Omnivore Recordings’ series of Soul Asylum reissues has shone a light on their early years. Last Friday, January 18, the most recent installment–an expanded edition of While You Were Out–was released. It was Soul Asylum’s last independent album on Twin/Tone Records before the group signed with A&M Records. Originally released in 1986 (their third album that year!), it’s considered by many to be their best work.

Omnivore’s reissue combines the original album with the 1988 rarities collection Clam Dip & Other Delights, plus rare outtakes and demos. Four of those bonus tracks are previously unreleased. On the packaging front, While You Were Out boasts never-before-seen photos, artwork, and memorabilia, plus new liner notes by Jon Wurster of Superchunk fame. In all, it promises to be the definitive presentation of this era of Soul Asylum’s history, just before their ascent into the big time.

So, you might want to order Omnivore’s reissue of While You Were Out before they’re sold out. You can find pre-order links below, along with a full track listing.

Soul Asylum, While You Were Out (originally Twin/Tone TTR 8691, 1986 — reissued Omnivore OV-314, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Freaks
2. Carry On
3. No Man’s Land
4. Crashing Down
5. The Judge
6. Sun Don’t Shine
7. Closer To the Stars
8. Never Too Soon
9. Miracle Mile
10. Lap of Luxury
11. Passing Sad Daydream
12. Take It to the Root (Jam Mix)
13. Just Plain Evil
14. Chains
15. Secret No More
16. Move Over
17. P-9
18. Juke Box Hero
19. Artificial Heart
20. Take It to the Root
21. Saving Grace*
22. Forever and a Day*
23. There It Goes*
24. Artificial Heart*

Track 12 from Time’s Incinerator (Twin/Tone cassette TTR8677C, 1986)
Tracks 13-15, 17, and 19, 20 originally released on U.S. E.P. Clam Dip & Other Delights (Restless Records / Twin/Tone 88144, 1988)
Tracks 16 and 18 originally released on U.K. 12″ Clam Dip & Other Delights (What Goes On Records GOES ON 22, 1988)
Tracks 21-24 previously unreleased