Soul Asylum

Omnivore Recordings’ series of Soul Asylum reissues has shone a light on their early years. On January 18, the label will release an expanded edition of While You Were Out. 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.