THE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION

Box sets are not for everyone, but when they hit you at the right time they can be fantastic. This one hit me at the perfect time. I have not owned BOC albums since the vinyl/cassette days and was about to begin buying some individual albums on CD. I noticed this box, which sports their entire Columbia output (from their debut through Imaginos) in one convenient and low price box. With some tasty extra goodies. So the timing was perfect. If you were just thinking of exploring BOC and don't own too much, this is one awesome way to get the show shebang for a cool price.

This is not a "frills" box set so much, rather, it concentrates on the music and value. Every album up through Imaginos is included, many which are expanded editions with bonus tracks, and most with brand new 2012 remaster jobs. Each CD comes in its own mini-lp style sleeve, albeit pretty low budget ones, nothing fancy. These are held by the practical sized box, CD sized, so it can fit right on your CD shelves. None of that oversized BS that takes up tons of room, nor lame digi-pak style holders or tight slip sleeves. Practical and smart, though slightly low budget to keep the price reasonable. And this is not just the studio stuff, it also includes their three live albums from this period as well.

Goodies includes two discs of previously unreleased material, one a "rarities disc" and the other a collection of radio performances. "Some Enchanted Evening" gives you not only the album but also a live DVD concert. The sound is pretty weak to be honest but it is still fun to watch for fans. The booklet is OK although certainly not the reason to purchase this...it gives you detailed track lists and credit, a short Lenny Kaye commentary, and some photos-pretty mediocre. The last goodie is the bonus coupon with a code that allows you a free download of four different BOC shows, one each from the years 1980, 1981, 1983, and 1986. I have not listened to these yet but these look great.

If you already have decent sounding editions of the albums you love, you probably don't need this. But if you don't have much this is a super way to instantly own good sounding editions of all of their classic albums for one fair price. I've really enjoyed reacquainting with this band I haven't listened to much since I saw them last, 30 years ago!