There’s just something about Saint Etienne, isn’t there?
The British trio—Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs—rose to acclaim at the outset of the 1990s and have since gone on to become one of the most vital contemporary pop acts of our time. And no, that isn’t just hyperbole.
Saint Etienne’s endurance is owed to two things: their commitment to sonic excellence and how they deliver their tunes to their loyal constituents. Regarding the latter element, Saint Etienne have always known how to keep people coming back for more. Whether it is those legendary EPs, a lush coffee table book or some sort of one-off, custom artwork, Cracknell, Stanley and Wiggs consistently embrace the high art of collectible music memorabilia.
With that rich legacy under their belt, Saint Etienne are ready to dazzle fans once again with the forthcoming reissue of their eighth studio album Words and Music by Saint Etienne originally released in 2012. Leaving no format unturned, Words and Music by Saint Etienne will be made accessible via their longtime label Heavenly Records on both colored vinyl and as a luxe, two-disc CD set similar to their previous “Deluxe Edition” iterations of their past recordings.
Additionally, the second disc of the Words and Music by Saint Etienne reissue will contain the out of print, U.S. only More Words and Music release with three songs appearing on compact disc for the first time: “Pocket Call” and two previously unreleased recordings “Starlings” and “When I Was Seventeen” (single mix).
To further sweeten the pot, Believe in Magic: Heavenly Recordings the First 30 Years, a gorgeous book written by Robin Turner and designed by Paul Kelly, details the imprint’s rich history through thirty chapters, each one dedicated to a specific record from their roster. The Saint Etienne chapter will focus on their venerated debut LP Foxbase Alpha (1991). An exclusive, Saint Etienne 7” single of “Spring,” with an unreleased instrumental of “Spring” on the flip side, will come with the book and is limited to just 250 copies.
The vinyl form of Words and Music by Saint Etienne is set for issuance this Saturday, June 20th and the CD variant will be available a few weeks later on July 10th. The pre-orders for the book opened yesterday with a ship date set for some time in November 2020. What a feast.
As always, Saint Etienne have spared no expense in revisiting their back catalog—this Words and Music by Saint Etienne reissue campaign is one not to be missed and will provide a much needed distraction in these dark days we find ourselves in. Be sure to treat yourselves if you have not already, and in the meantime, revisit the album below.
READ Quentin Harrison’s interview with Saint Etienne here
LISTEN: