Hudson's Best Reissues, Compilations and Box Sets of 2025

Just under a fortnight ago, I posted my 40 favorite new albums of 2025. Tonight I present the companion list - 20 of the best reissues, box sets, compilations, live albums, etc. Pretty much anything that wasn't a true new release.

This is the spot to admit that I'm a sucker for these sorts of things. I love bonus tracks. I love long lost outtakes and live tracks. Give me a giant box set of entire recording sessions. But that's also the rule for this list. There has to be a reason for a reissue. Just a new vinyl pressing of an existing album that is still in print is not worthy of inclusion. So, no the Buckingham Nicks reissue doesn't get a spot here. (Well, it never would anyway as the record is dog shit.)

1. Wilco, A Ghost Is Born

Jeff Tweedy has always seemed to understand the perspective of his fans, and the various archive versions of his back catalog proves this. This massive box tracks the progress of the creation of one of their most adventurous albums, from jam sessions through demos and discarded versions before concluding with a concert recording that occurred shortly after the album’s original release. 

2. Husker Du, 1985: The Miracle Year. 

1985 was truly a magical year for the legendary trio. The year began with one classic album, New Day Rising, and ended with a record that arguably topped it, Flip Your Wig. This box set of live recordings is anchored by an entire January show at First Avenue, and is accompanied by various live tracks from later in the year. There’s even a partial show from Salt Lake City where they premiere almost half of 1986’s Candy Apple Grey. 

3. Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska ‘82. 

The backstory of Springsteen’s Nebraska album is that these cassette recordings were initially intended to be demos for future full band recordings. For decades, the Boss has denied that any E Street Band recordings of this material ever happened. Conveniently, he was proven wrong just in time to coincide with the Deliver Me From Nowhere biopic of the Nebraska era. Whatever the circumstances, this box blows away the bloated Tracks II that came out a few months earlier. 

4. Bob Dylan, Through The Open Window (The Bootleg Series Vol. 18 1956-1963). 

This eight disc box set of Dylan’s early years better explains his life than any biography possibly could. The story is told via recordings made at house parties, hotel rooms, radio stations, and clubs before ending with a legendary show at Carnegie Hall. He’s guesting on other artist’s albums; he’s debuting classics for a handful of friends. Most importantly, one sees his rapid progress from a Woody Guthrie acolyte to the quintessential standard that all future songwriters are compared. 

5. Patti Smith, Horses. 

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, one of the first blasts of what turned into New York punk rock is given the deluxe treatment with some fantastic demos and outtakes. 

6. Small Faces, The Autumn Stone. 

Shortly after Steve Marriott walked away from the Small Faces, Immediate Records owner Andrew Loog Oldham rushed out this odd compilation that coupled big hits with various stray cuts and outtakes. Drummer Kenney Jones has now fixed the various flaws of the original album and has expanded it to include more rarities. 

7. The Replacements, Let It Be. 

Longtime followers of my year-end lists may be surprised to see the reissue of my third favorite album of all time to sit so low on this year’s compilation. No, it’s not due to my issues with Rhino’s customer service department. The reality is that, unlike the previous albums that have seen the box set treatment, there wasn’t a plethora of extra material that wasn’t already added to the 2008 CD reissue. There also isn’t a vault of professionally recorded concerts, so this time around there is an audience recording. It’s a fiery performance, though, that’s definitely worth owning. 

8. Talking Heads, More Songs About Buildings and Food. 

The thawing tensions of the band members has continued to be a boom for Talking Heads fans, as this year has not only seen this second album expanded but there’s been great Record Store Day releases of live and demo recordings. 

9. The Who, Who Are You. 

The last “real” Who album was a troubled affair, mainly due to the deteriorating drumming skills of Keith Moon, who died shortly after the album’s release. This box tells that story, warts and all, but the live material shows that even in his final months Moonie was still capable of showing glimpses of what made him such a legend. 

10. The Feelies, Rewind. 

Throughout their career, The Feelies have been masters at revving up old songs that one would not necessarily expect them to consider. This fun little record compiles their versions of tracks originally recorded by The Beatles, Patti Smith, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and others. 

11. The Jesus and Mary Chain, Psychocandy 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. 

One of the most innovative debuts of the 80s gets the box set treatment from Third Man Records. The remastering is top notch, and the additional live recording showcases the insanity of those early days. 

12. Stiff Little Fingers, Inflammable Material. 

Long out of print, the greatest Irish punk rock album of all time finally gets the reissue treatment, accompanied by a live recording that proves what a powerful band they were from day one. 

13. Gentleman Jesse, I Wonder if You Would Even Notice: Singles and Rarities. 

One of power pop’s most underrated songwriters gets the rarities treatment here that proves even his one-offs are on an equal level to his main releases. 

14. Dead Milkmen, Big Lizard In My Backyard. 

If “guilty pleasures” are real, then these wacky Philadelphians fit into that category for me. They’re fun. They’re silly. And this Record Store Day reissue reminded me of how much I giggled at “Bitchin’ Camaro” back in the day. 

15. David Bowie, I Can't Give Everything Away (2002 - 2016). 

The final box of Bowie’s discography may not have the magic of the earlier volumes (especially the first two or three) but it’s still great to have all of the various odds and ends compiled with the last few albums Bowie released during his lifetime. 

16. The Beatles, Anthology 4. 

Talk about a missed opportunity. Unlike the previous three volumes from 30 years ago, over half of this set just compiles outtakes from the Giles Martin-produced box sets from the last few years. Come on. Even different takes of these same songs would have been better, and a whole side devoted to remixed versions of the “threetles” tracks is just lazy. 

17. Camper Van Beethoven, Telephone Free Landslide Victory 40th Anniversary Edition. 

Once again, one of my favorite albums of the 80s gets the expanded treatment with plenty of fun demos and outtakes. 

18. Brad Marino, On The Brink: Rarities, Remixes & Unreleased. 

Like the Gentleman Jesse record, here’s another of my favorite garage/punk/power pop artists compiling his stray tracks and covers onto a record that flows just like one of his regular albums. 

19. Various Artists, I Wanna Be A Teen Again - American Power Pop 1980-1989

Various Artists, You're No Big Deal: Grunge, The US Underground And Beyond 1984-1994.(tie)

 I’ve long been a fan of the various Cherry Red Records themed box sets that have come out over the years, but these two boxes really hit my sweet spot. Come on. We all know how much I love power pop, and the grunge tag of the other box doesn’t tell the whole story of a box that includes the likes of Husker Du, Pavement, and The Replacements.