The Weisstronauts
Control Is In Your Command:
The Best Of: 1999-2012
Deluxe 12-song vinyl LP
$20
After
five full-length albums and three EPs, along with a bevvy of
compilation tracks and other rare gems, the Weisstronauts have pulled
out the stops and compiled their absolute best music in a super-lavish,
lovingly-assembled collector's package.
Included for the
purchase price is a 12-song LP, pressed on heavy vinyl. The recordings
were completely remastered from the original mixes, specifically for
the vinyl medium and cut by Jeff Powell on the original Stax lathe (finally, we have a single degree of
separation from Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MG's, Big Star et
al...) at Ardent
Studios in Memphis. The gorgeous, heavy-stock gatefold jacket was
designed by the amazing graphic whiz Jeff Mellin,
based around an amateur painting of a spaceship, found by 'Nauts
guitarist George Hall. The jacket opens up to reveal a
collection of 'Nauts photos, credits, and anecdotes.
To
sweeten
the deal, the first 100 copies include a unique piece of original
artwork, created and signed by a band member. These range from line
drawings, caricatures, and crayon sketches, to well, more elaborate
fare. You don't get to choose your artwork, but you can rest assured it
will be absolutely singular.
Finally,
the package comes with a companion CD that contains all 12 songs from
the LP, as well as 15 (yes, "fifteen") additional songs from the
Weisstronauts' canon. All of these were also completely remastered from
the ground up, and sound better than ever.
Die-hard
completists, please note... This collection contains TWO previously
unreleased Weisstronauts songs, "Handball!" (a live favorite, especially when performed in
supermarkets) and the band's rippin' take on the Bubble
Puppy classic "Hot Smoke & Sassafras." The latter features the
great Mitch Easter guesting on lead guitar and electric
sitar and was mixed by the legendary Roger
Bechirian
(Elvis Costello, Squeeze, the Undertones, etc.) Speaking of Roger, he
also deftly remixed "Perky" for this collection, giving it more power
and atmosphere than its original 2005 mix.
"I'd
be
lying if I didn't say that my initiation into the Weisstronauts
brotherhood was preceded by some measure of consternation. After
all, most of their tunes consist of more than 3 chords played by
uber-accomplished musicians. Any anxious feelings were soon put to
rest by not only the title of the first song in the rehearsal, "Tabasco
Fiasco," but the zen-like patience of the band. I was grateful to
be among a sublime group of musician whisperers. At home, safe, at
ease, rocking the crap out of it."
-Neal Spaulding (bass, 2008-present)
Side A:
Get It Together
Fibonacci
Fruity
Handball! (previously unreleased)
Psychedelic Whiplash
Tabasco Fiasco
Side B:
Jet Pack
Hoopin'
Hot Dog City
Sunburn
Topaz
Perky (2011 Roger Bechirian remix)
CD Bonus Tracks:
Timmy The Smelter
Caixa Dos Moluscos
Jaunty
Mornin' Ma
Bentley
Last Train To Shartlesville
Odysseus Goes To America
Chicky
Sunsetty
Hot Smoke & Sassafras (previously unreleased)
Cha Cha Ho
Thrifty 2
Pleasant Valley Sunday
Exit Sandman
Movin' Ball
