The surprise of this four-CD set is the inclusion of semi-obsolete tracks. Sure there's Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," Crosby Stills & Nash's "Wooden Ships" and Suzanne Vega's "Luka," but also Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction," Traffic's "John Barleycorn," Thin Lizzy's "Whiskey in a Jar," Dexy's Midnight Runner's "Come on Eileen" and much more. — S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "The Heavy Metal Box Set" (Rhino) *** 1/2

Headbangers rejoice! This set is packed into an amplifier-shaped box with a volume control that goes to 11! — from the early heavy rock of Blue Cheer ("Summertime Blues") to the punk/metal thrash of Motorhead ("Queen of Spades") and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands. It even has Spinal Tap's "Big Bottom." — S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Love Is the Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets: 1965-1970" (Rhino) ***

This four-disc set comes in an oversize hardback book loaded with photos from the title era and locale. And the book is almost as much of a treat as the hit songs collected here, which feature We Five, the Beau Brummels, Country Joe & the Fish, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Santana and many more. Comprehensive? No. Fun? Yes. If you remember the '60s, you probably weren't there — but this set might bring some of it back. A baby-boomer special. — C.H.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Song of America" (Split Rock/31 Tigers) *** 1/2

With three CDs, titled "Red," "White" and "Blue," this set was conceived by former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and alt-country, punk Ed Pettersen to collect songs that paint a portrait of America. From Joni Harms' version of "Home on the Range," showing deep U.S. support to Ben Taylor's version of Neil Young's "Ohio," which goes on the attack. Also, Old Crow Medicine Show ("Deportee"), Janis Ian ("Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye"), John Mellencamp ("This Land Is Your Land"). A well-balanced collection exploring both sides of the American dream.— S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Sound of the City: New York Area Doo-Wop (1956-1966)" (Time Life) *** 1/2

The Four Seasons, The Tokens, The Durpees, The Belmonts and The Earls were doo-wop royalty during the '50s and '60s. Pop music-pioneering songs such as "Sherry," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Teenager in Love" and "Have You Heard" were catchy and went straight to the radio, and malt shop jukeboxes. Some are better than others, but as a collection, it demonstrates the importance of the scene. — S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "The War" (PBS/Legacy/Sony) ****

With the success of Ken Burns' World War II film "The War," there has been an interest in the music of the era. A soundtrack and a collection of classical music were released earlier this year, and on its heels came this four-CD set — including the soundtrack and the classical CD, as well as discs titled "Sentimental Journey: Hits from the Second World War" and "I'm Beginning to See the Light: Dance Hits from the Second World War." Mixing WWII-era artists such as Benny Goodman with contemporary performers like Norah Jones, this is a well-rounded musical journey of the era. A booklet tells the story of the songs and World War II. — S.I.