You can read Part 1, which is a blog post overview of the album, here. Part 2, below, deals with the vinyl pressing itself and details some thoughts on the tracklist that the vinyl album contains.
For its debut on vinyl, the album was completely remastered using the original desk output from the sessions with John Parrish, and included were two additional tracks not previously released. Alongside these, a new set of tracks were discovered by Davey while rooting around in his garage, shed or attic (or perhaps all three) and these are included as a set of eight additional digital tracks, although one, Life (French Version) did appear briefly on the Special Edition CD from City Slang back in 2001.
This was the starting point for the reissue. However, in chatting to Davey I discovered that there were many aspects of the original release that he wasn’t overly happy with. The cover art was one. The final mix of certain songs compared to those around them was another. The lyrics weren’t quite right, either. So, we set about doing it as he would have wanted.
New Experiments
Cover art isn’t as easy to decide upon as you might think. We needed a concept to hang things on, so art direction was talked over first. Davey was a fan of collage-style artwork, which was useful as a friend of mine does exactly that as part of her practice. Renee Vaughan Sutherland is an Australian artist living on the south coast of England, and I got in touch with her with a brief, supplied her with mp3s of the album and left her alone for three months. She came back with 22 different options, from which we quickly shortlisted seven. A bit more chat and we had two we couldn’t choose between. One of these is the new cover artwork, the second will become a hand-printed poster (signed by Davey for all pre-orders).
A second piece that is new is the fabric bag that holds the download card and some other pieces of ephemera that have been created for this release, such as a small handmade zine and some printed photos. Why fabric? The inspiration came from separate conversations with Davey and a good friend – once a writer for Smash Hits in the 90s, no less – Tristan Fitzgerald. The idea of making a fabric feature somehow relates to the tracksuit of the title. Shiny and polyester. And so Tristan chucked in some design ideas and one of these was taken forward and printed on recycled polyester. I did attempt to get it properly woven, but the cost for a small run was budget-breaking. Instead, I decided to create a care label, like the ones you get with washing instructions, and sew the bags myself. These are truly bespoke items that you only get with the vinyl.
Yes, you might argue these are pointless additions (like some people consider an obi strip to be – superfluous and annoying) and perhaps those who think that might be right. However, the cost was minor and the idea of being ‘arty’ with this release and just doing something a bit mad and quite different meant once the idea was put out there it simply had to happen. Again, it adds to the limited nature of all Unspun Heroes’ projects, and provides those who buy the vinyl with a unique piece of work that you can’t get anywhere else. This is a feature not a bug.
Anyway, shall we look at the tracks?
Tracklist for The Tracksuit Trilogy
I’m sat listening to the test pressing of The Tracksuit Trilogy for the umpteenth time. It gets better every listen, which I find happens with every release. I like to immerse myself in the songs as much as possible, although I’m always playing my own releases months after they’ve come out.
With The Experimental Pop Band’s third album, the vinyl has the original 13 tracks and includes two additional bonus tracks – a version of one was on the special edition CD release from 2001, but the second is a previously unreleased track.
As the album is not available to stream, the only way to hear it is one of the test pressings, or from the original CD. That said, I’ve had the 15 tracks that appear on the vinyl remastered. Some from the original source, others from a master CD that was cut for City Slang and the band after the sessions wrapped. Because they’re all from different places, it took a lot of time and effort for Guy Davie at Electric Mastering to make this into something that was coherent, even though the music is eclectic in terms of its sound, ranging from straightforward art rock tracks to filmic soundtracks to disco-beats and trip-hop samples.
I thought it would be worth picking out some of the tracks to highlight the kind of music you’re going to get to hear if you buy a copy – vinyl or digital.
- Bang Band You’re Dead
The use of samples kicks off this track, but as with all the uses of samples scattered across this album, they enhance rather than become a focus for the music. TEPB were always about making music as a band in the studio rather than just with a computer. It’s not Kid A, people. However, the film score quality of the songs is kicked off in style on this languorous, almost dream-pop track. The tone shifts right at the end, though, as the song morphs in the way that soundtracks do – there is a part of me that thinks Tarantino would probably select this song for one of his movies, were he still making them. - Emotion
Disco beats and a rise in tempo as the high hat hiss and thumping bassline bring a vibe that could best be described as unexpected. And yet, Davey’s cutting observations about the state of the world mean it’s less gloss and rollerskating-lycra-wearing dudes than it is a blunt take on the world as we entered the new millennium. Quite something when you consider where we’re at 25 years on. - Narcotic Days
When the harpsichord refrain begins, and the cymbal shuffle over simple synth chords, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re listening to The Velvet Underground with a different singer. There’s plenty of the Velvet’s inspiration in this album. The shimmering guitar is pure pop, though. But it’s not a song about upbeat things, as you’ll read when the song notes get published - Hard Enough
Post-punk guitar-driven noise. In the original mix, the vocals were low and the guitar was right in your face. The remaster remedies this by balancing the overall track, so Davey’s sardonic lyrics can be heard. It’s like The Stooges met The Fall and this came out of the session. Thankfully, on the remastered version you can turn it up to 11 and you’d be right to do so. - Remember
A hazy love song. But one that makes you feel like you’ve dropped several Tramadol® or whatever the equivalent drug is in your world. A morphine drip of a song. If you’ve never been stoned, grab some toast and laugh at nothing in particular while this plays. - Somethingsaremoreimportantthanmusic
Beats. A dark piano chord repeated. The words ‘First Love’ chanted. More slightly atonal piano. And then, wow, what a surprise when the Western soundtrack bit drops two minutes in. - Satan’s Friends
Fuzz and wah-wah. Like some sort of psychedelic jam session combined with a catchy bassline moment and full on metal vibes to the guitar solo. The drums crash and you’re pinned to your seat for two minutes. The violin brings in more of that Velvet’s sound as the song nears its crescendo. Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of Side One. - I Like It
A shopping list of reasons to love someone. But with that weird Davey Woodward twist. It’s a little bit grubby like I imagine dogging is. And imagining is enough for me, so thankfully this song makes it easier! - All Hang Out
If you’ve never been to Bristol and wondered what it’s like to mosey on down through some parts of it, then this is it. And done in the style of The Kinks. - Casual Sex
The beats are back and you need to get your dance pants on all while listening to the kind of thing that happens when two people get their pants off and bump uglies. - The Bereaved
A science fiction soundtrack springs to mind. Just before something happens that makes you jump out of your skin. Doctor Who might benefit from using it in an episode, for example. - Alcudia
And then we’re into sunny trip-hop pop. I song that makes you want to have a boogie around your kitchen while making cocktails for friends who’ve popped in. It’s got a sound that is immediately familiar and yet could be from any era. Destined to be a favourite track that you play loud just before you head out for the night. - When The Music Ends
The Magic Roundabout and any seventies sitcom with a thank you message over it. Or a Hollywood movie ending with the credits playing. The whistling is inspired. A fitting end to an album. Except we added two bonus tracks. - (Life (Duet)
A French film with a scene where the two bank robber lovers have a dance before the explosive finale. This is the song that plays in the background. - L1
A love letter to Liverpool written after you’ve spent a couple of days wandering round the city. The twinkling samples over post-Britpop guitars – the way the bassline comes in makes you think of a certain Essex band. It’s a sunny, singalong song, but has some punch that makes it pop more than just Pop songs tend to do.
And then the vinyl ends. However, a selection of songs are included in the digital download. There are eight more to listen to. One of these was later reworked into a new song, there are also two different versions of Life to enjoy and the final song that graced the 2001 Special Edition release from City Slang: The Experimental Pop Band Theme. If any band deserved to have its own theme tune, it would be this one. It’s a fitting end to a digital listening experience, I think.