AllMusic 2014 Year in Review

Favorite Reissues

Is a classic really a classic if it hasn't been remastered, expanded, remixed and reissued? Well, sure, but it's always fun to dig out an old gem that's been polished up in a way that reveals nuances you never noticed. From the beginning of the thorough Led Zeppelin reissue series to expanded editions of the first two Oasis albums and Soundgarden's Superunknown, it was a good year to revisit old friends.

American Football

American Football [Deluxe Edition]

An incredible hybrid of jazz-influenced chops and wide-eyed emo-pop from ex-Cap'n Jazz folk -- reissued with a wealth of bonus tracks.

Aztec Camera

High Land, Hard Rain [30th Anniversary Edition]

The band's classic 1984 sophisticated pop album gets the deluxe reissue treatment with a second disc of remixes, rarities, and radio sessions.

Big Star

Radio City [40th Anniversary]

Straight-up reissue of one of the virtually perfect pop records of the 1970s.

Bob Mould

Workbook [Deluxe Edition]

25th Anniversary edition of Mould's solo debut includes a B-side plus a full 1989 show from the Cabaret Metro in Chicago.

Elton John

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [Super Deluxe Edition]

All the non-LP singles, B-sides, and outtakes are here, along with a great live show and serviceable contemporary covers of songs from this 1973 classic.

Emmylou Harris

Wrecking Ball [Deluxe Edition]

Reissue of the left-field masterpiece, including a bonus disc of outtakes plus a "making of the album" DVD.

Game Theory

Blaze of Glory [Bonus Tracks]

Debut album from 1982, given the deluxe treatment from Omnivore.

Game Theory

Dead Center [Bonus Tracks]

A major step forward for Miller and his group, reissued by Omnivore.

Grace Jones

Nightclubbing [2014 Deluxe Edition]

The excellent funk/reggae/R&B album, in a deluxe edition that adds a second disc full of remixes.

Jon Auer / The Posies / Ken Stringfellow

Failure [Expanded Edition]

A brilliant piece of straightforward but ambitious pop, plus a batch of extras offering a look into how it came to be.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin II [Deluxe Edition]

Deluxe version of the 1969 classic contains a bonus disc of outtakes and alternate mixes, including unreleased instrumental "La La."

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin [Deluxe Edition]

Deluxe reissue of Zep's debut contains an unreleased live concert from 1969.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin III [Deluxe Edition]

Deluxe version contains a wealth of unheard songs, outtakes, alternate versions, and rough mixes.

Marcus Hook Roll Band

Tales of Old Grand-Daddy [Matured for 40 Years]

Trashy glammy studio project from Aussie producers Vanda/Young that also features Malcolm and Angus Young.

Method Man

Tical [Deluxe Edition]

The Wu-Tang Clan member's debut album is a stunning, violent, and tuneful rap classic, here featuring a bonus disc of remixes and singles.

Morrissey

Your Arsenal [The Definitive Master]

Newly remastered version of the Mick Ronson-produced classic also contains a bonus DVD with a complete Halloween 1991 show from Mountain View, California.

Nas

Illmatic XX [20th Anniversary Edition] [2 CD]

The rapper's landmark 1994 debut celebrates its 20th anniversary with a bonus disc of demos, remixes, and radio appearances.

Oasis

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? [Super Deluxe Version]

Anniversary edition of Oasis' breakthrough contains most of the LP's excellent B-sides plus unreleased demos and live tracks.

Oasis

Definitely Maybe [Remastered] [Deluxe Edition] [With Book]

Expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Oasis' debut contains all of the B-sides from the LP, the "Whatever" single, and a host of live tracks and demos.

Public Enemy

Fear of a Black Planet [Deluxe Edition]

The 1990 classic comes with a disc of remixes, extended mixes and a Branford Marsalis cameo.

Soundgarden

Superunknown [Deluxe Edition]

The Deluxe two-CD 20th anniversary reissue contains a remastered version of the 1994 LP along with 16 highlights from the Super Deluxe box.

Tears for Fears

Songs from the Big Chair [Deluxe Edition]

The commercial triumph and artistic tour de force, in a deluxe edition full of bonus tracks.

The Afghan Whigs

Gentlemen [Deluxe Edition]

Expanded version of the group's best and most ambitious album, a masterpiece that's purposefully difficult.

The Kinks

Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Vol. 1 [Deluxe Edition]

Double-disc expansion of the 1970 LP contains the entirety of the Percy soundtrack on the second disc along with a host of good rarities, including the previously unreleased "The Good Life."

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground [45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition]

The art rock masterpiece, in a super deluxe edition that tops out at six discs, packed with concert recordings and new mixes of contemporary work.

The Wedding Present

Seamonsters [Expanded Edition]

Arguably the band's best album, reissued here with a bright remastering and a four-disc package including a DVD.

The Wedding Present

Watusi [Expanded Edition]

A gigantic expanded edition of their brilliant 1994 album, including dozens of unreleased demos, alternate tracks, and live material.

Underworld

Dubnobasswithmyheadman [20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition]

A straight reissue of the 1993 masterpiece of dark British techno.

XTC

Skylarking [Deluxe Edition] [Corrected Polarity]

XTC's most produced record to that time, and often listed as their best, features MTV-banned "Dear God."

Yo La Tengo

Painful [Extra Painful!]

The album where Yo La Tengo truly hit their stride, expanded with a bonus disc of demos, live recordings, and session outtakes.