Boxed sets and compilations: A holiday roundup

By Jamie Allen
CNN

(CNN) -- Granted, buying someone a CD for Christmas isn't the most original gift in the world.

But these days, record companies and music marketers are going the extra mile to turn CDs into something more.

Enter the compilation. Once just a collection of "greatest hits" from various albums, the compilation CD has come of age. Some promote multimedia offerings; others feature packaging that makes them look more like encyclopedias than CDs.

EXTRA INFORMATION • Gallery: Greatest hits and best-of collections  • Gallery: Boxed sets    RESOURCES In-Depth Special: Holiday shopping

There are dozens of new compilations and boxed sets available this holiday season. From a spectacular package of Billie Holiday's early work to hits packages from the Backstreet Boys, Barenaked Ladies and Green Day, there's something out there for everyone from skate punks to jazz aficionados -- and there's no rule that says you can't be both.

The CNN.com staff has listened to many of the best new collections available this year. Here's a roundup of what's available.

Free-lance writer Adam Dunn and CNN's Todd Leopold contributed to these reviews.