Born to Be Wild: History of Steppenwolf
This two-CD set wisely focuses on the band's excellent first few albums, as well as including some early and long-out-of-print tracks by pre-Steppenwolf outfit the Sparrow. That group and the original incarnation of Steppenwolf, led by vocalist John Kay, really defined the band's raunchy, hard-rocking and occasionally psychedelic blues style in the late '60s and early 70s. That's when they were crafting classic songs like "Sookie Sookie," "Born to Be Wild," "Don't Step On the Grass, Sam," and "Magic Carpet Ride." Amid a mixed batch of later Steppenwolf songs (including some from the '90's incarnation) are a handful of Kay solo cuts and plenty of material that is difficult to find, making this a retrospective that pays great homage to the band's most successful period without ignoring quality later material. --Adem Tepedelen