Proper Records have announced pre-orders for the re-issues of Catherine Wheel’s first 3 albums, Ferment, Chrome and Happy Days with a release date of August 18, 2023.
Formed in Great Yarmouth in 1990, Catherine Wheel – singer guitarist Rob Dickinson, guitarist Brian Futter, bassist Dave Hawes and drummer Neil Sims – are possibly one of the greatest lost bands of that fabled decade. Swimming against several tides, they were loosely defined as 'shoegaze', and failed to fit in with the grunge or britpop movements in those years. They were of a size and scale to be supported by the upcoming Radiohead. Melody Maker said that Radiohead were like Catherine Wheel as they "function along a similar catharsis/contrivance axis, ladling existential angst into skilfully imposing song structures." Overseen by Pixies producer Gil Norton and recorded at Pink Floyd's Britannia Row Studios, where band favourites, Joy Division, had made Closer, Chrome marked a huge step forward, honed on the road after the constant touring to support previous album Ferment. With its sleeve designed by Storm Thorgerson, it's as if the album was a dry run for Muse. There is increasing experimentation – the 7 minutes plus of Fripp are, as writer Ben Cardew noted, "celestial and full of dread." As Pitchfork wrote, "It's as if Chrome were imported from another history of alt-rock, one more textured and romantic, where it sits deservedly atop the pile." This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1993 Fontana UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.
Tracklisting
Side 1
1. Kill Rhythm
2. I Confess
3. Crank
4. Broken Head
5. Pain
6. Strange Fruit
Side 2
1. Chrome
2. The Nude
3. Ursa Major Space Station
4. Fripp
5. Half Life
6. Show Me Mary
1995's Happy Days found the group travelling further into a hybrid of heavy metal and improvisation – certainly with the addition of Mark Feltham (from Nine Below Zero) on harmonica, who had added his distinctive sound to the later Talk Talk albums, the group create a mesmerising sound on the more ambient tracks, offering a clear pathway to later groups such as Mogwai. There is still room for some anthemic shoegaze, however, on tracks such as Shocking and Judy Staring Up At The Sun, which features guest vocals from Tanya Donelly. This re-issue replicates the original 1994 Fontana UK 2LP release with gatefold sleeve and bonus track "Glitter" and is pressed onto high quality 180g black vinyl.
Disc 1
Side 1
1. God Inside My Head
2. Waydown
3. Little Muscle
4. Heal
Dsic 1
Side 2
1. Empty Head
2. Receive
3. My Exhibition
4. Eat My Dust You Insensitive Fuck
Disc 2
Side 1
1. Shocking
2. Love Tips Up
3. Judy Staring At The Sun
Side 2
1. Hole
2. Fizzy Love
3. Glitter
4. Kill My Soul
1. Texture
2. I Wanna To Touch You
3. Black Metallic
4. Indigo Is Blue
5. She's My Friend
6. Shallow
7. Ferment
8. Flower To Hide
9. Tumble Down
10. Bill And Ben
11. Salt
12. 30 Century Man (30 Century Man Ltd Ep)
13. Free Of Mind (30 Century Man Ltd Ep)
14. That's When I Reach For My Revolver (30 Century Man Ltd Ep)
15. Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely (30 Century Man Ltd Ep)
16. Balloon (Non-Album Single)
17. Intravenous (B-Side To The Balloon Single)
3. Black Metallic
4. Indigo Is Blue
5. She's My Friend
6. Shallow
7. Ferment
8. Flower To Hide
9. Tumble Down
10. Bill And Ben
11. Salt
12. 30 Century Man (30 Century Man Ltd Ep)
13. Free Of Mind (30 Century Man Ltd Ep)
14. That's When I Reach For My Revolver (30 Century Man Ltd Ep)
15. Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely (30 Century Man Ltd Ep)
16. Balloon (Non-Album Single)
17. Intravenous (B-Side To The Balloon Single)
(From Proper Records propermusic.com)
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