Analog Spark is going all the way with its next vinyl LP reissue.

The audiophile imprint of Razor and Tie has recently made a 180-gram deluxe reissue of The Raspberries' classic 1972 self-titled debut available on its website, with an arrival at Amazon and other retailers on March 11.  Over the course of just four albums released between 1972 and 1974, The Raspberries positioned themselves as legitimate heirs to the thrones of The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Byrds.  With jangly guitars, alternately swaggering and yearning vocals, full-bodied harmonies, unerring melodic instinct and plenty of youthful abandon, the mod four-man group defined "power pop" on songs like "Go All the Way," "I Wanna Be with You" and "Let's Pretend."  As singer, guitarist/bassist and songwriter, Carmen provided the band - also originally featuring guitarist Wally Bryson, drummer Jim Bonfanti and guitarist/bassist Dave Smalley - with three-minute opuses that crackled with the spirit of FM and the sound of AM.

Raspberries was produced by Jimmy Ienner and featured horn and string arrangements by the late, great Jimmie Haskell.  "Go All the Way," the lead-off track on Raspberries, neatly defines the entire power-pop ethos.   Written by lead singer and future solo star Eric Carmen, its infectious blend of soft 'n' heavy reached the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 as well as the Cashbox and Record World charts.  (Its popularity has been confirmed numerous times over the years including its recent appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy and on its best-selling soundtrack!)  But it's just one of nine catchy confections on Raspberries including the moderate hit single penned by Carmen and Bryson, "Don't' Want to Say Goodbye."   The Capitol Records LP reached No. 51 on the Billboard 200 and set the stage for the group's next success, Fresh.

Analog Spark's limited edition vinyl reissue of Raspberries has been mastered and cut from the original stereo tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio; the 180-gram LP has been pressed and plated at RTI.  Additionally, it's housed in a classic-style Stoughton "tip-on" jacket.  This classic debut from one of the most influential bands of all time is available now from Analog Spark.  It will be released on March 11 at Amazon, and can be pre-ordered below!

Raspberries, Raspberries (Capitol SK 11036, 1972 - reissued Analog Spark, 2016) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada)

1. Go All the Way
2. Come Around and See Me
3. I Saw the Light
4. Rock and Roll Mama
5. Waiting
6. Don't Want to Say Goodbye
7. With You in My Life
8. Get It Moving
9. I Can Remember