Record Rack: A round-up of the week’s new albums, expanded reissues and/or box sets, appearing each Monday on Slicing Up Eyeballs.
ARTIST : Peter Gabriel
RELEASE: So: 25th Anniversary Edition
BACKSTORY: Peter Gabriel this week celebrates the 25th anniversary of his landmark 1986 album — yes, he’s a year behind — with an ambitious, multi-format reissue campaign that tops out with an eight-disc “immersion” box set that includes four CDs, two DVDs, two vinyl records and a 60-page book (see more details).
BUY: Amazon.com (Digital, 1CD, Deluxe Edition, Immersion Box)
ARTIST : The Mission
RELEASE: Silver
BACKSTORY: The goth-rock figureheads this week, in the U.K., document their 25th anniversary reunion with a limited-edition 3-disc CD/DVD set that features two full concerts recorded last year and part of a third on PAL-format DVD, plus a bonus CD featuring near-complete audio from one of the gigs as well (see full tracklist).
BUY: Amazon.co.uk (2DVD/1CD)
ARTIST : Heaven 17
RELEASES: The Luxury Gap: Collector’s Edition
BACKSTORY: The classic synthpop outfit this week releases, in the U.K., an expanded reissue of its 1983 sophomore album, featuring the original album, a second disc collecting nine B-sides and remixes and a DVD with videos for “Let Me Go,” “Temptation” and more. The reissue is in conjunction with H17’s UK tour (see dates).
BUY: Amazon.co.uk (2CD/1DVD)
ARTIST : Rites of Spring
RELEASE: Six Song Demo
BACKSTORY: Dischord this week releases the original demo tape from the short-lived but highly influential Fugazi precursor, a collection of early songs recorded in 1984 before the band had ever played a show. The disc has been mastered from the original tapes and is presented exactly as it “with the tape collages and assorted audio-graffiti.”
BUY: Amazon.com (CD, digital)
ARTIST : Peter Blegvad & Andy Partridge
RELEASE: Gonwards
BACKSTORY: XTC’s Andy Partridge has re-teamed with singer-songwriter Peter Blegvad for a follow-up to the duo’s 2004 album Orpheus: The Lowdown. The new record, out this week in the U.K. on Partridge’s Ape House Music, features 10 songs, including “The Devil’s Lexicon,” “Sacred Objects” and “The Impeccable Dandy in White.”
BUY: Amazon.co.uk (CD, digital)
ARTIST : Ultravox
RELEASE: Brilliant
BACKSTORY: The band’s classic ’80s-era lineup — Midge Ure, Billy Currie, Chris Cross and Warren Cann — this week release, in the U.K., a double-vinyl edition of their first new studio album together in 28 years. The 13-track album was released on CD and digital formats already earlier this year. (see full tracklist).
BUY: Amazon.co.uk (Vinyl)
ARTIST : The B-52s
RELEASE: Cosmic Thing
BACKSTORY: The smash 1989 album from the Athens, Ga., bunch is reissued this week by Mobile Fidelity on audiophile vinyl. The album features the singles “Channel Z,” “Love Shack,” “Roam” and “Deadbeat Club,” and features other tracks such as “Follow Your Blues,” “Junebug” and “Bushfire.”
BUY: Amazon.com (Vinyl)
ARTIST : Clan of Xymox
RELEASE: Kindred Spirits
BACKSTORY: The long-running darkwave favorites this week release, in the U.S. (it’s already out in the U.K.), a tribute to some of their own favorite bands with a collection featuring covers of tracks by The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees and both Joy Division and New Order (see full tracklist).
BUY: Amazon.com (CD)
