{"product_id":"a-better-life-complete-creations-1983-1991","title":"A Better Life - Complete Creations 1983-1991","description":"\u003cp\u003eA deluxe six-CD box, boasting the entire recorded output of \u003cstrong\u003eBiff Bang Pow!\u003c\/strong\u003e with the bonus of everything issued by \u003cem\u003eThe Laughing Apple\u003c\/em\u003e. Curated with the full support of \u003cstrong\u003eAlan McGee\u003c\/strong\u003e and other band members, the clamshell set also adds a raft of previously unissued demos and live material. Plus tracks from an abandoned album, \u003cem\u003eSixteen Velvet Fridays\u003c\/em\u003e and a handful of previously undocumented songs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd a \u003cem\u003eLaughing Apple\u003c\/em\u003e CD also adds some hitherto unheard demos by \u003cstrong\u003eAlan\u003c\/strong\u003e with the band \u003cem\u003eNewspeak\u003c\/em\u003e (pre-\u003cem\u003eLaughing Apple\u003c\/em\u003e). With sleevenotes including quotes from those involved, this is the ultimate tribute to one of the unsung talents of the C86 generation of indie bands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiff Bang Pow!\u003c\/strong\u003e were formed by \u003cstrong\u003eAlan McGee\u003c\/strong\u003e around the same time he founded Creation Records in 1983. Having evolved out of post-punk band \u003cem\u003eThe Laughing Apple\u003c\/em\u003e, which he’d started in 1980 with friend \u003cstrong\u003eAndrew Innes\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eBiff Bang Pow!\u003c\/strong\u003e made seven albums and a handful of singles – many of which were indie hits – before they finally dissolved in 1992.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo many fans of Creation Records, \u003cstrong\u003eBiff Bang Pow!\u003c\/strong\u003e were the label’s best-kept secret, fusing ‘60s psychedelia and power pop with beautiful, haunting melodies. Their early sound seemed to reinvent The Jam circa 1980, with a pop art approach reminiscent of the ‘60s band from whom they took their name, The Creation (who recorded the song ‘Biff Bang Pow!’).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlbums two and three, \u003cem\u003eThe Girl Who Runs The Beat Hotel\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eOblivion\u003c\/em\u003e, captured \u003cstrong\u003eBiff Bang Pow!\u003c\/strong\u003e at their peak, from the former’s tranquil, ‘60s pop tunes (often with \u003cstrong\u003eChristine Wanless\u003c\/strong\u003e singing) to the latter’s power pop swagger. Later records adopted an increasingly acoustic bent, essentially solo outlets for \u003cstrong\u003eMcGee\u003c\/strong\u003e, after his discovery of ecstasy, when he was listening to \u003cstrong\u003eNeil Young\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eNick Drake\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cherry Red","offers":[{"title":"CD | x6","offer_id":50452266385739,"sku":"1147820","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b24bf05b-0fea-4db6-98ce-e64fbe04b303_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727146021","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/products\/a-better-life-complete-creations-1983-1991","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}