The 2022 AllMusic Gift Guide
Nov. 17, 2022
Each year around this time, the AllMusic team pulls together some music-related books, records and gadgets that we've hand-picked from 2022. From super-deluxe boxed sets and music books to turntables, headphones and recording devices, we've selected a number of items to meet the needs of the aurally-fixated.
Revolver [Special Edition] - The Beatles
From the AllMusic review: Perhaps it's fitting that what's arguably the Beatles' greatest album gets the greatest Super Deluxe Edition released since the campaign kicked off with the 50th anniversary edition of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Revolver follows a similar template to that 2017 box: a new stereo mix by Giles Martin that uses the original mono mix, which is also here, along with two discs of session outtakes and a bonus EP featuring a groundbreaking non-LP single -- in this case, "Paperback Writer" and "Rain," also presented in new stereo and original mono mixes. ($108.99 on CD, $192.13 on LP)
Lenovo Smart Clock Essential
If you are sick of looking at your phone in the middle of the night and miss the days of having a dedicated clock next to your bed, the Lenovo Smart Clock fills that void and contains all the bells and whistles of modern technology. This device pairs with both Alexa and Google assistant and allows you to program multiple custom alarm times as well as set a media alarm so you can wake up to your favorite song, podcast, or radio station. ($29.99)
Sun Ra: Art on Saturn: The Album Cover Art of Sun Ra's Saturn Label by Sun Ra, Irwin Chusid, and Chris Reisman
More than just a legendary composer and musician, Sun Ra developed a visual style that was quite literally out of this world. This collection is the first comprehensive collection of the LP covers designed for his own Saturn record label from 1957 to 1988 and show a wide range of both commercially-printed and handmade album art. In addition to the album cover and disc label visuals, the book contains essays from noted Sun Ra scholars and associates. ($54.65)
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
As the world gets noisier, noise cancelling headphones can radically change the impact of the world around us. Sony has built in eight (EIGHT!) microphones into their WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones to better implement their active noise cancellation technology to truly isolate the listener from unwanted input. Once the outside world is removed, the Integrated Processor V1 offers really clean high resolution audio and the battery lasts for 30 hours (you even get three hours of playback off of a three minute charge). ($398.00)
Long Road: Pearl Jam and the Soundtrack of a Generation by Steven Hyden
While every one of Steven Hyden's terrific music books offer thorough critical analysis, they each read like the best kinds of dorm room conversations; full of asides, personal anecdotes and deep connections. In Long Road, Hyden gives almost an autobiographical history of Pearl Jam from the fan's perspective, from the early albums, to their shying away from the spotlight, through their embrace of playing unforgettable live shows in front of their increasingly fanatical fanbase. ($24.66)
Life Moves Pretty Fast - The John Hughes Mixtapes - Various Artists
This treasure trove of '80s nostalgia is the first sanctioned compilation of music from the films of legendary filmmaker John Hughes. The set includes a booklet of memories from the likes of pivotal figures such as Matthew Broderick, and features some tracks that were never officially released physically before, including "Beat City" by The Flowerpot Men. ($43.21 on CD, 38.49 on LP)
Roland AIRA Compact Synths
Ever wish you could make your own '80s hits on the go? Leave your Juno at home, because now you can with Roland's new line of portable Aria synths.These synths are well designed, USB-C rechargeable, and are easy to program for your new wave cover band. (Roland AIRA Compact J-6 Portable Song Creation Machine $199.99, Roland AIRA Compact T-8 Beat Ultra-Portable Bass Machine Sounds $199.99, Roland Aira Compact Voice Tweaker and Transformation Tool $199.99)
A Charlie Brown Christmas [Deluxe Edition] - the Vince Guaraldi Trio
Good grief! The Soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas gets the deluxe treatment and features a brand-new remastered stereo mix, as well as outtakes and highlights from the original sessions. The double LP gatefold vinyl also features new liner notes from Peanuts historian Derrick Bang, and will be sure to please any fan of the original special. ($33.99 on LP)
After All is Said and Done: Taping the Grateful Dead, 1965-1995 by Mark A. Rodriguez
An in-depth and comprehensive look in to the world of recording Grateful Dead shows as seen through the community of tape traders. The book offers interviews with tape enthusiasts and members the Grateful Dead team, looking at the aesthetics and visuals of the individual tapes, as well as discussions of official live recordings and the artworks the author has created from these walls of tapes. For more information, check out the interview we did with author Mark A. Rodriguez earlier this year. ($50.00)
Govee Glide Hexa Light Panels
If your walls are boring and don't have any hexagonal light pads that you can control using your phone, boy do we feel sorry for you. Luckily for you, friendo, you can pick up these Govee Glide Hexa LED wall light panels. They react in time with music and apparently the app intelligently recognizes the position of hexagon lights for seamlessly flowing rainbow-like effects across your entire design. So if you ever wanted to live inside the disco from Buck Rogers, 2022 can deliver. ($199.99)
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot [Deluxe Edition] - Wilco
From the AllMusic review: In September 2022, Wilco celebrated the 20th anniversary of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot's release with three different expanded editions of the album. The Super Deluxe Edition, comprising 11 LPs or eight CDs is an obsessive and marvelously curated document of the making of the album, featuring a beautifully remastered version of the original album, no fewer than 58 outtakes, alternate mixes, and demos -- all previously unreleased -- as well as the group's September 18, 2001 appearance on the radio show Sound Opinions, where they talk about the album and music in the immediate wake of 9/11. Closing out the set is a full July 2002 concert from the Pageant Theater in St. Louis, Missouri, with the band in fine form. ($84.20 on CD, 147.94 on LP)
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
I have to admit I was not a fan of Apple AirPods when they came out. They didn't sound great, looked kinda dorky like you forgot to take the Qtips out of your ears before leaving the house, and the hard plastic never quite fit right. After using more recent iterations of the product, the convenience of the cord-free setup and Apple's improvements in ergonomics have made the newer AirPods real contenders. The 3rd Gen AirPods use spatial audio and an adaptive EQ to deliver better sound as well as a new physical design for a better fit. Plus, everybody else has them so the Qtip aspect is less embarrassing than ever. ($159.99)
Technics Turntable, Premium Class HiFi Record Player
Technics have long been the go-to turntable for premium-level audiophiles who are not quite ready for a hi-fi made of solid plutonium, and the SL-100C is a perfect addition to any serious record room. The SL-100C uses a single-rotor coreless direct drive brushless DC motor for smooth, stable playback and it comes with an Audio-Technica VM95C cartridge preinstalled so you can unbox it and start spinning. ($999.99)
Against The Odds: 1974-1982 - Blondie
From the AllMusic review: Plenty of Blondie compilations have appeared over the years, but the band endorsed Against the Odds: 1974-1982, a comprehensive complete chronology available in four separate incarnations: a Super Deluxe Collectors' Edition containing ten vinyl records (plus bonuses) and a deluxe eight-CD set that both contain newly remastered versions of Blondie's first six albums plus 52 bonus tracks, then a Deluxe four-LP set and a triple-CD version that solely feature the non-LP bonus material. ($291.66)
A+ Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics by Greg Prato
Frequent AllMusic contributor Greg Prato has assembled a pair of new books in time for the holiday season of 2022 – A+ Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics (Vol. I), 1970-1982 and (Vol. II), 1982-2000. Set in chronological order by release date, each entry contains a brief artist history, where the album fits in their history, an analysis of the material, and in most cases, quotes from either the artist or someone associated with the recording, and/or a renowned admirer (as well as chart placements and certifications, where applicable). (A+ Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics (Vol. I), 1970-1982 and A+ Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics (Vol. II), 1982-2000.Each $24.99 Hardcover, $14.99 Paperback)
AllMusic Subscription
If you're reading this, you're likely already a regular AllMusic reader. AllMusic has always been a free resource, but it's not free to maintain. If you'd like to help directly beyond loaning us your eyeballs and time, you can chip in for an annual subscription to AllMusic. In turn, we'll remove advertisements for you, making it easier to zip around the site. ($12.00)
Revolver [Special Edition] - The Beatles
From the AllMusic review: Perhaps it's fitting that what's arguably the Beatles' greatest album gets the greatest Super Deluxe Edition released since the campaign kicked off with the 50th anniversary edition of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Revolver follows a similar template to that 2017 box: a new stereo mix by Giles Martin that uses the original mono mix, which is also here, along with two discs of session outtakes and a bonus EP featuring a groundbreaking non-LP single -- in this case, "Paperback Writer" and "Rain," also presented in new stereo and original mono mixes. ($108.99 on CD, $192.13 on LP)
Lenovo Smart Clock Essential
If you are sick of looking at your phone in the middle of the night and miss the days of having a dedicated clock next to your bed, the Lenovo Smart Clock fills that void and contains all the bells and whistles of modern technology. This device pairs with both Alexa and Google assistant and allows you to program multiple custom alarm times as well as set a media alarm so you can wake up to your favorite song, podcast, or radio station. ($29.99)
Sun Ra: Art on Saturn: The Album Cover Art of Sun Ra's Saturn Label by Sun Ra, Irwin Chusid, and Chris Reisman
More than just a legendary composer and musician, Sun Ra developed a visual style that was quite literally out of this world. This collection is the first comprehensive collection of the LP covers designed for his own Saturn record label from 1957 to 1988 and show a wide range of both commercially-printed and handmade album art. In addition to the album cover and disc label visuals, the book contains essays from noted Sun Ra scholars and associates. ($54.65)
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
As the world gets noisier, noise cancelling headphones can radically change the impact of the world around us. Sony has built in eight (EIGHT!) microphones into their WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones to better implement their active noise cancellation technology to truly isolate the listener from unwanted input. Once the outside world is removed, the Integrated Processor V1 offers really clean high resolution audio and the battery lasts for 30 hours (you even get three hours of playback off of a three minute charge). ($398.00)
Long Road: Pearl Jam and the Soundtrack of a Generation by Steven Hyden
While every one of Steven Hyden's terrific music books offer thorough critical analysis, they each read like the best kinds of dorm room conversations; full of asides, personal anecdotes and deep connections. In Long Road, Hyden gives almost an autobiographical history of Pearl Jam from the fan's perspective, from the early albums, to their shying away from the spotlight, through their embrace of playing unforgettable live shows in front of their increasingly fanatical fanbase. ($24.66)
Life Moves Pretty Fast - The John Hughes Mixtapes - Various Artists
This treasure trove of '80s nostalgia is the first sanctioned compilation of music from the films of legendary filmmaker John Hughes. The set includes a booklet of memories from the likes of pivotal figures such as Matthew Broderick, and features some tracks that were never officially released physically before, including "Beat City" by The Flowerpot Men. ($43.21 on CD, 38.49 on LP)
Roland AIRA Compact Synths
Ever wish you could make your own '80s hits on the go? Leave your Juno at home, because now you can with Roland's new line of portable Aria synths.These synths are well designed, USB-C rechargeable, and are easy to program for your new wave cover band. (Roland AIRA Compact J-6 Portable Song Creation Machine $199.99, Roland AIRA Compact T-8 Beat Ultra-Portable Bass Machine Sounds $199.99, Roland Aira Compact Voice Tweaker and Transformation Tool $199.99)
A Charlie Brown Christmas [Deluxe Edition] - the Vince Guaraldi Trio
Good grief! The Soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas gets the deluxe treatment and features a brand-new remastered stereo mix, as well as outtakes and highlights from the original sessions. The double LP gatefold vinyl also features new liner notes from Peanuts historian Derrick Bang, and will be sure to please any fan of the original special. ($33.99 on LP)
After All is Said and Done: Taping the Grateful Dead, 1965-1995 by Mark A. Rodriguez
An in-depth and comprehensive look in to the world of recording Grateful Dead shows as seen through the community of tape traders. The book offers interviews with tape enthusiasts and members the Grateful Dead team, looking at the aesthetics and visuals of the individual tapes, as well as discussions of official live recordings and the artworks the author has created from these walls of tapes. For more information, check out the interview we did with author Mark A. Rodriguez earlier this year. ($50.00)
Govee Glide Hexa Light Panels
If your walls are boring and don't have any hexagonal light pads that you can control using your phone, boy do we feel sorry for you. Luckily for you, friendo, you can pick up these Govee Glide Hexa LED wall light panels. They react in time with music and apparently the app intelligently recognizes the position of hexagon lights for seamlessly flowing rainbow-like effects across your entire design. So if you ever wanted to live inside the disco from Buck Rogers, 2022 can deliver. ($199.99)
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot [Deluxe Edition] - Wilco
From the AllMusic review: In September 2022, Wilco celebrated the 20th anniversary of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot's release with three different expanded editions of the album. The Super Deluxe Edition, comprising 11 LPs or eight CDs is an obsessive and marvelously curated document of the making of the album, featuring a beautifully remastered version of the original album, no fewer than 58 outtakes, alternate mixes, and demos -- all previously unreleased -- as well as the group's September 18, 2001 appearance on the radio show Sound Opinions, where they talk about the album and music in the immediate wake of 9/11. Closing out the set is a full July 2002 concert from the Pageant Theater in St. Louis, Missouri, with the band in fine form. ($84.20 on CD, 147.94 on LP)
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
I have to admit I was not a fan of Apple AirPods when they came out. They didn't sound great, looked kinda dorky like you forgot to take the Qtips out of your ears before leaving the house, and the hard plastic never quite fit right. After using more recent iterations of the product, the convenience of the cord-free setup and Apple's improvements in ergonomics have made the newer AirPods real contenders. The 3rd Gen AirPods use spatial audio and an adaptive EQ to deliver better sound as well as a new physical design for a better fit. Plus, everybody else has them so the Qtip aspect is less embarrassing than ever. ($159.99)
Technics Turntable, Premium Class HiFi Record Player
Technics have long been the go-to turntable for premium-level audiophiles who are not quite ready for a hi-fi made of solid plutonium, and the SL-100C is a perfect addition to any serious record room. The SL-100C uses a single-rotor coreless direct drive brushless DC motor for smooth, stable playback and it comes with an Audio-Technica VM95C cartridge preinstalled so you can unbox it and start spinning. ($999.99)
Against The Odds: 1974-1982 - Blondie
From the AllMusic review: Plenty of Blondie compilations have appeared over the years, but the band endorsed Against the Odds: 1974-1982, a comprehensive complete chronology available in four separate incarnations: a Super Deluxe Collectors' Edition containing ten vinyl records (plus bonuses) and a deluxe eight-CD set that both contain newly remastered versions of Blondie's first six albums plus 52 bonus tracks, then a Deluxe four-LP set and a triple-CD version that solely feature the non-LP bonus material. ($291.66)
A+ Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics by Greg Prato
Frequent AllMusic contributor Greg Prato has assembled a pair of new books in time for the holiday season of 2022 – A+ Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics (Vol. I), 1970-1982 and (Vol. II), 1982-2000. Set in chronological order by release date, each entry contains a brief artist history, where the album fits in their history, an analysis of the material, and in most cases, quotes from either the artist or someone associated with the recording, and/or a renowned admirer (as well as chart placements and certifications, where applicable). (A+ Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics (Vol. I), 1970-1982 and A+ Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics (Vol. II), 1982-2000.
AllMusic Subscription
If you're reading this, you're likely already a regular AllMusic reader. AllMusic has always been a free resource, but it's not free to maintain. If you'd like to help directly beyond loaning us your eyeballs and time, you can chip in for an annual subscription to AllMusic. In turn, we'll remove advertisements for you, making it easier to zip around the site. ($12.00)