Run Out Groove has just announced its next release based on fan voting...and it's bound to be a big one! The Idle Race's Schizophrenic Psychedelia features the best of the Jeff Lynne-fronted band's Liberty-era tracks, pressed on 180-gram clear vinyl in a single-pocket, tip-on jacket boasting new artwork and liner notes. Pre-orders are open now through August 8, at which time the title will be pressed and numbered to a limited quantity based on total orders.
Schizophrenic Psychedelia promises to be a vivid overview of the Birmingham band's psych pop. The LP collects 16 tracks including singles originally released on Liberty's U.K. arm (to which The Idle Race was one of the first signings) and in international territories, plus a couple of alternate takes. The pre-Move, pre-ELO Jeff Lynne led Dave Pritchard on rhythm guitar, Roger Spencer on drums, and Greg Masters on bass during this period, and also was the group's primary songwriter. Lynne departed the band for The Move in January 1970, and this collection also spotlights some of The Idle Race's subsequent efforts.
Naturally, with the announcement of ROG's next release comes another round of voting. This time, you can choose between these three disparate titles (with descriptions provided by the label):
Alejandro Escovedo, With These Hands: Vote for Alejandro and ROG will issue his critically-acclaimed Rykodisc debut on vinyl for the first time and press on 180g vinyl;
Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks, Orange Crate Art: Vote for Brian Wilson/Van Dyke Parks and ROG will issue this title on vinyl for the first time and press on 180g colored vinyl; and
The Walkmen, A Hundred Miles Off: Back for another round, if voted to win ROG will reissue this for the first time since original release and press on 180g multi colored vinyl.
In other ROG news, Secret Machines' Live at the Garage and Germs' Live at the Starwood Dec. 3, 1980 will ship on July 12 and August 16, respectively, from Run Out Groove. To locate current releases as well as older titles in the label's catalogue that are sold out, please check out their retail store locator here!
You'll find the track listing and pre-order link for The Idle Race's Schizophrenic Psychedelia below!
The Idle Race, Schizophrenic Psychedelia (Run Out Groove, 2019)
Side One
- (Here We Go) Round the Lemon Tree (Mono)
- My Father's Son (Mono)
- Impostors of Life's Magazine (Mono)
- Sitting in My Tree (Mono)
- The Skeleton and the Roundabout (Stereo)
- Knocking Nails Into My House (Mono)
- End of the Road (Stereo)
- Morning Sunshine (Stereo)
- Days of Broken Arrows (Mono)
Side Two
- Warm Red Carpet (Mono)
- Neanderthal Man (Mono)
- Victim of Circumstance (Mono)
- In the Summertime (Mono)
- Told You Twice (Stereo)
- Lucky Man (Alternate Take)
- Follow Me Follow (Alternate Take)
Stephen M.H. Braitman says
Side Two is ridiculous, all non-Jeff Lynne version of the band (not necessarily a bad thing), but those ridiculous cover versions!
Moore Marriot says
Lucky Man and Follow Me Follow are Jeff Lynne Compositions.
Only Neanderthal Man and In the Summertime are covers.
Warm Red Carpet is from the Jeff Lynne period.
Stephen M.H. Braitman says
And will someone please find a stereo mix of the epic "Days Of Broken Arrows"!!