As we close 2012 and the abundant amount of year end lists emerge, one in particular that we have never done before and tends to get overlooked are the box sets and reissues that arrived in the calendar year. Here is a small list of the 10 best reissues of the year that are worth your money, time and shelf space.
1) - GZA - Liquid Swords
The Wu-Tang Clan member reissued his landmark debut and came with one of the most brilliant packaging ideas ever, turn the CD box the set comes in into a chess set with real chess pieces. Brilliant. Oh, and the remastered tapes sound amazing too!
2) Blur - 21
Blur returned this year with a handful of shows and kicked everything off with a massive box set of all of their studio albums and equipped everything with new liner notes, tons of B-sides, demoes, and outtakes.
3) Johnny Cash - The Columbia Years
A massive box set of The Man In Black's years at Columbia records with new liner notes, remastered audio and enough Cash to last someone a whole year.
4) Paul Simon - Graceland 25
One of the greatest albums of all time turned 25 and to celebrate a box set with remastered audio, book, and DVD called Under African Skies was placed together to remind us why three decades later, Graceland is a flawless record.
5) Andrew W.K. - I Get Wet
Andrew W.K. never does anything half assed, so when his debut turned 10, he took it on the road and created a massive box set of remastered audio, B-sides, demoes and locks of his hair. Yes, you read that correctly.
6) Rage Against the Machine - XX
RATM's landmark debut turned 20 and it made us all feel old. But, XX was released with remastered audio, B-sides, demoes, outtakes, a new book with notes by Chuck D and DVD's of the band performing made us remember that while we are old, this record is still important.
7) Massive Attack - Blue Lines
The brilliant ambient band celebrated 20 years of their amazing debut and gave fans a new spin on their classic record.
8) The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
The crazy hip-hop outfit released a massive box set containing all of their records remastered and with new liner notes and trip down an insane memory lane.
9) Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
It is hard to imagine that one of NYC's post 9/11 bands released their landmark debut 10 years ago. Turn on the Bright Lights still stands as Interpol's best work and this new box set is a testament as to why.
10) The Smashing Pumpkins - Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness
While the Pumpkins owned much of the 90's, Billy Corgan has faded into a bitter rock star with a terrible backing band behind him now. However, this new box set of the bands greatest record and one of the greatest records ever made makes us remember the power, brilliance, and creative force this band once had.
