You've suffered through a semester of culinary arts and bought the fanciest candles you could find. Now all that's left to make this night perfect is music that's going to provide "atmosphere." Something with a touch of blues, inlaid with a little pop and rock and with a laid-back swing that won't overdo it or underdo it.

Clapton Chronicles seems to be made for just such occasions. This 14-track album combines some of Eric Clapton's best from the past two decades, including the acoustic-strummers "Change the World," "Tears in Heaven," "My Father's Eyes" and "Layla" and throws in two more soundtrack tunes, "Blue Eyes Blue" (Runaway Bride) and "Get Lost" (The Story of Us). Yet, surprisingly, nothing from From the Cradle, Clapton's 1994 hit blues cover album is included. Instead, the collection showcases Clapton's original compositions, reaffirming his signature music and creative genius in this collection.

Living up to the image of "god" is no easy task. However, Clapton Chronicles certainly asserts that though this blues-turned-rock-turned-pop guitarist may be mellowed by more than 30 years of experience and expression, he is still very much alive, and very much ready to provide "atmosphere." A-