I don't know about WORST box sets because I wouldn't throw down that much money for something that I consider crap.

But some of the most perfect box sets I've seen are the recent ones by Joy Division, New Order and The Cure. The Joy Division one collects all of their studio recordings, most of the important demos are rarities and includes a great live disc. The New Order one has a lot missing, but you really focus on what's actually there and how fucking great it all sounds (and looks). And The Cure's 'Join The Dots' is a virtual godsend to all longtime fans.

Bowie's Sound + Vision is frustrating now that I know all his material, but when I first got into him, the Rykodiscs were the most current releases. I wasn't so worried about how each disc sounded as its own entity or what was or wasn't included. I mostly was just fascinated by anything Bowie and there was plenty of rare stuff on there to drool over, especially on the first 2 discs. But one thing I do wish is that instead of remastering that set the way they did, I almost wish they'd left off anything available on albums and included all the Rykodisc bonus tracks instead. That would've been something.

If I had my way, this is how all artists would do things. After X amount of time and a certain amount of singles/hits/favorites are established, put out a 'Best Of' to cap off that period. Then move on with the next phase of your career. I hate it when there are glaring omissions on compilations like these. Don't wait until several years after you've had your hayday or until you have a flop album on your hands. Don't leave it up to your record company. Don't really make it subjective at all. Just include everything that was a hit. That's why singles collections are the best. Include all single versions since that's what people are buying it for - the version they heard on the radio. You can fit more songs on that way. The die-hards already have the albums and would appreciate having all the edits in one place and it gives the casual fans that would normally only buy a greatest hits collection something they know. Plus, if they get hooked on that artist, they'll have something to look forward to once they get to the longer album versions.

Then, once you've established your legendary status or whatever, go ahead and work on your box set. But make it satisfying and complete within its own boundaries. Box sets that cover one era or one album can be really good, like say the Miles Davis ones. But for a career overview, I like things focused. Trying to please everyone with everything in one set usually diminishes the results. I would love to see one Bowie compilation that's completely representative. I think the closest is his Virgin 1969-1974, but even that is lacking. If there was something that presented all his singles and important album tracks in chronological order, I'd be very pleased. Until then, I have to be happy with my own. B-Sides box sets should become a trend. Don't just release a b-sides album. It's nice for people who don't want to buy all the singles but have more than a passing interest in an artist. But so many songs get neglected that way. Just wait until enough time has passed and you have enough b-sides under your belt and your singles are harder to come by and put it all out in one glorious feast. I don't think anyone can come up with a single legitimate complaint about what The Cure has done with theirs.

And about Singles box sets...

I don't have a lot of experience with these. But the Depeche Mode ones are really nice. What I like about them is that with many artists, there are multiple versions of the same single. So you often have to track down 2 or 3 singles for the same song because of different mixes and b-sides. But the DM ones collect almost all the tracks from EVERY version of those singles onto one disc. And a lot of those discs are packed full. I wish Bjork would do the same thing with all her multiple formats and rare vinyl mixes. She's promised many times and I think it'd be a great idea.

Oh man for packaging... gotta be 1985-1995 Def Jam anniversary box set. 4 cd holders glued into a book done FELL OUT and you cannot remove the booklet, it is forever stuck in the spine... I had to photocopy the tracklists and put it in jewel cases.

Michael Jackson's The Ultimate Collection

Because they had a chance to do it right, and they went for the cash grab instead. Too bad.

VoicesCarry said:

as sure as night follows day. You never miss a chance do you?

ONA Live. An overpriced, wasted opportunity. A 3-CD set passing itself off as a boxset.

Dire.

ONA Live. An overpriced, wasted opportunity. A 3-CD set passing itself off as a boxset.

Dire.

Enigmoid said:

agree. it's basically the equivalent of a 2-CD live album with a bonus disc of outtakes. a box set it is not.

I'm not going to say this is the worst box set of all time, but the most absurd one has to be the Stooges "Complete Fun House Sessions" 6 CD set that contains e.v.e.r.y. fucking minute of music that the band committed to tape in 1970. Funhouse was a great and unquestionably a highly influential record, but I cannot imagine anyone needing thirty (not a miss-print or typo - 30...) versions of Loose. Who on earth would buy something like this?

Enigmoid said:

well-said.

I would add Crystal Ball the mix, too. What is the point, with all of that vault material, to release only 50 minutes per disc?

I kinda like those little Family Tree book sleeves those mini discs came in.

GrayKing said:

It's in the box set section.

CinisterCee said:

And 3" cd's are always cute.

GangstaFam said:

Yes Never underestimate cuteness.

Well the cuteness is all well and good, I think the packaging is suberb, but the music is better appreciated on 2 cds IMO.

mrdespues said:

The worst part is once you open it, it's damn near impossible to get things back in.

What about Al Green's box set, Anthology? Too many interviews, some of the hits were live versions, and the some of the rarities were just un-needed.

silverchild said:

I agree,this box set is a mess.I generally don't mind the interviews,but they should have placed them on a separate disc,instead of in-between the songs.It really ruins the flow.I also don't mind the live versions,but not in place of the regular studio versions!

There is a more recent Al Green box set that was just released.I'll have to check it out.