Tag Archives: box set

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Harmony In My Head: UK Power Pop & New Wave 1977-81

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Back in the 90s, Rhino Records released two compilations celebrating the birth and subsequent explosion of power pop in the US between 1975-1981. Entitled ‘Come Out & Play (American Power Pop 1975-1978)’ and ‘Shake It Up (American Power Pop 1979-1981)’, those discs are an invaluable addition to any power pop collection, introducing many to the works of Pearl Harbor & The Explosions, 20/20 and Earth Quake, alongside more familiar cult recordings by Shoes, Off Broadway, Cheap Trick, Chris Bell and far more besides.

‘Harmony In My Head: UK Power Pop & New Wave 1977-1981’, a 2018 box set from Cherry Red Records exploring the UK power pop and new wave scenes, is every bit as wonderful as those US-centric discs, presenting the popular and familiar alongside some also-rans and bands whom never made the big time.

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Rose Tattoo: 5CD box set featuring archive live shows due very soon

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5549697d-0e76-4a0b-b5cb-fea066642719.jpgAussie rock legends Rose Tattoo have always been better known for their ferocious live performances.  On October 17th, Cleopatra Records will release ‘Scarred For Live: 1980-1982’, a five disc set featuring the band during their classic years.

Among other things, the set includes their appearance at the Reading Festival in 1981.  The show was recorded by the BBC and got a couple of repeat plays during Alan Freeman’s Radio 1 Rock Show in the early 90s.

A full press release follows.

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REO SPEEDWAGON – The Early Years 1971-1977

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During the first half of the 80s, REO Speedwagon were one of the bands who really helped define the sounds of the decade’s melodic rock. Along with Journey and Survivor, the band became US radio staples and their ‘Hi Infidelity’ and ‘Good Trouble’ albums sold in huge numbers. The REO story started much earlier, however, and before arriving at their signature sound on 1978’s ‘You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish’, the band honed their craft across a series of albums that dabble in different styles of rock, featuring a succession of different vocalists. This comprehensive box set tells the formative REO story, presenting each of the early albums with a smattering of bonus tracks.

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New Mott The Hoople box set to be released in November

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Mott The Hoople were one of the great bands of the 1970s.  Whilst principally known for their mega hits ‘All The Young Dudes’, ‘Roll Away The Stone’ and ‘All The Way From Memphis’, the Mott story started a few years earlier.  Between 1969 and 1971, the band recorded four albums for Island Records of a far more experimental nature.

Those albums and various associated extras have been compiled on a lavish six disc box set entitled ‘Mental Train: The Island Years 1969-1971.  A very comprehensive set, there’s never been a better way to experience a run of often overlooked albums.

A full press release can be read below.

A review of Ian Hunter’s ‘Fingers Crossed’ can be found here.

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Marillion ‘Clutching At Straws’ box set due in November

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Following the success of the Steven Wilson remixed ‘Brave’ and accompanying box set earlier in 2018, the Marillion reissue campaign continues with an expanded ‘Clutching At Straws’ this November.

Although not as commercially successful as its predecessor ‘Misplaced Childhood’, the 1987 album reached the UK top ten, spawned hit singles and remains a firm favourite with long-time fans.

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