Hudson's Best Reissues, Box Sets, and Compilations of 2024

You had to know there would be another list, right? Of course, 2024 wasn't just about new releases. This was another great year of reissues, compilations, box sets, and all of those other types of archival sets that make their way into my collection.

But I must remind y'all of one little quirk of my year-end lists. I'm a stickler for certain rules, so tribute albums and covers records are not eligible for my "regular" best of the year awards. Yes, I know they are technically new releases, but I just feel they fit better mixed with archival records.

20. Young Fresh Fellows, The Fabulous Sounds of the Pacific Northwest.
Today we all think of grunge when it comes to Seattle but there has always been a healthy power pop scene in the city. One of the first bands of that ilk were Young Fresh Fellows, and finally their debut album gets a fresh coat of remastering paint, accompanied by the usual plethora of rarities. 

19. The Dogs, Unleashed. 
According to the Rum Bar Records bandcamp, there are over 20 bands that have called themselves The Dogs. I guarantee none of them rock as hard as these dudes. Formed in 1968, they shared the stage with legends such as The Stooges and MC5 before moving to New York and playing with The Dictators and Television. Yes, there are more moves and more like minded friends, but I’m just setting the stage for this 24 track compilation of their 50 year career. 

18. The Long Ryders, Native Sons. 
Some called them country/punk. Others lumped them in the Paisley Underground. However you want to label them, The Long Ryders were certainly an influential 80s band for us college radio listeners, and the 90s emergence of bands such as Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown indicated they were also listening. Yes, this box is the usual set of demos, radio appearances, and live recordings. 

17. Zero Boys, History Of. 
I think we all know by now that American punk rock wasn’t just a New York/Los Angeles phenomenon. Indianapolis’ Zero Boys is a perfect example, as evidenced by their 1982 album, Vicious Circle. This compilation not only highlights that album, but singles and compilation tracks released before and after that record.  

16. Pixies, At the BBC. 

A few years after the band’s demise a set of BBC appearances was released. This new version compiles all of their broadcasts, primarily as Peel Sessions. Like most appearances on the innovative program, what sets these versions apart is their less fussy, underproduced feel. Oh, and that Frank Black actually does have a sense of humor. 

15. Yardbirds, Ultimate Live at the BBC. 

There have been a number of BBC recordings released over the last 50 years or so, but, like the Faces box, this set attempts to compile as many of their appearances as possible. 

14. Various Artists, Why Don’t You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records. 

While Lou Reed’s literary knowledge is generally perceived as the basis of his songwriting, his short stint as a staff songwriter for Pickwick Records before forming the Velvet Underground should not be ignored. Hired to write admitted rip offs of songs currently on the radio, Reed clearly understood his assignment as this compilation of pop, surf, and soul tracks he created (and sometimes performed) really did set the stage for his next act. 

13. Galaxie 500, Uncollected Noise New York 88-90. 

This double album claims to compile all of the b-sides, outtakes and alternative versions recorded during their short three year existence, and it really works as an introduction to this under-appreciated band that clearly adores the Velvet Underground. 

12. Wilco, The Whole Love. 

Wilco knows how to treat their fans, and like all of their other reissues there’s a plethora of interesting alternative takes and previously unreleased songs. 

11. Rolling Stones, Live at the Wiltern. 

Live Rolling Stones albums have honestly become a bit of a chore to sit through, as they’re generally the same old songs that are on dozens of other live albums. This 2002 show features a few of the old warhorses, but a good percentage of the tunes are relatively unique. Plus the smaller venue aids the band in sounding more fresh and loose, especially when legend Solomon Burke appears on stage with them. 

10. Talking Heads, Talking Heads: 77. 

This debut album was obviously an important release for not only the band but the burgeoning New York scene. This box not only consists of a remastered version of the album but discs devoted to outtakes and experimental mixes plus their last appearance at CBGB’s. 

9. Elvis Costello, King Of America & Other Realms. 

A few years before Americana became a popular sub-genre, Costello collaborated with T-Bone Burnett on a record that is not only arguably his last classic but an album that was clearly ahead of its time. This box adds a bunch of demos, b-sides, outtakes, and a ton of live recordings that really tells the story of this album, and how it continues to influence Costello’s current work. 

8. Neil Young, Archives III. 

Young has continued to pump out a number of archival releases, and while I also have to mention the wonderful “Dume” album that came out in the spring, the third Archives box deserves the nod this year. Covering the period between 1976 and 1987, this may be the most varied set of the trio. The first half is admittedly the strongest, with live recordings with Crazy Horse mixed with country-ish songcraft with Nicolette Larson, and a bonkers collaboration with Devo. The second half, however, documents his tumultuous relationship with Geffen Records and the sometimes questionable records he made in response to their demands for more commercial records. 

7. Various Artists, Jem Records Celebrates Jagger/Richards. 

The renowned power pop label follows earlier tributes to Brian Wilson, Pete Townshend and Ray Davies with this fabulous tribute to the Glimmer Twins. Like those other records, this record succeeds due to an interesting mix of the well known and the obscure. Obviously somebody is going to cover “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, but I’ll always take remakes of tracks like “Citadel” and “Connection”. 

6. Faces, Live at the BBC. 

Mainly due to John Peel, who was a fan from the very start, the Faces were a constant presence on the “Beeb”. While many individual appearances have been released over the years, this 8 CD set compiles almost all of the shows recorded for the channel. 

5. Ramones, 1975 Demos. 

Not long after they first formed, The Ramones first entered the studio to record a bunch of demos that were the basis of Sire Records signing them a few months later. Obviously, most of these tunes ended up on their first album, but a few didn’t see a release until subsequent albums and two actually were shelved after these recordings. What’s interesting is that quite a few of these tunes the tempos are somewhat noticeably slower than what we’re used to from Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy. 

4. David Bowie, Rock ‘n’ Roll Star. 

This five CD set tells the story of the album many people consider Bowie’s ultimate classic, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. The story begins two years before the record’s release with hotel demos, and follows the journey from tentative recordings with different lineups (and sometimes vocalists) to BBC appearances to outtakes from the resulting album. 

3. Bob Dylan and The Band, The 1974 Live Recordings. 

Conventional wisdom says that the 1974 reunion tour of Bob Dylan and The Band was a dismal affair. Bob was bored, the setlist was static, and everybody just went through the motions. Before The Flood, the live album issued a few months later seemed to prove this theory. Yet this gigantic box set of every soundboard recording of the tour tells a different story. Yes, by the end Bob was “shout/singing” most of the material, but the first half of the tour (and a few later performances) tell a different story. Bob and The Band were in fine form, and new songs were attempted at a good portion of these shows. The beauty of the “Bootleg Series” releases is that we indeed get a fresh perspective of underappreciated eras. 

2. Various Artists, Silver Patron Saints. 

Most tribute albums are disappointing. Sure, there’s some great reworkings by worthy artists, but record company interference tends to force contributions from mismatched or undeserving acts. This is not the case here. In 2023 rocking singer/songwriter Jesse Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke, and his friends have gathered together to raise funds through this triple record. “Friends” is the key word here. While there are contributions from some giant legends, they are here because they are indeed Malin’s pal. The recordings are all in service to the songs and not the personalities of the performers. 

1. The Saints, (I’m) Stranded. 

At the same time the Ramones and Sex Pistols (among others) were transforming rock and roll in New York City and London, The Saints (along with Radio Birdman) were doing the exact same thing in Australia. Unfortunately, their groundbreaking debut album has long been out of print in the United States. Of course, the day after I finally relented and bought a used copy at collector’s prices it was announced that the album was going to get the box set treatment on In The Red Records. Oh well, I still had to have it, especially since this release includes three extra discs of early mixes, singles, and some incendiary live recordings. It’s a must for any fan of the first blasts of punk rock.