REISSUES
By Wilhelmina Steppenwolf
2 July 2012
Copyright 2012, The Turntable Times
BACK
ERECTION DIRECTION
"Erection Direction" marked a turning point for the Little Blue Men. The synthesizers that had dominated their previous record, "Sally Sells Her Self by the Sea Shore," had given way to a simpler, more straightforward sound, in tune with the band's roots. Silvers & MacInnis had moved away from the grandiose lyricism (and alliteration) of "Sally Sells" to craft an album free of pretentious ramblings and full of good-time rock n' roll. The result was one of their universally acknowledged classics.

From the opening riff of "Where Shall I Put This" to the feedback-drenched coda "I Feel Like I Should Apologise," the Blue Men took their listeners on a wild romp through the hedonistic world of rock stardom. And now that romp is being given the royal treatment, courtesy of a deluxe reissue from Microgram Records, one of several reissues for the Little Blue Men and their members this year.

Microgram has done it right, offering the album in various newly re-mastered packages. The album has never sounded better than on the new 180g vinyl. And the re-mastering shines on tracks like "Member Ship," "Getting the Shaft," and "(I Swear) This Has Never Happened Before." Even on CD, the mix is warm and inviting.

The making-of documentary included in the CD set is a brilliant companion piece to the album. The interviews with the erstwhile Darby Wentworth are beyond fascinating, capturing a man not yet consumed by madness, but listing dangerously close to it.

Best of all is the new packaging itself. Both the vinyl and CD versions come with a "pop-up" booklet that must be seen to be believed. All in all, the "Erection Direction" reissue is well worth the pounds.
Little Blue Men
DELUXE VINYL EDITION
180g audiophile quality 12" vinyl
Gatefold "pop-up" cover with original and new artwork
Newly re-mastered
DELUXE 2CD/1DVD EDITION
Newly re-mastered, with original and new artwork
DVD includes "Which Way Did We Go?" documentary
The CD version features the re-mastered album proper on disc one, and on disc two, a selection of seventeen outtakes from the "Erection Direction" sessions. Key among these tracks is, "Growing Up (For You)" -- an a capella piece with lilting harmonies from Silvers, MacInnis, Wentworth, Lassiter, and Plympton.