David Bash’s Best of 2021 Lists
Hi Everyone,
Here are my lists of favorite albums of 2021. As is my usual custom, I’ve broken this down into several categories, as I’m just not comfortable ranking unlike entities on one list.
Those marked with an * are vinyl-only releases.
Those marked with an ** are cassette/reel-to-reel only releases.
Contemporary Categories
Disclaimer alert: I heard A LOT of fine albums this year, despite COVID. From top to bottom this list is as solid as it’s been for several years. If your album doesn’t appear on the list, please trust me when I say that it in no way means I didn’t think it was good, so please don’t be hurt (assuming you even care what I think) if your album isn’t listed here (or, for that matter, if it received a lower ranking than you were hoping for/expecting). There were at least 25 more albums I could have included and still felt as if I enjoyed listening to everything on the list, but I wanted to keep it at no more than 175 so as not to overwhelm; with all the other lists I have here, there’s enough sensory overload happening!
There may be a handful of albums on this list which appear to be from 2020, or in fact were “released” at the tail end of last year. As anal as I am about my lists and about the year in which releases should be placed, I also try to be sensible about it and take into account the fact that one needs a bit of lag time to become aware of several releases, especially those indie releases which take up most of my list. If you have any complaints about this, please keep them to yourself-I’ve heard ‘em all. 😉
Lastly, I did not include digital-only releases on any of my lists. I know this might seem a bit churlish, especially during COVID, but 95% of what I liked this year was released on either CD or vinyl, so it was clear to me that, if one wanted to release a physical version of their album, they did. While I like some digital-only of these I heard in 2021, and even love some of them, I’m still old school and still believe in physical product. Don’t get me wrong: I have nothing against download releases, but I believe that there should also be options to obtain physical product. Yes, I understand that printing up CDs and (especially) vinyl is costly, but these days it really is doable for every band because manufacturing houses are all willing to do limited runs of product, particularly CDs, so that a band can do as few as 50, which should be easy to sell out of at shows, via boutique sites like Kool Kat and Jam, CD Baby, etc…I am very troubled by the possibility (some might say inevitability) of the CD going by way of the dinosaur, but I feel like I need to do my part, as little as that might be, to keep them alive. I will say I am encouraged by the number of bands who did release physical product in 2021, so hopefully all will continue to be well with the world. 🙂 Note: if any download-only releases I’ve heard see physical release in a future year, they will be eligible for ranking in that year. There you are, bands: a little incentive to keep the physical release alive and well. 🙂
Ok, without further ado, here you go!
I. Top 175 Albums
1. ANC4-Strange Tide (Kool Kat/Beluga)
2. Sorrows-Love Too Late…The Real Album (Big Stir)
3. The Tambourine People-Tambourine Love (Tambourine)
4. Nelson Bragg-Gratitude Blues (Steel Derrick)
5. Yorick van Norden-Playing By Ear (Excelsior)
6. The Coral-Coral Island (Run On)
7. Aaron Lee Tasjan-Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! (New West)
8. Oscar Lang-Chew The Scenery (Dirty Hit)
9. Glowbox-Your Call Is Very Important To Us (Self-Released)
10. Wanderlust-All A View (Self-Released)
11. Portable Radio-Portable Radio (Crimson Crow)
12. The Parlophonics-A Day In The Life (Zoundr)
13. Andrew Stonehome-Andrew Stonehome (Self-Released)
14. El Iniquieto Roque-Rebobinando (Rock Indiana)
15. Richie Mayer-The Inn of Temporary Happiness (Self-Released)
16. The Aerovons-A Little More (Another Planets)
17. Nick Frater-Earworms (Big Stir)
18. David Brookings-Mania At The Talent Show (Self-Released)
19. Kevin Robertson-Sundown’s End (Subjangle/Futureman)
20. The Legal Matters-Chapter Three (Futureman)
21. William Seen’s Transport Music-I Am The Ocean (Audio Sport)*
22. Mark & The Clouds-Waves (Gare Du Nord)
23. Mothboxer-On The Flipside (Self-Released)
24. The Len Price 3-Ipdipdo (The Strood Recording Company)
25. Ian Hornal-Fly Away Home (self-released)
26. Ryan Hamilton-1221 (Wicked Kool)
27. Underwater Sunshine-Suckertree (Futureman)
28. Rich Arithmetic-Shiftingears (Kool Kat)
29. I Was A King-Grand Hotel (Coastal Town)*
30. Smash Palace-21 (The Pocket Entertainment)
31. Brian Bringleson-Burning Backwards (Kool Kat)
32. Chris Catalyst-Kaleidoscopes (Wrath)
33. Ward White-The Tender Age (VF14)
34. Weezer-Ok Human (Warner Music)
35. Groovy Uncle-Searching For The Grown-Ups (Trouserphonic)
36. The Red Locusts-The Red Locusts (Lollipop)
37. Oberon Rose-Holographic Blues (ThouART)
38. The Bablers-Psychadilly Circus (Big Stir)
39. The Split Squad-Another Cinderella (Red Chuck)
40. Ronnie D’addario-Egg Yolks and Artichokes (Self-Released)
41. The Comebacks-Under The Banner of Love (Rock Indiana)
42. Francis Lung-Miracle (Memphis Industries)
43. Radio Days-Rave On (Rock Indiana/Wizzard In Vinyl)
44. Ryan Allen-What A Rip (Dad Pop)
45. Brad Marino-Looking For Trouble (Rum Bar)
46. Sunbourne Road-Manners Maketh Man (Kool Kat)
47. Frøkedal-Flora (Fugleben)
48. Del Amitri-Fatal Mistakes (Cooking Vinyl)
49. Famous Groupies-Chameleon Sessions (Self-Released)
50. The Brothers Steve-Dose (Big Stir)
51. Cheap Trick-In Another World (BMG)
52. Justin Beynon-In Motion (Self-Released)
53. Jeremy-Distant Dream (JAM Recordings)
54. Diamond Hands-Thank You (Kool Kat)
55. The Tummies-9:30 Girl (Self-Released)
56. The Armoires-Incognito (Big Stir)
57. The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness-Songs From Another Life (Kool Kat)
58. Electric Looking Glass-Somewhere Flowers Grow (wearebusybodies)
59. Lizard Music-Arizone! (Omnivore)
60. Caper Clowns-Abdicate The Throne (Gateway Music)
61. Ramirez Exposure-Exit Times (Love Monk)
62. Ian M. Bailey-Songs To Dream Along To (Kool Kat)
63. Cool Ghouls-At George’s Zoo (Empty Cellar)
64. Andrew Gabbard-Homemade (Colemine)
65. The Peppermint Kicks-The Peppermint Kicks (Rum Bar)
66. They Might Be Giants-Book (Idlewild)
67. Dolour-Televangelist (Inverness)
68. Astral Drive-Astral Drive (Lojinx)
69. Explorer Tapes-Explorer Tapes (Omnivore)
70. The Poppermost-Hits To Spare (TLAK)
71. The Laissez Fairs-Curiosity Killed The Laissez Fairs? (Rum Bar)
72. Perry Serpa-Laying Low In The High Lands (Declared Goods)
73. The James Clark Institute-The Colour of Happy (Room 5)
74. Petrified Max-Year Gone By (Poison Summer)
75. The Junior League-Bridge and Tunnel (Kool Kat)
76. Kris Rodgers-Still Dirty (Wicked Cool)
77. The Toms-Tomplicated (Futureman)
78. Starry Eyed and Laughing-Bells of Lightning (Aurora)
79. Geoff Palmer-Charts & Graphs (Rum Bar)
80. The Recreations-The Recreations (P Vine)
81. Teenage Fanclub-Endless Arcade (Merge)
82. The Confusions-Black Silhouettes (Mass Production)*
83. Timmy Sean-A Tale From The Other Side (Noise Water)
84. Johnathan Pushkar-Compositions (JEM)
85. Farrington-Saturday In Nowhereland (Self-Released)
86. Monophonics-It’s Only Us (Colemine)
87. Warm Morning Brothers-Not Scared Anymore (Other Eyes)
88. Rob Kovacs-Let Go (Self-Released)
89. Lindsey Buckingham-Lindsey Buckingham (Reprise)
90. The Stan Laurels-There Is No Light Without The Dark (Big Stir)
91. Kayak-Out Of This World (Sony)
92. Misty Coast-When I Fall From The Sky (Fysisk)
93. The Sails-Brighter Futures (Kool Kat)
94. Death By Unga Bunga-Heavy Male Insecurity (Jansen)
95. Wendi Dunlap-Looking For Buildings (Futureman)
96. Cloud Eleven-Pandora’s Box (Kool Kat)
97. Your Academy-Your Academy (Kool Kat)
98. Even-Reverse Light Years (El Reno)
99. The Courettes-Back In Mono (Damaged Goods)
100. The Love Gamblers-The Love Gamblers (Self-Released)
101. Olivier Rocabois-Goes Too Far (Microcultures)
102. Jim Trainor-Staring Down The Sun (Self-Released)
103. Tamar Berk-The Restless Dreams of Youth (Check Out Girl)*
104. Andrew Taylor and The Harmonizers-Andrew Taylor and The Harmonizers (Rock Indiana)
105. Tot Taylor-Frisbee (Self-Released)
106. The John Sally Ride-Now Is Not A Great Time (heartpunch)
107. LMNOP-whatNOP dONW7 (Babysue)
108. The Korgis-Kartoon World (Self-Released)
109. Scott Gagner-Blood Moon (Self-Released)
110. Deadlights-Deadlights (That Was My Skull)
111. Zombies of the Stratosphere-On The Wing (Self-Released)
112. Finn’s Motel-Fireworks Or Lightning (Victory Over Gravity)
113. Brent Seavers-BS Stands For Brent Seavers (Kool Kat)
114. Jay Gonzalez-Back To The Hive (Middle Brow)
115. The Cocktail Slippers-Shout It Out Loud! (Wicked Cool)
116. Ken Sharp-Miniatures (Jet Fighter)
117. Vectrolux-Each Morning and The Morning Thereafter (Self-Released)
118. Cobalt Chapel-Orange Synthetic (Klove)
119. Action City-This Is Action City (Set To Pop Tunes)
120. The Gold Needles-What’s Tomorrow Ever Done To You? (JEM)
121. Steve Robinson-Swallowing The Sun (Sunshine Drenchy)
122. The Cleaners From Venus-Penny Novelettes (Self-Released)
123. Blake-Kaleidoscope (Subjangle)
124. Tim Jackson-Litter In The Park (Self-Released)
125. Crowded House-Dreamers Are Waiting (BMG)
126. Emperor Penguin-Pop! Corporation (Kool Kat)
127. The Mergers-Three Apples In The Orange Grove (Soundflat)
128. The Vinylos-Club Virginia (Clifford)*
129. The On and Ons-Back For More (Citadel)
130. It’s Karma It’s Cool-Homesick For Our Future Destinations (Kool Kat)
131. Gordon Michaels-Jack of Hearts (Self-Released)
132. Rooftop Screamers-Next Level (Self-Released)
133. Brent Windler-New Morning Howl (Goldstar)
134. The Vapour Trails-Underneath Tomorrow (Self-Released)
135. Caravan-It’s None of Your Business (Madfish)
136. Rinaldi Sings-The Party’s Over (Tangerine)
137. The Routes-Mesmerized (Bickerton/Action Weekend)
138. Kid Gulliver-Kismet (Roses Are Red)
139. Dany Laj and The Looks-Ten Easy Pieces (Rum Bar)
140. Jeff Tracy-Change of Perspective (Self-Released)
141. Anton Barbeau-Oh The Joys We Live For (Big Stir)
142. Jeremy-Live For Today (JAM Recordings)
143. Weezer-Van Weezer (Warner Music)
144. Dana Countryman-Pop Scrapbook (Sterling Swan)
145. Papa Schmapa-Where Are You Now? (Self-Released)
146. Roman and The Rosarys-Going Home With Roman and The Rosarys (Soundflat)*
147. The Amplifier Heads-Saturnaliens (Rum Bar)
148. Chris Church-Game Dirt (Big Stir)
149. Finchey-Off Line, Off Radar (Self-Released)
150. Richard X. Heyman-Copious Notes (Turn-Up)
151. The Electric Stars-Velvet Elvis: The Only Lover Left Alive (Self-Released)
152. Loveland Duren-Any Such Thing (Edgewood)
153. Star Collector-Game Day (Clockwise)
154. Matthew Milea-Keego Harbor (Sitcom Universe)
155. Alain Pire Experience-Purple Skies (bdprod)
156. Harborcoat-Joy Is Elusive (Phonophobe)
157. The Be Positives-Everything About The Be Positives (Think Like A Key)
158. The Top Drawers-Out Of Sight! (Self-Released)*
159. Crystal Canyon-Yours With Affection and Sorrow (Repeating Cloud)*
160. Quant-Basado En Hechos Reales (Ferror)
161. Jane Weaver-Flock (Fire)
162. The Webstirs-The Webstirs (Self-Released)
163. The Belltowers-Magnetic (Kool Kat)
164. The Murphy Brothers-Fall On Me (Self Man Made)
165. Jon Flynn-Citrus (Kool Kat)
166. The Deathray Davies-Time Well Wasted (State Fair)
167. The Chills-Scatterbrain (Fire)
168. Tommy Sistak-Now Hear This (Self-Released)
169. For Sale-Vida Extra (Heart) X1 (Rock Indiana)
170. The Weeklings-In Their Own Write (JEM)
171. The Speed of Sound-Museum of Tomorrow (Big Stir)
172. Edward Rogers-Catch A Cloud (Zip)
173. The Connells-Steadman’s Wake (Black Park)
174. Watts-Shady Rock & Rollers (Rum Bar)
175. Chillingsworth-Surfingham (Atom)
II. Top 10 EPs
1. The Lickerish Quartet-Threesome Vol. 2 (Stranger Danger)
2. Andy Partridge-My Failed Songwriting Career Volume One (Ape House)
3. The Shang Hi Los-Kick It Like A Wicked Bad Habit (Rum Bar)
4. Tommy Pluta-Breathe (Omad)
5. Hayley and The Crushers-Fun Sized (Rum Bar)
6. Slim Loris-When Life Interferes (Self-Released)
7. Dan Miraldi-15 Minutes of Fury (Self-Released)
8. The Allrightniks-Hard To Believe (Grandin Road)
9. Clockwise-Blow Your Soul Bright (Self-Released)
10. The Crushing Violets-A Dream Without Color (Self-Released)
III. Top 6 Compilations-Single Artist 
1. Bruce Moody-Forever Fresh!: Bruce Moody The Anthology (Wizzard In Vinyl)
2. Dropkick-Best of Dropkick (Sound Asleep)
3. Steve Rosenbaum-Have A Cool Summer (Dead Media)**
4. Caddy-Detours & Dead Ends Vol. 1 (Kool Kat)
5. The Explorers Club-Rarities Vol. 1 (Goldstar)
6. Heatwaves-Complete Recordings 2017-2020 (Rum Bar)
IV. Top 5 Compilations-Various Artists
1. Pop Parade 11 (Rock Indiana)
2. Big Stir Records and SpyderPop Records-2021 Retrospective (Big Stir)
3. Big Stir Singles-The Ninth Wave (Big Stir)
4. Big Stir Singles-The Tenth Wave (Big Stir)
5. The Big Blast Singles Vol. 1 (Big Blast)
V. Top 5 Covers Albums-Single Artist
1. Paul Stanley’s Soul Station-Now And Then (Universal)
2. The Grip Weeds-Dig: Deluxe Edition (JEM)
3. Spygenius-Blow Their Covers (Big Stir)
4. Mike Browning-Class Act (Self-Released)
5. The Checkered Hearts-Joystick (Chicanery Chick)
VI. Top 5 Tribute Discs-Single Artist
1. Micky Dolenz-Dolenz Sings Nesmith (7A)
2. Nick Frater Presents The Rebuttals-Ron, Dirk, Stig and Barry: The Solo Years Vol. 1 (Great Sheiks)
3. Fernando Perdomo-TRGTR: The Music Of Todd Rundgren (Cherry Red)
4. Pablo Solo-Solo Sings Simon (TLAK)
5. Lorenzo Wolf-Down Where The Valleys Are Low: Another Otherworld For Judee Sill (Storysound)
VII. Top 4 Tribute Discs-Various Artists
1. Ram On-The 50th Anniversary Tribute to Paul & Linda McCartney’s Ram (Cherry Red)
2. JEM Records Celebrates Brian Wilson (JEM)
3. Ex-Norwegian & Friends Sing Jimmy Campbell (Beyond Before)
4. Higher Than A Mountain-The Songs of Andy Gibb (Curry Cuts)
VIII. Top Soundtrack
1. There’s Something In The Lake-Composed and Performed by Greg Pope (Octoberville)
IX. 2022 Releases I’ve Heard and Like (In Alphabetical Order)
The Blusterfields-The Vicious Afterglow
Jay Byham-Jay Byham (Self-Released)
Cheap Cassettes-Ever Since, Ever Since
Chris Church-Darling Please
Rosalie Cunningham-Two Piece Puzzle
Explorers Club-Wattage
Lannie Flowers-Flavor of The Month
Monogroove-Into The Sun
The Summer Holiday-Acqua
The Summer Holiday-Come Out, Come Out
The Summer Holiday-B Sides
Reissue Categories
For this category, at least one of the following criteria must be met for the album to qualify:
a. those that are on CD or LP for the first time
b. those that had been previously issued, but are now out of print or difficult to find
c. those in whose current issue have lots of bonus tracks, or some other unique feature
d. those which were previously unreleased but are “old” enough to where they should be considered reissues.
What I did NOT include were “garden variety” reissues of popular albums.
A CD or LP which contains exclusively previously unreleased material which is not from current times is still considered a “reissue” in my ranking structure.
With the above in mind, while quality is the major factor in determining the rankings, other factors such as number and type of bonus tracks, presentation, liner notes, sound quality, etc…do come into play. So, if you see a classic album ranking lower than one with less of a rep (or one you know I like a bit less), it’s because of the other factors.
I. Top 40 Proper Albums
1. Elton John-Regimental Sgt. Zippo (Universal)*
2. Paul McCartney-Ram: Half Speed Mastering (Universal)*
3. Supergrass-In It For The Money: Deluxe Edition (BMG)
4. Barclay James Harvest-Time Honoured Ghosts: Deluxe Edition (Esoteric)
5. The Who-Sell Out (Polydor Japan)*
6. Design-Design: 50th Anniversary Expanded Edition (Vacancy)
7. Material Issue-International Pop Overthrow (Back Groove)*
8. The Motions-Impressions of Wonderful (Universal)
9. Pugwash-Eleven Modern Antiquities (Sugarbush)*
10. Q65-Revolution: Mono Version (Pseudonym)*
11. Earth and Fire-Song of The Marching Children (Universal)*
12. World Party-Dumbing Up (Seaview)*
13. RO-D-YS-Earnest Vocation (Universal)*
14. The Matchmakers-Bubble Gum A Go Go (Sundazed)*
15. Green Tambourine-Sundragon (Vinyl Tape)
16. Bill Lloyd-Feeling The Elephant (Whole In One)
17. The Who-Exciting (Polydor Japan)*
18. The Who-I’m A Boy (Polydor Japan)*
19. Roxette-Joyride: 30th Anniversary Edition (Parlophone)
20. Donny Iris-Back On The Streets (Rock Candy)
21. Lancelot Link and The Evolution Revolution-Music From The TV Show (Film Cheat Media Group)*
22. Peppermint Trolley Co.-Peppermint Trolley Co.(Outsider)*
23. RO-D-YS-Just Fancy (Universal)*
24. T2-It’ll All Work Out In Bloomland: Expanded Edition (Esoteric)
25. Agincourt-Fly Away (Trading Places)*
26. Global Village Trucking Company-Smiling Revolution (Esoteric)
27. Donny Iris-King of Cool (Rock Candy)
28. Martin Newell-The Off White Album (Captured Tracks)*
29. Nick Lowe-Labour of Lust: Newbury Comics Edition (Yep Roc)*
30. The Who-My Generation (Polydor Japan)*
31. Little Big Horn-Little Big Horn (Guerssen)*
32. Pugh’s Place-West One: 50th Anniversary Edition (Universal)*
33. Donny Iris-The High and The Mighty (Rock Candy)
34. Martin Newell-The Greatest Living Englishman: 25 Anniversary Edition (Captured Tracks)*
35. Millicent Friendly-Downtime (Self-Released)*
36. Donny Iris-Fortune 410 (Rock Candy)
37. Carrots-Sunshine (Warner)
38. Colin Blunstone-One Year (Sundazed)
39. The Kinks-Percy (BMG)*
40. David Crosby-If I Could Only Remember My Name… (Atlantic/Rhino)
II. Top 3 Two-Fers, Three-Fers, and Four-Fers
1. The Ivy League-This Is The Ivy League/Sounds of The Ivy League/Tomorrow Is Another Day (BGO)
2. The Rockin’ Berries-In Town/Life Is Just A Bowl of Berries (BGO)
3. The Hesitations-Soul Superman/Freddy Butler-With A Dab of Soul (Kent)
III. Top 30 Compilations, Single Artist
1. White Plains-The Collection (7Ts)
2. True West-Kaleidoscope of Shadows: The Story So Far (Bring Out Your Dad)
3. The Merseybeats-I Stand Accused: The Complete Merseybeats and Merseys Sixties Recordings (Grapefruit)
4. Nancy Sinatra-Start Walkin’ 1965-1976 (Light In The Attic)
5. Fire-Father’s Name Is Dad: The Complete Fire (Grapefruit)
6. The Misunderstood-Children of The Sun: The Complete Recordings 1965-66 (Grapefruit)
7. Tintern Abbey-Beeside: The Complete Recordings (Grapefruit)
8. Bob Dylan-1970 (Legacy/Sony)
9. Badfinger-The Lost Broadcasts (Cantare)
10. The Millennium-Original Sound Sessions 1967-1968 (Munster)*
11. Holsapple & Stamey-Our Back Pages (Omnivore)
12. The Creation-…In Stereo (Demon)*
13. John Howard-Collected: The Best of John Howard (Kool Kat)
14. Kaleidoscope & Fairfield Parlour-Sky Children: The Best of Kaleidoscope & Fairfield Parlour (Beyond Before)
15. Design-Children of The Mist: The Best of Design (Market Square)
16. The dBs-I Thought You Wanted To Know: 1979-1981 (Propeller)
17. The Beach Boys-Pet Sounds: The Vocals Only (Hi Fidelity)*
18. Roxette-Bag of Trix: Music From The Roxette Vaults (Parlophone)
19. Tom Petty-Finding Wildflowers: Alternate Versions (Warner)
20. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young-Déjà Vu Alternates (Atlantic Rhino)*
21. The Palace Guard-All Night Long: An Anthology 1965-1967 (Omnivore)
22. Fleur De Lys-Circles: The Ultimate Fleur De Lys (Acid Jazz)*
23. The Syn-Flowerman: Rare Blooms From The Syn 1965-1969 (Grapefruit)
24. Goldie and The Gingerbreads-Thinking About The Good Times: Complete Recordings 1961-1966 (Ace)
25. Hall & Oates-The Philly Tapes (Reel Music)*
26. Bill Lloyd-A Selection of Power Pop: 1985-2020 (Whole In One)
27. Direct Hits-The Broadway Recording Sessions (Optic Nerve)
28. Michael Nesmith-Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings (Real Gone)
29. The Jacks-Make ‘Em Cry 1978-1985 (Reminder)*
30. Sparrow-The Chris White Experience Presents Sparrow (Sunfish)
IV. Top 30 Compilations, Various Artists
1. Power To The Pop II (Sony Japan)
2. Mike Hurst-In My Time: Recordings, Productions and Songs 1962-1985 (Strawberry)
3. Behind The Dykes 2-More Beat, Blues and Psychedelic Nuggets From The Lowlands 1966-1971 (Universal Decca)*
4. Rockets of Love!-Power Pop Gems From the 70s, 80s & 90s (Big Beat)
5. Psychedelic Soul-Produced by Norman Whitfield (Kent)
6. Air-O-Plane Ride-Sunshine, Soft & Studio Pop 1966-1970 (Teensville)
7. Flowers In My Garden-Sunshine, Soft & Studio Pop 1966-1970 (Teensville)
8. Fading Yellow Volume 18-Another Magical Selection of 45s From Around The World (Flower Machine)
9. Let’s Bubblegum The Punk!-America Underground ‘70s Power Pop Im-Plo-Sion! Volume One (Pop Superette)*
10. Gus Dudgeon-Production Gems (Ace)
11. Good Good Feeling!-More Motown Girls (Ace)
12. Stop The War-Vietnam Through The Eyes of Black America 1965-1974 (Kent)
13. Hard To Find Jukebox Classics-Stereo Explosion Volume 2: Rhythm & Doo Wop (Hit Parade)
14. Blow My Mind!-The Dore Era Mira Punk & Psych Legacy (Big Beat)
15. Cornflake Zoo-24: Sir! Sir! Where Is Your Underwear? (Particles)
16. Hurdy Gurdy Songs-Words & Music By Donovan: 1965-1971 (Ace)
17. People Get Ready-The Curtis Mayfield Songbook (Kent)
18. Standing In The Shadows-14 Rare 1979-1985 North American Power Pop Hits Vol. 2 (Mean Bean)*
19. Standing In The Shadows-14 Rare 1979-1983 North American Power Pop Hits Vol. 1 (Mean Bean)*
20. John Savages 1972-1976: All Our Times Have Come (Ace)
21. This Love Was Real-L.A. Vocal Groups 1959-1964 (Ace)
22. Ladies Choice-The Pen of Swan Records (Sundazed)
23. Hard To Find Jukebox Classics-Stereo Explosion Volume 1: 50s Pop (Hit Parade)
24. Extraordinary Man-The Pop Songwriting Rarities of…Ray Whitley 1964-1969 (Teensville)
25. What Goes On-The Songs of Lou Reed (Ace)
26. Look At Me Now!-The Pop Songwriting Rarities of Mitch Murray 1963-1966 (Teensville)
27. Modernity (Kent)
28. Everybody Makes A Mistake-Stax Southern Soul Vol. 2 (Kent)
29. For The Goodtimes-The Songs of Kris Kristofferson (Ace)
30. Back To The Basics-The Chips Moman Songbook (Ace)
V. Top 40 Box Sets: Single Artist
1. The Beach Boys-Feel Flows: The Sunflower & Surf’s Up Sessions 1969-1971 (Universal Capitol)
2. George Harrison-All Things Must Pass: Uber Box (Universal Apple)
3. Caravan-Who Do You Think We Are? (Madfish)
4. Nirvana-Songlife (Madfish)
5. The Beatles-Let It Be: 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (Universal Capitol)
6. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young-Déjà Vu: Superdeluxe Edition (Rhino)
7. Laura Nyro-American Dreamer (Madfish)
8. Cat Stevens-Teaser And The Firecat: Superdeluxe 50th Anniversary Edition (Universal)
9. Elvis Costello-Armed Forces: Superdeluxe Edition (Universal)
10. The Who-Sell Out: Superdeluxe Edition (Geffen)
11. The Beau Brummels-Turn Around: The Complete Recordings 1964-1970 (Now Sounds)
12. The Band-Stage Fright: Super Deluxe 50th Anniversary Edition (Universal Capitol)
13. Tommy James and The Shondells-Celebration: The Complete Roulette Recordings 1966-1973 (Grapefruit)
14. The Electric Prunes-Then Came The Dawn: Complete Recordings 1966-1969 (Grapefruit)
15. Spirit-Sunrise & Salvation: The Mercury Era Anthology (Esoteric)
16. Bachman Cummings-The Collection (Sony)
17. Manfred Mann-The 60s (Umbrella Music)
18. Neil Young-Archives Vol. 2 (Reprise)
19. Yardbirds-Roger The Engineer: Superdeluxe Edition (Demon)
20. Tom Jones-The Complete Decca Studio Albums Collection (Decca)
21. John Lennon-Plastic Ono Band: Superdeluxe Edition (Universal Apple)
22. The Band-Cahoots: Superdeluxe 50th Anniversary Edition (Universal Capitol)
23. Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels-50th Anniversary Edition (Universal)
24. Steppenwolf-Magic Carpet Ride: The Dunhill ABC Years 1967-1971 (Esoteric)
25. Curved Air-The Albums 1970-1973 (Esoteric)
26. War-The Vinyl: 1971-1975 (Rhino)
27. Trees-Trees: 50th Anniversary Edition (Earth Recordings)
28. Aretha Franklin-Aretha (Rhino)
29. Sorrows-Pink Purple Yellow and Red: The Complete Sorrows (Grapefruit)
30. The Real Thing-The Anthology 1972-1997 (Cherry Pop)
31. Neil Young-After The Gold Rush: 50th Anniversary Vinyl (Reprise)
32. Rare Bird-Beautiful Scarlet: The Recordings 1969-1975 (Esoteric)
33. Help Yourself-Passing Through: The Complete Studio Recordings (Esoteric)
34. Stackridge-50: Recordings 1971-2021 (Angel Air)
35. Pretenders-Pretenders: Deluxe Edition (Rhino/Warner)
36. Be Bop Deluxe-Drastic Plastic: Deluxe Edition (Esoteric)
37. Jethro Tull-Benefit: Superdeluxe Edition (Chrysalis)
38. Andy Pratt-The Lost Albums 2010-2014 (Think Like A Key)
39. Al Stewart-Time Passages: Deluxe Edition (Esoteric)
40. Byzantium-Halfway Dreaming: Anthology 1969-75 (Grapefruit)
VI. Top 15 Box Sets: Various Artists
1. Think I’m Going Weird-Original Artefacts From The British Psychedelic Scene 1966-1968 (Grapefruit)
2. Satisfaction Guaranteed-The Sound of Philadelphia International Records Volume 2 (United Souls)
3. Once Upon A Time In The West Midlands: The Bostin’ Sounds of Brumrock 1966-1974 (Grapefruit)
4. Good As Gold-Artefacts of The Apple Era 1967-1975 (Grapefruit)
5. Get On Board The Soul Train: The Sound of Philadelphia International Records Volume 1 (United Souls)
6. Beyond The Pale Horizon-The British Progressive Pop Sounds of 1972 (Grapefruit)
7. Banquet-Underground Sounds of 1969 (Esoteric)
8. Separate Paths Together-An Anthology of British Male Singer Songwriters 1965-1975 (Grapefruit)
9. Taking Some Time On-Underground Sounds of 1970 (Esoteric)
10. We’re Gonna Change The World!-Savage Garage Punk From Valhalla 1964-1968 (Rubble)
11. Oh! You Pretty Things-Glam Queen and Street Urchins 1970-1976 (Grapefruit)
12. Riding The Rock Machine-British Seventies Classic Rock (Grapefruit)
13. Breakthrough: Underground Sounds of 1971 (Esoteric)
14. Box Of Pin-Ups: The British Sounds of 1965 (Grapefruit)
15. The Electric Muse Revisited-The Story of Folk Into Rock and Beyond (Good Deeds)