Double LP on heavyweight 180 gram audiophile black vinyl in a wide spined sleeve with new artwork layout. Re-mastered by John Rivers at Woodbine Studios especially for vinyl release. Includes a bonus track not on the CD version and new artwork design. 

 

The original seven tracks, dated January 1986 and the first recordings to feature Pete Bain on bass, are collectively known as the Northampton Demos. Both Sonic and Pierce have been on record as long preferring these takes to the eventual versions that surfaced for the most part on Sound of Confusion. Certainly it's a fine set of performances, showing a definite step toward the more familiar sound of the group and away from the rougher takes on For All the Fucked Up Children of the World. "The Sound of Confusion," aka "Walkin' With Jesus," rips along with fierce energy, Pierce's singing and the rampaging, primitive wail and rumble of the band just wonderful. "Losing Touch With My Mind" takes things to an even higher level, a huge wallop of feedback and beat (Natty Brooker's drumming in particular delivers just what the doctor ordered), Pierce delivering the lines with a flat, cutting drawl. On the slightly lighter tip, "Come Down Easy" is more or less fully in place (aside from singing about it being 1986!), possessing a more upfront but less vocally distinct feel than the Perfect Prescription take. The tracks that surfaced on the later reissues come from a variety of different sessions, including the original take on "Feel So Good" and a good live version of "Things'll Never Be the Same," one of several cuts featuring Brooker's drumming replacement Rosco. 

 

TRACKLISTING:  01. THE SOUND OF CONFUSION 02. 2.35 (VERSION 1) 03. LOSING TOUCH WITH MY MIND 04. AMEN 05. THAT'S JUST FINE (VOCAL VERSION) 06. COME DOWN EASY 07. MARY ANNE DISC #2: 01. FEEL SO GOOD 02. 2.35 (FEEDBACK VERSION) 03. HEY MAN 04. IT'S ALLRIGHT 05. 2.35 (VERSION 2) 06. THINGS'LL NEVER BE THE SAME 07. TRANSPARENT RADIATION (ORGAN VERSION) 08. REPEATER (DEMO)