Box sets, when given as a gift, can say, 'Hey, I know what you like, so I got this perfect gift for you.' Or they can say, 'Hey, I know what you should like, so I dropped a wad of cash on something you may not like but will feel guilty about ignoring.' Either could be especially true if you should fork over the $369.98 for the 90 CD and one DVD box set of Miles Davis 'The Complete Columbia Album Collection' (Columbia/Legacy), which is on sale exclusively on Amazon.com. I'd tell you more about it, but the record company wasn't giving out review copies. (I asked -- nicely.) So here's a quick rundown on some box sets -- both music and videos -- that may appeal to someone on your gift list. Or maybe something will appeal to you. You deserve to treat yourself. What else will you do with your gift cards? Medeski Martin and Wood: 'Radiolarians: The Evolutionary Set' (Indirecto Records) What: The jazz-jam crossover trio of pianist John Medeski, percussionist Billy Martin and bassist Chris Wood's recently completed Radiolarians series ('Radiolarians I'; 'Radiolarians II'; 'Radiolarians III'), bonus tracks, a live album, an album of remixes, a double vinyl LP of 'Radiolarian' highlights and a DVD, 'Fly in a Bottle' Price: $89.99. Review: Wow. This collection of music is brilliant, mind-blowing, unexpected, engaging and fun. Some songs have pure noise and distortion, others have the warmth of a grand piano, upright bass and drums. The best of the box set is the live album, especially the songs 'Chasen vs. Suribachi' and 'Gwyra Mi,' which show off the band's versatility and improvisational skill. The remixes -- done by other artists -- aren't as engaging as the original material. I don't recommend watching the DVD in one sitting. It's more art school noodling than art film. In fact, it's probably only for the most die-hard fans, who are the ones who would want this box set -- Martin, Medeski & Wood's first -- in the first place. Appeal: Avant-garde jazz and jam-band crossover hipsters (you know who you are) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 'The Live Anthology' What: A four-CD, 48-song collection of live recordings over more than three decades of performing Price: $24.98 Review: Though many argue that Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' best music came in the early years, these discs show the depth of their catalog and the sheer joy of their playing live. Highlights include hits such as 'Even The Losers,' 'Refugee,' 'American Girl,' 'Runnin' Down a Dream' and 'Free Fallin',' but the best songs are some of the covers: The Grateful Dead's 'Friend Of The Devil,' Booker T. and the MGs' 'Green Onions' and the theme to 'Goldfinger.' Appeal: Classic rockers Other formats: 48-track digital album ($24.98); seven LP vinyl box set of 51 tracks ($149.98); and a deluxe set available only at Best Buy featuring 62 tracks on 5 CDs, two previously unreleased DVDs (1978 New Year's Eve concert from Santa Monica, Calif., and the documentary '400 Days' shot during the recording and tour for 'Wildflowers'), a re-mastered vinyl of the 1976 Official Live 'Leg bootleg, and a Blu-ray audio disc with all 62 tracks in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound ($149.98) 'Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade And BYO Records' (BYO Records) What: 31-track compilation with tracks from Pennywise, NOFX, Youth Brigade, Dropkick Murphys, Leatherface, Bouncing Souls, 7 Seconds, The Unseen (in either vinyl or CD); a coffee table book; and a full-length documentary about Youth Brigade and BYO Records on DVD Price: $49.88 (vinyl, CDs, DVD, book) and $24.99 (CDs, DVD, book) Review: The aggressive music that came out of the Los Angeles punk rock scene of the early 1980s never gained the cachet of the New York City or London punk scenes, but this album -- with BYO bands covering other bands' songs, most notably Seven Seconds doing Youth Brigades' 'Sink With California' -- makes a strong case for reconsidering L.A.'s place. Perhaps even better than the music is the inspirational documentary that traces the history of the Stern brothers -- Shawn, Mark and Adam -- who formed the band Youth Brigade, booked their own band (and others) into clubs and then formed an independent record label to feature punk music, a label that continues to this day. The documentary is a top-rate story about artists striving for (and finding) success in their art and in their business on their own terms. Appeal: Punk rockers and DIY music lovers 'Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)' (Vivendi Entertainment) What: And now for something completely different, here are 3 DVDs with 360 minutes of interviews with the surviving and aging Monty Python members talking about their lives and careers, from childhood through 'Spamalot.' Bonus material includes a handful of classic skits such as the Dead Parrot and the Ministry of Silly Walks. Price: $29.99 Review: John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones are getting older, but that means they bring a new perspective to their career as one of the most influential comedy troupes, Monty Python's Flying Circus. Sure, it's mostly talking heads with scenes from the TV show and movies, but director Alan Parker keeps things moving along and gets the Pythons to talk about not only their work, but also each other -- the good, bad and ugly -- and it is often funny. These discs persuasively argue for the importance of Python and its lasting legacy. Appeal: Fans of comedy and Spam Other formats: Blu-ray, $39.99 Other sets of note 'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live,' a nine-DVD set (Time Life) $119.96 Steve Coogan, 14-disc DVD box set, 'The Steve Coogan Collection' (BBC) $129.98 'Zorro: The Complete First Season,' six-DVD box set (Buena Vista Home Entertainment) $59.99 'Zorro: The Complete Second Season,' six-DVD box set (Buena Vista Home Entertainment) $59.99 'Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection Remastered' (BBC Warner); $49.98 'Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut' (Warner Home Video) $43.98 'Ken Burns: National Parks -- America's Best Idea' (PBS) $99.99 Jeff Buckley 'Grace Around the World' (Columbia/Legacy): two DVDs, one CD; $34.98 Miles Davis 'The Complete Miles Davis on Columbia Album Collection' (Columbia/Legacy): 70 CDs, one DVD; $364.98 Pearl Jam 'Ten -- Collector's Edition' (Epic/Legacy); two CDs, one DVD, four vinyl LPs, one cassette; $199.98 Richard Thompson 'Walking on a Wire: 1968-2009' (Shout Factory) four CDs; $59.98 AC/DC's 'Backtracks' (Columbia Records) two CDs, one DVD; $39.98 Elvis Presley 'Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight' (RCA/Legacy) four CDs; $59.98 (on sale Dec. 8) 