Musicwhore.org Music and memory

Swing Out Sister, Blue Mood, Breakout and Beyond: The Early Years, Aug. 12

This 8-disc boxed set covers Swing Out Sister’s first three albums, supplementing them with B-sides, remixes and a live album. I like two of the three albums from that era — It’s Better to Travel and Kaleidoscope World — so I’m curious but not entirely tempted.

R.E.M., Chronic Town EP, Aug. 19

This 40th anniversary edition would be the first time the Chronic Town EP is released as its own separate CD. It was previously released as part of Dead Letter Office, a compilation of B-sides and rare tracks. I have to admit I didn’t find Dead Letter Office compelling, save for the Chronic Town tracks. So I welcome this reissue.

Madonna, Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones, Aug. 19

Madonna returns to Warner Bros., bringing along the albums she recorded during her time away from the label. This compilation of remixes marks the new business arrangement.

Blondie, Against the Odds: 1974-1982, Aug. 26

Blondie has always struck me as a band for which I am the target market, but I own only Parallel Lines and The Best of Blondie. This boxed set includes all six studio albums, plus a few extra discs of rarities. I’ve been on a boxed set kick lately, so … sure why not?

Santigold, Spirituals, Sept. 9

Santigold releases her first full album since 99 Cents, which was released in 2016, and I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions, a mixed tape released in 2018. It’s also the first release of her own label, Little Jerk Records.

Death Cab for Cutie, Asphalt Meadows, Sept. 16

I passed on Death Cab’s previous album, Thank You for Today. Given the band’s Pacific Northwest roots, they’re still something of a big deal in the area, but I do find myself reacting to this album news similar to a non-Duranie learning about a new Duran Duran album.

Steve Reich, Runner / Music for Ensemble and Orchestra, Sept. 30

Runner would be the second Steve Reich release on Nonesuch in 2022. I can’t say Reich / Richter really grabbed my attention. Nonesuch hinted that a boxed set similar to John Adams’ Collected Works is in the works for Reich.

Charlie Puth, CHARLIE, Oct. 7

I still can’t believe a Subway commercial got me into Charlie Puth.

Christine and the Queens, Redcar les adorables etoiles, Oct. 28

TIL the translation of this album title is “Redcar the adorable star”, and Redcar is an alter ego of Christine.

Vinyl

David Bowie, Earthlng, Aug. 12

I hadn’t yet done a deep dive into the works of David Bowie when this album was reissued for Record Store Day. So yes, I missed out. But I bided my time. For a figure as large as Bowie, these things don’t stay out of print forever.

Moby, Everything Is Wrong, Aug. 12

Moby is reissuing a number of early albums on colored vinyl, and while I like Everything Is Wrong, I’m more of a fan of Animal Rights. So I was a bit surprised to see Animal Rights was left out. Then I visited Moby’s online store and discovered it still sold the 2016 reissue of Animal Rights. Yeah, I ordered it. And yeah, I’m probably going to pick this one up as well.

… And You Will Us Know By the Trail of Dead, IX, Sept. 9

Music on Vinyl reissues are always hit or miss when it comes to availability in the US.

Tags: and you will know us by the trail of dead, blondie, charlie puth, christine and the queens, david bowie, death cab for cutie, looking ahead, madonna, moby, r.e.m., santigold, steve reich, swing out sister