When is the Volcano Suns' Bright Orange Years going to be released on CD?

"Me: What's going on with those first two out-of-print Volcano Suns records? You had told me before that My Pal God was looking to reissue them. Is that happening?

Peter: Jeff lived in Belgium for like 10 or 12 years. He called me a few weeks ago, so we're in touch. It's not impossible. Jon [Solomon, My Pal God Records] wants to put them out, so that may very well happen."

These records are so much better than the rest of the Suns' catalog it's ridiculous-- "Jak", "Balancing Act" and "White Elephant" give MoB a run for their money. I seriously doubt they'll get this together any time soon, which is foolish since the MoB reunion hype is still fresh in people's minds. I can't believe it didn't happen as a result of all that...a shame.

Press Release: Merge preps Volcano Suns' reissues for January release

Volcano Suns’ first two records on CD for the first time on January 27, 2009.

Volcano Suns were founded in Boston in 1983 by former Mission of Burma drummer Peter Prescott. In 1985, the band, with Jon Williams on guitar and Jeff Weigand on bass, released their debut album, The Bright Orange Years, and followed it up a year later with another classic, All Night Lotus Party. Both albums were originally released on Homestead Records but have never been available on CD.

The Bright Orange Years is so chockful of catchy songs that it could be any other band's greatest hits album. The opening track, "Jak", is an addictive head-nodder from its opening bassline to its chiming chords and lyrics. By contrast, All Night Lotus Party is a heavier and darker record, with more distorted guitars and bass-heavy production.

Merge will make both albums available on CD for the first time on January 27, 2009, with reissues remastered by Bob Weston and featuring loads of bonus tracks including radio sessions and other rarities.

Nice. I was pumped when I visited Amoeba in LA this summer and got The Bright Orange Years for 3 bucks, but it's certainly worthy of a CD release.

Ha, just started talking about these guys on the Volcano! thread. Will look out for these, I don't hugely rate the VS albums I do have (both SST ones)

These 2 albums are great, I only have All Night Lotus Party on vinyl so I'll be getting the Bright Orange Years one.

I picked up Career In Rock cheap the other day but haven't listened to it yet. Got Farced in a 99c store in LA! That's a bit weaker than the 1st 2. Never heard Bumper Crop or Thing Of Beauty.

Wonder why Merge aren't reissuing Bumper Crop as well, since that was on Homestead same as these 2.

Bumper Crop is way better than either of the SST ones, but Thing of Beauty does have a couple of nice songs on it. The contents of Farced I have totally blanked from my mind, don't think it was up to much.

Anyone pick up the Big Dipper reissue thing that Merge did? Was pretty smitten by the first two albums at the time, wondered how they held up now...

I got it! The first album & EP are awesome, Craps less so, and the demos on the 3rd disc are pretty great as well.

i bought bright orange years when it came out and i only really liked the song "jak" at the time. i'd probably like more of it now. i always loved the cover though.

with Jon Williams on guitar

Man that guy is everywhere.

Anyone pick up the Big Dipper reissue thing that Merge did?

Yup, pretty great.

This is great news! I asked Prescott the topic question six years ago, and he said that Homestead had been great when Gerard was there, but that the guys who owned it after claimed the Suns owed the label thousands that would have to be repaid before they'd even consider licensing reissue rights to anyone.

Wonder why Merge aren't reissuing Bumper Crop as well, since that was on Homestead same as these 2.

Maybe because Bumper Crop had a legit CD issue at the time, but the first two never did, and/orr because the first two are much better.

As for Big Dipper: the reissue is worth having even if you still have the old records because it includes a massive song called Missing Time that is equally the peer of their classic works.

Man that guy is everywhere.

That makes sense: Prescott throws him outta the Suns for whatever reason; and years later, he decides to stomp a few sour grapes by starting this thread.