David Bash’s Best Of 2023 Lists
Hi Everyone,
Here are my lists of favorite albums of 2023. 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-only releases.
Contemporary Categories
Disclaimer alert: I heard A LOT of fine albums in 2023, more than in 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 40 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 150 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 2022, 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, 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 2023, and even love some of them (one of the may have even been my fave of the year, had there been a physical), 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 2023 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 150 Albums
1. The Tearaways-And For Our Next Trick (Dirty Water)
2. Reno Bo-Never Night Time On The Sun (Electric Western)
3. Thomas Walsh-The Rest Is History (Curation)
4. Fox Paloma-The Complete Collection (No Label)
5. Rinehearts-Full Bloom (Kool Kat)
6. Ian M. Bailey-We Live In Strange Times (Kool Kat)
7. Roger Joseph Manning Jr.-Radio Daze & Glamping (Omnivore)
8. Dungeons of Skeletons-Patterns (River Box)
9. Geoff Palmer-An Otherwise Negative Situation (Stardumb)
10. SLD-Like Sunshine (Kool Kat)
11. The Midnight Callers-Rattled Humming Heart (JEM)
12. KC Bowman-Crushes of Context (Timber Trout)
13. Arthur Alexander-…Steppin Out! (Big Stir)
14. Justine and The Unclean-The Signal Light (Red On Red)
15. Pete Molinari-Just Like Achilles (Blind Faith)*
16. The Reverberations-Half Remembered Dreams (Beluga)*
17. Mothboxer-Breathe (No Label)
18. The Guess Who-Plein D’amour (The Guess Who)
19. Rolling Numbers-Killer Machines (No Label)
20. Duncan Reid and The Big Heads-And It’s Goodbye From Him (LBH)
21. Dave Cope and The Sass-Killer Mods From Inner Space (Kool Kat)
22. The Shang Hi Los-Aces Eights & Heartbreaks (Rum Bar)
23. Dan McGeever-Spirals (You Are The Cosmos/Pretty Olivia)*
24. The Lunar Laugh-In The Black (Big Stir)
25. The Lemon Twigs-Everything Harmony (Captured Tracks)
26. The New Pornographers-Continue As A Guest (Merge)
27. Men of North Country-3 (Well Suspect)*
28. The Basements-Sounds of Yesterday (Lost In Tyme)*
29. The National Honor Society-To All The Distance Between Us (No Label)
30. The Coral-See of Mirrors (Run On)
31. The Parlophonics-Dying Of The Light (Kool Kat)
32. Brad Marino-Grin and Bear It (Rum Bar)
33. Local Drags-Mess of Everything-Stardumb*
34. Ransom and The Subset-Perfect Crimes (Futureman)
35. Oberon Rose-Purple, Blue & Crimson (Thou Art)
36. Il Senato-Kings of The World (Rubber Soul)
37. Blaine Campbell and The California Sound-Blaine Campbell and The California Sound (No Label)
38. Kurt Baker-Rock ‘N’ Roll Club (Wicked Cool)
39. The James Clark Institute-Under The Lampshade (Room 5)
40. Groovy Uncle Featuring Jane Wrangham-Make It Sound Like An Accident (Trouserphonic)
41. The Decibels-When Red Lights Flash (Kool Kat)
42. The Whiffs-Scratch ‘N’ Sniff (Dig!)*
43. The Most-The New Break of Dawn (Copase)*
44. The Diff-What’s The Diff (Cheap Kiss)*
45. Eyelids-A Colossal Waste of Light (Jealous Butcher)
46. Bur-We Are Bur (Kool Kat)
47. The Rallies-It Must Be…The Rallies (No Label)
48. Dropkick-The Wireless Revolution (Rock Indiana/Sound Asleep)
49. Cupid’s Carnival-Rainbow Child (Cherry)
50. St. John’s Wood-Affair (Think Like A Key)
51. Bennett Wilson Poole-I Saw A Star Behind Your Eyes, Don’t Let It Die Away (BWP)
52. Vanity Mirror-Puff (We Are Busybodies)
53. Daniel Romano-Dandelion (You’ve Changed)
54. Ryan Hamilton-Haunted By The Holy Ghost (Wicked Cool)
55. Those Pretty Wrongs-Holiday Camp (Curation)
56. The On and Ons-Let Ya Hair Down! (Citadel)
57. Tom Curless & The 46%-Speaking In Code (Futureman)
58. The Heavy Heavy-Life and Life Only (ATO)
59. The Sextones-Love Can’t Be Borrowed (Record Kicks) 40s
60. Bill Lloyd-Look Into It (Birdie In One)
61. Colored Lights-Colored Lights (Bobo Integral)*
62. The Summertimes-The Summertimes (Rank & File)
63. Parallax Project-Autologous (Kool Kat)
64. Nick Frater-Bivouac (Think Like A Key)
65. Graham Day & The Gaolers-Reflections In The Glass (Damaged Goods)
66. Somerdale-Let’s Get Started (Kool Kat)
67. Paul McCann-Alter Ego (Kool Kat) 40s
68. Thomas Charlie Pederson-Employees Much Wash Hands (Karmanian)
69. Gonzalez Smith-Roll Up A Song (Middle Brow)*
70. The Foreign Films-Magic Shadows (Kool Kat)
71. Holly Henderson-The Walls (Ivy RecRods)
72. Logan’s Close-Heart Shaped Jacuzzi (No Label)
73. Jeremy-A Better Life (JAM)
74. The Silencers-Silent Highway (Wagram Music)
75. Jimmy Diamond-You Radiade (Excelsior) 40s
76. Cliff Hillis-Be The Now (No Label)
77. The Anderson Council-The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon (JEM)
78. Perry Deer and The Deerstalkers-Oh Dear! (Soundflat)*
79. Marc Jonson & Ramirez Exposure-Turning On The Century Vol. II (Kool Kat)
80. The Sound of Pop Art/Chris Free-Shapes & Shadows (England In June)
81. Teenage Fanclub-Nothing Lasts Forever (Merge)
82. Kevin Robertson-Magic Spells Abound (Futureman/Subjangle)
83. Frederick Julius-Lonely Boy (Sick Picnic)
84. The Exbats-Song Machine (Goner)*
85. The Surfin’ Lungs-Last Wave To Surfsville (Redondo)
86. Diners-Domino (Bar None)*
87. Elephonic-Elephonic (Get Hip)
88. Guided By Voices-Nowhere To Go But Up (Guided By Voices)
89. Ronnie D’addario-All Gathered In One Room (Homburg)
90. Ryan Allen-The Last Rock Band (Setterwind)
91. Ali Heath-When The Day Is Done (Blow Up) 40s
92. Just We Two-Don’t Turn The Page (No Label) 40s
93. All Day Sucker-Feel Better*
94. Scott Gagner-Reverse (No Label)
95. Cherry Fez-Honeycomb Tearoom (No Label)
96. Andrew Gabbard-Cedar City Sweetheart (Karma Chief)
97. Lane Steinberg-Head Space (Zalytron)
98. Jody & The Jerms-Wonder (No Label)
99. Ian Person-Autoimmune (No Label)
100. The Small Square-Ours & Others (Farm To Label)
101. Emma Anderson-Pearlies (Sonic Cathedral)
102. Sharp Class-Tales of A Teenage Mind (No Label)
103. Steve Stoeckel-The Power of And (Big Stir)
104. The Get Arounds-I Wanna Live (No Label)
105. Robin Schell-The Macchiato (Kool Kat)
106. Novelty Island-Walls and Weekend Television (Think Like A Key)
107. Keeley-Floating Above Everything Else (Dimple Discs)
108. Sparks-The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte (Island)
109. The Lemon Sherbets-More Affordable Lemons (7A)
110. Brix Smith-Valley of The Dolls (Grit Over Glamour)
111. Jeremy-High Fidelity (JAM)
112. Dennis Schocket-Weather Vane (Tallboy)
113. Grand Drifter-Paradise Window (Subjangle)
114. The Blood Rush Hour-Sanity Fare (Nicola)
115. Floral Portrait-Floral Portrait (No Label)
116. Vanilla-77 (Charlatan Record Cartel)
117. meyerman-Happy To See You (Pretty Decent)
118. Schizo Fun Addict-Love Your Enemies (Fruits de Mer)
119. Stephen Lawrenson-Chants of A Lifetime (Kool Kat)
120. Guided By Voices-La La Land (Guided By Voices)
121. The No Ones-My Best Evil Friend (Yep Roc)
122. Onesie-Subliminal Hiss (Kool Kat)
123. The Blusterfields-II (New Atlas)
124. Jon Keats-Any Man Would Do The Same (Cavern)
125. Meyer Hawthorne-For All Time (P&L)
126. Terry Draper-In The Beginning (Magentalane)
127. Orbis Max-Orbis Max (No Label)
128. P Hux-As Good As Advertised (No Label)
129. The Pozers-Something Pop (6th Floor)
130. Mr. Bruce Gordon-One Tall Order (Futureman)
131. Jon Smith’s Voyages-Unattended Symphony (No Label)
132. Ex Norwegian-Sooo Extra (Think Like A Key)
133. Dave Cope and The Sass-Songs of Sea and Skye (No Label)
134. The Tripwires-Do It Some More (House Frolic)
135. Diamond Hands-Cookie (Kool Kat)
136. The Baseball Project-Grand Salami Time! (Omnivore)
137. Anthony Meynell-Passengers On Trains (Hi-Lo)
138. Hawk Percival-Night Moods (Think Like A Key)
139. The Yellow Melodies-Sunshine Pop (The Beautiful Music)
140. Tamar Berk-Tiny Injuries (No Label)
141. The Boo Radleys-Eight (Boostr)
142. Blake-Plainsongs (Subjangle)
143. Drop Nineteens-Hard Light (Wharf Cat)
144. Eddie & The Hot Rods-Guardians of The Legacy (Renaissance)
145. The Cleaners From Venus-K7 (Patreon)
146. Chris Stamey-The Great Escape (Car)
147. Star Collector-Attack, Sustain, Decay…Repeat (Clockwise)
148. The Vanrays-Put It Out (Bone Rattle)
149. Barry Knoedl-Nothing Personal (Beatbad)
150. Graham Parker & The Gold Tops-Last Chance To Learn The Twist (Big Stir)
II. Top 10 Eps
1. The Vapour Trails-On A Beautiful Day (Futureman)
2. Ken Kase-Ken Kase (No Label)
3. Dennis Davison-Creaturefeature (Pretty Plague)
4. Einstein’s Sister-Exit Strategies (Yummy Pop)*
5. Noelle Hannibal-Ain’t A Tourist (No Label)
6. Arwen Lewis-Under The Stars (Wise Owl)
7. The Drool Brothers-Modo Electra (Rabbit Kicker)
8. Manual Scan-Shooting Stars (Pacific)
9. Jamie Hoover-Top Banana (Martini Time)
10. Dave Birk-Fool Around (No Label)*
III. Top 5 Compilations-Various Artists
1. International Pop Overthrow Vol. 24 (Omnivore)
2. The Best Power Pop of 2021 (Pop Geek Heaven)
3. Pop Parade 13 (Rock Indiana)
4. The Cream Of 2023-For Your Consideration (Big Stir)
5. Raff Riffs-A Quick Introduction To Think Like A Key Music (Think Like A Key)
IV. Top 5 Covers Albums-Single Artist
1. Sparkle*Jets UK-Best of Friends (Big Stir)
2. Marco Rossi-The Sincerest Form Of Flattery (Friends Of The Fish)
3. Flashcubes-Pop Masters (Big Stir)
4. Trans Canada Highwaymen-Explosive Hits Vol. 1 (Pheremone)
5. Jeremy and The Lemon Clocks-Side By Side (Fruits de Mer)
V. Top Tribute Disc-Single Artist
Juliana Hatfield-Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO (American Laundromat)
VI. Top 3 Tribute Discs-Various Artists
1. Redrawn-A Tribute To The Pencils (Kool Kat)
2. JEM Records Celebrates Ray Davies (JEM)
3. Shine On: A Tribute To Pete Ham (Y&T Music)
VII. Top Soundtrack
Daisy Jones & The Six-Aurora (Atlantic)
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 75 Proper Albums
1. Stackridge-Friendliness (Esoteric)
2. XTC-The Big Express (Ape House)
3. The Toms-The Toms (Feel It)*
4. Pete Dello & Friends-Into Your Ears: Deluxe Edition (Hanky Panky)
5. Supergrass-Life On Other Planets: Deluxe Edition (BMG)
6. Marshall Crenshaw-Marshall Crenshaw: 40th Anniversary Expanded Edition (Yep Roc)
7. Rooney-Rooney (Real Gone/Universal)*
8. Reg King-Reg King Deluxe Edition (Strawberry)
9. The Artwoods-Art Gallery (Guerssen)*
10. Marshall Crenshaw-Field Day: 40th Anniversary Edition (Yep Roc)
11. Pernice Brothers-Overcome By Happiness: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Sub Pop/New West)*
12. Lewis Taylor-The Lost Album (Be With Records)*
13. The Easybeats-Easy (BMG)*
14. Penny Arkade-Not The Freeze (Sundazed)*
15. Motions-Impressions of Wonderful (Music On Vinyl)*
16. Elton John-Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player (Rocket)
17. Stackridge-The Man In The Bowler Hat (Esoteric)
18. Fringe Benefit-Fringe Benefit (Kool Kat)
19. The Yellow Balloon-The Yellow Balloon (Sundazed)*
20. Mighty Baby-Mighty Baby (Ace/Big Beat)*
21. Fairport Convention-What We Did On Our Holday (Island/Universal)
22. Middle of The Road-Dice (Renaissance)
23. Middle of The Road-Postcard (Renaissance)
24. Big Star-#1 Record (Craft)
25. Owsley-Owsley (Real Gone)
26. The Len Price 3-Chinese Burn (Wicked Cool)*
27. Middle of The Road-Flying High (Renaissance)
28. Middle of The Road-Music Music (Renaissance)
29. Unicorn-Too Many Crooks (Think Like A Key)
30. The Grip Weeds-The Influence of Christmas (JEM)*
31. Wowii-Wowii (Reminder)*
32. R.E.M.-Collapse (Craft)
33. Bronco Bullfrog-Bronco Bullfrog (Guerssen)*
34. Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart-I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite? (7A)
35. Fairport Convention-Fairport Convention (Polydor)*
36. Ride-Going Blank Again (Wichita)
37. The Three O’Clock-Sixteen Tambourines (Yep Roc)*
38. We All Together-We All Together 2 (Munster)
39. Fuchsia-Fuchsia (Guerssen)*
40. R.E.M.-Reveal (Craft)
41. Olivia Tremor Control-Animation Music Volume One (Elephant 6)*
42. Middle of The Road-Black Gold (Renaissance)
43. Fairport Convention-Unhalfbricking (Island/Universal)
44. The Move-Shazam (Esoteric)*
45. John Howard-Kid In A Big World (Kool Kat)
46. The Fraternal Order of The All-Greetings From Planet Love (Esoteric)
47. Dando Shaft-Dando Shaft (Trading Places)*
48. Rick Springfield-Springfield (Iconoclassic)
49. Nirvana-Orange and Blue (Think Like A Key)
50. The Supremes-The Supremes Sing Motown (Elemental)*
51. Todd Rundgren-A Wizard/A True Star (Rhino)
52. Labi Siffre-Watch Me (Demon)*
53. Abba-Ring Ring: Half Speed Master (Polar)*
54. The Shins-Chutes Too Narrow: 20th Anniversary Remaster (Sub Pop)*
55. Splinter-The Place I Love (Dark Horse)*
56. Elton John-Honky Chateau: 50th Anniversary Edition (BMG/Universal)
57. The Three O’Clock-Baroque Hoedown (Yep Roc)
58. Bill Lloyd-Standing On The Shoulders of Giants (Hole In One)
59. LMNOP-LMNO3 (Think Like A Key)
60. Middle of The Road-You Pays Your Money (Renaissance)
61. Ambrose Slade-Beginnings (BMG)*
62. Ride-Carnival of Light (Wichita)
63. Jawbone-Jawbone (Trading Places)
64. The Pandoras-It’s About Time (Voxx)*
65. Bleu-Redhead (Sony)*
66. Rafael Saadiq-The Way I See It (Sony/Get On Down)
67. Ivy-Apartment Life: 25th Anniversary Edition (Bar None)*
68. Fairport Convention-Liege & Lief (Island/Universal)
69. Olivia Tremor Control-Music From The Unrealized Film Script: Dusk at Cubist Castle (Elephant 6)*
70. Camel-Nude (Decca)*
71. Alan Munson-First Light (Guerssen)
72. Material Issue-Freak City Soundtrack (BackGroove)*
73. Camel-Moonmadness (Decca)*
74. The Format-Dog Problems (The Vanity Label)*
75. The Juliana Hatfield Three-Become What You Are: 30th Anniversary Reissue (American Laundromat)*
II. Top 4 Two-Fers, Three-Fers, Four-Fers and Five-Fers
1. Crabby Appleton-Go Back The Anthology: Crabby Appleton/Rotten To The Core (Grapefruit)
2. Laurie Styvers-Gemini Girl: The Complete Hush Recordings Spilt Milk/The Colorado Kid (High Moon)
3. R. Stevie Moore-Games & Groceries (Think Like A Key)
4. Teenage Casket Company-Power Pop Rejects (Trashpit)
III. Top 35 Compilations, Single Artist
1. Tony Rivers-Move In A Little Closer: The Complete Recordings 1963-1970 (Grapefruit)
2. The Beatles-1962-66 (Universal/Apple)
3. The Beatles-1967-70 (Universal/Apple)
4. Peach & Lee-Not For Sale 1965-1975 (Reminder)*
5. The First Class-Beach Baby: The Complete Recordings (Grapefruit)
6. Los Shakers-Shakermania (Guerssen)*
7. Nancy Sinatra-Keep Walkin’: Singles, Demos & Rarities 1965-1978 (Light In The Attic)
8. Honeybus-Under The Silent Tree: Gentle Sounds With Strings and Things At The BBC 1967-1973 (Hanky Panky)
9. The Syn-Original Syn (Guerssen)*
10. Wizzard-The Singles Collection (7Ts)
11. The Mosquitos-This Then Are The Mosquitos (Kool Kat)
12. Mojo Men-There Goes My Mind (Sundazed)
13. Arrows-The Complete Collection (7Ts)
14. The Daily Flash-The Legendary Recordings 1965-1967 (Guerssen)
15. Mari Wilson-The Neasden Queen of Soul (Cherry Red)
16. Sweet-Level Headed Alternate Mixes & Demos (Sound City)
17. The Little Girls-Valley Songs (Playback)
18. The 23rd Turnoff-Michaelangelo: The Complete 1967 Recordings (Think Like A Key)
19. Jon & Robin-The Sundazed Music Singles (Sundazed)
20. Elvis Presley-Burning Love: The RCA Rehearsals (RCA/Legacy)*
21. The Attack-Strange House (Guerssen)*
22. Sandy Salisbury/Curt Boettcher-Try For The Sun (Sundazed)
23. The Boyfrields-Wrapped Up In A Dream (Reminder)*
24. David McWilliams-Reaching For The Sun: The Major Minor Anthology 1967-1969 (Grapefruit)
25. The Grasshoppers-Let It Be That Way (Beatrocket)
26. The Bings-Power Pop Planet: The Lost Tapes (No Label)
27. The Vogues-At Co & Ce: The Complete Singles and More (Omnivore)
28. Hello-Singles and Rarities: 1971-1979 (Radiation)*
29. William Bell-The Man In The Street: The Complete “Yellow” Stax Solo Singles 1968-1974 (Kent)
30.. The Korgis-Kool Hits, Kuriosities & Kolaborations (No Label)
31. Young Modern-It’s Automatic: The Best of Young Modern (Half A Cow)
32. The Badbeats-Here Are The Badbeats (Beatbad)
33. Ivy-Apartment Life Demos (Bar None)*
34. William Penn and His Pals-Swami: The Complete Recordings (Guerssen)*
35. Dottie Holmberg-Sometimes Happy Times (Sundazed)
IV. Top 15 Compilations, Various Artists
1. Behind The Dykes 3-Even More Beat, Blues and Psychedelic Nuggets From The Lowlands: 1965-1971 (Music On Vinyl)*
2. She’s Got The Power!-Female Power Pop, Punk & Garage (Big Beat)
3. The Other Side of Dreamland: Sunshine, Soft & Studio Pop 1966-1970 (Teensville)
4. Come Laughing Home-Melodic Pop Confectionaries From The UK: 1966-1972 (Teensville)
5. It’s A Beautiful Day-Soft Rock & Sunshine Pop From Peru: 1971-1976 (Munster)*
6. When The Alarm Clock Rings-A Compendium of British Psychedelia 1966-1969 (Grapefruit)
7. Louisville In The ‘60s-The Lost Allen Martin Tapes (Gear Fab)
8. Fading Yellow-Volume 20: Even More Magic U.S. 60’s 45’s Popsike and Other Delights (Busy Bee)
9. Faces From The Dark-Beat and Psychedelia at The Modern Music Centre 1965-1969 (Top Sounds)
10. Upside Down Volume 10-Coloured Dreams From The Underworld (Particles)
11. Loma Northern Soul-Classics & Revelations 1964-1968 (Kent)
12. Psychedelic States: New Jersey In the 60s Vol. 1 (Gear Fab)
13. Cornflake Zoo No. 26 (Particles)
14. Folk, Funk & Beyond-The Arrangements of John Cameron (Ace)
15. Martin Rushent-Autonomy: The Productions of Martin Rushent (Ace)
V. Top Soundtrack
That Thing You Do-Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (PlayTone/Sony/Mondo)*
V. Top 25 Box Sets: Single Artist
1. Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: Working Our Way Back To You: Ultimate Collection (Madfish)
2. The Who-Who’s Next/Lifehouse: Superdeluxe Edition (Universal)
3. Camel-Air Born: The MCA & Decca Years 1973 – 1984 (Universal)
4. Horslips: More Than You Can Chew (Madfish)
5. Ocean Colour Scene-Yesterday Today 1992-2018 (Demon)
6. The Pretty Things-The Complete Studio Albums: 1965-2020 (Madfish)
7. The Moody Blues-To Our Children’s Children’s Children: Deluxe Edition (Universal)
8. Kirsty MacColl-See That Girl (Universal)
9. Del Shannon-Stranger In Town: A Del Shannon Compendium (Edsel)
10. The Spinners-Ain’t No Price On Happiness: The Thom Bell Studio Recordings 1972-1979 (Soul Music)
11. Green Day-Nimrod: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Warner/Reprise)
12. Showaddywaddy-50th Anniversary Anthology (Edsel)
13. Brinsley Schwarz-Thinking Back: The Anthology 1970-1975 (Lemon)
14. Green Day-Dookie: 30th Anniversary Super Deluxe (Warner/Reprise)
15. The Darling Buds-Killing For Love: Albums, Singles Rarities & Unreleased 1987-2017 (Cherry Red)
16. Chapterhouse-Chronology (Cherry Red)
17. T Rex-Whatever Happened To The Teenage Dream? 1973 (Edsel)
18. West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band-A Door Inside Your Mind: The Complete Reprise Recordings 1966-1968 (Grapefruit)
19. New Musik-From A To B/Anywhere/Warp/Remixes (Lemon)
20. The Runaways-Neon Angels On The Road To Ruin 1976-1978 (Cherry Red)
21. Mud-The Singles 1973-80 (7Ts)
22. Haircut 100-Pelican West (Edsel)
23. The Barracudas-Drop Out With The Barracudas (Lemon)
24. Bucks Fizz-The Land of Make Believe: The Definitive Collection (Cherry Pop)
25. Barclay James Harvest-Once Again (Esoteric)
VI. Top 25 Box Sets: Various Artists
1. Nuggets-Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era: 50th Anniversary (Rhino/Elektra)*
2. What A Groovy Day-The British Sunshine Pop Sounds 1967-1972 (Grapefruit)
3. Looking For The Magic-American Power Pop In The Seventies (Grapefruit)
4. Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos (Craft)
5. We Can Work It Out-Covers of The Beatles 1962-1966 (Strawberry)
6. Produced By Tony Visconti (Edsel)
7. Love Is The Message-Official 50th Anniversary: The Sound of Philadelphia Volume 3 (Philadelphia International)
8. Stax Records Presents-Wattstax ’72 Soul’d Out: The Complete Wattstax Collection (Craft)
9. Too Much Sun Will Burn-The British Psychedelic Sounds of 1967 Volume Two (Grapefruit)
10. March Of The Flower Children-The American Sounds of 1967 (Grapefruit)
11. The Clarion Set-The Story Of Australian Independent Label Clarion Records 1963-1974 (Grapefruit)
12. Eddie Piller Presents-British Mod Sounds Vol 2: The Freakbeat & Psych Year (Edsel)
13. Magic In The Air Three-1965-1971 The Birth of Cool Britania: Bygone Britpop and The Cultural Revolution (Rubble)
14. Let’s Stomp!-Merseybeat and Beyond 1962-1969 (Strawberry)
15. Teenage Glampage!-Can The Glam! 2: 80 Glambusters, Rockers Shockers & Teenyboppers From The 70s! (7Ts)
16. Cherry Stars Collide-Dream Pop Shoegaze & Ethereal Rock 1986-1995 (Cherry Red)
17. Life Moves Pretty Fast-The John Hughes Mixtapes (Edsel)
18. Winds of Change-Progressive Sounds of 1973 (Esoteric)
19. Round And Round-Progressive Sounds of 1974 (Esoteric)
20. Into Tomorrow-The Spirit of Mod 1983-2000 (Cherry Red)
21. We’re An American Band-A Journey Through The U.S.A. Hard Rock Scene 1967-1973 (Grapefruit)
22. Deviation Street-High Times In Ladbroke Grove 1967-1975 (Grapefruit)
23. All God’s Children-Songs From The British Jesus Rock Revolution 1967-1974 (Grapefruit)
24. Shake That Thing!-The Blues In Britain 1963-1973 (Strawberry)
25. Come Together-Adventures On The Indie Dancefloor 1989-1992 (Cherry Red)