VA - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Official Soundtrack Box Set [7 CD Enhanced Edition] (2002)

Although the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City takes place in the 1980s, its musical accompaniment leaps light years beyond the simplistic plink-plonking found on that decade's primitive gaming systems. GTA's whopping seven-CD soundtrack set (also available as individual volumes) culls the best of the decade of decadence's musical offerings. V-Rock, and Wave 103 spotlight the '80s musical mainstays, hairsprayed heavy metal and bursts of fizzy New Wave electro-pop, while saccharine love songs and mellow light rock populate the next two discs: Emotion 98.3 and Flash FM, respectively.

Volume 5, the appropriately titled Wildstyle Pirate, celebrates the origins of hip-hop and DJ culture; Fever 105 focuses on sizzling soul; and Radio Espantoso rounds out the set with upbeat Cuban jazz hybrids. With such differing styles, not every disc will appeal to every listener. And not every CD is mixed well--Fever 105 can be monotonous, and Emotion 98.3's tunes are overplayed. However, the best part about GTA is its often surprising musical selections: Tears for Fears' morose "Pale Shelter," the long mix of Grandmaster Flash's "The Message," and Mary Jane Girls' slinky "All Night Long." Throwing in lesser-known musical gems among the hits adds spice and unexpected turns, which redeem GTA's shortcomings and make this set a treat for everyone, not just fans of the game. --Annie Zaleski