Domino Records are very honored to announce the North American release of the 30th anniversary edition of Aztec Camera's classic debut album, High Land, Hard Rain. With the original album remastered from the analog tapes and the CD package full of all sorts of super rare nuggets (many not available before digitally), this deluxe re-issue does not disappoint.
This announcement comes in the wake of three sold-out command performances by Aztec Camera founder Roddy Frame in the UK to commemorate the 30th anniversary by playing the album in its entirety (complimented by additional material from his repertoire) to universal acclaim. Here's a peek at what you missed from his recent hometown show in Glasgow:
Contemporary with fellow Glaswegians Orange Juice, Aztec Camera made their debut on vinyl with the release of the "Just Like Gold" single on the seminal Postcard label when Frame was only 16 years old. Another single followed on Postcard with "Mattress Of Wire" before the band made their move to the more firmly established Rough Trade label to record their debut album, High Land, Hard Rain (released in North America on Sire Records).
The album opens with the exuberant pop of "Oblivious," one of the enduring songs of its decade, which very nearly became Rough Trade's first UK Top 40 hit in the early days of 1983 (Fear not, the song's re-issue on WEA later that year would drive it into the Top 20 eventually). Follow-up single "Walk Out To Winter" is yet another tour-de-force of pop songwriting, as well as showcasing Frame's prodigious talents as a guitarist. Frame re-visited the Postcard b-side "We Could Send Letters" to end side one. A sweeping dramatic masterpiece of heartache and yearning, it is easily one of his most beloved compositions to this day.
High Land, Hard Rain will be in stores on February 4, 2014.
Tracklisting:
CD 1/LP Oblivious The Boy Wonders Walk Out to Winter The Bugle Sounds Again We Could Send Letters Pillar to Post Release Lost Outside the Tunnel Back on Board Down the Dip
CD 2/LP Download Pillar to Post (original single version) Queen's Tattoos Orchid Girl Haywire Walk Out to Winter (Tony Mansfield 7" version) Set the Killing Free Back on Board (live on CFNY) We Could Send Letters (live on CFNY) Walk Out to Winter (Kid Jensen Session) Down the Dip (Kid Jensen Session) Back on Board (Kid Jensen Session) Release (Kid Jensen Session) Walk Out to Winter (John Brand unreleased single version) Walk Out to Winter (Tony Mansfield 12" version) Oblivious (Colin Fairley remix) Oblivious (Langer / Winstanley remix)
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The vinyl version is pressed on 180 gram virgin vinyl and includes a complimentary digital download card for both the original album and the rarities included in the compact disc package. The first 400 pre-orders will also receive a bonus 7" of rarities:
A1. The Boy Wonders (Capital Radio Session) A2. Release (Capital Radio Session) B1 We Could Send Letters (C81 Version) B2 The Bugle Sounds Again (Bedroom Demo)
Acoustic Nation is written by Laura B. Whitmore, a music industry marketing veteran, music journalist and editor, who has contributed to Parade.com, Guitar World, and others. She has interviewed hundreds of musicians and hosts the She Rocks Podcast. As the founder of the Women’s International Music Network, she advocates for women in the music industry and produces the annual She Rocks Awards. She is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Positive Grid, making the world safe for guitar exploration everywhere! A guitarist and singer/songwriter, Laura is currently co-writing an album of pop songs that empower and energize girls.
