The holiday season is only a few weeks away. Before you rush off to pick up some presents, make sure to check out Exclaim!'s Holiday Gift Guide, which we will be rolling out in daily instalments this month. Today, here are some of the best albums that made their long-awaited returns to wax this year.
Sum 41
Half Hour of Power
The Canadian pop punks' debut EP, back on wax as an SRC exclusive red/blue haze exclusive, delivers on its promise, ripping through 11 tracks in exactly half-an-hour. From skate punk to the new wave of British heavy metal, the band wear their influences proudly on their sleeves, with tongue planted firmly in cheek. It's the band's finest hour, but they only needed half that time.
Order Half Hour of Power here
Kate Bush
Remastered
Spanning four separate sets, these remastered reissues cover Kate Bush's entire recording career, including hits like Hounds of Love. But diehards will especially be intrigued by the final box, which includes B-sides, rarities and 12-inch mixes of her singles.
Order Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 here
Eric's Trip
Forever Again / Purple Blue
Famously the first Canadian band signed to Sub Pop, the influential Moncton quartet's second and third records have been out of print on vinyl since they were released in 1994 and 1996 respectively. Thankfully, the label has reissued both on vinyl, saving fans from some expensive purchases on Discogs.
Order Forever Again and Purple Blue here
Digable Planets
Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) 25th Anniversary Edition
Though it's been somewhat overshadowed by the output of the Native Tongues posse, Digable Planets' Reachin' was nevertheless a high point of the golden age of hip-hop. Its jazz and psychedelic leanings presaged the rise of artists like Chance the Rapper and group member Ishmael Butler's later crew, the Afrofuturist Shabazz Palaces.
Order Reachin' here
Aretha Franklin
The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967-1970
Aretha Franklin's passing reinvigorated interest in her music and there are few better places to start than here. She blossomed after joining Atlantic, issuing six albums in the period covered by this two-LP set, which includes some of her biggest hits, including "Respect" and "I Say a Little Prayer."
Order The Atlantic Singles Collection here
The Beatles
The Beatles (White Album) 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition
Much like the 50th anniversary reissue of the Fab Four's Sgt. Pepper's, this new White Album box features a new mix of the band's classic double album, as well as all the requisite demos and outtakes one would expect from a four-LP edition, all housed in a hardbound book.
Order The Beatles here
Liz Phair
Girly-Sound to Guyville: The 25th Anniversary Box Set
That Exile in Guyville feels as necessary today as it did when it was released in 1993 speaks to the sad state of affairs we're in. This 25th anniversary set adds in the three bedroom demo cassettes she released as Girly-Sound, offering crucial context for this essential listen.
Order Girly-Sound to Guyville here
Guns N' Roses
Appetite for Destruction: Locked N' Loaded Edition
Coming a year after the album's 30th anniversary, the "Locked N' Loaded" edition of GNR's landmark debut album features a new remaster of the original plus two EPs, unreleased recordings, seven 7-inch singles, a 96-page handbound book and more ephemera. Plus, this special bundle comes with a bonus Guns N' Roses turntable, but act fast — only 100 are available.
Order Appetite for Destruction here
Sum 41
Half Hour of Power
The Canadian pop punks' debut EP, back on wax as an SRC exclusive red/blue haze exclusive, delivers on its promise, ripping through 11 tracks in exactly half-an-hour. From skate punk to the new wave of British heavy metal, the band wear their influences proudly on their sleeves, with tongue planted firmly in cheek. It's the band's finest hour, but they only needed half that time.Order Half Hour of Power here
Kate Bush
Remastered
Spanning four separate sets, these remastered reissues cover Kate Bush's entire recording career, including hits like Hounds of Love. But diehards will especially be intrigued by the final box, which includes B-sides, rarities and 12-inch mixes of her singles.Order Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 here
Eric's Trip
Forever Again / Purple Blue
Famously the first Canadian band signed to Sub Pop, the influential Moncton quartet's second and third records have been out of print on vinyl since they were released in 1994 and 1996 respectively. Thankfully, the label has reissued both on vinyl, saving fans from some expensive purchases on Discogs.Order Forever Again and Purple Blue here
Digable Planets
Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) 25th Anniversary Edition
Though it's been somewhat overshadowed by the output of the Native Tongues posse, Digable Planets' Reachin' was nevertheless a high point of the golden age of hip-hop. Its jazz and psychedelic leanings presaged the rise of artists like Chance the Rapper and group member Ishmael Butler's later crew, the Afrofuturist Shabazz Palaces.Order Reachin' here
Aretha Franklin
The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967-1970
Aretha Franklin's passing reinvigorated interest in her music and there are few better places to start than here. She blossomed after joining Atlantic, issuing six albums in the period covered by this two-LP set, which includes some of her biggest hits, including "Respect" and "I Say a Little Prayer."Order The Atlantic Singles Collection here
The Beatles
The Beatles (White Album) 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition
Much like the 50th anniversary reissue of the Fab Four's Sgt. Pepper's, this new White Album box features a new mix of the band's classic double album, as well as all the requisite demos and outtakes one would expect from a four-LP edition, all housed in a hardbound book.Order The Beatles here
Liz Phair
Girly-Sound to Guyville: The 25th Anniversary Box Set
That Exile in Guyville feels as necessary today as it did when it was released in 1993 speaks to the sad state of affairs we're in. This 25th anniversary set adds in the three bedroom demo cassettes she released as Girly-Sound, offering crucial context for this essential listen.Order Girly-Sound to Guyville here
Guns N' Roses
Appetite for Destruction: Locked N' Loaded Edition
Coming a year after the album's 30th anniversary, the "Locked N' Loaded" edition of GNR's landmark debut album features a new remaster of the original plus two EPs, unreleased recordings, seven 7-inch singles, a 96-page handbound book and more ephemera. Plus, this special bundle comes with a bonus Guns N' Roses turntable, but act fast — only 100 are available.Order Appetite for Destruction here
