Best Of 2006: Reissues

Top 10 Reissues, Compilations &
Historical Releases

1. THE BEATLES – Love (Capitol)
There were no Pernice Brothers reissues in 2006, preventing them from being the first-ever winners of the Mike C. Music Quadruple Crown. So, in all their remixed and mashed-up glory, here they are, The Beatles!

2. THE BEATLES – The Capitol Albums, Vol. 2 (Capitol)
Duh part deux.

3. PRETENDERS – Pretenders (Sire/Rhino)
By far the greatest debut album in the entirety of rock & roll history gets its due with the long-overdue remastered double-disc treatment.

4. R.E.M. – And I Feel Fine: The Best Of The I.R.S. Years (2-disc version) (I.R.S./Capitol)
A thoughtful compilation of their best stuff up till ’87, but for fans the real action is on disc two, a fascinating treasure trove of rarities and previously unheard delights. Yet another reminder why they were the best American band of the ‘80s, period.

5. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – Hammersmith Odeon ’75 (Columbia)
Rock and roll future when it was rock and roll present.

6. BEE GEES – The Studio Albums 1967-1968 (Reprise)
The first three BG albums—1st, Horizontal, Idea—in stereo and mono versions, and an enlightening disc of rarities accompanying each one. These are the albums where Barry, Robin, and Maurice wanted so, so badly to be The Beatles, and on many songs they might as well have been. A truly perfect reissue set.

7. MATTHEW SWEET – Girlfriend (Volcano/Legacy)
Wow, do I still love this album. And wow, does the fact that it’s now 15 years old make me feel ancient. My fawning summary of Girlfriend was one of the first record reviews of mine ever to appear in a publication that was printed somewhere other than the copy machine at my father’s office, and though I haven’t read it in a while, I’d probably stand by damn near every word of it today. So if you need to know more, consult the spring 1992 archives of The Rutgers Review. Still one of the 10 best albums of the ‘90s.

8. HEAVEN 17 – Penthouse And Pavement (Virgin import)
A lush British synth-pop classic of the ‘80s. Yummy.

9. THE BYRDS – There Is A Season (Columbia/Legacy)
They’ve been through the reissue mill more times than most, so it’s a great to hear there was some luster left to be added to the sonic reproduction of these timeless recordings.

10. BOW WOW WOW – We Are The ‘80s (RCA/Legacy)
As definitive a comp as we’re likely to ever get by this odd little early ‘80s media creation that actually managed to be a good band.

More lists: albums • songs • live shows