Music Reviews

Happy Crimble, everyone! As we veer ever-so-closer to Record Store Day this upcoming Friday, November 28, 2025—oh yeah, Thanksgiving is happening this week too, isn’t it?—and we’re already feeling the weight of the now-underway holiday season well upon us, I figured it was high time to commence my end-of-year multi-part “Best Music Box Sets” series to help one and all with legit gift-giving ideas and/or, shall we say, audiophile rationalizations for filling out our own collections accordingly. Over the next few weeks, I will highlight as many as (gulp) 50 multidisc collections and reissues worthy of your attention and your dollars. (If I get on a truly serious roll, I may even recommend more than 50 of ’em, because there are simply scores upon scores of boxes and reissues to be had and enjoyed.) Let’s get right into it!

THE BEATLES
ANTHOLOGY COLLECTION
First up is a look at what The Fab Four have in store for us this year. As I’ve said elsewhere, if it’s November, that means The Beatles will always have an important reissue up their collective sleeve to unleash upon us all—and last week, on November 21, 2025, Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMG dropped a doozy: Anthology Collection, a massive, multi-format box set offering 191 tracks in total that puts forth the three 3LP/3CD original Anthology installments from 1995-96 along with a new 2LP/2CD fourth installment, under one roof in separate 12LP and 8CD configurations.

Anthology Collection is the best way to get this important, formative Fab Four material all together now, as the previous three separate entries aren’t all that easy to find on the original vinyl, and the three 3CD clamshells could be considered as spacehogs (though I will grant a few leniency points for all of them being white clamshells, instead of black). The new Collection vinyl box is of sturdy stock, with enough room inside for all four vinyl servings to be removed without busting fingernails or LP spines. The liner notes, printed on each gatefold, cover the origins of each and every track, although the size of the type itself might be hard for some of you to read without magnification. They’re actually much easier to read in the CD box set’s booklets, truth be told. As for the vinyl edition, all 12LPs are all housed in plastic-lined, audiophile-grade inner sleeves—an important distinction, as two of the three 1995-96 original LPs only came in white paper sleeves, an absolute no-no. It can be a bit tricky to slide out the middle LP of each new set, however, so removal patience is a virtue.

If you’re physically digitally inclined, the 5.5 x 5 x 1.875in (w/h/d) 8CD box set is a clear winner—not just for shelving purposes, as mentioned above, but for having the whole of Anthology come together like this for the CD spinners amongst us (which, it appears, is a listening contingent in somewhat of a revival mode of late). Seeing how the SRPs can give some pause—it’s $374.99 for the 12LP box, and $120.99 for the 8CD box—the Fabs’ powers that be are astute enough to also offer Anthology 4 separately, as both a 3LP set ($75.98) and 2CD set ($29.99). Yes, the entire Anthology Collection is available in hi-res stereo on the usual digital platforms—Tidal, Apple Music, HD Tracks, et al—albeit with no Atmos mixes as of yet, but regardless, these are physical collections that really belong on your shelves, and not just in your aural clouds.

And speaking of Volume 4, 13 of its 31 demos, session recordings, and rare tracks have been designated as being previously unreleased. (The balance of the other tracks on 4 were included in other Beatles-related super deluxe box sets from recent years.) My favorite of this lot is a raucous tear through “Helter Skelter (Second Version – Take 17)” (LP2, Side 4, Track 5; CD2, Track 5), at the end of which Paul McCartney rightly declares, “Keep that one—mark it Fab!” (“Woop woop woop woop woo,” indeed!) Having just seen McCartney and his ace solo band absolutely blaze through “Helter Skelter” during the encore of his three-hour show at the newly renovated TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, last Friday, November 21, 2025 (more on that gig in a bit), it’s a most welcome addition to The Beatles’ ever-expanding outtakes library. Others can grouse about the continual dribs and drabs from the vaults, but I’m more than happy to get/hear everything of The Beatles that I can, because each take is a historical record of how some of the most important and most influential music of the 20th century was created and ultimately taken to the Fabs-approved finish line.

We’ve been over the merits of the contents of Anthology 1-3 before here, there, and everywhere, but there are clear differences in the Collection edition, essentially related to the stereo processing that’s been applied to its mono recordings, such as how the pre-Fabs 1958 Quarry Men recordings of the McCartney original “In Spite of All the Danger” and cover of Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day” on 1 come across much better (and fabber!) here. Other tracks benefit from the deployment of Peter Jackson’s “demixing” breakthrough, as put into effect by Giles Martin (a process Giles and I discussed at length here over on our sister site Analog Planet in 2022, if you want a refresher). If you’re a Beatles purist, you may balk at these modern-era production decisions—which is certainly your right to do so—but remember that you can always get back and enjoy your originals, if that’s your bag. The proof is in the upgraded sonic pilchard for the John Lennon-penned, home-demo-derived “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” that appear on the final 4 disc (LP2, Side 4, Tracks 1-2; CD2, Tracks 15-16). Both were mixed anew in 2025 by Jeff Lynne, who also oversaw their 1995-96 versions, and Lennon’s vocal and piano tracks on both cuts are much more clear and resonant here—akin to an audio windshield wiper clearing away the artifact grime, as it were. They both fit quite nicely alongside the “final” Beatles track, 2023’s “Now and Then,” which also serves to close out the entire Collection (LP2, Side 4, Track 3; CD2, Track 17).

On our goes-to-5 ratings scale, the Music gets a 4.5, and the Sound gets a 4.5 too. Anthology Collection is a most worthy addition to any Beatles fan’s coffers. And, if you want more more more, I would also humbly-crimbly suggest a) picking up the revised, 368-page Anthology oversized paperback reissue (Chronicle Books; $50), as well as b) putting aside the time to view the upgraded Anthology documentary series, which includes an all-new ninth installment and begins streaming on Disney+ this upcoming Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Way beyond compare may be an understatement in describing all these Beatles goodies, let me tell you.

WINGS
WINGS
Paul McCartney’s decade-long 1970s stint leading his post-Beatles collective, Wings, begat many wonderful pop hits and adventurous rock explorations alike—and 32 of them have been compiled in the simply named Wings box set, which was released by MPL/Capitol/UMe on November 7, 2025. It too appears in multiple formats but, unlike Anthology Collection, one of them includes Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mixes, as done by Giles Martin and Steve Orchard. Martin’s 360-degree track record on other Beatles-related projects has been quite fab to date, imo, and what he and Orchard did with Wings takes this important sliver of the Macca catalog to new heights (many of them only previously available on digital platforms, not physical media).

First, some stats and SRPs. There are three 3LP options: a limited-edition color vinyl version ($114.98), a standard black vinyl version with all the extra tchotchkes ($99.98), and one with fewer extras ($79.98). Comparable 2CD ($24.98) and 1BD ($26.98) offerings have all 32 tracks inclusive, while slimmed-down 1LP ($29.98) and 1CD ($13.98) versions sport just 12 tracks apiece. The artwork is especially lovely, as updated and curated by Aubrey “Po” Powell of Hipgnosis, the legendary firm that designed a number of the original Wings covers. The die-cut cover on the vinyl box set is an added treat for those of us who enjoy these kinds of things (and its corners/curves won’t buckle or fold, either). Note that Wings is one of those rare left-loader kind of LP box sets, so you may have to position its spine differently on your shelves to see the one-word Wings designation.

As alluded to briefly above in The Beatles section proper, I saw Sir Paul and his mighty band perform a number of Wings tracks last week in Hamilton, Ontario, which added further context to my Wings Atmos enjoyment. “Band on the Run” unfolds breezily in the fronts with its simmering synth track in the rears until the groove turns more muscular, and then it leaps to the clouds. The piano and organ lines in “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five” have the right delayed presence in the ether, while the, shall we say, more explosive dramatic orchestral moments in “Live and Let Die” have all the oomph and impact hinted at in stereo—plus the response harmonies like the repeated phrase “you know you did” envelope the listener in full. Paul’s lead vocal is way out front on “Let ’Em In,” supported by equally forceful low end, flute lines, militaristic drumming, and one helluva trombone solo. Even the lower-key “Arrow Through Me” benefits, with Paul’s throaty, soulful lead vocal panned wider and fuller, and the full-on swinging horn section absolutely thriving in 360. (Did Michael Jackson take note of this song before the two collaborated on a few hit tracks in the 1980s, mayhap?) Listen to how the echo on both of the Macca man’s extension of the mid-syllable of “zero” in the phrase “counted to zero” gives that line additional gravitas.

Ratings: The Music gets a 4 (though some tracks here rate upwards of 4.5, and some even go to 5), and the Sound is a 4.5. Here’s hoping Wings is but an opening salvo on MPL-driven deeper dives into Wings territory via physical Atmos representation, as I’d love to hear, say, the entirety of June 1979’s Back to the Egg get a full-on update and overhaul.

JOHN & YOKO / PLASTIC ONO BAND
WITH ELEPHANT’S MEMORY AND SPECIAL GUESTS
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
The latest in Lennon solo-era box sets, Power to the People, was released on October 10, 2025, via Mercury Studios/UMR, and it shines a much-needed light on his and Yoko’s early-1970s NYC activist period. Like the other boxes in this Fab roundup, People offers many multiple configurations, including a mondo super-deluxe 9CD/BD box ($239.99), 4LP box ($169.98), 2LP highlights edition ($64.99), 2CD edition ($29.98), and 1CD edition ($18.98). In other words, there’s a version of People for every level of how you want to engage with this material—toe-dipping, deeper-diving, or all-in for everything. (Three guesses, and the first two don’t count, as to which route I chose.)

I absolutely love the lenticular imagery on both box set covers, as it reflects the combined singularity of John and Yoko, who were already inseparable at this point in their connected lives. But I’m especially grateful to have the 9CD/3BD box—which, thankfully, mirrors the 9.5 x 9.75in rectangular shape of his four most recent boxes of this ilk—for it adds a true cavalcade of live material not available in the 4LP set. Given Lennon’s limited number of live gigs that took place in the last decade of his too-short lifespan, all of it is beyond invaluable.

Sean Ono Lennon, John and Yoko’s son and the box’s producer and creative director, really pulled out all the stops here. Plus, the Atmos mixes—by Paul Hicks and Sam Gannon—deliver a fuller experience beyond the stereo stage. The ambiance of the live recording settings makes you feel like (yep) you are there, without any unnecessary bells and whistles, as these Atmos mixes let the music breathe, just as it should. The stark, raw essence of naked-emotion tracks like “Mother” (BD1, Track 8) really benefit from such an approach, as does the recurrent howling in the back half of “Cold Turkey” (BD1, Track 13). Stick around for the different-set permutations of both of these tracks, along with the others in the full setlist, on the separate One to One Concert Afternoon and Evening Shows on BD2 and BD3, in addition to the New York City Ultimate Mixes, Elements Mixes, Evolution Documentary, Studio Jams, Live Jams, and Home Jams that sprawl across those latter two discs. Not every artist has the opportunity to be feted to such a degree like this, but John Lennon rates the scrutiny and the inclusiveness, hands down.

Ratings: I give People 4 for the Music, and 4 for the Sound. This is an essential addition to John’s box set canon—though your wallet may very well influence which version(s), and/or how many of them, you’ll want to/be able to add to your Lenono shelving section.

RINGO STARR
SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES, RINGO, GOODNIGHT VIENNA
VINYL REISSUES
Not a box set, I know, but since Ringo’s first fab four 1970s solo LP were all reissued at the same time via Capitol/UMe on October 25, 2025, that’s box-set adjacent enough for me—and possibly for you too. I never really had pristine copies of any of these Ringo LPs, just used copies, so getting them in hand and onto my turntable have been a combo revelation/revisitation of material I hadn’t spent enough time with beforehand, truth be told.

Each of these 4LPs boast a limited-edition color pressing (and they all play just fine too, without incident). March 1970’s Sentimental Journey is on Buttermilk Yellow color vinyl, September 1970’s Beaucoups of Blues is on Baby Blue color vinyl, November 1973’s Ringo is on Molten Lava color vinyl, and November 1974’s Goodnight Vienna is on Psychedelic Waves color vinyl. Each LP sports a respective SRP of $29.99 each, though some of them might be harder to find than others, given the limited quantities—so scout Discogs if need be. You will also need to replace three boo-hiss inner paper sleeves with plastic-lined inners, as only Vienna came with the right kind of audiophile-grade sleeve upfront.

My highlights across this LP quartet include Ringo and the George Martin Orchestra swinging their way through Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” (Journey Side 1, Track 2); the pedal-steel pick-and-grin of “$15 Draw” (Beaucoups Side 2, Track 1); the catchy, singalong sentimentality of “Photograph” (Ringo Side 1, Track 3); and the somewhat autobiographical snark of “Snookeroo” (Vienna Side 1, Track 5). My collective ratings here—Music: 4. Sound: 3.5.

I should also note that, right at the outset of this year on January 10, 2025, Ringo released his latest, and 21st (!) solo LP, Look Up, on vinyl and CD via Lost Highway—and there’s a digital-only Atmos version available too, the latter of which adds height-heft to countrified tracks like “Rosetta” (with guests Billy Strings & Larkin Poe) and “Thankful” (with Alison Krauss). If you dig the vibe of The Beatles’ version of “Act Naturally,” you’ll naturally love Ringo’s Look Up. Music: 3.5, Sound: 4.

GEORGE HARRISON
LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD
Although the Quiet Beatle (a nickname he pretty much abhorred, I know) didn’t have anything released from his solo catalog in 2025, the expanded 50th anniversary edition of May 1973’s Living in the Material World that came out on November 15, 2024, via Dark Horse/BMG deserves mention here, since it kinda got caught up in the shuffle of holiday releases last year.

The followup to All Things Must Pass, Material World teems with eternal Harrison classics like the hopeful opener “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth),” the seething “Sue Me Sue You Blues,” and the love embrace of “Try Some Buy Some.” As remixed by Paul Hicks and produced by Dhani Harrison and Olivia Harrison, the 2024 edition sounds better than my original (and reissue!) LP, that’s for sure. “The intention of the lyrics are as meaningful now as they were then,” Hicks told me back in October 2024. “Who knows how people will be listening to things in the future, but I hope Living in the Material World continues to connect with people emotionally.” Given what’s found within all the Material grooves, I have a feeling that sentiment will continue to hold true.

I was able to get my hands on (pun intended) both the deluxe 2LP ($64.98) and 2CD ($32.98) editions of Material upon release, but the limited-edition 2LP/2CD/1BD super deluxe edition box set ($174.98) sold out pretty quickly—although I (and you!) do have digital access to its contents, at least, including the heavenly Atmos mixes done by Hicks. Actually, I had ordered the Material SDE box set through a usually dependable, reputable outlet (a.k.a., it’s another phrase for “Most Excellent Purchase”), but they were unable to fulfill it after a few fruitless months of being in preorder-limbo, alas, so I’m keeping my eye on Discogs for what I hope will be a reasonably priced copy someday. Regardless, Material World expanded Harrison’s solo worldview, and essential bonus material like “Miss O’Dell (2024 Mix)” and “Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond)”—the latter track of which features members of The Band along with our man Ringo—only add to the magic. Music: 4.5. Sound: 4.5.

And there you have it! More music box set recommendations will come from me to you circa the end of the week, and/or on into the weekend (and beyond). In the meantime, enjoy Turkey Time with your families, and have tons of vinyl fun if you also venture out for RSD 2025!