There’s something thrilling about unwrapping a CD box set on Christmas Day — mainly because it doesn’t feel or weigh or sound like it’s a CD when you pick it up from under the tree.
Most music aficionados can spot a wrapped CD from two living rooms away. But box sets come in all shapes and sizes, and the creative packaging and off-the-wall presentation is part of the thrill. Sure, we love the music inside this year’s excellent four-disc “Brit Box,” but the red-telephone-booth box is pretty sweet too.
Here are 10 music gift ideas that won’t always obviously look like a CD sitting underneath the tree.
“The Brit Box: U.K. Indie, Shoegaze and Brit-Pop Gems of the Last Millennium,” various artists Rhino, $64.98
This four-disc set is as great as it is flawed. And Rhino knows that. Look for this box to catch on “Nuggets”-style, drawing more Jesus and Mary Chain fans to acts like the Telescopes or Somewhere in China — and, more important, look for the “Brit Box” sequels to come.
“Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur,” various artists Warner Bros., $21.98
Listening to great songs interpreted by talented artists and supporting a worthy cause at the same time? Count me in. This reasonably priced two-CD set has well-known and respected artists — U2, Green Day, R.E.M., the Flaming Lips, the Postal Service and others — covering John Lennon songs. Proceeds benefit Amnesty International’s work in Darfur.
“Songbird: Rare Tracks and Forgotten Gems,” Emmylou
Harris Rhino, $74.98
This four-CD, one-DVD set retails at $75, and that’s a small price to pay to hear the B-sides and rarities from the woman with one of the best voices in the game. Again, this isn’t a best-of or a collection of remastered Harris discs. This is the stuff you don’t hear very often — Harris dueting with Dolly Parton, Mark Knopfler, Vince Gill and, yes, Gram Parsons — and it’s a joyous celebration.
“Nightfly Trilogy,” Donald Fagen
Reprise, $59.98
There’s an awful lot of content here for a man who has released only three solo albums. Each is represented in both CD and MVI format, the latter coupling audio with video and playing in DVD players and computers. It’s dubious to re- release Fagen’s “Morph the Cat” since it came out just last year, but the slick presentation and bevy of extras should please devotees of Fagen, Steely Dan or jazz-pop.
“Unknown Pleasures,”
“Closer,” “Still,” Joy
Division Rhino, $24.98 each
These collectors editions, of course, present remastered recordings of Joy Division’s seminal records. And while those crisp remasterings alone are worth the purchase price, all three albums include bonus live discs that present the band in its own awkwardly comfortable setting.
“1983-1998,” Genesis
Rhino, $99.98
By very definition, Genesis fans are geeks. And so it makes sense that the band would release this five-CD, five-DVD box set spotlighting Genesis’ “power trio years” with Phil Collins (mostly) at the helm. Four of the band’s records are remastered here in both CD and DVD format, and the fifth disc is “Extra Tracks: 1983- 1998.” This is obviously only for hard-core, audiophile Genesis lovers, of which there are many.
“Heavy Metal,” various
artists Rhino, $64.98
It’s cheesy, yes. But it’s also great. Rhino has fun with this four-disc set of remastered metal bombs, including 70 tracks and jumping from Iron Butterfly to Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath to Whitesnake, Twisted Sister to Girlschool, Alice Cooper to Ted Nugent, Ratt to Raven, Prong to Pantera, Lita Ford to Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Metallica to Slayer. The packaging — crafted after the head of a Marshall amplifier, including a knob that goes up to 11 — is pretty sweet, too.
“Mothership,” Led Zeppelin
Atlantic, $24.98
This is not a box set, per se, but a double-disc remastering of Zep’s greatest hits and a DVD of videos, overseen by the band’s living members and meticulously rendered in the latest digital glory. “The Song Remains the Same” two-DVD set would go well with this release, but if you can only get one, go for the more representative, even-handed “Mothership.”
“Oh By the Way,” Pink Floyd
Capitol, $257.49
Just as this 16-disc Floyd box set scheduled for release on Dec. 11 is a mammoth undertaking, it’s also an exercise in indulgence — especially with a retail price higher than $250. The set offers recreations of the band’s original releases — all remastered with CD art and sleeve design mimicking that of the original LPs — and also includes a poster and band-designed coasters.
“Archives, Vol. 1: The Flying
Burrito Brothers Live at the Avalon
Ballroom 1969,” Gram Parsons
Amoeba, $19.98
We mentioned Parsons’ collaborator Emmylou Harris above, but this two-disc set is all about Parsons’ seminal work with the Flying Burrito Brothers. Like so many artists — including Ian Curtis of Joy Division, also mentioned above — Parsons was able to record only so much before his untimely death. Thankfully, many of his live recordings still exist, and this set is a fine addition to his legacy as a founding father of country-rock.
Ricardo Baca: 303-954-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
