Holiday Gift Guide: 25 Albums We're Wishing For

We're making a list and checking it twice. To find these songs in our stockings would be so nice.

December 12, 2011

Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Intro

It's been a hell of a year for all genres of music. There's been as many genre-blending newcomers and incredible collaborations in 2011 as any in recent memory. Both newcomers and legends alike have released classic material, so the options have become increasingly plentiful.

Leak after leak, week after week, we've listened to it all. As you can imagine, there’s been way too many incredible projects for us to ask for everything deserving space on our mp3 players. Instead, we’ve narrowed it down to the most essential and finally come up with our 2011 year-end dream list. So here is is at last, the 25 Albums We Want For Christmas (in alphabetical order). If you’re looking for some great stocking-stuffers, you’ve come to the right place.

Written by Keenan Higgins (@HIGzILLMATIC)

Alicia Keys, Songs In A Minor: Collectors Edition

Label: MBK/J/Legacy
Click Here To Buy It Now: $30

Stuff your stocking with this R&B gem, originally released in 2001. The special tenth-anniversary re-release comes with the original CD, an extra disk full of remixes and unreleased material, and a third disc with the inspiring Songs In A Minor documentary, capturing AK back in the day.

Amy Winehouse, Lioness: Hidden Treasures

Label: Universal Republic
Click Here To Buy It Now: $10

Pay homage to the the late soul songstress by picking up this instant classic. Consisting of songs and original demos recorded from the pre-Frank days all the way up until months before her death in July of this year, this compilation only makes us wonder what could have been.

Black Keys, El Camino

Label: Nonesuch
Click Here To Buy It Now: $11

Back just in time for the holidays, The Black Keys follow up last year's Grammy-winning Brothers with this fresh, hard-hitting album. While listening to this on your iPod, please refrain from dancing in public like the guy in their video for “Lonely Boy.”

The Beastie Boys, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 Deluxe Edition

Label: Capitol Records
Click Here To Buy It Now: $89

Not sure what to get the OG hip-hop head in your family? The newest Beastie Boys album gives new meaning to the term deluxe. Not only do you get both DVD & Blu-Ray versions of the album, but are completed visuals for “Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win” and "Fight For Your Right Revisited," plus a 130-page hardcover book.

Childish Gambino, Camp

Label: Glassnote Entertainment Group LLC.
Click Here To Buy It Now: $10

Here's the debut studio release from Community funny-man Donald Glover, know to the hip-hop community as Childish Gambino. Fans of his well-received mixtape Culdesac & his recent EP, simply titled EP, will not be disappointed.

Common, The Dreamer/The Believer

Label: Warner Bros./Think Common Music Inc.
Click Here To Buy It Now: $12

After dropping a slew of singles in the past couple of months, Common finally stops teasing us and lets loose with his ninth studio album. Linking up with Resurrection producer No I.D., Common gets back to basics on this album, making it his most essential long-player since Be.

Drake, Take Care (Deluxe Edition)

Label: Cash Money
Click Here To Buy It Now: $13

If you weren't one of the 631,000 who ran out to cop Drake's sophomore effort during its first week of release, grab the deluxe edition this holiday season. Featuring the bonus tracks “Hate Sleeping Alone” and soon-to-be-released single “The Motto,” this is a must-have addition to your music collection—even if you don't tattoo his name on your forehead.

Frank Sinatra, Sinatra: Nothing But The Best

Label: Capitol
Click Here To Buy It Now: $10

Start spreading the news! This classic compilation from 2008 gives us the best big-band hits from the Chairman of the Board. For a little extra holiday cheer, cop the Christmas edition, which includes a re-issue of his Bing Crosby & Fred Waring collaboration album 12 Songs For Christmas.

Jeezy, TM103: Hustlerz Ambition

Label: Def Jam/Corporate Thugz Ent.
Click Here To Buy It Now: $12

Jeezy finally gives us a release date for the album that's been on our Christmas wish list for about three years now. Not only did he release an official tracklist this time around, but also some hot singles too—most notably the Andre 3000 and Jay-Z assisted single “I Do.”

Jimi Hendrix, Winterland Box Set

Label: Sony Legacy
Click Here To Buy It Now: $37

This jam-packed box set features The Jimi Hendrix Experience's six live performances of 1968—from the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco from October 10th through 12th. Stoners and Woodstock alums, this one's for you.

Marvin Gaye, What's Going On 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition

Label: Motown
Click Here To Buy It Now: $50

This edition of Marvin Gaye's blueprint for R&B singers today features a whopping 28 additional tracks, including nine original Detroit mixes. Aside from Marvin's musical genius, this album is a guaranteed panty dropper.

Nina Simone, Original Album Classics

Label: Sony UK
Click Here To Buy It Now: $25

This five-album set includes Nina Simone's classic albums Nuff Said, To Love Somebody, Black Gold, It Is Finished, and Nina Simone And Piano! Let this collection hold you over until her biopic, starring Mary J. Blige, is released next year.

Pusha T, Fear Of God II: Let Us Pray

Label: G.O.O.D./Decon/Re-Up
Click Here To Buy It Now: $10

This super-deluxe mixtape by Kanye's Virginia-based protege is a must for fans of raw uncut coke rap. The lead single “Trouble On My Mind” featuring Odd Future frontman Tyler, The Creator is enough reason to go cop this.

Nirvana, Nevermind: Super Deluxe Edition

Label: Geffen
Click Here To Buy It Now: $120

Everyone remembers that feeling of hearing Nevermind for the first time. Unfortunately, most of us can't say we ever got the chance to see it performed live. Fret not: This box set, which comes stacked with four discs of b-sides & rarities, also includes footage of Nirvana's live performance from the Paramount Theater in October 1991.

Paul McCartney, Archive Collection: McCartney and McCartney II

Label: Hear Music
Click Here To Buy It Now: $70

Fans of the legendary Beatles icon get a real treat with this re-issued set, which includes both original albums and over three discs of bonus material ranging from previously unreleased songs to music videos and a documentary on the making of both albums.

Pink Floyd, Discovery Box Set

Label: Capitol Records
Click Here To Buy It Now: $180

Given Pink Floyd's vast catalogue of music, where's a new fan to start? Look no father than this collectors' set. It includes all 14 of Pink Floyd's studio albums plus a 60-page booklet of the band's trippy artwork.

Rihanna, Talk That Talk (Deluxe Edition)

Label: Island Def Jam
Click Here To Buy It Now: $13

New visuals of Rihanna are never bad to look at—but with this deluxe edition you're not just getting an alternate album cover. You're also getting three bonus tracks, a 16-page booklet, a poster, two album cover cards and a perfume sample of her scent, Reb'l Fleur.

The Rolling Stones, Some Girls: Super Deluxe Edition

Label: Universal Republic
Click Here To Buy It Now: $135

Yet another “for fans only” set. Included in this one is the remastered and expanded two-CD Deluxe Edition of the album, a bonus DVD, seven-inch vinyl single of “Beast Of Burden/When The Whip Comes Down” complete with its banned sleeve, a hardback book, a set of postcards, Helmut Newton prints, and a poster—the ultimate gift to get your moves like Jagger on point.

The Roots, Undun

Label: Def Jam
Click Here To Buy It Now: $10

Focusing on the last days of fictional character Redford Stephens, this sonically amazing album is one of the Roots' very best. What also makes this a unique listen is that it's told in reverse order, starting from Redford's demise and working backwards.These might not be your typical holiday tunes, but great music always in season.

Sting, 25 Years Box Set

Label: A&M Records
Click Here To Buy It Now: $125

With this box set, you're not only getting a live concert DVD and three CDs of "greatest hits" from Sting's solo career and. The songs in this package were all hand-picked by Sting himself, making this set that much more special—the ultimate holiday gift for diehard fans.

The Smiths, Complete: Super Deluxe Collectors Box Set

Label: Warner Bros.
Click Here To Buy It Now: $600

Not for the casual fan. the most expensive gift on this list goes for about the price of a brand new iPad 2. You get all eight remastered Smiths albums on both CD and vinyl, 25 seven-inch singles, rare and deleted artwork, a DVD of the band's music videos and eight high-quality twelve-inch prints of the album sleeves as well as a large poster. Bragging rights that you're one of only 3,000 fans with the box set? Priceless.

The Throne, Watch The Throne

Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Roc Nation
Click Here To Buy It Now: $16

Arguably the biggest release of the year—not just in hip-hop, but in music in general—WTT is an absolute must-have. At the very least, you can use the shiny golden album cover to top your tree.

U2, Achtung Baby: Uber Deluxe Edition

Label: Island
Click Here To Buy It Now: $435

So what are you getting for $435? Let's see: the original album—one of U2's best ever—the follow-up album Zooropa, b-sides and unreleased songs, four DVDs, all the videos from Achtung Baby, five 7-inch vinyl singles in their original sleeves, 16 art prints taken from the original album sleeve, an 84-page hardback book, a copy of Propaganda magazine, four badges, a sticker sheet, and a pair of Bono's trademark "The Fly" sunglasses. Yeah, you can say uber again.

Wale, Ambition (Deluxe Version)

Label: Maybach Music Group/Warner Bros.
Click Here To Buy It Now: $14

Fresh off a new deal with MMG, reconciling his beef with Kid Cudi, and coming out on top of his label issues, Wale put out an impressive follow-up in his moment to finally shine on record. Give this as the perfect gift to represent triumph.

Yelawolf, Radioactive (Deluxe Version)

Label: Shady/Aftermath
Click Here To Buy It Now: $13

Shady/Aftermath's newest signee came out swinging on this debut effort. The deluxe edition packs three additional tracks. Too bad the deluxe edition doesn't come with a feature on "The Making of Radioactive, but that okay because Complex has got you covered.