Box Sets

[ box set SETI ]

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What: Four CDs of Philly's creamiest rock 'n' R&B boys. It's: Very possibly the most overdue box set in the history of set boxing. All the hits in the right versions. Most of the faves. Solid rarities. Not too many dumb live songs. But: They could've used more pre-1980 material and less post-1990. Sayin'. Then again: Hearing the newer material alongside their adventurous, soulful salad days makes you appreciate the writing and singing skills with a long lens. Plus, you don't wanna think of Hall & Oates as merely a nostalgia act. Can't go for that.

—A.D. Amorosi

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What: A 10-CD comp of ethnomusicology pioneer Alan Lomax's recordings in Haiti in 1936 and '37. It's: Like most of Lomax's missions for the Library of Congress, this one preserved sounds that otherwise would have been lost to the ages. If you're into this sort of thing — let's say Haitian music, or obscure music in general — the collection is a treasure trove. But: Are you actually into this sort of thing? Hard to imagine the casual listener making it all the way through. Still: There's like zero chance you'll hear this stuff anywhere else.

—Patrick Rapa

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What: Lesser-known artists of sacred song take to God with an un-sleek approach. Three CDs. And: The most imposing aspect is how distorted and grungy the productions are. From the roaring vocals to the haunted arrangements, Bones is bare and noisy. But: You can't believe they stopped at a mere three discs. This is a drug you can't snort enough of. Still: Since it's Tompkins Square — collaborating with the Numero label, the best of the new archivists — you know they'll score more. Hallelujah.

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What: The complete output of the best Latino psych- rock band of the '60s, collected on four CDs. And: Before War, this was the chunky guitar and hot 'n' horn-driven sound of East Los Angeles' low riders. The whole affair has a musky machismo about it that's so dense the package should come with cologne. But: The box looks and feels like a bootleg. A tad cheesy. That said:The low-rent vibe adds to the dirtball effect of even the most casual tracks like "Thee Walking Song" and "Dreaming Casually."

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What: The Nuggets series continues to shine a heat lamp on under appreciated rock 'n' roll gems, this time mixing mid-'60s L.A.'s biggest names (Love, The Byrds, The Mamas and the Papas) with its biggest secrets (London Phogg, The Hysterics, Penny Arkade) onto four CDs. It's: Like a greatest hits from some alternate universe. But: What am I supposed to do now? I might've just discovered a new all-time favorite band. I need to hear the whole catalog. So: I guess I better get Googling. Best box set of box set season.