The Epic Years

by Altered Images

Overview

The Epic Years collects everything Altered Images recorded and released in their short career as the world's most cheerful pop band. Only three albums and a handful of singles between 1979 and 1983 and they were done. Separately, the three albums are bite-sized treats: the kiddie goth Happy Birthday, which spawned the incessantly chirpy title track; the confetti-filled Pinky Blue with its timeless hit "I Could Be Happy"; and the surprisingly sophisticated Bite, which was a perfect blend of Blondie and Bowie (thanks in part to production by Mike Chapman and Tony Visconti). Placed together in a collection like this, there's a clear progression from album to album: first, a band getting its sound together; then a band that seemed to promise something brilliant; and finally one that did just that before coming to a sudden stop. This collection doesn't add much new that wasn't on the single-disc reissues that came out a decade-plus earlier, but the remixes and extended versions of the singles are collected on one disc titled The 12" Album. If one is already in possession of the deluxe reissues, there's not a hugely compelling reason to get this set. There are a couple of 7" mixes that weren't included previously and The 12" Album is a load of fun, but mostly the sound quality is the same and the essays on the single discs are more complete. Anyone looking for a one-stop collection of their work will be pleased, though, both by the ease with which all the music can be heard and by becoming the proud owner of some of the best and brightest pop music ever made. ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	03/02/2018
Label:	Cherry Red
UPC:	5013929104907
Rank:	71637

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Happy Birthday (Intro)
2. Love and Kisses
3. Real Toys
4. Idols
5. Legionnaire
6. Faithless
7. Beckoning Strings
8. Happy Birthday
9. Midnight
10. A Days Wait
11. Leave Me Alone
12. Insects
13. Happy Birthday (Outro)
14. Dead Pop Stars
15. Sentimental
16. Leave Me Alone
17. Who Cares?
18. A Days Wait [7" Version]
19. So We Go Whispering
20. Jeepster

Disc 2

21. Pinky Blue
22. See Those Eyes
23. Forgotten
24. Little Brown Head
25. See You Later
26. Song Sung Blue
27. Funny Funny Me
28. Think That It Might
29. I Could Be Happy
30. Jump Jump
31. Goodnight and I Wish
32. I Could Be Happy [7" Version]
33. Insects [Re-Record]
34. Disco Pop Stars
35. How About That Then (I Missed My Train)
36. Think That It Might [Dance Mix]
37. Happy New Year
38. Real Toys [New Version]

Disc 3

39. Bring Me Closer
40. Another Lost Look
41. Love to Stay
42. Now That You're Here
43. Don't Talk to Me About Love
44. Stand So Quiet
45. Change of Heart
46. Thinking About You
47. Surprise Me
48. I Don't Want to Know
49. Don't Talk to Me About Love [7" Version]
50. Last Goodbye
51. Another Lost Look [Live]
52. Love to Stay [7" Version]

Disc 4

53. Happy Birthday [Dance Mix]
54. I Could Be Happy [Dance Mix]
55. See Those Eyes [Extended Mix]
56. Pinky Blue [Dance Mix]
57. Jump Jump/Think That It Might [Segued Dance Mix]
58. Don't Talk to Me About Love [Extended Dance Mix]
59. Bring Me Closer [Dance Mix]
60. Love to Stay [Dance Mix]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Altered Images   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Altered Images   Composer,Producer
Viki Vortex   Artwork
Tony Visconti   Producer
Martin Rushent   Producer
Marc Bolan   Composer
Steven Severin   Producer
Mark Brennan   Project Coordinator
Neil Diamond   Composer
Mike Chapman   Composer,Producer
James Bragg   Mastering
Daryl Smith   Artwork