Tom Verlaine’s Retrospective 4LP RSD Box Set Souvenir From A Dream Collects the First, and Quite Worthwhile, Phase of His Post-Television Solo Career

A brand new field set compiling the preliminary 4 solo album releases by tastemaking Television guitarist/vocalist Tom Verlaine is an in the end wondrous affair. I’ve fairly loved exploring this well timed 4LP assemblage from Rhino — titled Souvenir From a Dream: The Tom Verlaine Albums (1979-1984) — which celebrates Verlaine’s preliminary musical life past Television, his extremely influential CBGB-era alt-punk band.

Before we get to the techie stats for this new field set, I need to talk about the significance of getting all 4 of those albums — Tom Verlaine (1979), Dreamtime (1981), Words From the Front (1982), and Cover (1984) — collectively in a single place, When I first heard about Souvenir From a Dream, my thoughts instantly turned to the world of collectible classic vinyl albums (a universe I inhabit every day!). On the floor, it at all times felt like Verlaine’s early catalog from the Warner Communications period — i.e., his preliminary solo launch on Elektra, the label Television was on, after which his three ensuing Warner Bros. releases — have been roughly accessible for individuals who sought them out. But once I began actually contemplating the fact of the state of affairs, it grew to become fairly clear to me they’re really fairly scattered when it comes to availability.

A fast search on Discogs underscores this state of affairs. At the time of this posting, there have been simply 15 copies of Verlaine’s self-titled 1979 debut on the market within the U.S., with solely 5 of them listed in NM situation. The three different titles have comparable stock, with lower than ten copies every of Dreamtime, Words From the Front, and Cover respectively in comparable form.

Out within the wilds of amassing — whether or not it’s in bodily shops, flea markets, and/or storage gross sales — the Tom Verlaine LP doesn’t present up that a lot anymore. It used to, however clearly those that needed it acquired it, and now they’re clearly protecting it of their collections alongside these cherished Television albums. After all, that’s what I do (and so does AP editor Mike Mettler, for that matter).

Mostly, one comes throughout Words From the Front and typically Dreamtime too, however you hardly ever see Cover lately. The bottom-line takeaway is, placing forth good reissues for these albums was definitely so as — if not overdue — and the way candy is it to get them multi function typically fairly swell-sounding package deal as well.

Since we right here at AP admire figuring out all of the essential DNA particulars underlying any vinyl reissue, we reached out to the nice people at Rhino to glean extra perception past what we discovered within the liner notes in regards to the contents of Souvenir From a Dream. All 4 of those single LPs have been remastered by Chris Bellman with Bill Inglot at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, California, with the brand new vinyl lacquers reduce by Bellman instantly from the unique analog tapes. The albums have been manufactured at GZ within the Czech Republic, and every LP seems on crystal clear vinyl. The SRP for this 4LP field set is $99.99. It was initially launched on April 20, 2024, as a Record Store Day Exclusive, in a restricted run of two,300 copies. Currently, there isn’t a info as as to if future normal black vinyl editions of the Souvenir set will probably be made out there, or if the 4 albums is likely to be issued individually in some unspecified time in the future, so getting this field set is an efficient name, in our collective opinion — and you may test on its present availability proper right here.

The Souvenir field set additionally features a transient, four-page booklet stuffed with heartfelt recollections about Verlaine (who sadly handed away at age 73 in January 2023) from associates, collaborators, and all-around music icons akin to Lenny Kaye, Fred Smith, Steve Wynn, Mitch Easter, Cameron Crowe, The Edge of U2, and lots of others.

Of the music contained in Verlaine’s first 4 post-Television solo releases — which I admittedly hadn’t listened to in plenty of years — there are some fascinating particulars I’ve found whereas revisiting them for this overview. Firstly, I keep in mind the music on these records far more than I believed I did, and I genuinely prefer it rather more than I believed I would. (This latter level is essential for me personally, as I’m within the midst of a group downsizing, so these LPs will make the reduce and stay onboard.)

In truth, this overview is making me rethink which of the 4 albums is likely to be my favorites. After the debut solo album, traditionally, I’ve leaned in the direction of Words From the Front as my subsequent go-to Verlaine spin, however now I’m discovering Dreamtime to be an equally great hear. I’m even appreciating his ultimate Warner Bros. launch, Cover (its label designation now having been recast, as the opposite two even have, as Warner Records, as seen above), rather more than I’ve previously for its considerably experimental and musically looking out nature.

Overall, the brand new reissues contained in the Souvenir From a Dream field set are fairly stable. Album by album, the bodily labels aren’t fairly what I name “interval correct,” however these are minor aesthetic nits to select. For instance, the Elektra brand on the debut album ought to have been white print on the pink label, not black. Also, the quilt artwork for every LP shouldn’t be fairly as distinctive as my originals, regardless of the development being high-quality.

Souvenir From a Dream is in the end a well-intended, good-quality package deal that received’t break the financial institution for many collectors/listeners, in case you have a look at the $100 SRP breaking down as being $25 per every LP. What follows are a few of my ideas in regards to the music and sonics, album by album, together with specifics on how the brand new pressings examine to the originals.

Tom Verlaine, the artist’s eponymously titled solo launch from 1979 on Elektra, is extensively thought-about to be his finest, particularly when thought-about within the aftermath of the breakup of Television forward of it. It is straightforward to listen to this music as successfully one other Television album.

This LP comprises the unique model of Verlaine’s “Kingdom Come” (Side One, Track 3). which was lined by David Bowie on his September 1980 basic LP Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). one thing that, in some ways, additional — and firmly — solidified Verlaine’s legacy among the many elite royalty emanating from New York’s punk/various downtown underground music scene of that period.

This reissue of Tom Verlaine sounds actual good, and is maybe the closest general of the 4 to my authentic — perhaps even higher, really. This re-creation gave the impression to be mastered a bit extra quietly than my authentic urgent — which is a bit bit louder, and brighter — enabling a bit extra room for the musical dynamics inside to breathe. (Music: 8.5 / Sound: 8)

Dreamtime, Verlaine’s second solo album from July 1981 and his first underneath the Warner Bros. label umbrella, begins out on hearth with the lead observe “There’s a Reason,” which incorporates a few of his most ripping guitar work since Television. In truth, this album feels virtually extra like a aware try to reclaim among the guitar glory of these Television recordings, with tracks like “Penetration” (Side 1, Track 2) and “Always” (Side 1, Track 3).

Of the 4 reissues right here, that is the one I’m reassessing probably the most, and am having fun with with recent ears. As far as how the Dreamtime reissue sounds, I believe I like my barely hotter authentic copy higher than this model, which is a bit brighter, particularly obvious on the vocals. It shouldn’t be unhealthy; simply totally different. Once you get used to this sonic texture, it’s fairly satisfying. (Music: 8 / Sound: 7.5)

As I said earlier, on the subject of Words From the Front, I’ve at all times loved this June 1982 launch. Unfortunately, of the 4 LPs included in my copy of the Souvenir field set, that is the one one which had some urgent points by being off-center. It’s in all probability not that horrible a factor for a few of you, however off-center pressings are one in every of my greatest peeves within the vinyl-verse, because it makes the sound waver out and in of tune. Hopefully, it is a one-off anomaly, as AP editor Mike Mettler studies that his Souvenir field set’s copy of the Front LP is well-centered. (Whew!)

Like Dreamtime, the Front reissue sounds a bit brighter to my ears, however then the unique was brilliant to start with. The excellent news is, I can play these new editions pretty loudly, they usually don’t tax my ears. (Music: 8 / Sound: 7)

Verlaine’s final LP for Warner Bros., September 1984’s Cover, was probably the most elusive of those 4 for me to seek out on vinyl again within the day. In truth, I believe I’ll have had this one on CD initially, ultimately discovering a vinyl version on import years later. Cover can also be the one album that’s in all probability probably the most difficult to understand within the face of Verlaine’s earlier work.

Listening to Cover all these years therefore with 20/20 hindsight, it sounds comparatively recent and totally different. This is a two-edged sword, nevertheless, leading to it not sounding totally timeless, and thus presumably the one which has aged the poorest. Cover, in its embrace of manufacturing textures of the interval, feels very very like a product of the mid-Nineteen Eighties timeframe, wherein it was created replete with gated snare sounds, then-popular synthesizer textures, and even early digital sampling efforts.

Like a lot of Verlaine’s albums, Cover begins strongly with the opening observe, “Five Miles of You.” It rapidly turns further angular, hinting at new instructions on the funky-freaky “Traveling” (Side 1, Track 2), which feels kind of like a nod of approval in the direction of Thomas Dolby’s 1982 mega-hit “She Blinded Me With Science” through The Clash’s same-year “Rock the Casbah,” with funky bass and a few badass skronk guitar laid over it.

Actually, “Dissolve/Reveal” (Side 2, Track 1) pre-echoes the early sampled-sound aesthetic of Mick Jones’ post-Clash band Big Audio Dynamite (whose debut LP This Is Big Audio Dynamite was issued a 12 months later in September 1985). Verlaine’s guitar signature jogs my memory at instances of at least Mike Oldfield’s turn-of-the-decade work, akin to what’s heard on his October 1980 album, QE2. There is a lovely solo tucked away in right here! Cover is a grower of a hear for positive, particularly for these of us who have been aching for Verlaine to create one other Marquee Moon — nevertheless it’s positively a keeper.

The new Cover remaster feels rather more open than the unique, which is an efficient factor. It nonetheless sounds very Eighties, however there’s a higher sense of separation and detailing obvious. The recording leans brilliant, however that isn’t the main focus. Compared to the unique, the sound is shut, however maybe a bit extra reigned in, comparatively talking. The soundstage on some tracks on the unique sound a wee bit extra open than the brand new version. Some sibilance seems on sure tracks like “O Foolish Heart” (Side 1, Track 3) on my copy, nevertheless. But that is all relative trivia, in the end. (Music: 7 / Sound: 7)

Cumulatively ranking a field set like Tom Verlaine’s Souvenir From a Dream as an overarching listening expertise is a tough activity, given the variety of music on it and contemplating Verlaine’s Seventies legacy with Television — particularly given the superb Rhino High Fidelity collection reissue of their magnificent, aforementioned February 1977 debut LP Marquee Moon, which I reviewed again on February 9, 2024, proper right here.

That stated, we give Tom Verlaine’s Souvenir From a Dream field set an general 7.5 for Sound, and an 8 for Music. (Individual rankings observe every respective LP overview above.) Some albums are higher than the others, particularly the primary one. Each have strengths and weaknesses so far as the sonic enjoyment issue goes. But if you wish to get model new, freshly minted, and remastered copies of Tom Verlaine’s first 4 solo albums in a single place for just below 100 bucks (or $25 per LP), then the Souvenir From a Dream RSD field set is a reasonably stable solution to go.

Mark Smotroff is an avid vinyl collector who has additionally labored in advertising communications for many years. He has reviewed music for AudiophileReview.com, amongst others, and you may see extra of his spectacular C.V. at LinkedIn.

TOM VERLAINE

SOUVENIR FROM A DREAM:

THE TOM VERLAINE ALBUMS (1979-1984)

4LP (Rhino)

TOM VERLAINE

(1979, Elektra)

Side One

1. The Grip Of Love

2. Souvenir From A Dream

3. Kingdom Come

4. Mr. Bingo

5. Yonki Time

Side Two

1. Flash Lightning

2. Red Leaves

3. Last Night

4. Breakin’ My Heart

DREAMTIME

(1981, Warner Records)

Side 1

1. There’s A Reason

2. Penetration

3. Always

4. The Blue Robe

5. Without A Word

Side 2

1. Mr. Blur

2. Fragile

3, A Future In Noise

4. Down On The Farm

5. Mary Marie

WORDS FROM THE FRONT

(1982, Warner Records)

Side 1

1. Present Arrived

2. Postcard From Waterloo

3. True Story

4. Clear It Away

Side 2

1. Words From The Front

2. Coming Apart

3. Days On The Mountain

COVER

(1984, Warner Records)

Side 1

1. Five Miles Of You

2. Travelling

3. O Foolish Heart

4. Lindi-Lu

5. Let’s Go To The Mansion

Side 2

1. Dissolve/Reveal

2. Miss Emily

3. Rotation

4. Swim