New Riders of the Purple Sage

The New Riders were panned as Northern California's answer to the Flying Burrito Brothers. And while they may not have had flashy Nudie suits or a mythological death in the family, they had some awesome, psyched-out country rock songs and instrumental skills. This collection is a perfect amalgam of their greatest studio moments.

Five of the six best songs here are on the debut; the other one, in case you care, is Robert Hunter's "Kick in the Head." Docked two notches for uselessness, another for the "New Riders of the Purple Sage is a registered trademark," and yet another for putting a circle-R next to the title on the spine. (Grade: D+)