For that goth friend, a box of holiday ... well, not joy (and other box sets)

Trying to find the perfect gift for that goth fan on your Christmas list?

How about a black-leather corset?

No, not one to cinch himself up with (although he'd probably like that) but rather the one that comes tightly wrapped around an amazing box set called "A Life Less Lived: The Gothic Box" (3CDs, 1DVD; Rhino, $64.98).

It's one of the highlights of this box-set season, when labels release their most elaborate (and pricey) collections, the kind of gifts that make a big impression.

"The Gothic Box" contains 53 songs and a dozen videos that defined the dark-edged, goth-rock movement in its heyday, roughly from the late 1970s through the '90s. Among the bands featured are Bauhaus, the Cult, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Echo & the Bunnymen, Cocteau Twins and the Sisters of Mercy. The package includes a big booklet with extensive liner notes, photos of most of the bands and details on each cut and video.

It's a gift sure to make any goth happy. Although, of course, a true goth cannot show happiness. A satisfied grunt is probably the best you can hope for.

Another cleverly-boxed set is "A Piano: The Collection" by Tori Amos (5CDs; Rhino/Atlantic, $74.98), the top of which looks like a piano keyboard. The keys don't work (darn!), but lift them up and you'll find a hardcover booklet, and under that five CDs containing 86 tracks from Amos' studio albums, the B-sides of some singles, seven previously-unreleased songs and several remixes done by Amos. The booklet contains her notes on each track and plenty of pictures of the singer-pianist, mostly in color.

Among other notable box sets this year:

"There Is A Season," The Byrds (4CDs, 1DVD; Columbia/Legacy, $54.98). Although the legendary folk-rock band of the 1960s already was box-setted, in 1990, fans will still want to have this new one, as much for the 10 rare TV clips as for the 99 career-defining tracks (including five previously unreleased live performances) on four chronological CDs. The beautiful, photo-filled booklet includes an appreciation by Tom Petty and an extensive essay by Rolling Stone's David Fricke. It's a gift that will make any Byrds fan feel "Eight Miles High" (sorry, couldn't resist that).

"Pirate Radio: Pretenders 1979-2005" (3CDs, 1DVD; Rhino/Warner Bros., $74.98). A powerful reminder of how ultra-cool Chrissie Hynde was, is and always shall be. The 81 cuts and 19 live performances contain all the great music she and her band have created over a quarter-century. The bracing early hits, like "Brass in Pocket," "Back On the Chain Gang" and "Middle of the Road" sound better than ever, and the complete collection shows that she's never lost any of her sass and grit. More than a dozen cuts have never been released before. The booklet is outstanding, with lots of pix. This box will keep you smiling and dancing for days.

"Johnny Cash at San Quentin" (2CDs, 1DVD; Columbia/Legacy, $39.98). You know that famous picture of Johnny Cash angrily flipping the bird at the photographer? That was taken Feb. 24, 1969 at San Quentin Prison when Cash and others, including Carl Perkins and The Statler Brothers, gave a concert for the inmates. This box documents that event, which also made for key scenes in the biographical movie "Walk the Line" (although the real thing is not much like the movie version).

The two CDs capture the complete concert (including 13 tracks not included on previous recordings) and the DVD contains an hour-long documentary made by England's Granada TV. Cash was at the peak of his powers and the captive audience enthusiastically responds to his performance, especially his prison songs. It's an impressive gift at a reasonable price.

"Vegas," Frank Sinatra (4CDs, 1DVD; Reprise, $79.98). This great set is made up of previously unreleased material recorded at five finger-snapping Sinatra performances in Vegas, baby. Listening to the four CDs makes you wish you could have been there, especially at the Sands (which he partially owned) in the '60s, where two of the CDs were recorded. He's at his best then, although the other two shows, recorded at Caesar's Palace in 1982 and The Golden Nugget in 1987, are fine, too. The DVD, shot at Caesar's Palace in 1978 by CBS, is a kick, especially the behind-the-scenes footage. The 64-page booklet includes copious information and pictures. Also included are a couple reproductions of vintage posters promoting the shows.

"Nine Lives," Robert Plant (9 CDs, 1DVD; Rhino/Atlantic, $99.98). Made up of remastered and expanded versions of Plant's nine studio albums (thus the title), this hefty set also includes a DVD with music videos, interviews and other footage, and, yes, another of those photo-filled booklets.

Plant is best known, of course, as lead singer of Led Zeppelin. In his solo career, he has expanded his interest in the exotic, world music-influenced sounds that could be heard in his Zep days. But Plant is a blues-based rock 'n' roller at heart and still has one of the best voices in rock.

"The Singles," The Clash (19 CDs; Sony, $79.98). Not a big box, like the above (it's CD-sized), but we have to include it because it's so amazing, made up of reproductions of all 19 of the Clash's U.K. singles, in replicas of the original sleeves. Bonus tracks are also included, along with six previously-unreleased cuts. The 44-page picture booklet includes lots of interesting text. The collection is also available in 45-rpm vinyl singles, with A and B sides as they were originally issued, which is even cooler.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com