It’s a slow week for big new releases. But it’s a big week for box sets and anthologies — along with the long-overdue return of a classic indie band. Fire up the wayback machine for these nostalgic offerings:
Elvis Costello and The Attractions
The Complete Armed Forces
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Personally curated by Elvis Costello, The Complete Armed Forces is the definitive statement of the legendary songwriter and musician’s revered and essential 1979 album, featuring the classic hits Accidents Will Happen, Green Shirt, Oliver’s Army and (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding. Leaving no musical stone unturned, no lyric notebook unrifled through and no detail left out, this new super deluxe edition vinyl box set is a thorough excavation of Costello’s vault from this metamorphic period of his early beginnings, painting as complete a picture as possible of the events that led to the making of the album, its creation, and the wild success that followed for him, and his band The Attractions, and ignited his career. Armed Forces is explored across nine pieces of vinyl (three 12-inch LPs, three 10-inch LPs and three 7-inch singles), including a new 2020 remaster of the album, B-sides, alternate versions and outtakes, demos, and a slew of live recordings — including 23 unreleased live tracks taken from three especially riotous concerts. The comprehensive set also includes a print of the vintage grenade and gun poster and the four original postcards of each band member. Additionally, Costello commissioned acclaimed artist Todd Alcott to create pulp novel book covers of songs from Armed Forces, starring himself as the protagonist in a variety of precarious situations.”
Charlie Parker
The Savoy 10-Inch LP Collection
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Savoy 10-Inch LP Collection spotlights Charlie Parker’s groundbreaking bebop sessions for the legendary jazz label spanning 1944 to 1948. The box features all 28 tracks from the four legendary Savoy 10-inch LPs, presented with newly restored and remastered audio and a deluxe 20-page booklet containing vintage photos, rare ephemera and liner notes from Grammy-winning journalist and author Neil Tesser. These historic recordings, reissued as the world celebrates the 100th anniversary of Parker’s birth, feature such jazz greats as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Lewis, Bud Powell and Max Roach.”
Pylon
Pylon Box
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Pylon was born in 1979 in Athens, Georgia. Throughout their brief history, they were able to create influential work that would help foster the post-punk and art-rock scene of the early 80s. Their 1979 single Cool b/w Dub has reached legendary status and was followed by their albums Gyrate (1980) and Chomp (1983). The band would break up upon Chomp’s arrival, but their music would continue to influence genres, musicians and fans for years to come. Pylon Box is a comprehensive look at the band that features their studio albums Gyrate and Chomp, both of which have been remastered from their original tapes, the 11-song collection Extra which includes rarities and five previously unreleased studio & live recordings, as well as Razz Tape, Pylon’s first-ever recording: a 13-song unreleased session that pre-dates the band’s seminal Cool b/w Dub debut.”
Thelonious Monster
Oh That Monster
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Los Angeles-based rock band Thelonious Monster will release Oh That Monster digitally on Nov. 3 (Election Day). The record is the band’s first release in 16 years. The band say the record may be their best record ever, as Thelonious Monster found the same passion in creating tracks as they did in 1984 when they first started. Oh That Monster was recorded by frontman and lead singer Bob Forrest, Chris Handsome and Dix Denney on guitar, Martyn LeNoble on bass guitar and Pete Weiss on drums. Says Bob Forrest: “We all worked really hard. We are familiar with what it takes to be good. Make a great record. And we did it. I think we made maybe our best record ever. At 60 years old! Some of us decades out of playing music. I am so proud of what we did. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Full circle as they say. Still angry. Still hurt. Still mad to laugh. Mad for living. We made this album. And it is us.”
Wilco
Summerteeth Deluxe
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Wilco’s third album Summerteeth arrived in March 1999 to glowing reviews for its daring arrangements, lush harmonies and revealing lyrics. More than 20 years later, the Chicago-based band is expanding one of its best with multiple collections packed with hours of unreleased studio and live recordings. The first and foremost is Summerteeth: Deluxe Edition, a four-CD set that includes a Bob Ludwig 2020 remastered version of the original album (making its CD debut), along with an entire disc of unreleased studio outtakes, alternate versions and demos that chart the making of the album from songwriting demos to alternate studio arrangements to finished masters. The two remaining discs in the CD version of Summerteeth: Deluxe Edition feature a previously unissued live show. The concert took place late in the Summerteeth tour, on Nov. 1, 1999 in Colorado at The Boulder Theatre, after the new songs had been road-tested and the band was in top form.”
Neil Young With Crazy Horse
Return to Greendale
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Return to Greendale is the next instalment in Neil Young’s Performance Series (#16) and features a concert (audio & on film) from the historic and unique 2003 tour supporting the release of the Neil Young With Crazy Horse album Greendale. On the 2003 tour, Neil Young and Crazy Horse were joined on stage by a large cast of singers and actors to perform the story Young wrote about the small town of Greendale and how a dramatic event affects the people living there. The 10 songs from the powerful original album are performed in sequence, with the cast speaking the sung words, adding to the intensity of the performance. The live album Return to Greendale is released in several formats: Double vinyl, a two-CD set, and a limited-edition deluxe box set that includes a Blu-ray of the full concert, a DVD of Inside Greendale (the making of the album documentary), two LPs and two CDs.”
