Toy Box The Stiff Years 1978-1983

Lene Lovich Toy Box is a 4CD box set compiling everything Lene Lovich released for Stiff Records between 1978 and 1983 for the first time. There are 81 tracks in total, with over 20 tracks making their debut on CD, including B-sides, early versions, and 12-inch versions. The album has been freshly mastered, and includes sleeve notes from Scott Davies and Michael Robson, along with extensive words from ‘the first lady of Stiff’ herself.

With a striking appearance and sound to match, Lene Lovich arrived at Stiff Records in the summer of 1978, surfing the new wave and the subsequent ‘Be Stiff’ UK tour. Travelling by train together with labelmates Mickey Jupp, Jona Lewie, Rachel Sweet, and Wreckless Eric, Lene proved to be the hit of the tour, both on record and on stage, and so began a productive five-year spell with the label.

Stateless (Original Mix) is the debut album released in October 1978 to coincide with the ‘Be Stiff’ tour. Including songs like ‘Lucky Number’, ‘Say When’, and a gloriously retro cover of Tommy James and The Shondells hit, ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’. Bonus tracks include various versions of ‘Lucky Number’ in development, together with a Japanese version of ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’.

Stateless (US/UK Remix) was released in 1979 to accompany a remixed ‘Lucky Number’ and became a surprise Top 3 UK hit. The remix includes the familiar ‘Lucky Number’ and ‘Say When’ hit versions. Bonus tracks include several live recordings from Lene’s UK and USA tours in early 1980.

Flex was the eagerly awaited follow-up to Stateless released at the dawning of the 80s. It features singles like ‘Bird Song’, ‘Angels’, and ‘What Will I Do Without You’, along with an inspired cover of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ Northern Soul favorite, ‘The Night’. Bonus tracks include the dancefloor-friendly ‘New Toy’ penned by keyboard wunderkind Thomas Dolby.

No Man’s Land is Lene’s final album for Stiff Records in 1982, featuring her definitive version of Dutch band The Meteors’ ‘It’s You, Only You (Mein Schmerz)’. Bonus tracks include the original Sanremo Music Festival single version of ‘Blue Hotel’ and a plethora of UK and US dance remixes maintaining Lene’s cult status, particularly in the States.