“I love it that phonograph records are popular again,” enthuses Marshall Crenshaw. “They were consigned to oblivion by the music business back when I was recording for Razor & Tie, but now they’re back!”
The artist recently regained ownership of the five acclaimed albums he released on the Razor & Tie label between 1994 and 2003, and plans to issue revised editions of those efforts, on vinyl and on all digital platforms, beginning with his 1996 release Miracle of Science, due on January 17th on Crenshaw’s own Shiny-Tone label (distributed through Megaforce).
Ultimately, the new reissue series will encompass three much-loved studio albums — Miracle of Science, 1999’s #447 and 2003’s What’s in the Bag? — plus 1994’s live My Truck Is My Home and 1998’s early demos collection The 9 Volt Years. Each album will include two newly recorded, previously unreleased tracks, which will appear on a bonus 7″ single on the vinyl editions and as bonus tracks on the CD and digital versions.
Today Glide is delighted to offer an exclusive early listen of “Only an Hour Ago”, one of the standout tracks on Miracle of Science. The song definitely reflects a new time for the pop purist as he was making full use of the ADAT machines that had just come out. But Crenshaw also decided to give the song an update after feeling that the original production and arrangement were burying the song. So he changed it, mostly using the original elements. The song definitely feels refreshed, with Crenshaw’s gorgeous vocals shining alongside more vibrant acoustic and electric guitar work. There is a sense of urgency in this work of pure pop craftmanship that is amplified by a new live drum track. There is a beautiful energy to the song and in its current state it feels both timeless and fresh.
Marshall Crenshaw describes the inspiration behind the song and its update in his own words:
“Dream-like, nocturnal, in a minor key, a hypnotic groove. Funny story- I decided to add some live drums to this for the “Miracle Of Science” reissue, got out the multi-track tape, and yikes! they were already there. I still don’t know how it happened.”
LISTEN:
For more music and info visit marshallcrenshaw.com.
Photo credit: Tom Schierlitz
