POST NO. 15: GOT ORANGE JUICE?

Oh how I've waited to get my grubby little hands on these songs! Finally, the kind folks at Domino have secured the rights to release the bulk of Orange Juice's Ostrich Churchyard, a 1992 compilation of songs recorded in 1981 that were intended to be the group's debut album on Postcard Records. Copies of Churchyard have always been available, if you were willing to hand over a healthy chunk of change. Now, for a reasonable price you can purchase The Glasgow School, which collects a majority of Churchyard along with the group's earliest singles (on Postcard) and repackages them in a cool gatefold CD with liner notes from drummer Steven Daly.

So, why should you care? Well for starters, this is where Edwyn Collins got his start. He's that wacky guy that had the hit single, "A Girl Like You," in 1994. ("I've never known a girl like you before..." Picture me singing it out loud with a coy, goofy look on my face.) But the real reason you should care is because every Scottish band of the past 20 years worth their indie cred swears by Orange Juice. (In case you're wondering, that list likely includes Belle & Sebastian, Camera Obscura, The Pastels, Life Without Buildings, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, Teenage Fanclub, The Orchids, et cetera.) This record is essential listening for anyone who's ever wondered (out loud, preferably) whether any other singer from the '80s could possibly beat Morrissey at his own game. Oh yes, it can be done! These Scots are the bridge between the Velvet Underground and twee pop. Believe it, and it shall be!

Orange Juice - "Lovesick"

Orange Juice - "Louise Louise"

For a longer review of The Glasgow School (and some additional background on Orange Juice) go here. The photo of Edwyn Collins was taken from Phillipe Carly's collection of photographs of new wave bands.