{"title":"The Blue Orchids","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"mystic-bud","title":"Mystic Bud","description":"\u003cp\u003ean all new studio album from cult outfit the blue orchids recorded in 2003. it features 9 superb new martin bramah penned songs plus a narcoleptic cover of archie's classic 'sugar sugar'. it's casual, intimate, west coast sounding and natural. cd only on ltm.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50436787732811,"sku":"186536","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b8a6f0a0-2e59-4b53-94a1-1b5f60dbf641_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726921719"},{"product_id":"unholy-soul-and-singles","title":"Unholy Soul and Singles","description":"\u003cp\u003ethe second of three cd album re-issues by acclaimed glasgow band the orchids, who recorded for cult label sarah between 1987 and 1994. formed in 1987, this prolific yet overlooked five-piece recorded a string of singles for sarah as well as three excellent albums. often compared to similarly cerebral pop operators such as felt, aztec camera and primal scream, the band split in 1995 at the height of their powers. almost all of their records were produced by ian carmichael of one dove. newly remastered for cd, 'unholy soul and singles' (from 1991) runs for 70 minutes and includes nine bonus tracks as well as liner notes by alistair fitchett. stand-out tracks on 'unholy soul' include 'dirty clothing', 'bringing you the love', 'the sadness of sex pt 1' and the should-have-been single 'peaches'. among the pick of the bonus cuts are the singles 'something for the longing' and 'bemused, confused and bedraggled'. on ltm\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50436968776011,"sku":"258629","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/c50b2183-7187-407c-93a5-cbfc285fd0b2_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726923993"},{"product_id":"dreaming-kind","title":"Dreaming Kind","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe long-awaited new album from the best pop band in Scotland. The Orchids were making sophisticated pop music right back in the early 1990s when Sarah Records first started. Their songs were as emotionally pure as anything else on that label, but they were always a step ahead of their peers in terms of song arrangements and musical ambition. With a casual, unpretentious air they made writing perfect pop songs seem easy, almost accidental, and several great releases followed. The Orchids gained a passionate following: people knew a good thing when they heard it and they hugged it close. But maybe now it’s time for the rest of the world to be let in on the secret.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe songs themselves are a beautiful mix of strength and gentleness. They wrap you in a powerful embrace, making you feel comfortable and secure – and then whisper their insecurities and anxieties into your ear. They say: ‘it’s OK to admit weakness. It’s OK to be fragile. That’s where true strength comes from’. From Glasgow, and proudly Scottish, the band shares a musical lineage with other great groups from that city, from Aztec Camera to Orange Juice, Lloyd Cole to Teenage Fanclub - bands that specialise in song-writing that can tell big stories through small personal fragments, that can make the ordinary extraordinary. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIan Carmichael has helped the band create a perfectly produced masterpiece. He subtly accentuates the drama of the songs, with a sophisticated choreography and gloss that never overwhelms the tenderness of the music. In ‘This Boy Is A Mess’ (the first single from the album), the lyric confesses frailty while the arrangement gets stronger and stronger. It is bittersweet and exhilarating at the same time. ‘I Want You, I Need You’ has harmonies as big as a house – but the yearning message remains intimate and close. ‘I Don’t Mean To Stare’ is an elegant version of the song that first appeared on Skep Wax compilation Under The Bridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlbum opener ‘Didn’t We Love You’ daringly opens up empty spaces where the reverb of the drums is the only thing you can hear... and then floods your ears with a harmonised chorus, sweet guitar melodies and sweeping effects. Even then, the lyrical lament, expressing the desire to live in a better place - a place unspoilt by the greedy phonies who’ve taken over – comes across as clearly as if Hackett were leaning over for a friendly chat in the snug bar of The Orchids’ favourite Glasgow pub.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Skep Wax Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50470794887499,"sku":"1157641","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50470795182411,"sku":"1157639","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/426aa6fe-d4a3-4c02-aa3f-28df302b20b6_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727382963"},{"product_id":"john-peel-session-080590","title":"John Peel Session 08.05.90","description":"\u003cp\u003eNever before released on vinyl, this is the Sarah Records’ legends at their finest on their debut session for John Peel in 1990. The four songs here include a cracking version of live favourite ‘Caveman’ (better than the \u003ci\u003eLyceum\u003c\/i\u003e mini-LP version, how the band wanted it!) and two others destined to end up on their \u003ci\u003eUnholy Soul\u003c\/i\u003e album – plus one song never properly released at all. Precious package also features a set of six postcards with unseen pics from studio and tour and download codes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Precious Recordings of London","offers":[{"title":"10\"","offer_id":50486747365707,"sku":"2005789","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0-2_eaa93180_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727614825"},{"product_id":"skull-jam","title":"Skull Jam","description":"\u003cp\u003eHot on the heels of their recent album, \u003ci\u003eThe Once And Future Thing\u003c\/i\u003e, Blue Orchids are back with a surprising new 10\" EP with Download and an ongoing tour with the mighty Nightingales. This is their first EP in over twenty years and it spans every aspect of the band's sound and ideas. The title track, \u003ci\u003eSkull Jam\u003c\/i\u003e is a short slice of pop-noise which harkens back to the off-kilter scree of early songs like \u003ci\u003eDisney Boys\u003c\/i\u003e. Their 1982 debut album had an embryonic recording of \u003ci\u003eHanging Man\u003c\/i\u003e, constantly revised through the years, including a nascent Brit-pop styled take performed with Craig Gannon of The Smith for Snub TV. This new version was recorded as a warm-up during the recording of their last album and mirrors recent live renditions, with a meteoric motorik vibe that the original never hinted at. Originally scheduled as the a-side and b-side of a 7\" single, no one was happy with the necessity of editing \u003ci\u003eHanging Man\u003c\/i\u003e down from its seven-minute length to meet the demands of the running time for a single, hence the decision to expand the single to an EP and include the song in its full glory. \u003ci\u003eThe Devil's Answer\u003c\/i\u003e was a hit for Atomic Rooster back in the early '70s, and its inclusion here proves that Martin Bramah and crew can imprint their sound and vision even on the least likely tunes! But for many, the plum is \u003ci\u003eWork Before The Moon Falls\u003c\/i\u003e. Written shortly before Bramah's original departure from The Fall, its lyrics were held back by Mark E Smith for a different tune, which became a standout track on the second Fall album, \u003ci\u003eDragnet\u003c\/i\u003e. The music, written entirely by Bramah, was given new words and released as the Blue Orchids' second single, \u003ci\u003eWork\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003ci\u003eWork Before The Moon Falls\u003c\/i\u003e provides a hint of how The Fall might have sounded if Bramah had remained for their second album - much of which, uncredited (of course!) had music written by Bramah.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiny Global Productions","offers":[{"title":"10\"","offer_id":50495429542219,"sku":"1007556","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/718ddcb9-b7f3-42cc-a2f9-8059ce2503d2_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727711211"},{"product_id":"bomb-manchester-bomb-hamburg","title":"Bomb Manchester! \/ Bomb Hamburg!","description":"\u003cp\u003eLtd edition - only 300 copies worldwide. This double CD contains two complete live shows, the first from the band’s home city of Manchester in 1981, as they prepared for the debut album, \u003ci\u003eThe Greatest Hit (Money Mountain)\u003c\/i\u003e and had just come off a tour with Echo \u0026amp; the Bunnymen and series of live shows as the backing band for Nico. The second disc contains a 1985 live set from Hamburg, with an almost entirely different selection of songs, including some intended for a never-recorded follow-up to their first album. Both of these live shows were heavily bootlegged, largely due to the relative scarcity of live recordings from the band, who never bothered to record any of their own shows and tended to take a dim view of those who did! Throughout the years, fans have asked for these recordings to be made more widely available, so the band brought them into the studio to clean them up a bit, improving the sound and editing out some extraneous noise. Richard Trubridge, who produced the new Blue Orchids album, \u003ci\u003eThe Once And Future Thing\u003c\/i\u003e, mastered the first disc, and Stuart Moxham (of Young Marble Giants and The Gist) did some reworking and mastering the second. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiny Global Productions","offers":[{"title":"CD | x2","offer_id":50495528075595,"sku":"1003960","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d6011c5f-5ce4-48e3-91a1-a89e8e3d4235_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727712134"},{"product_id":"righteous-harmony-fist","title":"Righteous Harmony Fist","description":"\u003cp\u003eMartin Bramah and bandmates have never been prolific, with albums appearing sparingly; \u003ci\u003eRighteous Harmony Fist\u003c\/i\u003e is a surprise on the heels of \u003ci\u003eThe Once And Future Thing\u003c\/i\u003e and Factory Star’s \u003ci\u003eEnter Castle Perilous \u003c\/i\u003e. . . and they’ll soon return to the studio to record yet another. Blue Orchids are still compared to The Fall; Bramah was the Fall’s first guitarist and songwriter, and Blue Orchids continued exploring ideas behind The Fall’s \u003ci\u003eLive At The Witch Trials\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiny Global Productions","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50498023260491,"sku":"1045863","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50498023293259,"sku":"1045862","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/9f7b849c-a4d9-4ee2-b50c-b53bd0cc33f0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727737033"},{"product_id":"the-once-and-future-thing","title":"The Once And Future Thing","description":"\u003cp\u003eHaving reunited three years ago after being asked to play All Tomorrow’s Parties by their fans in Deerhunter, Blue Orchids are back with their first full-band album since - believe it or not - their 1982 debut album, \u003ci\u003eThe Greatest Hit (Money Mountain)\u003c\/i\u003e released by Rough Trade UK, which sold nearly 25,000 copies and led to covers of its songs by Slovenly, Aztec Camera, Fish and Roses, Camper Van Beethoven, The Dustdevils, Crystal Stilts and many others. An incredible eight of its ten songs were covered by well-known bands. Blue Orchids began in 1980 after three former members of The Fall reunited, including The Fall’s founding guitarist Martin Bramah, as well as their first keyboard player, Una Baines. A deal with Rough Trade shortly followed, resulting in two 7” singles, a spot on NME’s \u003ci\u003eC81\u003c\/i\u003e cassette compilation of post-punk luminaries, the aforementioned \u003ci\u003eThe Greatest Hit (Money Mountain)\u003c\/i\u003e album, and its follow-up 12” EP, \u003ci\u003eAgents Of Change\u003c\/i\u003e. Following Una’s nervous breakdown and a tumultuous two years spent backing up Nico (of Velvet Underground fame), the band went on hold. Despite later line-ups featuring members of Primal Scream, The Smiths, James and other big names, no follow-up albums were issued in their day. Martin was asked to become lead singer of Inspiral Carpets, passed on that, rejoined The Fall for their biggest-selling album, \u003ci\u003eExtricate\u003c\/i\u003e, and retired from music for a few years. The vinyl album comes with a download card featuring an extra track, the compact disc includes that extra track, which was omitted from the vinyl due to issues with running time. This album is released in tandem with Martin Bramah’s ‘lost’ solo album, \u003ci\u003eThe Battle Of Twisted Heel\u003c\/i\u003e and a compilation of Blue Orchids’ non-album material for Rough Trade, \u003ci\u003eAwefull\u003c\/i\u003e, which rounds up two 7” singles, a 12” EP and some unreleased songs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tiny Global Productions","offers":[{"title":"Orange LPx2","offer_id":50516326351179,"sku":"1000584","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/14ae6b90-0ff3-434d-b520-d04a0c37a2fd_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727941454"},{"product_id":"john-peel-session-090494","title":"John Peel Session 09.04.94","description":"\u003cp\u003eNow you’re gonna want this – more unreleased Orchids material! This is the enigmatic Scottish five-piece’s second session for John Peel, four years after the first, by which time they’d started phoning in football reports to the legendary DJ. Two of these songs were never released at the time, though one came out as a demo about 25 years later (the shoulda-been-single ‘Patience Is Mine’) – and the other two were very different on \u003ci\u003eStriving For The Lazy Perfection\u003c\/i\u003e. Package also features a set of six postcards with unseen pics from their famous session at Toad Hall Studios in Glasgow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Precious Recordings of London","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50521726353739,"sku":"2005790","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0-1_8e6d72b1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727994351"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/the-blue-orchids.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}