Category: Small objects of desire

Posted on

Button badge goodness: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)

There have been some great posts over at the PostPunkMonk and The Never Ending Search for the Perfect Beat blogs recently focusing on new wave era badges. Coming somewhat late to the party but keen to get in on the act, I present here a selection of OMitD badges from my collection – thought I’d do them justice and add something of a Peter Saville / Ben Kelly vibe to the backdrops!

OMitD badge - first album 'lozenge' grid pattern in grey plastic

Probably my favourite one because it is so unusual – clearly modelled after the original limited edition first album sleeve, this is grey plastic with the the ‘lozenge’ holes. Came across it on The World’s Biggest Online Junk Cupboard – ie, eBay! Continue reading “Button badge goodness: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)”

Posted on

Love and Rockets – ‘Express’ Japanese Mini LP edition CD (Imperial Records / Beggars Banquet, TECI-21238, 2004)

Never one to pass by a Japanese CD that does its best to lovingly recreate the original vinyl edition, this Love and Rockets example had been calling my name from afar for some time…

Love and Rockets 'Express' Japanese LP replica CD - front sleeve design
^ Love and Rockets \’Express\’ Japanese LP replica CD – front sleeve design

If you are familiar with the original UK issue that appeared in late 1986 then you’ll see from the image below that the fold-out poster that accompanied the release has been lovingly shrunk down to CD proportioned size for inclusion in this release, as well as the original sleeve design. It comes with an extra black and white booklet, plus the obligatory ‘obi’ strip, sealed in a plastic cover to keep that mid-’80s post-punk-neo-psychedelia flavour fresh… Continue reading “Love and Rockets – ‘Express’ Japanese Mini LP edition CD (Imperial Records / Beggars Banquet, TECI-21238, 2004)”

Posted on

Brian Eno ‘Another Green World’ 3″ CD single (Editions EG/Virgin, CDT41/EDSCD4, 1989)

Definitely one for the the dedicated Eno fan in search of a small object of desire, this 3″ CD single was issued in 1989 on the then popular smaller CD format. The front cover features a still from the opening credits of the UK programme ‘Arena’ from the BBC, which had used the title track from Eno’s ‘Another Green World’. Quite why it was seen fit to bash this out on a CD single I can’t recall, one imagines that the record buying public weren’t champing at the bit for such a release – nevertheless, it has its charms.

Brian Eno 'Another Green World' 3" CD single front cover
^ Brian Eno ‘Another Green World’ 3” CD single front cover

As well as ‘Another Green World’ itself, it comes with three other tracks in what is a fairly eclectic selection of instrumental works; Continue reading “Brian Eno ‘Another Green World’ 3″ CD single (Editions EG/Virgin, CDT41/EDSCD4, 1989)”

Posted on

‘Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’ US die-cut sleeve re-issue CD (MicroWerks, MW060, 2010)

A new release this, as of June 2010 – an American re-issue of the first album by Orchestral ManÅ“uvres in the Dark, this time round packaged in something approaching the style of the original vinyl issue.

Front of sleeve, opened out
^ Front of sleeve, opened out

I’ll let the photos speak for themselves so you can see what the packaging is like. Musically, the CD is like the 2003 CD re-master except that it loses two tracks, the ‘Electricity’ and ‘Almost’ Martin Hannett/Cargo Studios versions. If you’ve already got the CD and aren’t overly fussed about the packaging, walk on by people, nothing to see here and you are losing two tracks. If however you have a thing for a miniature reproduction of such a fantastic sleeve design, this may well be softly cooing your name already…

Back of front cover and inner
^ Back of front cover and inner

Continue reading “‘Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’ US die-cut sleeve re-issue CD (MicroWerks, MW060, 2010)”

Posted on

John Foxx ‘Metamatic’ Japanese mini-LP sleeve CD (Imperial Records, TECI-23190, 2003)

So, how many copies of ‘Metamatic’ must I have on CD by now?! Well, at last count, this tasty little item makes it four separate releases. I’m afraid I couldn’t resist this one as it made such a nice go of reproducing the original album sleeve artwork, which remains one of my all time favourites in its cool grey precision.

John Foxx 'Metamatic' Japanese mini-LP replica CD - Front cover and obi.
^ John Foxx ‘Metamatic’ Japanese mini-LP replica CD – Front cover and obi.

Musically, the CD is the same as the 2001 Edsel label re-issue (EDCD 702), so you get the original album plus 7 bonus tracks, taken from singles of the era. If you are happy with that CD then only packaging junkies only need apply here. I am fully paid-up, card-carrying member of that fraternity, for sure. Continue reading “John Foxx ‘Metamatic’ Japanese mini-LP sleeve CD (Imperial Records, TECI-23190, 2003)”