Amazon.com Though they're recognized as a seminal influence on American rock music (variously fostering the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, CSN&Y, Richie Furay, Poco, and even Loggins & Messina), L.A.'s Buffalo Springfield were perpetually star-crossed by personal squabbles and legal travails during their two-year tenure. Even this extensive four-disc overview was delayed for a decade by disagreements among the Springfield alums. Arranged chronologically, the set offers up a wealth of previously unreleased demos by band mainstays Young, Stills, and Furay, mostly spare acoustic performances (a number of which didn't make the final cut on the band's three albums) that challengingly deconstruct the Springfield's savory blend of folk rock, blues, country, and psychedelia. Young's work is a particular revelation; his songs reveal a wizened, often weary mindset that belies the fact he wasn't yet 21 at the time of the band's inception. Disc 4 is devoted to complete, digitally remastered versions of the band's first two albums (the debut in Young and Stills's original, preferred mono mix), which makes for convenient listening, even if it duplicates much of the previous three discs. There's also a complete absence of live tracks; that's unfortunate, as the band's stage performances have achieved legendary status. Still, this anthology is filled with gratifying surprises, from Young's always revealing work to Stills's roots-conscious craftsmanship (and quirky collaborations like their unreleased Beach Boys-meets-Folkways instrumental "Kahuna Sunset") to Furay's sweet pop tenor. --Jerry McCulley