via//chicago

This is the second in a four part series in which via//chicago looks back on the year in music. This time around I'll reveal my Top 20 compilations/reissued albums of the year and my Top 10 live shows of the year.

Part II: Compilations/Reissues & Live Albums

The Top 20 Compilations and Reissued Albums of the Year
20. Motley Crue - Red, White, and Crue (Hip-O)
19. The Stooges - Fun House (Remastered) (Elektra)
18. Super Furry Animals - MWNG (Expanded Reissue) (XL)
17. Fountains of Wayne - Out-of-State Plates (Virgin)
16. Blink 182 - Greatest Hits (Geffen)
15. The Cure - Seventeen Seconds (Deluxe Edition) (Elektra)
14. Super Furry Animals - Outspaced (XL)
13. The Cure - Faith (Deluxe Edition) (Elektra)
12. Super Furry Animals - Radiator (Expanded Reissue) (XL)
11. Super Furry Animals - Guerilla (Expanded Reissue) (XL)
10. At the Drive-In - This Station is Non-Operational: Anthology (Fearless)
09. The Cure - Pornography (Deluxe Edition) (Elektra)
08. The Ramones - Weird Tales of the Ramones (Rhino)
07. Mogwai - Government Commissions: BBC Sessions 1996-2003 (Matador)
06. The Stooges - The Stooges (Remastered) (Elektra)
05. Johnny Cash - The Legend (Sony)
04. Stereolab - Oscillions from the Anti-Sun (Too Pure)
03. Belle & Sebastian - Push Barman to Open Old Wounds (Matador)
02. The Fall - The Complete Peel Sessions: 1978-2004 (Castle Us)
01. Yo La Tengo - Prisoners of Love (Matador)

The Top 10 Live Shows of 2005
10. Drive-By Truckers @ Lollapalooza (07/24)
It may not have been the best setting to see this band in the middle of the afternoon on a scorchingly hot Chicago summer day, but it was great nonetheless. The compelling story-songs translated surprisingly well to the large outdoor stage. One of the most consistently strong acts around today.
09. Foo Fighters / Weezer / Kaiser Chiefs @ Allstate Arena (10/03)
Weezer played a great set, but it was the unexpectedly strong set from Dave Grohl and company that made this show memorable. The Foos are a criminally underrated band in some quarters.
08. Death Cab for Cutie @ Lollapalooza (07/24)
A great way to cap off the weekend, Ben Gibbard and company played a wonderful set with the moonlit Chicago skyline as a backdrop and brought the crowd back down gently with their lush pop tunes.
07. Magnolia Electric Co. @ Intonation (07/16)
Between Intonation and Lollapalooza, it was an embarrassment of riches for Chicago this summer. One of the highlights of this Pitchfork-curated weekend was watching Jason Molina lead his band through a blistering set.
06. The Hold Steady @ Intonation (07/17)
This is definitely a band not to be missed in a live setting, as the twisted tales from their two albums take on a whole new life on the stage. Can't wait to catch these guys again.
05. The National / Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Schuba's (09/23)
It was very exciting to catch buzz band CYHSY in such an intimate setting, but it was The National who stole the show with an intense and cathartic set.
04. Les Savy Fav @ Intonation (07/16)
Tim Harrington is one of the craziest dudes I've ever seen on a rock stage and made sure to take full advantage of the Intonation crowd. Whether he was stripping to his skivvies or pouring beer down said underwear, he was a ball on energy that ignited the fans for the best set of the weekend.
03. Sufjan Stevens / Liz Janes @ Metro (09/17)
This could have gone wrong for so many reasons, but this show ended up being one of the most enjoyable rock shows of the year. The crowd was way into it and the cheerleader schtick brought a much appreciated level of humor to the night.
02. The Arcade Fire @ Lollapalooza (07/23)
Donning the full funeral gear despite the intense heat, these Canadians became the breakout stars of the weekend with one of the most energetic sets of live music I've seen. Less than an hour of music that justified all the hype.
01. The Arcade Fire / Wolf Parade / Bell Orchestre @ The Riviera (09/28)
Oh yeah, they definitely deserve the top two spaces on this list. Quite simply the most exciting live band in the world right now. The set exceeded the huge expectations set by the awesome Lolla performance, and getting to catch Wolf Parade was a wonderful bonus.