Alfonzo Hunter is our style icon for the day.

Clearly, the box set has become something bigger than the music inside. Take this incredible boxset for Bjork’s “Biophilia” release.  Each box is made-to-order and will set you back a clear 500£ (US$818). The price is serious but so are the contents. The box itself is lacquered and silkscreened on and oak hinged lid case containing the “Biophilia Manual, along with 10 chrome-plated tuning forks, silkscreened on one face in 10 different colors…” Those tuning forks are not just all for show and games. Each one is individually tuned and adjusted for each track on the album. Incredible work on this one. Order the Ultimate Edition boxset now on Bjork.com

More looks after the click.

Following my rant on the delay of this remaster issue, u2.com today announces the 20th anniversary edition of “Achtung Baby.” “Twenty Years of ‘Achtung Baby’” will be available in five editions running from the super-limited edition Uber Deluxe that includes 6 CDs (including what looks to be a remaster of “Zooropa,” the follow-up to “Achtung Baby” and a load of b-sides and re-edits), 4 DVDs, 5 7inch records of all the “Achtung Baby” singles, 16 art prints, two books, a pair of “The Fly” sunglasses, and much more.

The other four editions, including the Super Deluxe Edition, are more toned downed to the CDs and DVDs only with the exception of the “Vinyl Box Set” which is sure sell out instantly. The 2 CD Deluxe Edition should be more than fine for most fans.

At the moment you can pre-order from Amazon in the UK and USA only.

Bigger looks after the click.

This is why Youtube is more important than TV. MTV turned the big 3-0 a couple days past. Now, with the help of serious fans we can view the full first hour of MTV’s existence – scratch that – now you can view the first full 24 hours of MTV! This was living. This is the MTV First 24 Archive.

If things could not get anymore complete, the MTV First 24 Hour Archive now includes the FULL pre-launch 15 minute countdown. I love completists.

ps: the first video I remember seeing on MTV was a Meatloaf video in 1983.

Tomorrow is the North American drop date for The Arcade Fire’s  The Suburbs – Scenes From The Suburbs Deluxe Re-Issue. A bunch of new stuff is coming in the re-issue including ”Culture War” and “Speaking in Tongues” featuring David Byrne, and an extended version of “Wasted Hours”. Disc 2 is of course a DVD with Spike Jonze directed “Scenes from the Suburbs.” Amazon has it.

See Teddy P and the gang perform their hit in some of the most amazing tracksuits in the history of tracksuits.

Forthcoming new music from Feist.

On the heels of the “Nervemind” Deluxe boxset treatment from yesterday, The Smiths fans (at least those in the U.K. at the moment) will probably go bananas at this offering from Rhino. The boxset, The Smiths Complete – Deluxe Collectors Box Set, features remastered versions of eight albums on CD and vinyl pressing on top of 25 7inch single as well as a variety of other offers. The Deluxe Box Set is limited to 3000 worldwide but other editions look to follow with only the eight albums on CD. Rhino begins shipping October 3.

I’m actually a fan of many of the remaster releases for LP release anniversaries. I’m actually anxiously awaking the “Achtung Baby” remaster which has to drop this year to be in line with the album’s 20th. Same year U2 dropped what I consider to be their most essential record, Nirvana clearly came onto the broader scene with their signing onto Geffen and the release of “Nevermind.”

The only issue is that Universal’s press release does not list who exactly remastered the new reissue. We hope whomever did the work keeps the sonics foremost. Boxset fanatics will of course love the Deluxe Edition that comes with a remastered version of the album as well as a second disc filled with b-side (most of which were actually fantasic). The full Deluxe Super Edition supports a bunch more include a live DVD show shot at the Paramount Theatre on Halloween night in 1991 and bonus discs galore.

What I am not usually a fan of is new mixes of classic records (Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten‘ may be a rare exception that shines sonically in its new form). Knowing Vig, this new Devonshire Mix of “Nevermind” with bring out the instrumentation a bit more without losing the fuzz that makes the record what it is.

This weekend brings us the annual Newport Folk Festival down in the fort in Newport, RI. The list of guests and performances is a strong one and we’re excited to be attending along with many in our business. The festival itself is sold-out for the weekend so we recommend you all get in early in 2012 with your tickets.

Those on site will of course be able to purchase one of two limited edition screened posters commemorating the event. On the right we preview the official Newport Folk Festival poster, designed by Nate Duval. It will be available in limited quanities beginning Saturday.

On the left, we preview the special benefit only Backstage BBQ poster designed by Chris Capotosto. It is only available to those attending Saturday evening’s benefit BBQ on the fort. Much harder to get a hold of.

More looks after the click.