Just like the show, this soundtrack can be savored by all ages. Sam Phillips inexplicably disappeared from the pop scene -- it's a crime, I tell you -- only to reappear, shimmering, on this soundtrack (Does anybody sing "la-la-la" with more soul?). She shares space with Joey Ramone screaming "What a Wonderful World," Carole King's theme song, "Where You Lead I Will Follow," and tunes from lesser-known but compelling young talent. Moms, buy an extra copy for your kid; that way you won't have to share.

There are two fabulous soundtrack CDs from this HBO classic, but
the best is the first, with the theme song "Woke Up This Morning"
by edgy Brits Alabama 3. (Can you imagine a '70s crime show like,
say, "Kojak" with a theme like this?) There's Sinatra, Springsteen, cast member Steve Van Zandt's Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul along with blues, gospel and more. The double-disc follow-up, "Peppers and Eggs," includes some of the opera arias that move Tony to tears.

"Buffy" made a point of showcasing up-and-coming bands, giving it a fresh sound, even if its theme was rather traditional. The 1999 soundtrack still rocks, a great flashback to a lamentably departed show, with cuts by Guided By Voices, The Sundays, Bif Naked and even Alison Krauss and Union Station. "Radio Sunnydale," the follow-up soundtrack, is another serving of similar, but still satisfying, cuts. And, personally, I love the musical episode, "Once More With Feeling," with cast members belting sophisticated and silly numbers with the élan of "Chorus Line" members.

Fall in love all over again, even if you don't watch the show. The starry-eyed songs on this soundtrack are by established performers (Coldplay and Sheryl Crow) and alt faves such as Zero 7. They blend together happily and dreamily -- you might even call it other-worldly.

Now here are two interesting cases of country-inspired soundtracks that are worthy and true to their series -- but not without an asterisk or two. "Deadwood" is one of HBO's finest, and foulest-mouthed, shows, and that's saying something. I suppose a show known for its profanity needed to include some, but guys, really. Cool songs by Lyle Lovett, June Carter Cash and blues greats such as Brownie McGhee and Jelly Roll Morton are separated by spewing bits of [bleep]-laden dialogue. Sure, we love the gritty language on the show, but we don't want to hear it over and over again, and let me tell you, it brings a dinner party to a screeching halt. TNT's ambitious but flawed "Into the West" carries artists in the same vein, but no potty mouth - just excellent, earthy songs by Mindy Smith, Gillian Welch, Buddy Miller and Native American singers such as Douglas Spotted Eagle.

There's hope for mainstream network TV soundtracks, as evidenced by "CSI"'s pretty darn cool effort. The theme song, The Who's "Who Are You," has become boomer comfort food over the years (but imagine if it could have been on a police procedural back when the song was actually hip - like, say, "Ironsides" ... I said imagine). Yet the soundtrack is as edgy as the show's quick-cut editing, keeping the atmosphere a bit off-kilter, with tunes by off-the-beaten-path artists such as Grand Theft Auto and Curve. The "CSI: Miami" compilation is more intense, like the cast of that show. It's interesting but missed a great opportunity to showcase up-and-coming Latin artists.