Record Rack: A round-up of the week’s new albums, expanded reissues and/or box sets, appearing each Monday on Slicing Up Eyeballs.
Big Country
RELEASE: At the BBC
BACKSTORY: The Scottish rockers this week release, in the U.K., a 3CD/1DVD box set that compiles their BBC studio sessions, live concert appearances and TV performances through the ’80s (see full tracklist). A stripped-down 2CD “best of” set also is available.
BUY: Amazon.co.uk
The Birthday Party
RELEASE: Live 1981-82
BACKSTORY: 4AD this week, in the U.K., reissues an early live document from Nick Cave’s pre-Bad Seeds band on vinyl for the first time, collecting live performances on two LPs and then including the whole thing on a bonus CD as well. Tracks include “Junkyard,” “Blast Off!” and “Nick the Stripper.”
BUY: Amazon.co.uk
Icehouse
RELEASE: The 12 Inches
BACKSTORY: The Iva Davies-led Australian act follows last week release of a new best-of with a similarly new collection of 12-inch mixes this week in the U.K., a set that includes versions of “Hey Little Girl,” “Can’t Help Myself,” “Uniform,” “Big Wheel,” “Electric Blue” and much more.
BUY: Amazon.co.uk
The Cult
RELEASE: Electric Peace
BACKSTORY: The Cult this week, in the U.K., reissues its third album Electric in an expanded set paired with Peace — the Love follow-up abandoned in favor of the Rick Rubin-produced hard-rock album — in both 2CD and 2LP sets (see full tracklist). The U.S. release was last month.
BUY: Amazon.co.uk
