In Music News...

Since it's such a slow news cycle in the real world (kidding!), I thought I would catch you up on the headlines in my world. Our top story... Back in July, while listening to a podcast of Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey on the C86 Show, they mentioned in passing there would be a Heavenly singles compilation coming out on Damaged Goods Records. What!?! I bookmarked the label's site and have checked in a couple of times a week ever since. This image above popped up there the other day. There is no pre-order button as of yet, but we might be getting close. I have inquired about whether this will include all of the band's singles on Sarah, Wiiija and K. I also asked if this includes the B-sides as well as what to expect for liner notes. Stay tuned.

'A Bout De Heavenly: The Singles' will be a must-have record. I have all of Heavenly's albums and many of their singles, but I have never owned physical copies of those first three Sarah sevens. Shocking. Sad.



Oct. 15 Update: We have our answer. Here is the tracklist. The B-sides are included and across labels.
1. I Fell in Love Last Night
2. Over and Over
3. Our Love is Heavenly
4. Wrap My Arms Around Him
5. She Says
6. Escort Crash on Marston Street
7. So Little Deserve
8. I'm Not Scared of You
9. Atta Girl
10. P.U.N.K Girl
11. Hearts and Crosses
12. Dig Your Own Grave
13. So?
14. Trophy Girlfriend
15. Space Manatee
16. You Tore Me Down
17. Art School

In more new-release news, it has been a while since we have heard from the pride of Boise, Jeremy Jensen's indie-pop outfit the Very Most, but impending release 'Needs Help' proves he's been busy perfecting his craft... with a little help from his friends. Guest vocalists include but are not limited to Cristina Quesada, Kristine from Tiny Fireflies, Eli and Ashley from LAKE and, in a thank you for the Very Most backing her on 2015 album 'In My Flat,' Mel from The Hermit Crabs. Like the band's 2016 album 'Syntherely Yours,' 'Needs Help' comes out on the always reliable Kocliko Records. Should hit the streets around Oct. 9. Pre-order now, and treat yourself to pop perfection.

When you think of Athens, chances are R.E.M., the B-52's or, if you're really on the ball, Pylon or Oh-OK are the first bands to pop into your head. Ask members of those bands and Love Tractor would be in their first breaths... and for good reason. During the salad years, there was nothing like them on the scene. This was smart, angular art pop. At times post-punk, occasionally jangly but always danceable. Love Tractor took a long hiatus, but they never called it quits. Hometown label HHBTM Records is about to celebrate Love Tractor with a big reissue campaign, and it all kicks off during the third drop of Record Store Day on Oct. 24 with a reimagining of a couple of early staples. The mixes of "60 Degrees and Sunny" b/w "FEST-ivals" are co-produced by Bill Berry of R.E.M., Athens mainstay David Barbe and Love Tractor. Jeff Calder of the Swimming Pool Q's had his hand in the single as well. Support your local mom-and-pop shop by picking up this one.

HHBTM Records · Love Tractor - FESTI-vals

Love Tractor's 1982 full-length debut LP is first up in the reissue series. As you can see, the cover has been updated a bit, and it looks sharp. Similarly, the album has been remastered, tweaked and expanded with the hope "after remixing and reimagining different aspects [it will] bring a sense of nostalgia for their long-time fans and introduce themselves to younger audiences." Dear readers, if you're new to Love Tractor, this would be the place to start. 'Love Tractor' will be out Nov. 6, and HHBTM has a bevy of purchase options. Stay tuned for news about the next album in the reissue campaingn.

HHBTM Records · Love Tractor - 17 Days & a Night

Best of luck to the Bluebells. The lads are performing two unplugged shows in Glasgow on Sunday at SWG3's Galvanisers yard as part of a Last Night From Glasgow showcase. Yep, an actual live in-person event. Lots of rules, obviously, but still mighty exciting. Details here and here. For those of us not able to attend, here they are rehearsing 1984 single "I'm Falling" at the beautiful Oran Mor. Warning: After watching this, you will feel slightly ill at the prospect of not attending.

Finally, let's end the news with a feel-good story about... me. Back in December, I mentioned a couple of huge omissions on my list of best reissues for the year. I was on the fence about getting that gorgeous 5x7" box set from Optic Nerve Recordings that emulated and even bettered the Fierce Recordings box of the Pooh Sticks, circa 1988. It was the £50.00 price tag. Once shpping from the UK factored in, it was going to be about $80. Plus, I already owned the 12" version that gathered the singles. Nope, as much as I wanted it, couldn't do it. A few months ago I happened upon a copy on Amazon for about the same price. For the hell of it, I stuck it in my cart and watched to see if someone would buy it. Nobody ever did. Meanwhile, the price fluctuated wildly. At one point it was $46. Then it shot back up to $50-plus. Well, yesterday my jaw dropped when I saw it for $37. That included free two-day shipping. I'm now a proud owner of the Pooh Sticks box. I don't do much music purchasing on Amazon. That's what shops and Bandcamp are for, but it sure worked for me this time.



And that's all the news that's fit to type. Good day, from LTL headquarters.