A blast from the past - From Biffy Clyro to Joy Division
Will Butler

16:58 17th August 2015

For the sceptics, reissues are just a tired way for record labels to capitalise on nostalgia but people who say that are cynics, and we hate cynics. Reissues are, in fact, an awesome way to hear and experience the records of bands you love in a new format.

If you've been a lifelong fan of a band or just recently jumped on the vinyl bandwagon, reissues are a perfect way to get your ears round older records remastered for the 2015 palette. Often with new designs, coloured vinyls, unheard tracks and deluxe liner notes, reissues tend to be favoured by the super-fans, but that's not to say that the casual vinyl collector can't get involved, it is 2015 after all.

Here are 12 of the coolest record reissues of this year so far and to come.

  • Joy Division back catalogue: To celebrate 35 years since the release of their seminal single 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', Factory records will be releasing the band's entire discography consisting of Unknown Pleasures, Closer, Still and Substance with remastered and additional tracks on the latter two records.

  • Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti: Following Jimmy Pages quest to remaster the entire Zeppelin collection, this year has seen the band's sixth record reissued almost exactly 40 years after it's release. With six different formats in CD, LP and digital and a negative version of the original artwork, this is just another Zepp reissue you have no excuse not to own.

  • The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers: The classic 1971 album has been remastered and reissued in a number of deluxe formats. Packages include handfuls of unreleased alternate takes and live performances. The more expensive packages come with a 72 page hardback picture book and a record sleeve with an actual zip on it.

  • Biffy Clyro - Puzzle: A special Record Store Day reissue of the band's 2007 album, Puzzle signifies when the Scottish three piece broke into the wider public eye but also happens to be their most heartbreaking and impactful record to date. With alternative artwork and a bonus track ,'Drop It', if you can get your hands on this vinyl, absolutely do.

  • Red House Painters - First four studio albums: After 20 years of being out of print, 4AD are reissuing each of the first four studio albums will be reprinted on 180gram black vinyl. If you've ever wanted to know what Mark Kozelek sounded like before he became a professional grump, get a hold of these amazing records.

  • Amy Winehouse - Frank: The 2003 debut from the late-singer songwriter has been fervently sought after on vinyl since it was first printed in 2008. In time with, but not in any way linked to, the release of the 'Amy' documentary, Winehouse's first album has been reissued by Republic Records.

  • Modest Mouse - Interstate 8: Glacial Pace, Isaac Brock's label, have been reprinting the early Modest Mouse discography since last year. This year they've treated us to the rare and seminal Interstate 8 EP, revered as the most perfect collection of 90s Modest Modest by the super-fans.

  • Sonic Youth - Bad Moon Rising: Despite the 'indefinite but probably definite' hiatus Sonic Youth are on, they seem to be keeping active by remastering their entire works. Celebrating 30 years this year, Bad Moon Rising has got the reissue treatment so if you've ever wanted to hear 'Ghost Bitch' in high fidelity, now you can.

  • Super Furry Animals - Mwng: To mark 15 years since it's release, SFA are reissuing a massive 26 track, 3LP deluxe version of their seminal fourth album. It's the only SFA full-length entirely in the Welsh language, they say the key to a solid record collection is diversity.

  • DANGERDOOM - The Mouse and the Mask: MF Doom's best selling record to date and there's no surprise why. Teaming up with super-producer Danger Mouse has led to one of the most iconic indie-rap albums of recent years so it's only right the record gets treated to an amazing redesign 10 years on.

  • Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Let Love In: Just one of the fourteen Nick Cave records that are going to have been reissued between 2014 and 2015. Eight albums were released last year with six followed earlier this year, including Let Love, Murder Ballads, No More Shall We Part, The Good Son and The Boatman's Call.

  • Placebo - Debut and first five albums: Having already re-released their debut on red vinyl for Record Store Day, Placebo are pushing further into the vinyl market by releasing the following five albums on special vinyl to commemorate their 20th anniversary. The band also uploaded rare archive and live footage to their Youtube account to coincide with the reissued vinyl.

  • Capital Punishment - Roadkill: Before he was a Focker and movie-star, Ben Stiller was the drummer of high-school punk band, Capital Punishment. Their lone LP, Roadkill, got a limited press back in the 80s and copies have been sold for as much as $500. Captured Tracks have reissued the album for Stiller fanatics and punk aficionados alike.

  • Bikini Kill - Revolution Style Girl Now: Before Le Tigre and The Julie Ruin, Kathleen Hannah fronted the seminal Riot Grrl group, Bikini Kill. Their first recordings were released on a demo tape in 1991 which is getting reissued with additional tracks this year. As well as the standard CD, vinyl and digital releases, limited replicas of the demo cassette will be available for this reissue's September 22 release.

  • Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Let The Cool Goddess Rust Away: Gold vinyls are the coolest and everyone knows that. For the 10th birthday of CYHSH's debut album, the reissue will be printed on limited edition gold vinyl. The record will also include an additional 12 solo acoustic recordings by frontman Alec Ounsworth.

  • Twin Peaks Soundtrack: With the world ensnared with the Twin Peaks madness with the announcement of the cult show returning in 2017, it would make sense that the seminal soundtrack would be released on vinyl. Technically it has no release date but here's hoping that it's on it's way and it'll sound damn fine.

  • Garbage - Garbage: To mark the 20th anniversary of their seminal debut album, Manson and the gang have reissued the record in spectacular form. The bundle comes in 2 CD and 3 LP vinyl box sets, as well as digital formats. You can't deny how delicious that pink vinyl looks.

  • The Godfather Pt2 soundtrack: The score was composed by Nino Rota, famed for his work on all three films of the trilogy, and he won an Oscar for the soundtrack in 1974. The first lucky 1000 buyers received the reissue on blood red wax, in a move that will delight both film and music enthusiasts.

  • Built to Spill - There's Nothing Wrong With Love: The forerunners for the anti-grunge movements in the 90s, Built To Spill were evangelists spreading the liberation of feeling through dissonant guitars. Their second and arguably best record has been reissued on a sweet custard yellow vinyl. Check it out to remind you that, even today, there's nothing wrong with love.

  • Jimmy Eat World - Five Classic Albums: Bleed American, Static Prevails, Clarity, Futures and, for the first time ever on vinyl, the Stay On My Side Tonight EP. These are all due for a December release so be sure to amend your Christmas list before it's too late.


Photo: Press