The last 12 months haven’t just been good for new music – it was also a great year for revisiting classic albums. The six nominees for Best Reissue at the VO5 NME Awards 2018 gave us good reason to look back, too, reissuing some of their most seminal works with additional goodies, from demos to DVDs. For that, we are eternally grateful. Remind yourself of the treasures below.
The VO5 NME Awards 2018 will take place at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on February 14.
1Radiohead – ‘OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017’
Originally released: June 16, 1997.
Reissued: On ‘OK Computer”s 20th birthday.
What’s in the new version?: A whole lot – the boxed edition features three unreleased tracks and eight b-sides, three heavyweight 12″ records, a hardcover book, lyrics, a notebook with Thom Yorke’ notes from 1997, a sketchbook of Stanley Donwood and Dr. Tchock’s “preparatory work”, a C90 mixtape compiled by the band and session archives and demos from the ‘OK Computer’ era.
Vote now
2Prince – ‘Purple Rain’
Originally released: June 25, 1984.
Reissued: To include unreleased tracks found in his vaults following his death.
What’s in the new version?: The original album remastered, plus a bonus disc called ‘From The Vault & Previously Unreleased’, featuring material from the same era as the record.
Vote now
3The Beatles – ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’
Originally released: May 26, 1967.
Reissued: Because it’s the latest Beatles album to become half a century old.
What’s in the new version?: The iconic album remastered in stereo, two CDs of early takes from recording sessions, the album in mono plus bonus tracks, and a Blu-Ray and DVD of making of footage and music videos.
Vote now
4R.E.M – ‘Automatic For The People’
Originally released: October 5, 1992.
Reissued: To mark a milestone 25 years since its original release.
What’s in the new version?: ‘Automatic For The People’ remastered, a live recording from Athens, Georgia’s 40 Watt Club in 1992, and a disc full of demos.
Vote now
5The Smiths – ‘The Queen Is Dead’
Originally released: June 16, 1986.
Reissued: In its 31st year, one year after Morrissey claimed Warners refused to reissue the classic record for its 30th anniversary.
What’s in the new version?: The remastered album, b-sides, rarities, a previously unreleased live concert recorded in Boston in 1986, and a DVD featuring Derek Jarman’s The Queen Is Dead film.
Vote now
6Super Furry Animals – ‘Radiator’
Originally released: August 25, 1997.
Reissued: To celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary.
What’s in the new version?: The vinyl reissue came in a double gatefold edition, while the CD package came with a bonus disc housing the ‘Ice Hockey Hair’ EP, outtakes and demos.
Vote now