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
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 Oeyster Cult
, and
Grand Funk Railroad
to the
power pop
-influenced
Cars
and
Cheap Trick
to the emergence of
hair metal
, courtesy of
Whitesnake
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
, and listeners looking for a solid
compilation would be well served here. ~ Rob Theakston