Readers Poll 2012: Best compilations, box sets and live albums of the year

Well, it’s the final day of 2012, so time has run out for us to unveil the results of the Slicing Up Eyeballs Readers Poll 2012. We’ve tallied up your votes, weeded out the ineligible stuff (like Grizzly Bear and Iron Maiden) and are ready to look back at the year that was for our beloved ’80s college-rock artists. Here we go.

Best albums | Best songs | Best reissues | Best comps/live/box sets | Best live acts

BEST COMPILATIONS, BOX SETS AND LIVE ALBUMS OF 2012:

10. Skinny Puppy, Bootlegged, Broke and In Solvent Seas

BACKSTORY: The industrial legends this year released a live album recorded in Europe in 2010.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (CD, digital, vinyl)

9. The Specials, More… Or Less: The Specials Live

BACKSTORY: The reunited 2 Tone ska icons this year released a new 2CD live album.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (CD, digital, vinyl)

8. David Sylvian, A Victim of Stars: 1982-2012

BACKSTORY: The former Japan frontman this year released a 30-year, career-spanning best-of.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (CD, digital)

7. Roxy Music, The Complete Studio Recordings: 1972-1982

BACKSTORY: The art-rockers’ eight albums were collected this year with two bonus discs.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (CD box set)

6. Various Artists, Athens, Ga.: Inside/Out

BACKSTORY: The rock doc was released on DVD, and its soundtrack on CD, for the first time.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (CD/DVD)

5. James, The Gathering Sound

BACKSTORY: The Manchester band’s delayed multi-disc, career-spanning box set finally arrived.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (CD box set)

4. World Party, Arkeology

BACKSTORY: Karl Wallinger this year released a 5-disc box set of new and unreleased material.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (CD box set, digital)

3. Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, The Hellcat Years

BACKSTORY: The ex-Clash leader was celebrated this year with a digital box set.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (Digital)

2. Duran Duran, A Diamond in the Mind

BACKSTORY: The New Wave heroes this year released a live album and concert film.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (CD, digital, DVD, Blu-ray)

1. Simple Minds, 5×5

BACKSTORY: The first five albums from Jim Kerr and Co. were collected in a new box set this year.
BUY IT : Amazon.com (CD box set)

PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS

• Readers Poll 2011: Best albums of the year
• Readers Poll 2011: Best singles of the year
• Readers Poll 2011: Best reissues of the year
• Readers Poll 2011: Best compilations, box sets and live albums of the year
• Readers Poll 2010: Best new albums of the year
• Readers Poll 2010: Best reissues of the year