Box set - Definition and Overview

A box set refers to the publishing of several albums (or other musical material) of an artist packaged in, aptly enough, a box. Box sets also traditionally contain additional items related to the artist; this could include books, pictures, specially designed cases, DVDs, and more.

If an artist's song catalogue is large enough, the albums in a box set may be a greatest hits compilation. This is rare, though, and box sets typically contain concert performances, previously-recorded but unreleased studio work (see B-sides), or previously-released albums packaged together.

It is uncommon (due to the cost of manufacturing) for an artist to release a box set with all-new studio material.

Notable Box Sets

• Led Zeppelin Box Set - Led Zeppelin (1990)
• This Woman's Work - Kate Bush (1990)
• Shine On - Pink Floyd (1992)
• The Good, the Bad and the Live - Metallica (1989)
• Live Shit: Binge & Purge - Metallica (1993)
• Complete Studio Recordings - Led Zeppelin (1993)
• Led Zeppelin Box Set II - Led Zeppelin (1993)
• Box of Fire - Aerosmith (1994)
• The Aeroplane Flies High - The Smashing Pumpkins (1996)
• Music Bank - Alice in Chains (1999)
• Salival - Tool (2000)
• Unearthed - Johnny Cash (2003)
• Join the Dots - The Cure (2004)
• With the Lights Out - Nirvana (2004)