2008: Best reissue

Slits, Official Bootleg (Y Records/Victor Japan)

While Pavement's Brighten the Corners and REM's Murmur are practically slam dunks here, it's this little-seen import that stole my heart, ending a two-decade plus search. Any time i tried to get the original vinyl of this on eBay, I was usually shut out by the annoying gremlins who bid at the last two seconds before the end. Championed by Greil Marcus in Lipstick Traces, it's the sound of punk at ground zero, before the Slits got their label contract and dubbed it all up. The remastering is impeccable to these jaded ears, and the packaging of the 12-inch in miniature is a treat as well.