REISSUES
By Wilhelmina Steppenwolf
6 July 2012
6 July 2012
Copyright 2012, The Turntable Times
TERRYCLOTH DREAMS
Next up in this year's series of classic Little Blue Men album reissues is an oft-overlooked gem from the prolific lads. Severely underrated, it is nice to see Microgram giving the eccentric "Terrycloth Dreams" its just due.
When it was released, the album confused quite a few critics and fans alike. Was it a "concept record?" It certainly felt like one, what with its recurring musical motifs. But if so, what was the concept? Some claimed there were hints of a larger storyline revolving around a mythical bathhouse and time travelers. Others claimed that notion was akin to grasping at straws; over-analysis on the part of die-hard Blue Men fans.
Whatever the true nature of the album -- Silvers & MacInnis have remained steadfastly mum on the subject -- the end result was an album and a half of brilliant music. The first and only of its kind, "Terrycloth Dreams" exactly split the difference between a standard LP and a double album: 3 sides. The first disc had four songs on side one and five songs on side two. The second had the remaining five songs on its first side and nothing at all pressed on its flip side. While most bemoaned this "waste of perfectly good vinyl," an enlightened few appreciated the three sides for what they were: classic Blue Men tunes.
The standout track on this re-mastered set is "Hornblower's Blues," which benefits greatly from the new Dolby 5.1 surround mix. Nuances never-before-heard come to life now -- the brilliance of Puppy Shipshank's engineering fully on display. Shipshank's efforts are thankfully the focus of the documentary included in the CD edition; a long overdue look into a genius at work.
Fans of the original terrycloth covered album jacket will not be disappointed, as it returns, not just for the vinyl, but for the CD packaging as well. All in all, you owe it to yourself to explore this great album in all its deluxe glory.
When it was released, the album confused quite a few critics and fans alike. Was it a "concept record?" It certainly felt like one, what with its recurring musical motifs. But if so, what was the concept? Some claimed there were hints of a larger storyline revolving around a mythical bathhouse and time travelers. Others claimed that notion was akin to grasping at straws; over-analysis on the part of die-hard Blue Men fans.
Whatever the true nature of the album -- Silvers & MacInnis have remained steadfastly mum on the subject -- the end result was an album and a half of brilliant music. The first and only of its kind, "Terrycloth Dreams" exactly split the difference between a standard LP and a double album: 3 sides. The first disc had four songs on side one and five songs on side two. The second had the remaining five songs on its first side and nothing at all pressed on its flip side. While most bemoaned this "waste of perfectly good vinyl," an enlightened few appreciated the three sides for what they were: classic Blue Men tunes.
The standout track on this re-mastered set is "Hornblower's Blues," which benefits greatly from the new Dolby 5.1 surround mix. Nuances never-before-heard come to life now -- the brilliance of Puppy Shipshank's engineering fully on display. Shipshank's efforts are thankfully the focus of the documentary included in the CD edition; a long overdue look into a genius at work.
Fans of the original terrycloth covered album jacket will not be disappointed, as it returns, not just for the vinyl, but for the CD packaging as well. All in all, you owe it to yourself to explore this great album in all its deluxe glory.
Little Blue Men
DELUXE VINYL EDITION
180g audiophile quality 12" vinyl, two-disc set
Gatefold cover with original terrycloth texture
Newly re-mastered
Side four unpressed
Gatefold cover with original terrycloth texture
Newly re-mastered
Side four unpressed
DELUXE 4CD/1DVD EDITION
Newly re-mastered, with original terrycloth textured cover
DVD includes "Terrycloth Screams" documentary
DVD includes "Terrycloth Screams" documentary
Microgram have come up with an ingenious design to highlight the original's blank side oddity. They have issued the album on CD, one side per disc, including a blank fourth disc.