{"title":"The Associates","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"sulk-40th-anniversary-edition","title":"Sulk (40th Anniversary Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFormed in Dundee, Scotland in 1979, The Associates were comprised of vocalist Billy Mackenzie and multi-instrumentalist Alan Rankine. Built on an eclectic mix of influences and interests ranging from art rock to glam and disco, the duo found early success with their debut record \u003ci\u003eThe Affectionate Punch\u003c\/i\u003e in 1981. Their second studio album \u003ci\u003eSulk\u003c\/i\u003e, released in 1982, was the group's definitive statement, a fascinating blend of lush, New Romantic popcraft and dark, surreal cabaret stylings. Upon its release, the album was voted the album of the year by Melody Maker.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e3CD - This limited edition 40th Anniversary Bookpack celebrates\u003ci\u003e Sulk\u003c\/i\u003e with the original album remastered on 140g Blue Vinyl and 3CDs featuring the original album, out-takes, monitor mixes, rarities, Peel sessions plus a previously unheard live show from Gigant in the Netherlands from 1981. The 12” Bookpack also features exclusive sleevenotes from journalist Simon Reynolds with interviews from Alan Rankine, Michael Dempsey, Mike Hedges and Martha Ludley plus previously unseen photography by Derek Reid, Tom Sheehan and Eveline Dröge.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BMG","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50446226260299,"sku":"1149611","price":59.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50446226817355,"sku":"1149610","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/23e48701-4167-490b-a62e-e527448626fc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727054991"},{"product_id":"perhaps-expanded-edition","title":"Perhaps (Expanded Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003e35 years after its original release comes this 2 CD digipak edition of the band’s third studio album \u003cem\u003ePerhaps\u003c\/em\u003e plus related bonus tracks. The Associates were leading lights of the New Pop movement from the early 1980’s. Hailing from Dundee on the east coast of Scotland, the band signed to Fiction Records before spells working with and recording for both Situation Two and WEA Records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally released in February 1985 after exhaustive recording sessions, \u003cstrong\u003eBilly Mackenzie\u003c\/strong\u003e finally followed up the 1982 Associates album \u003cem\u003eSulk\u003c\/em\u003e with this 10 track offering. The album was a long time in the making and featured four different producers, Heaven 17’s Martyn Ware, Martin Rushent, Dave Allen and Greg Walsh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDisc One features the 10 original album tracks plus four instrumentals that were included on the original cassette release of the album. These bonus tracks are appearing on CD for the first time. Disc Two features all the related bonus tracks for which master tapes still exist. This includes the extended versions of singles \"\u003cem\u003eThose First Impressions\u003c\/em\u003e,\" \"\u003cem\u003eWaiting For The Loveboat\u003c\/em\u003e\" and \"\u003cem\u003eTake Me To The Girl\u003c\/em\u003e,\" plus single versions of \"\u003cem\u003eWaiting For The Loveboat\u003c\/em\u003e,\" \"\u003cem\u003eBreakfast\u003c\/em\u003e\" and \"\u003cem\u003eTake Me To The Girl\u003c\/em\u003e.\" Other tracks include 7” and 12” b-sides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHoused in a digipak containing a 20 page booklet, a UK discography and extensive sleeve-notes written by Andy Davis.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cherry Red","offers":[{"title":"CDx2","offer_id":50455103537483,"sku":"1081719","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/793b3591-dacb-4db7-adb1-c5c0984f8453_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727188263"},{"product_id":"fourth-drawer-down","title":"Fourth Drawer Down","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eFourth Drawer Down\u003c\/i\u003e\n is a compilation album by the Scottish post-punk and new wave band the \nAssociates, released in October 1981. It compiles the A- and B-sides \nfrom the six singles the band released that year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe songs that appeared on \u003ci\u003eFourth Drawer Down\u003c\/i\u003e had a notably darker and more experimental edge than their debut studio album \u003ci\u003eThe Affectionate Punch\u003c\/i\u003e.\n The album was well received by music critics, with reviewers commenting\n on the band's increased experimentalism. Alastair McKay of Uncut called\n \u003ci\u003eFourth Drawer Down\u003c\/i\u003e \"an extraordinary document on which the sense\n of mystery deepens, and the commitment to sonic experiment becomes more\n pronounced.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Music On Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"Blue LP","offer_id":50474072736075,"sku":"2208892","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Fourth_Drawer_Down_d335aa9e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727433505"},{"product_id":"covers-1","title":"Covers","description":"\u003cp\u003eAhead of the 40th Anniversary of ‘Sulk’, this brand new Associates covers collection, collated by Michael Dempsey, ranges from David Bowie's 'Boys Keep Swinging', Diana Ross' 'Love Hangover' and rare single 'Kites'. Brand new artwork, designed by Philip Marshall on 140g Clear Vinyl.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BMG","offers":[{"title":"Clear 12\"","offer_id":50522978550091,"sku":"1145633","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b9d6b5d9-5bac-4ab8-a94b-0b0d5074f45c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728016394"},{"product_id":"affectionate-punch","title":"Affectionate Punch","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Affectionate Punch\u003c\/i\u003e is the debut studio album by the Scottish post-punk and new wave band the Associates. The album was released on 1 August 1980. From the album “The Affectionate Punch” and “A” were released as singles. Upon its release, \u003ci\u003eThe Affectionate Punch\u003c\/i\u003e was declared “a kind of masterpiece” by Paul Morley of the NME, who described it as “a passionate cabaret soul music, a fulfilment of the European white dance music Bowie was flirting with back then.” None other than Robert Smith (the Cure) can be heard doing backing vocals on “The Affectionate Punch” and “Even Dogs in the Wild”. Nigel Glockler (Saxon) is the drummer on this album.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Music On Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"Turquoise LP","offer_id":50840290492747,"sku":"2227047","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/The_Affectionate_Punch_9387e9bc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1731649964"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/the-associates.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}