In keeping with Morrissey tradition, the forthcoming 20th anniversary edition of ‘Bona Drag’ will feature new — or at least slightly altered — artwork.

That once-angry young man, Elvis Costello, turns 59 today, and to commemorate the occasion, we cast our spotlight not on the rocker’s brilliantly prolific early period, but, rather, his late-’80s, post-Attractions comeback following a nearly three-year break: the 1989 album ‘Spike,’ a personal favorite.

Classic synthpop group Heaven 17 will reissue its celebrated 1981 debut ‘Penthouse and Pavement’ this November as a multi-disc ‘super luxury box set’ that will include a full CD of newly unearthed eight-track demos, band co-founder Martyn Ware tells Slicing Up Eyeballs.

College-rock fixture-to-be R.E.M. released its landmark debut EP, ‘Chronic Town,’ 28 years ago today, and to commemorate the anniversary, we present alternate versions of three of the record’s five songs: a faster version of ‘Wolves, Lower’; ‘Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars)’ with different vocals and no fadeout; and ‘Shaking Through,’ featuring an organ in the mix.

Early-’80s indie-pop outfit Orange Juice this fall will release a comprehensive 6CD/1DVD box set called ‘Coals to Newcastle’ that will include all four of the Scottish band’s albums, a host of singles and B-sides, BBC sessions, live performances and a DVD featuring the rare concert film ‘Dada With Juice.’

The recently reunited Yazoo — or Yaz, as the Vince Clarke/Alison Moyet group was known here in the U.S. — have released a short video trailer for their upcoming ‘Reconnected Live,’ the 20-song document of the duo’s 2008 reunion tour, which arrives Sept. 27 in the U.K.

Shaun Ryder — leader of Factory Records troublemakers Happy Mondays — celebrates his 48th birthday today, and to mark the occasion, here’s a vintage live performance of the band’s biggest hit: ‘Step On,’ their cover of John Kongos’ 1971 single ‘He’s Gonna Step On You Again.’