Each disc in the 8-disc set represents one of the radio stations found in GTA: San Andreas (except for the talk radio) that should hit the musical tastes of just about everyone. Unfortunately the set doesn?t include every song from the game, which can more than likely be attributed to licensing issues or other factors out of Rockstar?s control. However, what is here still makes for a good selection and offers a nice slice of 90?s music culture.
For rap fans, there?s Playback FM and Radio Los Santos, offering both classic and ?modern? rap, respectively. Included are tracks from Public Enemy, Tupac and Cypress Hill. If rock is more of your thing, Radio X and K-DST also offer up both ?modern? and classic varieties, featuring groups like The Who, KISS, Faith No More and Stone Temple Pilots. Surprisingly Guns n' Roses? ?Welcome to the Jungle?, which is featured on both the game?s commercials and in the game, isn?t present on either of the rock discs. Chalk this one up to some kind of licensing issue (or Axel Rose just being Axel Rose).
While my tastes lean more towards the rock offerings, I was pretty impressed with the lineup on K-ROSE. This is something most old-school country fans should enjoy with greats like Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and the Statler Brothers.
Bounce FM lives up to its name and features tracks from the Ohio Players and the late Rick James. Those who want a little more swing in their music can get down with Bell Biv Devoe, Boyz II Men and Bobby Brown on CSR 103:9.
Master Sounds 98.3, which categorizes itself as Rare Groove, offers up songs from James Brown, while K-JAH brings in some cool reggae sounds. Both of these CDs are good, but just aren?t much to my tastes, so they didn?t get as much play time as some of the other CDs. But, that?s the theory behind the set ? there?s something for everyone.
With such a wide selection of genres, it's a no brainer that you?ll find at least one of eight CDs to your liking, while others might not get as much play. Rock fans will obviously get a little more out of the collection since they get two CDs to the other genres' one (both rap stations are combined on one disc). So, if you?re strictly a reggae or country fan, the GTA: San Andreas soundtrack might not be the best collection to pick up unless you?re open to other music types and looking for a good sampler. Music fans in general, who enjoy anything, will come out as the real winners here.
Overall the GTA: San Andreas Soundtrack is another top-notch effort from Rockstar and deserves a place on the CD racks of any music fan. The selection is broad and should appeal to everyone, making the set great for parties or tailgates.
