GENE celebrate 25 years since the band’s debut album with ‘The Albums’ box set

GENE celebrate 25 years since the band's debut album with 'The Albums' box set

On 14th August, Demon Records will release a Deluxe Edition vinyl box set collecting for the first all the studio albums of the much loved and respected Nineties’ band Gene. The Albums box set features all four of the band’s studio albums: Olympian, Drawn To The Deep End, Revelations, and Libertine on different coloured 180g heavyweight vinyl.

Inspired by the songs of The Smiths, The Jam and The Faces, Martin Rossiter’s literate vocals and Steve Mason’s fluid guitar lines were perfectly complemented by the intuitive rhythm section of Kevin Miles and Matt James.

In May 1994, after signing to the Costermonger label, which journalists Keith Cameron and Roy Wilkinson founded specifically to release Gene’s songs, the double A-side ‘For The Dead’ / ‘Child’s Body’ was released. The single was named ‘Single of The Month’ in Select magazine and ‘Single of The Week’ in NME.

Further Single of The Weeks followed for Gene’s second single (a triple A-side consisting of ‘Be My Light Be My Guide’, ‘This Is Not My Crime’ and ‘I Can’t Help Myself’). This coincided with the band’s rapid ascent, which saw them acclaimed for their impassioned live performances; winning Best New Act at the NME’s annual Brat Awards; adorning the covers of both NME and Melody Maker, and following singles ‘Sleep Well Tonight’ and ‘Haunted By You’ both entering the Top 40 Singles Chart.

In spring 1995 the band released their much-anticipated debut album Olympian. Charting at number 8 in the UK (with the title track entering the Top 20), it was both a commercial and critical success, receiving across the board acclaim.

After further winning plaudits for their live shows and extensive touring, in 1997 the band released their second album, Drawn To The Deep End (their first album for Polydor). Another Top 10 album, it was also another critical success with Q Magazine awarding it four stars. The same month the band played with a full orchestra to a sell-out audience at the Royal Albert Hall. Transmitted on Radio 1, the event was commemorated by the release of two live EPs in tandem with the last two singles from Drawn to the Deep End.

This was followed in 1999 by Revelations. Recorded in under a month to capture the energy of their live shows, the album was a much rockier affair than it’s predecessor and featured several tracks that were highly critical of New Labour. The band toured the album to rapturous response, selling out many venues as well as making a successful appearance at Reading Festival.

After parting ways with label Polydor, Gene spent 2000 touring the world and playing a sell-out US tour. The band then released two new songs – ‘Rising For Sunset’ and ‘Somewhere in the World’ – both which were featured on their final album, 2001’s Libertine. Released on their own Sub Rosa Records label, it was to be the last studio recordings of a much loved and still widely regarded indie band of the era.

The Albums Deluxe Edition box set features 8LPs, including the B-sides, and live compilation To See The Lights, housed in a rigid vinyl box. Comprising of four studio albums, each album is presented with original artwork and printed inner sleeves. Pressed on 180g heavyweight coloured vinyl: Olympian (180g White Vinyl), Drawn to the Deep End (180g Maroon Vinyl), Revelations (180g Green Vinyl), Libertine (180g Pink Vinyl), and To See The Lights (180g Gold Vinyl). Includes a booklet with written notes by the band and a piece by journalist Keith Cameron, who signed the band to his Costermonger label in 1994. All five of these albums are sought after and have not been made available for some time.

Gene

http://smarturl.it/Gene_The_Albums

The Albums – Vinyl tracklists:

Olympian

Side A 

  1. Haunted By You
  2. Your Love, It Lies
  3. Truth, Rest Your Head
  4. A Car That Sped
  5. Left-HandedSide B 
  1. London Can You Wait?
  2. To The City
  3. Still Can’t Find The Phone
  4. Sleep Well Tonight
  5. Olympian
  6. We’ll Find Our Own Way

 

To See The Lights

Side A

  1. Be My Light, Be My Guide
  2. Sick, Sober & Sorry
  3. Her Fifteen Years
  4. Haunted By You (Live – Helter Shelter 6/7/95)
  5. I Can’t Decide If She Really Loves MeSide B
  1. To See The Lights
  2. I Can’t Help Myself
  3. A Car That Sped (Radio 1 Session 1/2/95)
  4. For The Dead (Version)
  5. Sleep Well Tonight (Live – Forum 31/3/95)

 

Side C

  1. How Much For Love
  2. London, Can You Wait? (Radio 1 Session 18/5/94)
  3. I Can’t Help Myself (Radio 1 Session 18/5/94)
  4. Child’s Body
  5. Don’t Let Me Down (Radio 1 Session 1/2/95)Side D
  1. I Say A Little Prayer (Live – Glastonbury 25/6/95)
  2. Do You Want To Hear It From Me
  3. This Is Not My Crime
  4. Olympian (Live – Forum 31/3/95)
  5. Child’s Body (Live – Forum 31/3/95)

 

Drawn to the Deep End

Side A

  1. New Amusements
  2. Fighting Fit
  3. Where Are They Now?Side B 
  4. Speak To Me Someone
  5. We Could Be Kings
  6. Why I Was Born

Side C

  1. Long Sleeves For The Summer
  2. Save Me I’m Yours
  3. Voice Of The FatherSide D
  1. The Accidental
  2. I Love You, What Are You?
  3. Sub Rosa

 

Revelations

Side A 

  1. As Good As It Gets
  2. In Love With Love
  3. Love Won’t Work
  4. The British Disease
  5. Fill Her Up
  6. Something In The Water
  7. MaydaySide B
  1. Angel
  2. The Looker
  3. Little Child
  4. Stop
  5. The Police Will Never Find You
  6. You’ll Never Walk Again

 

Libertine 

Side A 

  1. Does He Have A Name
  2. A Simple Request
  3. Is It Over?Side B 
  4. O Lover
  5. Let Me Rest

Side C

  1. We’ll Get What We Deserve
  2. Walking In The Shallows
  3. Yours For The TakingSide D
  1. You
  2. Spy In The Clubs
  3. Somewhere In the World

The box set will also be available on CD, presented in a deluxe box set with original album artwork. As with the vinyl box, it includes the five albums, a booklet and written notes by the band and respected journalist Keith Cameron. In addition there are three bonus discs: Drawn To The Deep End rarities and B-sides, Revelations single edits and B-sides, and Libertine demos and bonus material.

The Albums – CD tracklists:

CD 1: Olympian

  1. Haunted By You
  2. Your Love, It Lies
  3. Truth, Rest Your Head
  4. A Car That Sped
  5. Left-Handed
  6. London Can You Wait?
  7. To The City
  8. Still Can’t Find The Phone
  9. Sleep Well Tonight
  10. Olympian
  11. We’ll Find Our Own WayCD 2: To See The Lights
  1. Be My Light, Be My Guide
  2. Sick, Sober & Sorry
  3. Her Fifteen Years
  4. Haunted By You (Live Helter Skelter 6/7/95)
  5. I Can’t Decide If She Really Loves Me
  6. To See The Lights
  7. I Can’t Help Myself
  8. A Car That Sped (Radio 1 Session 1/2/95)
  9. For The Dead (US Version / Remix)
  10. Sleep Well Tonight (Live Forum 31/3/95)
  11. How Much For Love
  12. London Can You Wait? (Radio 1 Session 18/5/94)
  13. I Can’t Help Myself (Radio 1 Session 18/5/94)
  14. Child’s Body
  15. Don’t Let Me Down ( Radio 1 Session 01/02/95)
  16. I Say A Little Prayer (Live Glastonbury 25/6/95)
  17. Do You Want To Hear It From Me
  18. This Is Not My Crime
  19. Olympian (Live Forum 31/3/95)
  20. Child’s Body (Live Forum 31/3/95)
  21. For The Dead (Hidden track, as per original release)

 

CD3: Drawn To The Deep End

  1. New Amusements
  2. Fighting Fit
  3. Where Are They Now?
  4. Speak To Me Someone
  5. We Could Be Kings
  6. Why I Was Born
  7. Long Sleeves For The Summer
  8. Save Me I’m Yours
  9. Voice Of The Father
  10. The Accidental
  11. I Love You, What Are You?
  12. Sub RosaCD 4: Drawn To The Deep End – Bonus Tracks
  1. Drawn To The Deep End
  2. Autumn Stone (Small Faces cover)
  3. Cast Out In The Seventies
  4. Nightswimming (REM cover)
  5. We Could Be Kings
  6. Dolce & Gabbana Or Nowt
  7. Wasteland (The Jam cover)
  8. As The Bruises Fade
  9. The Ship Song (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds cover)

 

CD 5: Revelations

  1. As Good As It Gets
  2. In Love With Love
  3. Love Won’t Work
  4. The British Disease
  5. Fill Her Up
  6. Something In The Water
  7. Mayday
  8. Angel
  9. The Looker
  10. Little Child
  11. Stop
  12. The Police Will Never Find You
  13. You’ll Never Walk Again

    CD 6: Revelations – Single Edits & B Sides
  14. Toasting The Union
  15. Man On Earth
  16. All Night
  17. To All Who Sail On Her
  18. Pass on To Me
  19. Touched By The Hand Of Havoc
  20. Common As Air
  21. Slice
  22. Town Called Malice

CD 7: Libertine

  1. Does He Have A Name
  2. A Simple Request
  3. Is It Over?
  4. O Lover
  5. Let Me Rest
  6. We’ll Get What We Deserve
  7. Walking In The Shallows
  8. Yours For The Taking
  9. You
  10. Spy In The Clubs
  11. Somewhere In the WorldCD 8: Libertine Bonus Tracks
  1. Let Me Move On (Long Version)
  2. If I’m A Friend
  3. Left For Dust
  4. Supermarket Bombscare
  5. Little Diamond
  6. Rising for Sunset (Unreleased Studio Version)
  7. Who Said This Was The End?
  8. From Georgia to Osaka
  9. With Love In Mind
  10. Welcome to Dover
  11. Baby I’m Sorry (Unreleased Studio Track)
  12. Man Seeks Life (Unreleased Demo)
  13. 6 am (Unreleased Demo)
  14. Skin Parade (Unreleased Demo)
  15. You (Chapel Studio Version)
  16. Does He Have A Name (Demo)
  17. Simple Request (Demo)
  18. Is it Over (Demo)
  19. Spy in the Clubs (Demo)
  20. Walking In The Shallows (Demo)
  21. Let Me Move On (Demo)
  22. O Lover (Demo)CD 9: Rising For Sunset
  1. Does He Have A Name? – Excerpt
  2. Fill Her Up
  3. The British Disease
  4. Where Are They Now?
  5. London, Can You Wait?
  6. Mayday
  7. As Good As It Gets
  8. Your Love, It Lies
  9. Rising For Sunset
  10. For The Dead
  11. Be My Light, Be My Guide
  12. Speak To Me Someone
  13. Olympian
  14. You’ll Never Walk Again
  15. Somewhere In The World
Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

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