“Best show I’ve seen all year, hands down. Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs and Sarah Cracknell’s musical magic is as powerful as ever.” So said Albumism’s Editor-in-Chief Justin Chadwick upon reveling in Saint Etienne’s live performance at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn back in late September. The evening was a grand celebration of the group’s prolific and enduringly inspired discography, as the trio and their supporting band juxtaposed the most beloved songs in their back catalogue (“Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” “Who Do You Think You Are,” “Kiss and Make Up,” “Hug My Soul,” “Like a Motorway”) with choice offerings from their latest sterling song suite and album-of-the-year contender, Home Counties (“Magpie Eyes,” “Dive,” “Out of My Mind”).
Indeed, Saint Etienne have crafted one of the most consistently enchanting discographies of the past three decades. And while many of their albums have been readily available in digital formats and recently reissued in deluxe CD editions with a few borderline shoddy vinyl re-releases, a proper vinyl resurrection campaign has been long overdue. But thankfully, as of today, the wait is over.
Following last year’s return of the trio’s classic 1991 debut LP Foxbase Alpha on vinyl in conjunction with its 25th anniversary, Saint Etienne have now revived seven additional albums on wax, much to our hearts and ears’ delight: So Tough (1993), Tiger Bay (1994), Continental (1997), Good Humor (1998), Sound of Water (2000), Finisterre (2002), and Tales from Turnpike House (2005). Largely available via UK retailers now, these titles are set to arrive at US retailers later this month, so be sure to reserve your copies now.
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