To say 2024 has been a tough year would be putting it mildly. From inflation and economic woes to political turmoil, war, crime, and a deeply divided nation, staying optimistic has been no small feat. Yet, challenges like these often spark the creation of vital, original, and enduring music—a pattern we’ve seen time and again. For example, the Margaret Thatcher government of the late 1970s Britain helped fuel the rebellious energy of punk, while the Reagan-era ’80s ignited the rise of alternative subcultures that thrived on college radio and in underground clubs.
Retro releases, reissues, box sets, and the like have been plentiful this year. Perhaps it’s the longing for the warmth and familiarity of the past that makes these releases so compelling. Either way, there’s something undeniably special about revisiting a favorite album, especially when it comes in deluxe packaging and loaded with extra goodies. Beyond our regular monthly highlights, a few standout releases of the past year have recently landed on my desk. Spanning a wide range of genres, here are a few to check out—and add to your wishlist.
Mötley Crüe: Dr. Feelgood 35th Anniversary
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Mötley Crüe is a testament to the rock ‘n’ roll decadence that epitomized the 1980s. But beyond that, the band’s story is truly that of the rags-to-riches variety. Starting out at the dawn of the ‘80s as a primitive DIY outfit with dubious musical chops, the band ground its way against the grain to inexplicably score a small record deal and begin its quest for world domination, which it would achieve in 1989 with Dr. Feelgood. While certainly not the band’s strongest offering, the album would go on to achieve 6x platinum status, and its pioneering production, courtesy of Bob Rock, would inspire the studio efforts of several major bands, including Metallica and The Cult. Created during a time of sobriety for the band members, many see the album as one of its most cohesive offerings. Hits like the title track and “Kickstart My Heart,” are staples at major sporting events, while “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” is pop metal at its best, with a hooky refrain and clever lyrics that keep it sounding fresh.
This gargantuan reissue—timed to celebrate the album’s 35th anniversary—comes in several iterations, the best of which being the vinyl box set, featuring a remastered version of the album with rare demos and live tracks, plus a 24-page replica tour book with previously unpublished photos, a tour itinerary, poster, patch, backstage pass, handbill, press kit, medical envelope, and guitar pick—all in a shiny box replicating the original artwork.
G.B.H.: Leather Bristles, Rats…and Revenge
Reissuing lost punk and power pop gems in deluxe formats loaded with extras is what indie label Puke ‘N’ Vomit Records does best, and their latest box set is no exception. As a kid, my friend and I would often debate which country ruled punk: the UK or the US. The discussion (or argument) would often come down to two bands: Black Flag (USA) vs. G.B.H. (UK). To this day, I still really can’t pick one over the other, but it’s great to see our friends across the pond get a much-deserved box set of their key releases.
Known for blurring the lines between street punk with the rising heavy metal influence of the time, G.B.H. helped shape hardcore and other aggressive music genres.The set features three of the band’s most monumental releases: Leather, Bristles, Studs And Acne, City Baby Attacked By Rats, and City Baby’s Revenge, all on thick red vinyl. This massive box also includes a t-shirt, patch, sticker, poster, flag, and pin, all limited to the set. Strictly limited to just 50 copies worldwide, this set is a true treasure for punk and metal fans. If you happen to be in Orange County, stop into the label’s HQ at Radiation Records to grab a copy and check out their massive collection of punk rarities..
Lazy Days—The British Progressive Pop Sounds Of 1975: Various Artists
From UK reissue masters Grapefruit comes a stellar box set exploring the lighter side of progressive rock in 1975. Once dismissed by punk purists as overindulgent, prog’s adventurous spirit heavily influenced new wave and post-punk, blending intricate arrangements with infectious hooks. From the pioneering synth-scapes of Kraftwerk to the quirky, esoteric sounds of Roxy Music, the unconventional arrangements of The Police, and the heavy melodic energy of Ghost, the spirit of prog has influenced countless genres. This new set documents what went down during 1975 with a range of artists that epitomized the more upbeat end of the spectrum.
The 3-CD collection captures that intersection with tracks from icons like Roxy Music (“Both Ends Burning”), Thin Lizzy (“Wild One”), and Nazareth (“My White Bicycle”), alongside oddities like Pete Wingfield’s cartoonish “A Whole Pot of Jelly for a Little Slice of Toast” and Son-of-a-Gun’s operatic “La Maison De L’Amour.”
Other standouts include the bluesy bite of Agnes Strange’s “Odd Man Out” and Dr. Feelgood’s raw, pre-punk groover “Back in the Night.” Packaged in a glossy box with a detailed booklet, this set celebrates a richly diverse musical moment.
Christian Death: Only Theatre Of Pain box set
When it comes to the gothic rock scene (or death rock), the Brits, by far, get all the credit for the creation and further development of the scene. And with bands such as Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sister of Mercy, Specimen, and so many others, it’s hard to argue. But, over in these parts, as LA punk was taking shape, a glorious gaggle of eerie malcontents created their own black racket that would prove to be highly influential. From this early scene were the likes of TSOL, 45 Grave, Cathedral of Tears, Human Drama, and perhaps the most prominent of all, Christian Death.
Everything about this band—from its provocative name to its ominous sound and aura, innovative style, and original frontman Rozz Williams—was completely over-the-top. Its debut, Only Theatre of Pain (1982), still stands as a goth-punk masterpiece. Around the time of the band’s original heyday, renowned LA punk photographer Edward Colver hung out with the band and captured rolls and rolls of key moments, some of which would appear on the first record cover.
Now, some 40 years later, many of Colver’s most eye-catching shots have been memorialized in a plush coffee-table book, courtesy of trailblazing video label Cult Epics. To sweeten the deal, the book comes in a limited-edition box set that also features a newly produced double vinyl gatefold edition of Only Theatre of Pain, a bonus LP of demos and extra tracks, and a killer poster. Released a little while back, this set has resurfaced as of late and is an essential artifact for fans and death rock completists alike. (Cult Epics/MVD)
’80s Metal Reissues
Closing this installment with a bang—literally—is a roundup of ‘80s heavy metal reissues that have made waves this past year. Widely seen as heavy metal’s golden age, the ‘80s saw the rise of countless sub-genres that still resonate today. Even after traditional metal, thrash, and pop-metal hit a rough patch in the ’90s, the genre roared back in the 2000s and shows no signs of slowing down.
One of my favorite recent reissues is that of Iron Maiden’s fifth album Powerslave. The album saw the band further break out of its humble beginnings and seriously take global flight with numbers such as “2 Minutes to Midnight” and “Aces High.” This new 40th anniversary reissue (BMG) comes in a Zoetrope picture disc format so you can zone out on the flashy visuals while you take in the majestic sounds.
On the pop-metal front, BMG has reissued catalogs from two of LA’s most iconic ’80s bands: Ratt and Dokken. Ratt’s early albums are pop-metal classics, showcasing Warren Di Martini’s stellar guitar work and the band’s knack for fist-pumping anthems. The reissues feature colored vinyl and remastered sound, with Out of the Cellar getting a limited-edition lenticular cover and a bonus orange vinyl 7-inch featuring the previously unreleased track “Reach for the Sky,” to commemorate its 40th anniversary.
Dokken’s core ‘80s catalog has also been reissued on colored vinyl with expanded packaging. A highlight is the 40th-anniversary edition of Tooth and Nail on opaque blue vinyl with a lenticular cover. Known for George Lynch’s exceptional guitar work, including a standout solo on the title track, the album remains a hard rock must-have.
For fans of the Ronnie James Dio version of Black Sabbath, the band’s live opus Live Evil has now been released on Blu-Ray-audio for an immersive sound experience. After the band had run out of steam at the end of the first Ozzy Osbourne era, Dio gave Sabbath a much-needed shot in the arm with the release of Heaven and Hell in 1980. Released in 1982, Live Evil was the live concert culmination of both Dio/Sabbath albums, which also included Mob Rules (1981). Though the band split around the time of the album’s release, Live Evil endures as a vital document of the era, now enhanced with Dolby Atmos sound (Rhino).
For questions, comments or something you’d like to see, drop me a note. @JimKaz1
