Reissues: The Posies and Fastball

Some of the greatest power pop ever was produced in the 1990’s. Omnivore has recently released expanded editions of these classics. 

The Posies Dear 23

The Posies “Dear 23” Expanded Edition

The major label debut from The Posies became an instant classic and put The Posies on the map. Like a modern-day version of The Hollies, the ambitious duo took notes from their Merseybeat forefathers and combined it with a Big Star-like attention to detail wrapped up in a baroque pop package. Remastered from the original analog masters; one CD containing the original album, plus enough bonus material to fill out the rest of the CD; and an additional CD of demos and other bonus material. Nearly all of the bonus tracks on this new reissues have never been heard before!

Omnivore Direct | Amazon

The Posies Frosting On The Beater

The Posies “Frosting On The Beater” Expanded Edition

In the early ’90s, the Seattle grunge movement took over the nation’s airwaves, pushing other genres aside. The Posies answer to this was to add their trademark melodies and smart lyrics to all the current angst. The wall of distorted guitars and thick drum beats is a direct contrast to Dear 23, but the songwriting got even better and remains the band’s highwater mark. Similar remastering set up; one CD containing the original album, plus enough bonus material to fill out the rest of the CD; and an additional CD of demos and other bonus material.

Omnivore Direct | Amazon

Fastball

Fastball “All The Pain Money Can Buy” 20th Anniversary Edition

Fastball gave us an excellent example of when power pop and the nation’s musical zeitgeist intersected. The #1 hit “The Way” exploded on the radio, propelling All The Pain Money Can Buy to Gold status in only three months and Platinum another three months later. The release also received two Grammy® nominations, and the band won four Austin Chronicle awards for the album. This remastered 20th-anniversary edition contains the original 13 songs, plus 9 bonus tracks including rare B-sides, compilation tracks, and 4 previously unissued demos.

Omnivore Direct | Amazon

The Posies “Failure”

Special re-mastered edition of The Posies debut album out now!

Back in 1988, teenagers Jonathan Auer and Ken Stringfellow created a demo tape that they handed out at shows. Created at Jon’s makeshift 8-track studio in his parents TV room, little did they realize they were making power pop history. Despite some inexperienced quirks, the band has the Posies sound-craft fully realized on the second track “The Longest Line” with guitar hooks, catchy melody and sunny harmonies. The talent was evident, as this was the best DIY power pop debut since The Shoes.

Most of the album is a flawless mix of influences old (The Hollies) and new (XTC) from the epic “Under Easy” to the guitar jangle genius of “I May Hate You Sometimes.” Although this wasn’t as widely heard or finely produced as later Posies albums, it still resonates with old fans and sounds as fresh today as it did back then. This edition comes with 8 bonus tracks and a little booklet with old reviews and notes. Highly recommended, of course!

Amazon

Album Preview: The Posies “Failure” Reissue

The Posies’ 1988 debut is about to work its magic all over again. Little did Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow know that when they dropped off their cassette to Scott McCaughey (R.E.M., The Minus 5, Baseball Project), the clerk at their favorite record store (who happened to do A&R for the indie label PopLlama), that a power-pop dynasty would begin. On August 19, 2014, Omnivore Recordings will reissue this landmark album, complete with eight bonus tracks, including one available for the first time.