Description
//Sacred Bones Records//
£34.99 – 2xLP, Limited Deluxe Remastered “Ice Blue” Vinyl with Bonus Tracks
£22.99 – 1xLP, Magenta Coloured Vinyl
£22.99 – 1xLP, Standard Edition Vinyl
Alan Vega’s self-titled debut solo album was released in 1980 during the same period that Suicide released their second album, Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev.
While Suicide’s label ZE Records, was interested in pushing the duo toward a synthetic disco sound inspired by Moroder’s production on Donna Summer’s“I Feel Love, ”Vega felt a pull in a different direction. He wanted to dig deeper into the roots of his own sonic identity, fueled by blues, rockabilly, early rock n roll, and his enduring love for Elvis Presley. Filling the gaps between recording with Suicide, and fleshing out the songs he was writing on his own, Vega started creating his first record and performing live to develop this sound.
As with his visual art, Vega layered sound in a minimalist, dynamic and intentional way. The result was a fiercely singular album built from raw materials and deeply rooted in Vega’s artistic vision. Tracks like the classic anthem “Jukebox Babe” with its jiving rhythm and minimalist swagger, captured that approach completely and went on to become a hit in France. “Kung Foo Cowboy” takes on a southern twist, strongly leaning into the blues, while the golden pop shine of“Ice Drummer” rings in melodic yet plaintive vocals, marching drums and a tasteful harmonica solo. “Bye Bye Bayou” is a haunted slice of mutant rockabilly that fuses 50s rock with Vega’s eccentric performance style and was later reimagined in the 2009 cover by LCD Soundsystem, introducingVega’s solo work to a new generation. Similarly, The Flaming Lips’ cover of “Ice Drummer” paid homage to Vega’s outsider spirit
Now remastered by Josh Bonati from the original tapes, Alan Vega has been faithfully reissued by Sacred Bones Records, preserving the raw intensity of Vega’s original recordings while making them newly accessible to listeners around the world. Alan Vega is more than a solo debut, it’s a declaration of artistic independence and freedom from one of New York’s most influential and uncompromising artists. Stripped of Suicide’s intense electronics yet retaining Vega’s outsider energy and edge, the album translates early rock ‘n roll through an art-punk filter that stands the test of time as a cult masterpiece in its own right.
The definitive deluxe reissue pairs the newly remastered original album with a second disc of previously unheard early demos, offering a rare glimpse into the raw creative process behind this cult classic, and alternate artwork exclusive to this pressing. Alan Vega (Deluxe Remastered Edition) is a companion piece that sheds new light on Vega’s process and vision during this pivotal era, making it a must-have for collectors and longtime fans.
Tracklisting:
1. Jukebox Babe (4:48)
2. Kung Foo Cowboy (3:25)
3. Fireball (3:54)
4. Love Cry (4:49)
5. Speedway (2:32)
6. Ice Drummer (4:26)
7. Bye Bye Bayou (8:41)
8. Lonely (2:46)
Deluxe Editions
9. Ice Drummer (Demo) (2:53)
10. Fireball (Demo) (3:55)
11. Speedway (Demo) (2:46)
12. Love Cry (Demo) (4:40)
13. Kung Foo Cowboy
14. (Demo) (3:31)
15. Lonely (Demo) 4:08
16. Bye Bye Bayou (Demo) 8:50
