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A new heartfelt composition, "Murray's Song" is a bonus track. This one is a keeper. Scott Iwasaki Aerosmith, which has had more than its share of greatest-hits compilations, releases yet another.
This 18-song CD features two new songs "Sedona Sunrise" and "Devil's Got a New Disguise" which could be throwaway tracks. Though they're fresher than "Dream On," "Sweet Emotion," "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" and "Love in an Elevator" again. Along with the Run D.
M.C. version of "Walk This Way.
" Same old same old. S.I.
Those who followed Alice in Chains' rise to stardom likely already own their albums. But for those jumping on the bandwagon late, this package of 28 songs does a better-than-average job of covering the entire Layne Staley era. The only song inexplicably missing in this "essential" compilation is "Down in a Hole" which is almost enough to dock it a half-star.
Otherwise, all the big songs from the group's three full-length albums, two EPs and live-unplugged recording with MTV are here. Pat Reavy
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The tracks on this compilation include the catchy "No Government," "1980," "Two Years Too Late" and "Another Dead Soldier," and pretty much run in chronological order, nostalgia for the early '80s punk scene. S.I.
Hailing from Los Angeles' Paisley Underground, helmed by none other than Prince, the '80s all-female band Bangles hit the scene with the 1984 album "All Over the Place," but it wasn't until the unleashing of "Different Light" (1986), which featured the hits "Walk Like an Egyptian" and "Manic Monday," that the Bangles entered the teen psyche. This compilation features a heavy dose of songs from "Different Light," along with songs from "All Over the Place" and later Bangles hits, all remastered. S.
I. Enough already! Sure, the original lineup of Black Sabbath Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Terry "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward literally created the heavy-metal sound (even though Steppenwolf coined the phrase in "Born to Be Wild"), but the band also existed without Ozzy for a few years.
So it would be nice to have a greatest-hits collection that includes other lineups instead of the same old hits done by the same old original band. S.I.
Hearing Michael Bolton sing "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's opera "Turandot" makes the eyes water. And the tears do not come from joy. Bolton's raspy, soul-inspired vocals don't lend anything to this much-loved work.
Unfortunately, that song is included on this two-CD career retrospective. The pop-flavored "How Can We Be Lovers" and the lamenting "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" are bearable, thanks to lush production work, but the collection as a whole gets tiresome after the first four songs. S.
I. A group of former Ants, from Adam the Ants, teamed up with a 14-year-old Burmese singer and out popped Bow Wow Wow. By mixing punk, Afro/Latin dance and ska, the band hit MTV hard with the video remake of the Strangeloves' "I Want Candy," putting the Bo Diddley riff song into the living room of millions of impressionable teens.
This compilation includes that hit, as well as the band's other charting tune "Do You Wanna Hold Me?" and many more. S.
I. Jim Brickman, known to some as the Romantic Piano Sensation, showcases his best instrumental works here." If you want to hear "Valentine" with vocalist Martina McBride, "The Gift" with singers Collin Raye and Susan Ashton or "Love of My Life" with vocalist Michael W.
Smith, check out Brickman's 2004 "Greatest Hits," because "Pure" is strictly piano works. "If You Believe," "Angel Eyes," "Picture This" and "Devotion" have been collected here on one CD. Brickman also rerecorded "Glory" and made it a duet with jazz pianist David Benoit (not the former Utah Jazz guard).
S.I. Throughout his lengthy musical career, Burnett has been applauded more for his work as a producer for Elvis Costello and Roy Orbison or as the man who helped compile the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?
" soundtrack. But this two-disc set of 40 songs from his four-decades career is a revelation of sorts. His somewhat reedy voice is an acquired taste, but songs like "Monkey Dance" and "The People's Limousine" (done with Costello) are winners.
J.V. Emerging during the tail end of Seattle's musical glory years, Candlebox only released three albums before calling it quits.
The band's self-titled debut was its best album and thus makes up the majority of this best-of collection, with such radio standards as "You," "Change" and "Far Behind." Although the band tries to give equal time to its two other albums, this collection hobbles to the finish line with some tracks off "Happy Pills" (its last and worst album) and a so-so song off "The Waterboy" soundtrack. P.
R. The glaring omission here is the Cashes' version of "If I Had Hammer." Other than that, the smash duets "It Ain't Me, Babe," "Jackson," "If I Were a Carpenter," "Help Me Make It Through the Night," "Oh, What a Good Thing We Had," "Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man" and "Old Time Feeling," all fan favorites, are together for the first time on this album, among others.
S.I. Many younger people know Cee-Lo Green as one of the founders of the platinum-recording group Gnarls Barkley.
Old-school hip-hop fans know him for his bumping beats on his solo tunes "Getting Crown," "A Thug's Concern/One for the Road" and "Soul Food." He's also known for collaborations with Pharrell on "The Art of Noise," with Timbland on "I'll Be Around" and Ludacris on "Childz Play." His works feature a bit of soulful gospel, and they're all here.
(Beware of explicit lyrics.) S.I.
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" The second disc is a collection of collaborations with Elvis Costello and Anuna, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, etc. S.I.
Singer/songwriter Marc Cohn struck gold with "Walking in Memphis." And while Cher fans will say her version of the song is better, there's something about Cohn's original cut. It's a little more haunting and less slick.
"True Companion," "Silver Thunderbird" and "Ghost Rain" are strong but less memorable; maybe "Walking in Memphis" shouldn't kick off the set. Still, for fans of poignant songwriting, this is a satisfying mix. S.
I. Too bad the TV show "Dawson's Creek" caused Cole's "I Don't Want to Wait" to be heard over and over. It's a good song but some people got tired of it, although it brought her fame.
"Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" was another strong song, but it was "I Don't Want to Wait" that pushed Cole into the realm of superstardom in the 1990s. This album is a good substitute for those who don't want to buy all her other CDs.
S.I. Many think Terence Trent D'Arby is a one-hit wonder "Sign Your Name" being his trademark breakthrough.
But what about "Wishing Well," "If You Let me Stay" and "To Know Someone Deeply Is to Know Someone Softly"? This is a re-release of the 1993 album of that name, a tight, well-rounded display of D'Arby's songwriting, singing and arranging. S.
I. The glorious Gloria is well represented here by the bulk of her most memorable hits, from "Dr. Beat" to "Wrapped," and 35 other tracks, on two discs with DVD-Rom applications to unlock interviews.
Chris Hicks One of new age's technical guitar wizards, Alex de Grassi, has been around since 1978 and his first album "Turning: Turning Back." The innocent "Children's Dance" and lyrical "Turning" are highlights, along with "Bright Sky," "36" and "McCormick." S.
I. The dark, vampire sound of Depeche Mode has thrilled fans for more than two decades, and this compilation gives fans what they want. "Personal Jesus," "Just Can't Get Enough," "Enjoy the Silence" and "People Are People" are remastered and stacked up against "Walking in My Shoes," "Dream On," "Master and Servant.
" S.I.
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" The harmonies are true to heart-tugging pop country, if a little emotionally manipulative. S.I.
Johnny Marr of the Smiths and Bernard Sumner of New Order decided to collaborate in 1990, then released only two albums, producing one Top 40 hit "Getting Away With It." Thanks to Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant lending his recognizable voice and songwriting abilities, it sounded more like a Pet Shop Boys song than Electronic. Still, Marr and Sumner came up with sleek and catchy dance songs, and this album captures the escapist mood.
S.I. When he's not hawking his guitar-instruction DVD on cable, Esteban (known to his family as Stephen Paul) plays classical guitar.
And much like the hip classical quartet Bond, he puts a rock/pop spin on a lot of his recordings. This is a 12-song collection, showing off his versatility and musicality, including self-penned pieces "Parto Alegre," "Mediterana" and "Enter the Heart." S.
I. From AM Radio gold to FM's easy listening, Roberta Flack has survived the airwaves and changes in pop-music trends. Early hits include "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "Feel Like Makin' Love.
" Mid-career hits include "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Peabo Bryson and "The Closer I Get to You" with Donny Hathaway. S.I.
Eighties icon band A Flock of Seagulls, with lead singer/vocalist Mike Score, performs techno-wave songs "I Ran," "Space Age Love Song," "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" and "The More You Live, the More You Love," to name a few, all with that famous robotic sound. S.I.
Love him or hate him, saxophonist Kenny G can write instrumental hooks that go straight to the radio and Top 40 crossover charts. In his 22-year career he has serenaded fans with "Songbird," "Silhouette," "Havana" and the Peabo Bryson duet "By the Time This Night Is Over." And more, including holiday pieces "Deck the Halls/The Twelve Days of Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Auld Lang Syne.
" S.I. This is the nearest thing to a box set for the flutist, mixing classical (Pachelbel's "Canon") with more contemporary pop works (James Horner's "My Heart Will Go On," from the movie "Titanic") even Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You.
" The versatile Galway knows pop music isn't lowbrow art. S.I.
A year after Rhino released a box set of Jerry Garcia albums, it has come up with this two-CD compilation, featuring studio and live recordings. The late Grateful Dead leader lives through solo studio works ("Sugaree," "The Wheel"), which were part of the Dead set list for years. The live disc only features one major Dead tune ("Ripple").
But there's also "Deal," "Bird Song," "Rubin and Cherise" and "Deep Elem Blues." S.I.
Singer/songwriter Gorka has a way with his poignant baritone vocals, his restless lyrics and his longing compositions. "Looking Forward," "Lightning's Blues" and "Vinnie Charles Is Free" show his musicality and diversity. "I'm From New Jersey," the title track from the album "Jack's Crows," "That's Why" and "The Gypsy Life" make you want to get into a car, put the CD in the player and just drive.
S.I. This compilation has the big hits like "These Eyes" and "No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature," and includes three bonus tracks.
But there are other, more complete collections available from the Canadian rockers. If you're only a casual Guess Who fan who only knows the two previously mentioned tracks, wait a month and this CD will be on the $2.99 rack.
P.R. In this age of regurgitation, you have toask, was this CD really necessary?
Hall and Oates ruled the '80s with giant hits seemingly every other week. These days they just seem to be releasing a "complete" or "ultimate" or "greatest-hits live" or "best-of" collection every other week. This collection is only for those who don't want to spend more than $10 and don't care about picking up a complete compilation.
P.R. When guitarist Michael Hedges died in a car accident in the winter of 1997, the world lost an artist.
Hedges played acoustic guitar, harp guitar and piano. He mixed world music, jazz, blues and classical into his compositions. "Ragamuffin," "Chava's Song," "Ursa Major" and a version of the Beatles' "If I Needed Someone" are spotlighted on this moody collection.
S.I. Those Jefferson Airplane guys Jorma Kaukoenen and Jack Casady's side project, Hot Tuna, entered the 1970s with San Francisco flower power, acoustic folk influence and evolved into a premier funky, blues jam band.
Although this isn't the first or most complete greatest-hits collection, the addition of several live tracks makes this better than average. P.R.
Unlike some bands that think they can release a greatest-hits compilation after just two or three albums, Chris Isaak has a lot of albums and a whole lot of songs. And this is Isaak's first best-of collection. Isaak gained his biggest fame with "Wicked Game" and "Baby Did a Bad Thing," thanks in part to the assistance of some steamy videos.
But neither his career nor the good songs ended there. Although fans will contend the single disc could have easily been expanded to two, this is a great recap. P.
R. Many know him for "Super Freak." Many know him because "Super Freak" was sampled by MC Hammer on "Can't Touch This.
" Then there are movie buffs who know that an instrumental version of "Super Freak" was featured in the ballroom scene of "Batman Returns." The late Rick James will always be connected with that song, so it's a good thing it's included on this 17-track compilation. S.
I. Jay Kays hit the big time under the name Jamiroquai with his third album "Traveling Without Moving." The first single, "Virtual Insanity," was an MTV hit.
Since then, Jamiroquai has had some marginal hits, but nothing to compare with that one. Still, he kept working, putting out music. This 19-track hits package shows Kay's natural ability to make some nice, albeit, unmemorable grooves.
S.I. Perry Farrell's various musical projects have suffered from "soundalike" syndrome too many of his songs sound the same.
There's less of that to be found on this best-of collection, though some of the choices are curious. The noxious "Superhero," for example, only seems to have been included because it's the theme song for HBO'S "Entourage." Jeff Vice This year, RCA rereleased this 1970 album that was compiled by the band, with a tongue-in-cheek title.
But music scholars can't deny that the hits "Somebody to Love," "White Rabbit," "Volunteers," "Crown of Creation" solidified the band's standing in the psychedelic rock scene. Included is "Greasy Heart" and "Watch Her Ride." Baby boomers will have flashbacks.
S.I.
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S.I. While Los Angeles blues band Little Feat didn't have any charting singles, it had a loyal following that helped it snag two gold and two platinum albums (selling 500,000 copies and 1 million copies, respectively).
The sole original member, singer/keyboardist Bill Payne, has kept the Little Feat name rolling into the 21st century. This 17-track package features some of the best-loved LF tunes. S.
I. Singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb got her start when friend Ethan Hawke requested her demo of "Stay (I Missed You)," so producers could include the song in the closing credits of the film "Singles." Since then, she's expanded her show-biz horizons, but still plays music.
This is like a musical photo album of where she was at a certain point in life. "Stay," "I Do," "Underdog," "Single Me Out" and "Fools Like Me" demonstrate that her style hasn't changed much through the years. S.
I. Unfortunately, most of the American listening audience has had only one exposure to this unjustly overlooked band's body of work, the cover of Richie Valens' "La Bamba" (featured on the movie soundtrack). That song is included here, but so are 19 more that showcase the brilliant combo's amazing mix of traditional Mexican musical stylings, rock 'n' roll, blues and even punkish rock.
J.V. As far as '80s rock bands went, Loverboy had it all.
The looks and the hooks. "Turn Me Loose," "The Kid Is Hot Tonight," "Working for the Weekend" and "When It's Over" are among the hits here, along with later songs. After the drowning of bassist Scott Smith in 2000, this album can be seen and heard as tribute.
S.I. Fifty years ago, Johnny Mathis climbed the charts with his album "Wonderful Wonderful.
" Since then, he's been singing and charting right up to 1997. "Chances Are," "It's Not for Me to Say," "Misty," "Twelfth of Never," "Wild Is the Wind" and "Small World" are all on "Gold," along with some previously unreleased songs: "So Many Stars," "The Shadow of Your Smile" (with Dave Koz), "Over the Rainbow" (with the late Ray Charles). S.
I. The rap duo Mobb Deep Prodigy and Havoc had a string of gold albums in the mid-'90s. They rode the crest with the 1999 platinum-selling "Murad Muzik.
" On "Life of the Infamous," the songs that made the duo a household name in the suburbs have been remastered. "Survival of the Fittest," "Shoot Ones Pt. II" and the "Quiet Storm" remix with Li'l Kim are the highlights.
(Beware of harsh language.) S.I.
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" S.I. Before the Mormon Tabernacle Choir began recording on its own label, it was part of the Sony/Telarc family.
This two-CD set is a compilation of songs from that 25-year period, mostly under the direction of Richard P. Condie and Jerold D. Ottley, with the Columbia Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Ormandy, and the Utah Symphony Orchestra.
You won't find any Mack Wilberg arrangements, but there is a wide range of genres, from the spiritual to Broadway to folk songs to opera: "The Sound of Music," "Londonderry Air," "Bless This House," "The Impossible Dream," "Anvil Chorus," "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and, of course, "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Complete? No.
Essential? Probably. Carma Wadley Nightnoise was founded more than 20 years ago, right before the popular resurgence of Celtic music.
And though there have been lineup changes since then, the music is still the dreamy celebrations inspired by the Green Isles. "Night in that Land," "Hugh" and "The 19A" span most of the group's career. S.
I. For some people, Oasis was just another English band that sounded like the Beatles. For others, it was a band that took that '60s British Invasion sound and made it its own.
Out of the 18 songs here, only two hit Billboard's Hot 100 "Don't Look Back in Anger" and "Wonderwall." Surprisingly, "Champagne Supernova," which was an MTV video hit, didn't chart. S.
I. Fans of Rhett Miller's pre-solo career act will always debate whether the band sold out over time. As this 18-track disc shows, the group definitely smoothed out its sound through the years, progressing (arguably) from roughed-up rockabilly numbers like "Doreen" to such slightly countryfied pop songs as "Valentine.
" Though the cover of Martin Robbins' "El Paso" is a clunker, it's still a fine introduction for newcomers. J.V.
Buck Owens inspired everyone from Dwight Yoakam to ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. His flair for irony and poignancy run through his songs like honey. This is the cream of Owens' crop.
And while the No. 1s were not on the Top 100, they were solid hits on the Country Western charts throughout the '60s and '70s: "Act Naturally," "Love's Gonna Live Here," "Before You Go," "Your Tender Loving Care," "Buckaroo." S.
I. This is a rerelease of a compilation that saw the light of day in 1998 as "Greatest Hits + Five Unreleased." Since those five were released at that time, the title has been changed, but it's pretty much the same ("Oh, Sherrie," "Foolish Heart," "You Better Wait," etc.
), except for new liner notes written by Perry, who is known as the classic voice of Journey. There is an added bonus track, "Don't Fight It," Perry's duet with Kenny Loggins, a hit in 1982. S.
I. They called him "Wicked Pickett" until the day he died Jan. 19, 2006.
He left a swaggering legacy of "strut-his-stuff" soul, and these two CDs give hardcore and casual fans such hits as "Land of 1,000 Dances," "You Keep Me Hanging On," "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" and "I'm a Midnight Mover." S.I.
When P.O.D.
first emerged in the late 1990s, the San Diego-based band struck a chord with fans. Hard-edged energy, grinding guitars and anthemic vocal lines were the perfect vehicle to get the band's inspirational Christian message. By infusing rap, reggae and rock, the band reached out to youth with such works as "Southtown," "Boom," "Roots in Stereo" and the breakthrough hits "Alive" and "Youth of a Nation.
" Catchy hooks, rocking guitars and emotional vocals run throughout this head-banging album. S.I Longtime fans of Athens, Ga.
's, biggest musical product will be thrilled by this two-disc set of songs from the band's early career. If anything, such songs as "Gardening at Night" and "Pretty Persuasion" only sound fresher and more vital. The second disc features demo and live versions, as well as songs that band members picked, such as the winning cover of The Clique's "Superman," sung by bassist Mike Mills.
J.V. 
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" But this 20-song disc improves on that in one very important way by including some of the power/punk-pop band's earliest material, such as "I Will Dare." However, the two new songs, "Message to the Boys" and "Pool Dive," are hardly career-best material. J.
V. Rivers' best songs are here, of course "Memphis," "Midnight Special," "Tracks of My Tears" and the titular "Secret Agent Man," among others, along with a 2004 version of "Midnight Special," covers of others' songs and a couple of never-before released tracks. C.
H. Back in 1982, Scandal, featuring lead singer Patty Smyth, released its self-titled extended play. Fueled by the MTV new-wave hit "Goodbye to You," it became the best-selling EP in Columbia's history at that time.
A year later, Smyth and her band recorded the full-length album "The Warrior," released nearly eight months after it was finished, and the pop-rock title track shot straight into the Top 10. "We Are the '80s" is highlighted by those two singles, along with "Beat of a Heart" and "Hands Tied," and three previously unreleased songs recorded in 1982. S.
I. When Dr. Noah Drake, um, Rick Springfield, left his gig on the soap "General Hospital," the young teen idol revealed music talent that put him on the top of the charts.
"Jesse's Girl" remained No. 1 for two weeks. His subsequent hits "I've Done Everything for You" and "Love Is Alright Tonight" didn't quite reach the top.
But "Don't Talk to Strangers" found him back in the Top 5. "Bop 'Til You Drop" and "State of the Heart" are big, overproduced songs without the charm of his earlier works. All are included on this CD.
S.I. Flying fast under the radar in the early 1990s, Stereolab emerged from the underground in 1997 with the album "Dots and Loops.
" Although that album charted higher than the 1999 follow-up "Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night," the band kept playing, in all its sound-bending glory. This collection shows the band's evolution into more accessible, electronic territory. S.
I. Three-time Grammy nominee Liz Story is reverent, solitary and introspective as her fingers thoughtfully touch the piano keys. This 15-track CD singles out her most poignant, playful and impressive works.
"Wedding Rain," "Inside Out" and "Mack the Knife" and other creations add mood and ambience to a rainy day or a candlelight dinner. The bonus track is the delightful "Valse D'Amelie," from the feel-good movie "Amelie." S.
I. "Reflections" is a new album by the Temptations. The catch?
The songs on the album are Motown hits but were never sung by the Temptations. So the group decided to make a cover album featuring "How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "I'll Be There" and "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)." It's fun, but sometimes you want to hear the more famous versions Jackson 5, the Isley Brothers and Marvin Gaye, anyone?
S.I. In nearly a decade, Third Eye Blind has had only three studio albums.
Maybe that's why the group wisely chose to name this "A Collection" rather than "Greatest Hits." Seven of the 19 tracks come from the band's self-titled debut. But it's the extras that make this CD a worthy purchase an import track and the catchy B-side "Tattoo of the Sun," as well as a better-than-average booklet with a song-by-song commentary from Stephen Jenkins.
P.R. The smoky vocals of Patti Cathcart and the soothing fingerpicking guitar of her husband, Tuck Andress, are unmistakable.
The duo has been making sweet acoustic jazz music together for nearly 30 years. The inclusion of their versions of Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven," Jimi Hendrix's "Castles Made of Sand/Little Wing" and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" are true gems. S.
I. Want to relive the '80s? This album features Jan Hammers' "Miami Vice" theme as well as Glenn Frey's "You Belong to the City" and "Smuggler's Blues," The Pointer Sisters' "I Get So Excited," Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," etc.
S.I. As it says on the box, "50 songs celebrating 50 years of Walt Disney Records," which means tunes from movies ("Snow White" through "Cars"), TV shows ("Mickey Mouse March," "Ballad of Davy Crockett"), theme parks ("Haunted Mansion") and even the latest TV movies ("High School Musical").
About as diverse as family fare can get. C.H.
The title here may be a little presumptuous, implying that Phil Vassar will have at least one more "Greatest Hits" album but there's no knocking that the country singer has a knack for writing catchy tunes.: "In a Real Love," "Carlene," "Last Day of My Life," "American Child," "Just Another Day in Paradise" and new songs fill this collection. S.
I.
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