The Days of Lore

Disc in a box

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 | musiX

As Christmas draws nigh, out come the fuzzy slippers and … warm and fuzzy box sets. I am shocked, shocked(!), that it has taken this long to release a Kinks box set. But here it is: Picture Book, a six-disc collection of songs (compiled with the help of Ray Davies) from one of the greatest rock bands ever. The collection deftly covers the band’s 40-year career—including all the hits, later material and a healthy sampling from their masterpiece The Village Green Preservation Society. Of course, any good set comes with extra goodies. Picture Book includes rare and live tracks, unreleased material and a 60-page booklet with never-before seen photos of the band. And to that I say, “Dear Santa,  … ”

While I’m on the topic of box sets, one of my favorite (somewhat) unsung bands Nada Surf has also released a vinyl box set of all five of its studio records. The band’s label Barsuk pressed only 1,000 of these babies, and is already sold out, but you still might be able to find one hiding on a shelf in your favorite local record store. Even if you’re not that serious about the band, or if your only recollection of Nada Surf is that “Popular” song from the ’90s, that’s OK. Might I suggest purchasing Let Go or The Weight is a Gift. They will make you or that special someone very merry. Promise.

“Big Sky” - The Kinks (The Village Green Preservation Society/Picture Book)

“Berkeley Mews” - The Kinks (Picture Book)

“Blankest Year” - Nada Surf (The Weight is a Gift)

“Do It Again” - Nada Surf (The Weight is a Gift)

Tags: box sets, Let Go, Nada Surf, Picture Book, Ray Davies, The Kinks, The Village Green Preservation Society, The Weight is a Gift

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