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Brian Eno ‘Another Green World’ 3″ CD single (Editions EG/Virgin, CDT41/EDSCD4, 1989)

Definitely one for the the dedicated Eno fan in search of a small object of desire, this 3″ CD single was issued in 1989 on the then popular smaller CD format. The front cover features a still from the opening credits of the UK programme ‘Arena’ from the BBC, which had used the title track from Eno’s ‘Another Green World’. Quite why it was seen fit to bash this out on a CD single I can’t recall, one imagines that the record buying public weren’t champing at the bit for such a release – nevertheless, it has its charms.

Brian Eno 'Another Green World' 3" CD single front cover
^ Brian Eno ‘Another Green World’ 3” CD single front cover

As well as ‘Another Green World’ itself, it comes with three other tracks in what is a fairly eclectic selection of instrumental works; Continue reading “Brian Eno ‘Another Green World’ 3″ CD single (Editions EG/Virgin, CDT41/EDSCD4, 1989)”

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Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) 2010 tour live shots

In something of a departure from the style of previous articles on this blog, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) are on tour again at the moment and I managed to see the first night, at Brighton Dome on Friday 29 October 2010. Here are a few shots taken from the balcony during the show and they give a good idea of the elaborate lighting rig for the stage set on this tour. A good set too with a mixture of tracks from the new album plus most of the hits and some nice early surprises such as ‘Bunker Soldiers’.

OMD live in Brighton 2010 shot 1 Continue reading “Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) 2010 tour live shots”

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Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) – ‘History of Modern’ UK limited edition boxed set

Since my earlier post that documented the recent CD re-issue of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s first album raised the idea of doing an unboxing of their latest opus, it seemed only fair to oblige now that I have received my copy. Being something of a Peter Saville fan as well, it is good to see OMD heading back in the direction of earlier artwork styles. It does rather feel as if the whole box set thing is a bit over the top though, I have to confess. As for the album itself, I would describe it as rather schizophrenic, with a jumble of styles – some obviously aiming to re-mint the classic ‘Architecture & Morality’ sound via the Mellotron-saturated sounds, some coming on all ‘Sugar Tax’ era pop/dance style, while the shadow of Kraftwerk continues to hang over pieces such as ‘History of Modern’ (Part II), ‘RFWK’ and ‘The Right Side’.

I wasn’t quick enough off the mark to get the limited edition free t-shirt as well, otherwise this is the contents of the UK edition of the boxed set.

So, I’ll let the pictures tell the story on this post… You can click on each image to see a 640×480 enlargement.

Boxed set (front)
^ The front of the boxed set, unopened
The sticker detailing the contents (peeled off of the shrink wrap)
^ The sticker detailing the contents (peeled off of the shrink wrap)

Continue reading “Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) – ‘History of Modern’ UK limited edition boxed set”

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Berlin Blondes, ‘Science’ Japanese 7″ promo single (EMI, EMS 17031, 1980)

A little known Scottish band, was aware of them at the time but never heard them. Through the delights of vinyl blogs I have since become acquainted with their limited output and have liked what I have heard. One can imagine that they possibly got sucked up and spat out by the EMI corporate machine looking for the Next Big Thing. Only one album and three singles (one post-EMI) saw light of day, none of which have ever seen a subsequent CD release as far as I’m aware.

Berlin Blondes 'Science' Japanese single picture insert - front
^ Berlin Blondes ‘Science’ Japanese single picture insert – front

This particular number is a Japanese promo edition of their first single, ‘Science’. The album and first two single were produced by Mike Thorne, more famously associated beforehand with Wire and subsequently with Soft Cell. Musically, this might bridge both worlds, to some extent, with the requisite angular guitar and a very prominent bass to the fore, but plenty of synthesizer on board to colour the sound along with drum machines. Well worth seeking out if you have a penchant for early 80s pop oddness, this contrasts well with a lot of other material from the same era. Continue reading “Berlin Blondes, ‘Science’ Japanese 7″ promo single (EMI, EMS 17031, 1980)”

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Side by side: Associates ‘Sulk’ UK / European / US variations

If you are a fan of the Associates then ‘Sulk’ needs no introduction, being easily a high water mark for them and their particularly unique take on pop – but the variations on this release cause some confusion and probably you have a different idea of what exactly constitutes this album depending on when or where you bought it…

^ Side by side: Outer and inner sleeves of the original UK (left-hand side) and later European issues of 'Sulk' (right-hand side) on vinyl
^ Side by side: Outer and inner sleeves of the original UK (left-hand side) and later European issues of ‘Sulk’ (right-hand side) on vinyl

For me, the definitive version is the one I bought just after it came out in Britain;

‘Sulk’ (Associates/Beggars Banquet, ASCL1, vinyl LP)
Side One:

  1. Arrogance Gave Him Up
  2. No
  3. Bap De La Bap
  4. Gloomy Sunday
  5. Nude Spoons

Side Two:

  1. Skipping
  2. It’s Better This Way
  3. Party Fears Two
  4. Club Country
  5. nothinginsomethingparticular

A few notes before moving on… prior to the album’s release, ‘Party Fears Two’, ‘It’s Better This Way’ and ‘Club Country’ had all been released on singles – the versions on this album edition are all different to any from the singles. Continue reading “Side by side: Associates ‘Sulk’ UK / European / US variations”