The Soul of Rock and Roll (2008) No modern emo sad sacks could hope to top the ecstatically morose lost-love laments of Roy Orbison. And no previous compilations can beat the heft… Roy Orbison Rock
EW's GRADE
A

Details Release Date: Sep 30, 2008; Lead Performance: Roy Orbison; Genre: Rock

No modern emo sad sacks could hope to top the ecstatically morose lost-love laments of Roy Orbison. And no previous compilations can beat the heft of this four-decade, 107-track set The Soul of Rock and Roll. Every classic make-you-bawl ballad appears (''Crying,'' ''It's Over''), along with newly exhumed demo-recording downers like ''Defeated'' and ''I Give Up.'' The liner notes can turn mawkish, but the best of Orbison's deeply felt music never does. A

Originally posted Sep 30, 2008 Published in issue #1015 Oct 10, 2008 Order article reprints