Liner Note Author: Dave Thompson .

Photographers: Dave Steen; Richie Gallo; Ross Marino; Michael Putland; Jorgen Angel; Henry Diltz; Paul Canty; Simon Fowler.

With an oversaturation of budget-line compilations and titles purporting to be the "definitive" or "ultimate" collection of classic rock available, it's easy to approach Classic Rock Gold with a heavy hand of skepticism. However, one look at the track listing should wipe that notion right away, as this two-disc set is packed with some of the biggest hits of the rock genre from the late '60s, '70s, and early '80s. Classic Rock covers the breadth and evolution of rock & roll: from the arena rock of Santana, Ted Nugent, Blue ™yster Cult, and Grand Funk Railroad to the power pop-influenced Cars and Cheap Trick to the emergence of hair metal, courtesy of Whitesnake and Scorpions. It's a quality two-disc set that acts as a guide map to some of the most important movements in the history of rock & roll, and listeners looking for a solid rock compilation would be well served here. ~ Rob Theakston