Out This Week / on 10 June 2016

Paul McCartney / Pure McCartney

With only the one greatest hits compilation in the last 29 years, Paul McCartney‘s Pure McCartney is certainly overdue. Leaving off Flowers In The Dirt tracks still rankles, but two-CD will satisfy most, while 4CD deluxe package lacks rarities.  

Phil Collins / …But Seriously and The Essential Going Back

And we’re done… Less than six months after the first two, Phil Collins completes his reissue campaign with …But Seriously and, bizarrely, a cut-down ‘Essential’ version of Going Back. 

Van Morrison  / …It’s Too Late To Stop Now Vols II, III, IV & DVD

Sony issue a four disc expanded version of Van Morrison’s 1974 live album which includes three full performances (remixed from the original multi-tracks) plus on the DVD, professionally filmed live footage from the Rainbow Theatre. The actual album is reissued too. 

The Beach Boys / Pet Sounds (50th anniversary)

The Beach Boys‘ Pet Sounds is 50 and this new five-disc deluxe includes a blu-ray audio with surround sound and four CDs of content including unreleased live material. 

Air / Twentyears

The ‘French Band’ Air celebrate 20 years with… twentyears. Five-disc box version features ‘random’ coloured double vinyl and three CDs.  

The Cars / The Elektra Years 1978-1987  (6LP coloured vinyl box)

The vinyl version of The Cars‘ The Elektra Years box is finally out this week. This appeals because each album is pressed on coloured vinyl. 

The Killers / Hot Fuss (vinyl reissue)

High prices on the used market means this vinyl reissue of The Killers Hot Fuss is welcome. The noughties classic includes the singles Somebody Told Me, Mr Brightside and All These Things That I’ve Done. 

Ultravox! / The Island Years  (4CD box)

John Foxx era Ultravox! boxed in The Island Years, a four CD set which features the first three albums, plus a bonus disc of rarities. 

Garbage / Strange Little Birds

Garbage return with their sixth studio album Strange Little Birds. The 2LP vinyl edition looks great. 

U2 / iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE

U2‘s 30-song performance at Paris in 2015 is celebrated with iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE, which is available on blu-ray, DVD or this lavish (and indulgent) super deluxe box. 

Blank & Jones / so80s 10 (3CD)

Eighties remix compilations are more common than ever, but the cheap, slightly faceless corporate sets knocked out by major labels, struggle to compete with these normally excellent, personally curated sets from Blank & Jones. In short, they go the extra mile. so80s vol 10 appears 18 months after the last volume. 

The Stone Roses / Very Best Of (vinyl)

The Stone Roses are ‘back’ with the slightly underwhelming One For All but if you want to check out the classics on vinyl, this Very Best Of is being reissued this week.

• • UK Order: The Very Best Of The Stone Roses
• • USA Order: The Very Best Of The Stones Roses
• • GERMANY Order: The Very Best Of The Stone Roses

Various Artists / C87 (3CD)

Cherry Red follow up their C86 1980s indie compilation, which was based on an actual release, with this three-CD set which ‘imagines’ their was a follow-up. 70 indie-pop tracks originally released between the summers of 1986 and 1987. 

ELO / The Studio Albums 1973 – 1977 (2CD)

Five CD box set that contains “newly re-mastered” (pinch of salt required) versions of the ELO albums On The Third Day, Eldorado, Face The Music, A New World Record & Out Of The Blue.

• • UK Order: ELO The Studio Albums 1973-1977
• • USA Order: ELO The Studio Albums 1973-1977
• • GERMANY Order: ELO: The Studio Albums 1973-1977

John Coltrane/ Mono  (6LP or 6CD box)

Mono recordings of John Coltrane albums recorded for Atlantic in the late ’50s and early 1960s are reissued for the first time in over 50 years on John Coltrane Mono. The vinyl set comes with a replica seven-inch of My Favourite Things. 

John Mellencamp / The Vinyl Collection 1982-1989  (vinyl box)

New John Mellencamp vinyl box which contains the albums American Fool, Uh-Huh, Scarecrow, The Lonesome Jubilee, and Big Daddy, all “cut from the original analog master tapes on 180 gram vinyl.” 

Kris Kristofferson / The Complete Monument & Columbia Albums Collection (16CD box)

Massive 16-disc Kris Kristofferson collection brings together 11 studio albums, recorded in the years spanning 1970 through to 1981, and an impressive five CDs of rarities. 

Motörhead  / Clean Your Clock

One of Motörhead‘s final live performances capture and celebrated on Clean Your Clock. Deluxe version includes gatefold coloured vinyl with ‘pop-up’ art.