Attitude and music are what the Pretenders are all about. Led by the iconoclast Chrissy Hynde, the band has survived in one form or another since 1979. This four-CD, one-DVD set sheds new life on the band's formation, career, struggles and resurgences. Early works such as "Brass in Pocket," "The Wait," "Talk of the Town" and crossover hits "Back on the Chain Gang" and "I'll Stand by You" have their place in this impressive collection. — S.I.

FRANK SINATRA; "Vegas" (Reprise)***

These five discs are culled from five Las Vegas concerts from 1961-87, and as a result, Sinatra's singing range varies in quality from disc to disc — but not his energy. Sinatra knew how to sell a song, and he also knew how to work a crowd, and whether he's goofing around and changing lyrics or bantering with celebrities in the room or doing a duet with his daughter Nancy ("Something Stupid") or joshing with members of the band (one disc features Count Basie!), he knows his way around the showroom almost as well as he knows his way around a song. Great fun for Sinatra's legion of fans. (Warning: There is some mild cussing here and there.) — C.H.

VARIOUS ARTIST; "A Life Less Lived: The Gothic Box" (Rhino) ***

So how many times can you say you love death or darkness? At least three CDs and one DVD worth. And that's without Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson. What you will find are Killing Joke's "Tomorrow's World," Joy Division's "Dead Souls," The Cult's "Rain," The Damned's "Melody Lee," Gene Loves Jezebel's "Heartache" and Bauhaus' "She's in Parties," and much more. The DVD provides videos of Bauhaus' "Bela Lugosi's Dead," The Cure's "Lullaby" and Siouxsie & the Banshees' "Cities in Dust." There's also a 60-page booklet on the history of goth music, all wrapped up in a nice black faux leather-tied corset. The perfect holiday gift for "humbugs." — S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Legend of Country Classic Hits of the '50s, '60s and '70s" (Shout Factory) *** 1/2

Country music is the essence of early rock 'n' roll (along with the blues). This three-CD set offers the rowdy syncopation and phrasing that are prevalent in rock music, with such artists as Bob Willis and His Texas Playboys, Johnny Cash, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn and many others. — S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Superstars of the '80s" (TimeLife) ** 1/2