
DIANA ROSS; "Diana" (Motown) ***
This two-disc oddity features two versions of the 1980 "Diana" album and another collection of hits titled "Dance," collected in a nice box that replicates the "Diana" album cover — remember that startling black-and-white photo of Ross with wet hair, wearing tight jeans and a button-up T-shirt? The "Chic Mix" isn't really all that different from the "Album Mix," but fans will probably be happy just to have it twice. "Dance" includes "Love Hangover," "Your Love Is So Good For Me," "You Were the One" and a 10-minute "medley" of the biggest hits from Ross' years with the Supremes ("Stop! In the Name of Love," "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love," etc.). — Chris Hicks
SLAYER; "Soundtrack to the Apocalypse" (American) *** 1/2
For 20 years, Slayer has preached its apocalyptic gospel. This four-CD box set, which also includes a DVD, has taken the Oakland-based thrash band's heaviest works and put them in one spot. Parents should heed the explicit-warning label here . . . although some of Slayer's fans are parents themselves. The box contains the band's formative works — "Angel of Death," "Postmortem" and the trademark "Raining Blood." "South of Heaven" and "Seasons in the Abyss" blast their way in the mix, along with rare takes of "Piece by Piece," "Mandatory Suicide" and a couple of early ones, "South of Heaven" and "Raining Blood," which show the band in its rawest. A live disc featuring "Ware Ensemble," "Stain of Mind" and "Hell Awaits" caps this disturbing but fan-friendly collection. — S.I.
THE SPINNERS; "The Chrome Collection" (Atlantic/Rhino) *** 1/2
Three CDs covering three decades. It doesn't get much better than this. The Spinners is one of the pioneering doo wop/rhythm and blues groups; it started in the 1960s and took its music to new heights in the '70s and '80s. Included are everything from the group's first charting single "I'll Always Love You" to the last released single, "Right or Wrong." In between, there are little morsels: "Rubberband Man," "Sadie," "Cupid/I've Loved You for a Long Time," "I'm Coming Home." And a 59-page booklet that features rare photos and commentary. — S.I.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN; "The Essential . . . " (Columbia) *** 1/2
"Light of Day" is missing. So is "Pink Cadillac" and "Thunder Road." But the inclusion of "Jungleland," "The Ghost of Tom Joad," "Blinded By the Light," "Spirit in the Night" and "Dead Man Walkin' " make up for it. This isn't an all-inclusive box set; it's a three-CD collection picked out by "The Boss" himself. The idea, he wrote in the liner notes, was to "present a little bit" of his albums. "Darkness on the Edge of Town," "Nebraska," "Human Touch," "The Rising" and "Mary's Place" are here, and "Born in the U.S.A.," "Hungry Heart" and "Dancing in the Dark." The inclusion of a rarities disc gives fans a chance to hear some experimental works: "From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)," "The Big Payback," a live version of "Held Up Without a Gun," "Trapped." — S.I.
TALKING HEADS; "Once in a Lifetime" (Sire/Warner Bros./Rhino) ***
Try storing this in your CD box-set collection — a wide, thin box with three CDs and one DVD. The set spans the Talking Heads' 15-year career. Previously unreleased works, such as alternate versions of "Cities," "Drugs" and an outtake of "In Asking Land" have been unearthed for this collection along with the hits "Once in a Lifetime," "Burning Down the House" and "And She Was." However, the different versions of "Uh-Oh," "Love Comes to Town" and "New Feeling" raise the ante. A great set . . . aside from the visual art inside, which depicts an obviously offensive bleeding nude. — S.I.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Rhythm Love & Soul" (Shout!) ***
This three-CD box set is like a little history of rhythm & blues, with the Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose doing "Too Late to Turn Back Now," Isaac Hayes grooving to "Never Can Say Goodbye," Smokey Robinson singing "Being With You" and Barry White narrating "You're the First, the Last, My Everything." Aaron Neville's original "Tell It Like It Is," the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" and Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" are more gems in this little treasure chest. — S.I.
ZZ TOP; "Chrome, Smoke & B.B.Q." (Warner Bros/Lone Wolf) *** 1/2
The little ol' band from Texas is awarded a long overdue box set with four CDs serving as a musical diary, taking fans from the band's early days as the Moving Sidewalks to the arena rocker it has become today. All the singles — "Jesus Left Chicago," "Cheap Sunglasses," "Tube Snake Boogie," "I Thank You," "Tush" — and every hit from the "Eliminator" album are here, as well as "My Head's in Mississippi," "Doubleback" and a remake of "Viva Las Vegas." There's also a 90-page booklet and a little animated flipbook. — S.I.
GREATEST HITS
AL B. SURE!; "The Very Best of . . . " (Warner Bros./Rhino) * 1/2
Name games are cute. Singer Al Brown made the most of his. He became Al B. Sure! But his name didn't guarantee any long-lasting chart toppers. His breakthrough single "Nite and Day" reached No. 6 on Billboard's Rhythm & Blues charts, but only hit No. 21 on the Singles Charts. He was a teen idol thanks to his other hits, "Off on Your Own (Girl)" and his cover of "Killing Me Softly." This compilation features his major hits, as well as such other charters as "Misunderstanding," "No Matter What You Do" (With Diana Ross), and "Noche Y Dia," the Spanish version of "Nite and Day." — Scott Iwasaki
ALABAMA, "In The Mood: The Love Songs" and "The American Farewell Tour" (RCA) *** 1/2
Few country groups can wrap their vocals around a love song any better than Alabama. In a storied career lasting 25 years, they've hit the top of the charts more than 40 times, and many of those were tender ballads about relationships. They've collected some of those songs into their latest greatest-hits package. the two-disc "In The Mood: The Love Songs," with such classics as "How Do You Fall in Love," "We Can't Love Like This Anymore," "The Closer You Get," "Here We Are," "Forever's As Far As I'll Go" and "Love in the First Degree." Two new songs, "In The Mood" and "The Living Years," round out the 23-track collection. — Carma Wadley
TORI AMOS; "Tales of a Librarian: a Tori Amos Collection" (Atlantic) *** 1/2
Wrapping up her contract with Atlantic Records, Amos decided to put out a greatest-hits. This little package is filled with a universe of information, if you know where to look. The song titles have been cross-referenced with ideals and philosophical headings that will give the non-Tori listener a chance to understand this strange little girl. "Precious Things," "Me and a Gun," "Professional Widow," "Cornflake Girl," "Jackie Strength" and "Crucify" are some of the works filed away in this CD. But any cover songs from her "Strange Little Girls" album are missing in action. However, the bonus DVD features footage of "Pretty Good Year," "Honey" and "Mr. Zebra." Nice. Quaint. Deep. — S.I.
GEORGE BENSON; "The Greatest Hits of All" (Warner Bros./Rhino) *** 1/2
Some of smooth jazz's best works come from guitarist/vocalist Benson, and this disc is proof. His most successful hits, "Give Me the Night" and "Turn Your Love Around," need to be here for logistical purposes, but there's also his instrumental work — "Being with You" and his live version of "On Broadway" are next to "Lady Love Me (One More Time)" and his first charting hit "This Masquerade." Benson's smooth arrangements are perfect for those late-night cuddle sessions. — S.I.
BETTY BLOWTORCH; "Last Call" (Foodchain) ***
With the untimely death of lead singer/bassist Bianca B. two years ago, there was an apparent snuffing of the flame for her band, Betty Blowtorch. Bianca was killed in a car accident while trying to set a new line-up for her band, which was scheduled to play in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve. At any rate, the music world lost one heckuva rock chick. "Last Call" is a compilation of Betty Blowtorch's significant works, presented in their raunchy rawness, which should make even the most hard-core punk nod in appreciation. "Rock My World," "I Wanna be on Epitaph," "Fish Taco" and live versions of "Betty Blowtorch Anthem," "Size Queen" and "I'm Ugly and I Don't Know Why" are the highlights to this unexpurgated CD. Listen with caution and get the kids out of the room. — S.I.
BIG STAR; "Big Star Story" (Rynodisc) ***
Given that this seminal, critically adored power-pop act from the '70s produced only three studio albums, it seems at least a little ridiculous to have a greatest-hits collection. And while it's nice to hear such should-have-been-classics as "September Gurls" and "Don't Lie to Me" again, the one new song, "Hot Thing," is mediocre at best. Still, for newcomers, it's a good place to start. — Jeff Vice
BON JOVI; "This Left Feels Right" (Island) ** 1/2
What started off as an acoustic album became a quasi-electric one instead. Bon Jovi has rethought and remade its biggest hits. A low-key blues take on "You Give Love a Bad Name" and a piano-ballad version of "It's My Life," were interesting at first, but wore out their welcome after awhile. The new version of "Wanted Dead or Alive" works well, as does a bluesy remake of "Bad Medicine." The semi-acoustic ballads "I'll Be There for You," Bed of Roses" and "Always" were rebuilt from original power-ballad structures, but it would have been fun to hear those songs turned into rockers, to oppose the rockers turned to ballads. — S.I.
BILLY BRAGG; "Must I Paint You a Picture? The Essential . . . " (Elektra/Rhino) ***
Calling this two-disc collection of songs by the British folkie "essential" is a bit deceptive. His heavily leftist political leanings and rough-hewn vocals make his musical output an acquired taste. Still, the first disc in particular is filled with earnest, appealing love songs, such as "The Milkman of Human Kindness." And there are at least a couple of terrific moments from his collaborations with alt-country act Wilco to round out the second disc. — J.V.
TONI BRAXTON; "Ultimate" (Arista) ***
When Braxton emerged in the early 1990s, critics were quick to call her an Anita Baker protege. However, by the time her breakthrough hit "Breathe Again" raced up the charts, the singer, who was mentored by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, had silenced those mean old critics. "Breathe Again," "You Mean the World to Me," the suggestive "You're Making Me High" and the multi-platinum "Unbreak My Heart" are all remastered in this best-of collection. Just for good measure, previously unreleased works "Whatchu Need" and "The Little Things" are included — S.I.
JAMES BROWN; "50th Anniversary Collection" (Polydor/UTV) ***
In 1996, James Brown released a "40th Anniversary Collection." But there are some discrepancies about when "the hardest working man in show business" actually began singing professionally. Turns out it was 1953. Therefore, he decided to release "50th Anniversary Collection" this year. The only complaint: "I Feel Good" and "Livin' in America" are not included on this two-CD package. But that's not a huge problem. "I Feel Good" is one of Brown's more overplayed works, and "Livin' . . ." isn't his strongest. Still, why not give "Cold Sweat Pt. 1," "Say It Loud — I'm Black and I'm Proud" or "Get Up Offa That Thing" some time. They're included in this set, along with "It's a New Day" and "I Got Ants in My Pants." — S.I.
MARIAH CAREY; "The Remixes" (Columbia) * 1/2
Enough already!! When Carey released the original versions of "Always Be My Baby," "Honey," "Loverboy" and "Crybaby," they didn't have the depth of her earlier songs, "Emotions," "Love Takes Time" and "Vision of Love." So, why is there a two-CD collection of remixes that includes "Always Be My Baby," "Honey," "Loverboy" and "Crybaby?" These rehashed, dance-track arrangements are just as boring as the originals. Good thing the remix of "Emotions" is included. Otherwise "The Remixes" would be "The Please Fix These." — S.I.
MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER; "The Essential . . . " (Columbia/Legacy) ** 1/2
These songs, gleaned from Carpenter's earlier albums, date back to 1989, and among them are some of her most passionate offerings — "Stones in the Road," "Shut Up and Kiss Me," "Almost Home," "I Am a Town," "He Thinks He'll Keep Her," etc. — making for a nice career overview. Shawn Colvin, Trisha Yearwood and Matt Rollings, among others, also show up. — Chris Hicks
CARPENTERS; "Carpenters Perform Carpenter" (A&M) **
Just when you thought Richard Carpenter couldn't possibly come up with another way to package the old hits he had with his late sister Karen in the 1970s, he manages to come up with a salute to . . . himself! All 18 of these songs were written or co-written by Carpenter, and it's an OK collection that a die-hard fan might make for himself on a CD burner: "Top of the World," "Mr. Guder," "Yesterday Once More," "Goodbye to Love" — even "Merry Christmas, Darling" (as a "bonus track"). It's not bad, but enough already. — C.H.
JIMMY CLIFF; "Jimmy Cliff Anthology" (Hip-O/Island) ****
To really do justice to Cliff, Jamaica's venerated musical star, you'd probably need more than just two discs. Yet this collection — which culls track from his more than 40 years' of recorded work — is nearly perfect. Included are his classic hits "Many Rivers to Cross" and "The Harder They Come" and his memorable covers of both "Wild World" and "I Can See Clearly Now." Essential for any reggae fan. — J.V.
COUNTING CROWS; "Films About Ghosts, the Best of . . ." (Geffen) * 1/2
Whiny. Drab and slow-paced. That describes most of the Counting Crows songs. "Angels of the Silences," "Round Here" and "A Long December" are some of the downers. Even the new song "She Don't Want Nobody Near" doesn't add anything new. The up-tempo "Mr. Jones" and a remake of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" somewhat redeem this album. But when a remake of the Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil" rears its head, all seems lost. Remakes are good once in a while, if they're done right. — S.I.
SHERYL CROW; "The Very Best of . . . " (A&M) ** 1/2
The title says it all. Everything from her breakthrough tune "All I Wanna Do" to her country single version of "The First Cut Is the Deepest" are on this 17-song CD. Other Grammy-winners include "There Goes the Neighborhood," "Steve McQueen," "Everyday Is a Winding Road" and "My Favorite Mistake," along with "Picture," her surprisingly emotive duet with Kid Rock. The only complaint is the nerve-wearing "If It Makes You Happy," which, unfortunately, was yet another Grammy winner for Crow back in 1996. — S.I.
DE LA SOUL; "Timeless: the Singles Collection" (Tommy Boy/Rhino) ** 1/2
When something is called a singles collection, it doesn't necessarily mean all the songs on the album hit the charts. This is true with the De La Soul "Timeless" album. All the songs might have been released as singles, but only a few hit the charts. "Me Myself and I" and "Breakadawn," "Ego Trippin' (Part Two)," "Buddy," "A Roller Skating Jam Names 'Saturdays,' " "Stakes Is High" and "The Bizness" all hit the rhythm and blues charts. But "Jenifa," "Potholes in My Lawn," "Supa Emcees" and "4 More" missed the mark. And that's how this album works. All the popular works were chartworthy, but the rest . . . ho hum. — S.I.
DIGITAL UNDERGROUND; "Playwutchyalike: the Best of . . . " (Tommy Boy/Rhino) ** 1/2
There wasn't anyone in the early 1990s who didn't know "The Humpty Dance." Led by the beaky Shock G., born Gregory E. Jacobs, the group introduced new listeners to the hip-hop, funk philosophy of George Clinton and Bootsy Collins. With "No Nose Job," "Kiss You Back" and a remix of "Underwater Rimes," this CD has all the hits. "Same Song," "Freaks of the Industry" and "Packet Man" are remastered to shimmering glory. — S.I.
DILLINGER; "Ultimate Collection" (Hip-O/Island) ** 1/2
While none of Dillinger's singles made it to Billboard's Top 200, the performer — born Lester Bullock in 1953 in Jamaica — gained a hard-core following thanks to the reggae boom of the mid-1970s. His underground dancehall-style chatting caught the ear of those who wanted something a little less polished than Bob Marley. This CD features the rolling tongue of "Ragnampiza"; the extended, scratchy version of "Jah Show Them the Way"; the Dillinger/Trinity duet "So Long Rastafari" and the rough recording of the Dillinger/Satta duet "I Saw E Saw." This compilation also features the two shock anthems "Cokane in My Brain" and "Marijuana in My Brain." — S.I.
DIO; "Stand Up and Shout: the Anthology" (Warner Bros./Rhino) ***
When former Elf singer Ronnie James Dio left Rainbow and replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, he brought a new, mystical style to that band. When he made his exit from the Sabs, Dio decided to continue his mystical imagery in his own self-named band. This two-CD greatest-hits package features some of Dio's strongest work. From the bluesy Elf days ("Hoochie Koochie Lady," "I'm Coming Back for You" and "Carolina County Ball") to his days in Rainbow ("Man on the Silver Mountain," "Starstruck" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll") to his days in Sabbath ("Neon Nights," "Children of the Sea" and "Heaven and Hell"), the first disc shows Dio coming into his own. The second disc reveals a confident Dio fronting his own band. "Stand Up and Shout," "Holy Diver," "Rainbow in the Dark" and "The Last in Line" are the cream of the crop. — S.I.
THE DOORS; "Legacy: the Absolute Best" (Elektra/Rhino) *** 1/2
With two box sets and numerous greatest-hits discs on the market, the members of the Doors have found more success than in their heyday. The two CDs here contain all the hits, including "Light My Fire," "Touch Me," "People Are Strange," "Hello, I Love You" and "L.A. Woman." Doors epics, such as "The End," "When the Music's Over" and "The Unknown Soldier," are also featured. There's no "Soft Parade," but this hits collection includes a previously unreleased studio version of Morrison's theatrical poem, "Celebration of the Lizard." — S.I.
EAGLES; "The Very Best of . . . " (Warner Music Group) *** 1/2
This Eagles package contains two CDs and a DVD. The DVD features a mini-documentary about the band's current Farewell tour, the video for the new single "Whole in the World" and another documentary about the making of the video. The CDs feature everything from "Take It Easy" to the audio version of "Hole in the World." Cowboy ballads "Doolin-Daltin" and "Desperado" are teamed with the restless "Ol' 55," "Midnight Flyer" and "Those Shoes." "Hotel California," "Life in the Fast Lane," "The Long Run" and "I Can't Tell You Why" are here, with the live version of "Seven Bridges Road." But there's no "Try and Love Again." — S.I.
ERASURE; "Hits — The Very Best of . . . " (Mute Records) ***
No one does '80s techno-pop better than Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, and this two-disc release doesn't disappoint. Disc one features 20 favorites — "Oh L'Amour," "Sometimes," "Chains of Love" and "Love to Hate You," as well as covers of Abba's "Take a Chance On Me" and "Voulez Vos," and Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill." Disc two features 18 more songs — all megamixes. In all, you'll get three versions of "Oh L'Amour" and two versions of just about everything else. Overkill? What else would you expect from Erasure? — Todd Curtis
JEFF FOXWORTHY; "Double Wide Single Minded: the Best of . . . " (Warner Bros./Rhino) ** 1/2
Tired of Redneck jokes? Well, if you're not, then this new Jeff Foxworthy greatest hits is for you. Most of these selections were taken from his live shows. "You Might Be a Redneck If . . .," "Southern Accent," "You Can't Give Rednecks Money," "Still More You Might be a Redneck If . . ." and "Every Single Hair on Her Body" are classic Foxworthy fodder. The package includes a DVD with "Redneck Stomp," "Party All Night" and "Redneck 12 Days of Christmas." — S.I.
MICHAEL FRANKS; "The . . . Anthology: the Art of Love" (Warner Bros./Rhino) ** 1/2
Jazz-pop vocalist Franks surrounded himself with great musicians. While he only hit the Billboard Top 100 with "Popsicle Toes," back in 1976, he became a sort of cult legend. He's worked with the Yellowjackets, Brenda Russell and Crossfire. This two-disc compilation features Franks at his best. "Popsicle Toes," "Eggplant," "Sanpaku," "Tahitian Moon" and a live version of "The Dream," featuring the Yellowjackets, are among the 31 tracks. — S.I.
THE FUGEES; "Greatest Hits" (Columbia) ***
Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Prakaz "Pras" Michel were the Three Musketeers of hip-hop during the mid-1990s. Hitting the scene as the Fugees — short for "Refugees" — the group caught the ears of suburban and urban youth with a soulful remake of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly." Another remake included an easy-beat take on Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry." The trio showed it could stand on its own hits with "Vocab," "Nappy Heads" and "Fu-Gee-La." All those songs are included in this exciting hits package. — S.I.
PETER GABRIEL; "Hit" (Geffen Chronicles) ****
Trying to downplay his success since leaving Genesis in 1975, Gabriel has named his greatest-hits compilation "Hit," with tongue firmly in cheek. Gabriel is one of those people who lives with his art. He has blended pop music and world music with jazz, rock and fusion. "Shock the Monkey," "Solsbury Hill," "Sledgehammer," "Steam," "In Your Eyes," "Biko" (his tribute to activist Stephen Biko) and "Big Time" are all here to show Gabriel's development. There are also a couple of newer tunes, "Cloudless" and a live version of "Downside Up." — S.I.
GRATEFUL DEAD; "The Very Best of . . . " (Warner Bros./Rhino) ***
Editing a 36-year career down to only 17 tracks is a daunting task. Certainly some Deadheads will be disappointed that their favorite songs aren't included in this "Very Best" retrospective. Still, old staples include "Truckin'," "Sugar Magnolia," "The Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion)," "Uncle John's Band," "Friend of the Devil" and "Casey Jones" can be heard intermingled with more recent Dead tunes, "Hell in a Bucket," "Fire on the Mountain" and "Touch of Grey." This CD is the condensed and more affordable version of the recently released box set "The Golden Road." — S.I.
GUIDED BY VOICES; "The Best of . . . : Human Amusements at Hourly Rates" (Matador) *** 1/2
While longtime fans of this peculiar guitar-pop act may have some gripes about some of the track selections — and exceptions (the exclusion of its all-time best song, "Gold Star for Robot Boy," is particularly glaring) — there's still a lot to enjoy here. As with most hits collections, this one is probably more of interest to newcomers. But there are a couple of rarities (such as "Shocker in Gloomtown") that will appeal to those more familiar with the band's output. — J.V.
SOPHIE B. HAWKINS; "The Best of . . . " (Columbia/Legacy).* 1/2
This selection covers only two of Hawkins' albums — six cuts each from "Tongues and Tails" (1992) and "Whaler" (1994), along with a couple of others. And one of the latter, a cover of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," is awful. There's nothing here from Hawkins' most recent CD, "Timbre." A "Best of" collection from two albums by a working artist seems quite odd and should appeal only to her most ardent fans. True, her output has not been great over the past decade, but you might just as well buy those two albums, which can be gotten pretty cheap these days. In fact, you can probably get both for as much as you'd pay for this one. — C.H.
MICHAEL JACKSON; "Number Ones" (Epic) *** 1/2
Considering why Jackson is back in the news, the timing for this "Number Ones" CD is, well, "Bad." But at one time, Jackson was one talented artist. This album features 18 songs — all which were No. 1 at one time or another. From his "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" to "One More Chance" to a live version of "Ben," the music does the talking. "Beat It," "Billie Jean," "Bad," "Smooth Criminal," "You Are not Alone," "Man in the Mirror" and "Black or White" are testaments of his musical genius. It's a shame his personal life is in such a shambles. — S.I.
WYCLEF JEAN; "Greatest Hits" (Sony Urban/Columbia) ***
During the Fugees extended hiatus, the group's rapper/guitarist Jean embarked on a solo outing, which was quickly followed by solo careers by the other Fugees — Praz and Lauryn Hill. While Hill won the Grammys, Jean seemed content in his multi-cultural, socio-political, hip-hop world rhythms. Still, he is known around the world for his cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here." And while that tune can stand alone, there are other notable works such as "Diallo," "Hey Girl," "Ghetto Reunion" and "911," featuring Mary J. Blidge. — S.I.
JANIS JOPLIN; "The Essential . . . " (Columbia/Legacy) *** 1/2
The term "Princess of Wail" is used affectionately. Janis Joplin sang with her heart and soul, as this two-CD release bears witness. From the early swagger of "Down on Me" to her previously unreleased live reworking of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody" to her old standards "Me and Bobbie McGee" and "Piece of My Heart," Janis never held back. She lived for the music . . . and she died for it. — S.I.
LONESTAR; "From There to Here: Greatest Hits" (BNA) ** 1/2
When "I'm Already There" became a post 9/11 anthem, adult-contemporary radio relentlessly played the song from sunup to sundown. And while that song captures country group Lonestar at its sappy best, the other songs on this 17-track greatest-hits album show the band really hasn't changed from its early works, "Tequila Talkin' " and "Runnin' Away with My Heart." The storyline ballad style is well intact, and even newly recorded works — "My Front Porch Looking In," "I Pray" and a Lonestar take of "Walking in Memphis" — are in the group's trademark melodic production. And for whoever hasn't tired of "I'm Already There," the disc spotlights a re-recording of the hit, laced with a tear-jerking telephone message from families who have loved ones serving in Iraq. — S.I.
LORDS OF ACID; "Greatest . . ." (Sanctuary) ** 1/2
The masters of ero-tech have released a greatest-hits package that confines its suggestive dance works. Fifteen uncensored songs and one unexpurgated DVD video have been stuffed into this CD. Some of the club-friendly works include "Gimme Gimme," "Crablouse," "Am I Sexy" and "Do What You Wanna Do." The explicit-lyrics sticker is well placed. — S.I.
LOVE; "The Best of . . . " (Elektra) ***
Arthur Lee and his psychedelic band Love caught the attention of the Doors' Jim Morrison. He loved Love. He and most local Los Angeles bands used Love as a measuring stick to gauge hipness and success, even though Love didn't make it much higher than mere cult status. Better-known works, such as "7 & 7 Is," "Alone Again Or" and "My Little Red Book" are here in remastered form. Also included are "Orange Skies," "She Comes in Colors" and a frantic remake of "Hey Joe," which was made famous by Jimi Hendrix in 1967. Nice compilation, but no match for the Love box set, "Love Story: 1966-1972," released in 1995. — S.I.
LYNYRD SKYNYRD; "Thyrty: the 30th Anniversary Collection" (UTV)***
The seminal Southern Rock band from Jacksonville, Fla., has a box set, numerous "Greatest Hits" collections and was the subject of a tribute album. It even released a Christmas album a few years back. "Thyrty" is chock full of Skynyrd classics, such as "Sweet Home Alabama," "Tuesday's Gone," "Free Bird," "Saturday Night Special" and "That Smell." Some of the live tracks include "Whisky Rock-a-Roller," "Simple Man" and "Gimme Back My Bullets." Rearing its head for the first time is a previously unreleased cut of "Blues Melody." — S.I.
JO DEE MESSINA; "Greatest Hits" (Curb) ** 1/2
Messina moved from New England to Nashville when she was 19. She became "the other Red Head." (The first, of course, was Reba McEntire.) Messina hit it well with her songs of empowerment ("Bye-Bye"), restlessness ("Heads Carolina, Tails California") and attitude ("Bring on the Rain"). Her "Greatest Hits" include those songs and two new uplifting works, "Was That My Life" and "You Belong to the Sun." — S.I.
JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY; "The Best of . . . " (Warner Bros.) ***
Non-country-music fans will recognize Montgomery's hit "I Swear," which was also a crossover hit for Rhythm and Blues vocal group All-4-One. And that's about it. Country fans will recognize "The Little Girl," Montgomery's collaboration with Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski. But there's more: "Be My Baby Tonight," "Life's a Dance," "I Can Love You Like That" and "Angel in My Eyes." All are staple JMM works that grace this album. — S.I.
MOTLEY CRUE; "The Best of . . . " (Hip-O) **
The first four songs — "Piece of Your Action," "Shout at the Devil," "Too Young to Fall in Love" and "Home Sweet Home" — rock the world. The other eight songs — including "Girls, Girls Girls," "Kickstart My Heart," "Hooligan's Holiday" and "Generation Swine" — stink up the universe. Where's "Too Hot," "City Boy Blues," "Dr. Feelgood" and the band's remake of the Brownsville Station's "Smokin' in the Boy's Room?" Forget "Rock 'n' Roll Junkie" and "Hell on High Heels." What a waste. — S.I.
MOTT THE HOOPLE; "Greatest Hits" (Columbia/Legacy) ***
Led by Ian Hunter, British glam-rock band Mott the Hoople furthered its career by redoing David Bowie's "All the Young Dudes." That track is among the 12 top Mott tunes gathered for this release. "One of the Boys," "All the Way from Memphis," "Born Late," "Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll" and a cover of the Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane" round out this nostalgic package. — S.I.
MOUNTAIN; "The Best of . . . " (Columbia/Legacy) ** 1/2
Originally released in 1973, "The Best of Mountain" took the best tracks from the band's first three albums — "Mississippi Queen," "Never in My Life" and "The Animal Trainer and the Toad" — to show the band in its heavy-stomping blues best. Bonus tracks that didn't appear on the '73 release include "Long Red," "Dreams of Milk & Honey," "Silver Paper and "Travelin' in the Dark." — S.I.
NAUGHTY BY NATURE; "Naughty's Nicest: Greatest Hits" (Tommy Boy/Rhino) **
This greatest-hits album kicks off with the multi-platinum, chant-along hit "O.P.P." It's all downhill from there. Naughty By Nature, hailing from East Orange, N.J., was once revered, with a Grammy Award, an American Music Award and a "Source" Magazine Award solidifying the trio's place in recorded music. But the group didn't match the success of "O.P.P.," which hit No. 6 on the pop charts. Even the party anthem "Hip-Hop Hooray" barely made it to No. 8. Luckily those two songs are on this CD. Other notable works include "Everything's Gonna Be Alright," "Fell Me Flow," "It's On (Kay Gee Remix)" and "Written On Ya Kitten." Still, too much Naughty is bad. — S.I.
NEW YORK DOLLS; "The Best of . . . " (Mercury) ***
The cross-dressing wild bunch known as the New York Dolls only released two albums. But those albums, which barely found themselves in the middle of the Billboard's Top 200, caused quite a stir in the glam/punk music scene. Led by David Johansen and guitarist Johnny Thunders Genzale, this flamboyant band inspired other misfit groups, such as the Cramps. This "Best of" album features classic Dolls tunes "Personality Crisis," "Trash," "Jet Boy" and "Puss 'n' Boots," just to name a few — S.I.
NO DOUBT; "The Singles 1992-2003" (Interscope) ***
For 11 years, No Doubt has brought a little bit of Southern California sunshine to the rest of the world. This single-disc anthology shows the Orange County band's versatility and evolution from early punk-ska to its present eclectic mix. The disc opens with the band's breakthrough hit "Just a Girl," and closes with its first single "Trapped in a Box." In between are the disco grooves of "Hella Good," the schizoid "Sunday Morning," the heartbreaking "Don't Speak" and the dance hall chant of "Hey Baby," featuring Bounty Killer. No Doubt found mainstream but still kept its edge. — S.I.
OZZY OSBOURNE; "The Essential . . . " (Epic/Legacy) ***
This compilation makes you forget about that stupid reality show called "The Osbournes." The music here, much like his 1997 collection "The Ozzman Cometh," is a career retrospective. But unlike that one, this is a two-CD collection, with more songs. "Crazy Train," "Over the Mountain," "Desire," "Perry Mason," "I Just Want You," "Dreamer" and "Bark at the Moon" are just a few of the deliciously demonic works on this new collection. — S.I.
THE OSMONDS; "Osmondmania: The Osmond Family's Greatest Hits" (Universal) ** 1/2
If it's going to say the "Osmond Family's Greatest Hits," then it should have songs from allthe Osmond recording artists. Where's Little Jimmy Osmond's ode to the Beatles "Long-Haired Lover from Liverpool"? "One Bad Apple," "Yo-Yo," "Crazy Horses" and "Double Lovin' " are included. And Donny's "Go Away, Little Girl" and "Puppy Love." And Marie's "Paper Roses" and "Who's Sorry Now." Even Donny & Marie's duets: "I'm Leaving It All Up to You" and "Deep Purple." But nothing from Jimmy. — S.I.
PANTERA; "Far Beyond the Great Southern Cowboy's Vulgar Hits: The Best of . . . " (Elektra/Rhino) ***
While the future of Pantera is still in the dark, the band officiated the release of this greatest-hits compilation. There is one CD — with buzzsaw-guitar classics "Cowboys from Hell," "Walk," "I'm Broken," "Becoming," "Drag the Waters," remakes of Black Sabbath's "Planet Caravan" and Ted Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever," and such recent tracks as "Revolution Is My Name" and "Hole in the Sky" (the latter only released in Japan) — and a DVD with alive version of "Domination" and studio videos of "Cemetery Gates," "Mouth for War" and "Revolution Is my Name," just to name a few. This album honors the explicit-lyric sticker to the max. — S.I.
JACO PASTORIUS; "Punk Jazz: the Jaco Pastorius Anthology" (Warner Bros./Rhino) *** 1/2
Bassist extraordinaire Pastorius played with everyone from Joni Mitchell to Weather Report to Mike Stern, Pat Metheny and the Brian Melvin Trio. This two-disc package includes some of those collaborations. Mitchell's "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," Melvin's "Out of the Night," Metheny's "Midwestern Night's Dream" and Stern's "Mood Swings" only touch the iceberg tip. Pastorius, a manic depressive who died at the hands of a club bouncer in 1987, was one of the most sought-after session bassists in the '70s. His own "Continuum," "3 Views of a Secret" and "Liberty City," which are in this collection, testify to his versatility. — S.I.
ROBERT PLANT; "Sixty Six to Timbuktu" (Atlantic) ** 1/2
The former lead singer for Led Zeppelin found moderate success with a more Top 40-friendly sound, although his biggest hit, "Tall Cool One," coiffed samples from Zep tunes "Whole Lotta Love" and "The Ocean." Still, there was something soothing about his voice on such Plant originals as "Big Log" and remakes of "Sea of Love" (with the Honeydrippers) and "If I Were a Carpenter." This two-CD collection doesn't have 66 tracks, just 35. But it contains some gems — "Hey Joe," "Louie Louie," "Ship of Fools." — S.I.
RAINBOW; "Catch the Rainbow: The Anthology" (Polydor) ***
Trying to leave the burden of Deep Purple behind, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore recruited singer Ronnie James Dio from the little-known band Elf and formed Rainbow. Blackmore and Dio had a common interest in medieval music, which explains some of the mystical lyricism in early Rainbow hits "Man on the Silver Mountain," "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" and "Kill the King." The haunting minstrel ballad "Rainbow Eyes" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" are other Dio-fronted Rainbow classics here. Disc two features Dio's replacement singers Graham Bonnet — "Since You Been Gone," "All Night Long" — and Joe Lynn Turne —"Surrender, "Can't Happen Here," "Street of Dreams." And no Rainbow compilation would be complete without the live symphonic version of "Difficult to Cure," based on Beethoven's 9th Symphony. — S.I.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS; "Greatest Hits" (Warner Bros.) ***
Funk-rock at its best. The Red Hot Chili Peppers came of age when music was going through some changes. Pop hair metal was slipping off the throne, and bands like the Peppers, Primus and Faith No More were waiting for a chance to reign. The Peppers' "Greatest Hits" is stocked with such body-jerking grooves as "Give It Away," "Suck My Kiss," "Road Trippin' " and the social commentary of "Under the Bridge" and "Otherside." — S.I.
R.E.M.; "In Time: The Best of R.E.M., 1988-2003" (Warner Bros.) *** 1/2
The fact that R.E.M. spared us from the cringe-inducing sounds of "Shiny Happy People" makes this hits collection — the band's second but the first covering its Warner Bros. years — cause for celebration. The band seems to have given the track selection a lot of thought, and for the most part, they've got it right. (Although in a few cases they've bypassed singles for worthier album tracks.) But the second disc, "rarities and B-sides," is a bit sketchy. — J.V.
THE ROCHES; "The Collected Works of . . . " (Warner Bros./Rhino) ***
Do not pronounce this trio's name "roaches." It rhymes with "gouches." This trio of sisters — Terre, Maggie and, of course, Suzzy Roche — mixed folk, rock, classical and blues into an art form only they could do. From the emotive power of "Hammond Song" to an earnestly loyal version of Handel's "The Hallelujah Chorus," the Roches did things their way. "Face Down at Folk City, " Mr. Sellack" and a live version of "The Married Men" are a few of the jewels in this greatest-hits collection. — S.I.
PETE ROCK & C.L. Smooth; "Good Life" (Elektra/Rhino) ** 1/2
Pete Philips, a k a Pete Rock, took his sampling seriously. Throughout the 1990s, he and rapping partner C.L. Smooth, born Corey Penn, found success in hip-hop circles. While the duo's biggest hits — "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)," "Straighten It Out" and "Lots of Lovin' " — didn't contain samples, the duo was known for its knack of reinventing taglines from old songs. This comes through tunes like "I Got a Love," "All the Places" and "One in a Million," which feature excerpts from, respectively, Mel & Tim's "Groovy Situation," Donald Byrd's "Places and Spaces" and Brother Jack McDuff's "Electric Surfboard," respectively. — S.I.
RUN-DMC; "Ultimate . . . " (Arista) *** 1/2
With the possible exception of Public Enemy, no other rap act has had as much influence as this beloved trio. Included are the hits "It's Tricky," "Mary, Mary" and "My Adidas," as well as the remake of "Walk This Way," with rockers Aerosmith. However, as swell as the bonus DVD is (it includes more than a dozen of the band's music videos, as well as a mini-documentary), the lack of liner notes is pretty glaring. — J.V.
RUSH; "The Spirit of the Radio: Greatest Hits 1974-1987" (Mercury) *** 1/2
Before the Canadian progressive-rock trio signed to Atlantic Records, this band released a slew of albums on Mercury Records. This CD is an attempt to collect the band's most accessible works: "Working Man," "Fly by Night," "Closer to the Heart," "Tom Sawyer," "New World Man," "Time Stand Still," "Subdivisions," "Freewill," "Limelight," "Spirit of the Radio." No "Xanadu," but fans will like the accompanying DVD that features "Closer to the Heart," "Tom Sawyer," "Subdivisions," "The Big Money" and "Mystic Rhythms." — S.I.
SANTANA; "The Essential . . . " (Columbia/Legacy) *** 1/2
Although guitarist/band leader Carlos Santana might have had his career resurgence back in the summer of 1999 with his smash album "Supernatural," his more artistic works were laid to vinyl in the late '60s and '70s. This two-CD treasure chest is filled with older golden nuggets, such as the Afro-Cuban jams of "Jingo" and "Soul Sacrifice," and the moody groove of the name-play title "Samba Pa' Ti." Pop hits "Evil Ways," "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" and "Winning" make their appearances, too. "Blues for Salvador," "Love, Devotion & Surrender" and "Everybody's Everything" are remastered to full shining glory, as well as "Carnival," "Hold On" and "Nowhere to Run." — S.I.
JOE SATRIANI; "The Electric Joe Satriani: An Anthology" (Epic/Legacy) *** 1/2
When Satriani hit the scene in 1987, he had already taught Steve Vai and Metallica's Kirk Hammett. Satriani's masterful guitar-playing raised the bar on metal, jazz and blues. These 30 tracks on two CDs show why he wins all those guitar-playing awards. "Surfing With the Alien," "Flying in a Blue Dream," "The Crush of Love," Devil's Slide" and "Mind Storm" are some delightful chunky tracks that only Satriani can deliver. — S.I.
SEMISONIC; "The Best of . . . " (MCA) ** 1/2
Semisonic's live performances are far better than the recordings. However, the band hit paydirt with the MTV hit "Closing Time." Back in 1995, the group released its debut album, "Great Divide." Two additional albums, "Feeling Strangely Fine" and "All About Chemistry," followed in the concurrent years. While the Grammy-nominated "Closing Time" was the band at its best, other songs, such as "The Prize," "Across the Great Divide" and "Never You Mind," show the band's crafty personality. — S.I.
SIMON & GARFUNKEL; "The Essential . . . " (Columbia/Legacy) ****
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are enjoying a reunion tour, but those who won't be able to see them can pick up this two-CD career retrospective. "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.," "Most Peculiar Man," "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and "The Boxer" are filled with the duo's trademark harmonies. And "I Am a Rock," "Sounds of Silence," "Old Friends," "Bookends Theme" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" are also here, of course. — S.I.
SPAIN; "Spirituals: the Best of Spain" (Ryko/Restless) ***
Along the lines of laid-back blues-influenced Americana, Spain captured it all. The loose, yet well-crafted songs that bassist/vocalist/founder Josh Haden wrote are nice little tunes with substance. "It's so True," "Spiritual," "Easy Lover" and "She Haunts My Dreams" are some of the highlights of this 16-song collection. — S.I.
SPIRIT; "The Best of . . ." (Epic/Legacy) ** 1/2
Originally released back in 1973, "The Best of Spirit" highlights the classic rock of this West Coast band. The most memorable hit is "I Got a Line on You," which peaked at No. 25, becoming the band's only Top 40 hit. Still, musically speaking, the tracks "Mechanical World," "Animal Zoo," "Dark-Eyed Woman" and "1984" are noteworthy, as well. — S.I.
ROD STEWART; "Encore: the Very Best of . . . , Vol. 2" (Warner Bros.) **
This is the official follow-up to Stewart's 2001 "The Story So Far: The Very Best of Rod Stewart." And being a follow-up, it's made up of the secondary hits of the former Small Faces singer. While "The Story So Far . . ." documents Stewart's demise from glam-rocker to sappy balladeer, "Encore" only confirms the fact that he has mellowed to the point of no return. Easy-listening tracks include "I Don't Want to Talk About It," the back-street loneliness of "Passion," his cover of Carole King's "So Far Away," his cover of Elton John's "Your Song," the New Ageish "Broken Arrow" and his duet with the Temptations on the big-sound production of "The Motown Song." There are glimpses of Stewart's former sass 'n' strut style on "Baby Jane," "Infatuation" (which features guitarist Jeff Beck) and the bouncing "Tonight I'm Yours." — S.I.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS; "Thank You" (Atlantic) *** 1/2
The Stone Temple Pilots have all the bad luck. When the band first broke, critics said it sounded too much like Pearl Jam. When STP changed its style, critics hated the glam-rock sound. Then there was lead singer Scott Weiland's drug problems, which still get him in trouble today. Still, the band pounded out some cool rock 'n' roll. "Plush," "Creep," "Big Bang Baby," "Sex Type Thing," "Interstate Love Song" and "Big Empty" are placed together for the first time. — S.I.
DONNA SUMMER; "The Journey: The Very Best of . . . " (Mercury) ** 1/2
As provocative as she is, Summer will always be remembered as the Queen of Disco. Her hits "Bad Girls," her remake of "MacArthur Park," "Hot Stuff," and her duet with Barbara Streisand, "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)," went straight to No. 1 in the late '70s. "Dim All the Lights" "Heaven Knows," "Last Dance" and "On the Radio" were all Top 5s, as was the sensual "Love to Love You Baby." Summer was also the first to dabble in techno remixes, with her collaboration with Georgio Moroder on "I Feel Love." All those songs are included in this hits package, as is "She Works Hard for the Money" and "State of Independence." — S.I.
RUSS TAFF; "The Best of . . . " (Spring House)** 1/2
Taff has enjoyed a long career as lead singer of the Imperials, as a Grammy-winning soloist and as a member of the Gaither gospel family. This greatest-hits package is full of the sing-and-shout style and feeling that have always been part of his music. Whether he's being introspective and poignant on "Why Me?" and "For Those Tears I Died" or hopeful and encouraging on "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" and "We Will Stand" or getting caught up in the pulsing rhythm of "He Came Through," "Born Again" and "Ain't No Grave," Taff sings with conviction. The chorus adds a note of jubilation on several of the numbers, providing a nice backdrop for Taff's deep, rich voice. — C.W.
TEENAGE FANCLUB; "Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Seconds: A Short Cut to Teenage Fanclub" (Jetset) *** 1/2
Unfortunately, this 21-cut collection of songs from the underappreciated Scottish power-pop act has the feel of a swan song. Still, it does a nice job of showing the band's progress from a neo-grunge outfit to a gentler, folk-influenced pop act (as witnessed by the lovely "I Don't Want Control of You"). Also, there are three new songs — the strongest of which is the shimmering "Can I Say?" — which demonstrate that the group hasn't lost its relevance or its pop hooks. — J.V.
STEVE VAI; "The Infinite Steve Vai: An Anthology" (Epic/Legacy) *** 1/2
Vai, a former student of Joe Satriani, brought a new dimension to technical guitar licks. While some may know him as the guitarist for David Lee Roth, hard-core musician types will remember he squared off with Ralph Macchio in the 1986 film "Crossroads." Although, this two-disc anthology doesn't contain any of the "Crossroads" tunes or Roth's works, it's still a work of technical prowess. "Liberty," "The Riddle" and the emotive "Dyin' Day" are all Vai in his prime. "Feathers," "The Reaper" and "Christmas Time Is Here" are still more vital Vai. — S.I.
VANGELIS; "Odyssey: the Definitive Collection" (Hip-O) ***
For nearly 30 years, Vangelis, a k a Evangelos Papathanassaiou, has created moving soundscapes through electronic means. He hit it big internationally with his "Chariots of Fire" soundtrack in 1981. But his works are more than just background music for slow-motion runners. He did the soundtrack for "Blade Runner," which had its official release on CD in 1994, some 12 years after the movie was released. "Odyssey" has culled 18 tracks from his melodious career and compiled them into this little musical time capsule. "Hymne," "The Tao of Love" and themes from "Blade Runner, "Chariots of Fire" and "Antarctica" are just a few of the highlights. — S.I.
WAR; "The Very Best of . . . " (Avenue/Rhino) ***
When Eric Burdon left the Animals, he was itching to groove. He teamed up the interracial band War and laid down tracks for "Spill the Wine" and "Tobacco Road." Then Burdon moved on, but War continued. In this two-CD compilation, War shows off such signature works as "Low Rider" and "The Cisco Kid." "Why Can't We Be Friends?" "L.A. Sunshine," "Cinco de Mayo" and a live version of "Ballero." — S.I.
ROB ZOMBIE; "Past, Present & Future" (Geffen) ** 1/2
When Rob Zombie is on, he rocks. When he's off, its mundane. That's the problem with this greatest-hits album. Strong rockers such as "Dragula" and his remake of the Ramone's "Blitzkrieg Bop" are full of energy and campy horror humor. "Thunder Kiss '65," "More Human Than Human" and "Super Charger Human" done by his former band White Zombie, are strong opening tracks to this album. But the steam runs out until the Rob Zombie remake of K.C. & the Sunshine Band's "I'm Your Boogie Man." Even Zombie's duet with Lionel Richie on a psychoblastic remake of "Brickhouse" has more life than "Never Gonna Stop" and the swamp-drag of "Living Dead Girl." However the bonus DVD boosts things up a notch. — S.I.