Record Rack: A round-up of the week’s new albums, expanded reissues and/or box sets, appearing each Monday on Slicing Up Eyeballs. All releases due out this Friday unless noted. (Since we missed last week’s round-up, this includes titles that came out this past Friday, too.)
Echo & The Bunnymen
RELEASE: The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon
BACKSTORY: The Bunnymen this week release a collection of 13 of their classic songs re-recorded — or “transformed,” as the band says, some with “strings and things” — along with two newly written compositions.
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Joe Strummer
RELEASE: 001
BACKSTORY: This week sees the release of 2CD and 4LP compilations of The Clash frontman’s solo work, including a total of 20 previously unreleased tracks, of which 12 are completely unreleased songs.
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Pixies
RELEASE: Come On Pilgrim… It’s Surfer Rosa
BACKSTORY: 4AD marks the 30th anniversary of the Pixies’ debut Surfer Rosa with a dual reissue of that album and its 1987 predecessor, the mini-album Come On Pilgrim, that includes a bonus live set from 1986. Out now.
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
RELEASE: Distant Sky: Live in Copenhagen
BACKSTORY: This 4-song EP, on vinyl and digital formats, is a companion to the concert film of the same name. Features “Jubilee Street,” “Distant Sky,” “From Her to Eternity” and “The Mercy Seat.” Out now.
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
The House of Love
RELEASE: The House of Love
BACKSTORY: The House of Love’s self-titled 1988 debut album on Creation Records receives a 5CD, 85-track expanded reissue for its 30th anniversary with demos, mixes, Peel Session recordings and live takes. Out now.
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Mudhoney
RELEASE: Digital Garbage
BACKSTORY: The Seattle grunge forefathers return with their 10th studio album, an 11-song collection on Sub Pop Records that includes the tracks “Paranoid Core,” “Nerve Attack” and “Kill Yourself Live.” Out now.
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
XTC
RELEASE: Skylarking, Apple Venus Vol. 1, Wasp Star: Apple Venus Vol. 2
BACKSTORY: Three titles are reissued on 200-gram audiophile vinyl: 1986’s Skylarking, with corrected polarity but the original artwork and at 33 rpm, and the band’s final two albums, released in 1999 and 2000. Out now.
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Living Colour
RELEASE: Time’s Up
BACKSTORY: The second album from the hard-rocking outfit, originally released in 1990, is reissued on green vinyl. Includes the tracks “Type,” “Love Rears It’s Ugly Head” and “Solace of You.” Out now.
BUY: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
The Pursuit of Happiness
RELEASE: Love Junk: Deluxe
BACKSTORY: The 1988 debut from the Canadian power-pop act — which spawned the minor hit “I’m An Adult Now” — is reissued in an expanded 2CD edition with outtakes, demos and live cuts. Out now.
BUY: Amazon.com
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- This week’s new releases: Ramones’ ‘Road to Ruin’ box set, Felt, Butthole Surfers, The Cult
- This week’s new releases: Siouxsie and the Banshees, Paul Weller, The Chills, Devo
- This week’s new releases: Soft Cell box set, plus Spiritualized, Durutti Column, Posies
- This week’s new releases: Depeche Mode vinyl box sets, plus Pet Shop Boys, Morrissey