I was just checking in last week to see if the Altered Images 2xCD of “Bite” was still available when I saw that, Boy Howdy, Edsel/Demon [them again] were currently turning their attention to the first two Altered Images albums. I guess that “Bite” was selling well enough to spur this on! But there had only been that single Edsel copy of “Bite” from 2004, and here are the errors it had according to the nitpicky crowdsourcers [they’re usually right] at Discogs.com.

• Track 2 “Another Lost Look” is not the original LP version, but the live version that originally appeared on the B-side of the “Love To Stay” single.
• Track 3 “Love To Stay” is not the original LP version, but the edited single version.
• Track 5 “Don’t Talk To Me About Love” is not the original LP version, but the edited single version.
• Track 7 “Change Of Heart” is not the original LP version, but the edited single version.

While there had been earlier CDs of “Happy Birthday” and “Pinky Blue,” they were without any bonus materials and the 2004 editions were made to address this oversight with better intentions than follow through. [Monk rolls eyes heavenward…] Pinky Blue contained the original 1981 version of “Insects” instead of the one re-recorded in 1982 as the “I Could Be Happy” B-side. “Happy Birthday” didn’t have any egregious mastering errors, but it lacked the single edit of “A Day’s Wait” and the Flexipop tracks, which ideally belonged here, were issued on “Pinky Blue…Plus” instead. So now the new, 2xCD versions in large, spiffy 7″ gatefold booklet packaging will be as follows.

Altered Images: Happy Birthday DLX RM – UK – 2xCD [2024]

CD 1

1. Intro: Happy Birthday
2. Love And Kisses
3. Real Toys
4. Idols
5. Legionnaire
6. Faithless
7. Beckoning Strings
8. Happy Birthday
9. Midnight
10. A Day’s Wait
11. Leave Me Alone
12. Insects
13. Outro: Happy Birthday

CD2

1. Dead Pop Stars
2. Sentimental
3. Leave Me Alone [early version]
4. A Day’s Wait [7″ edit]
5. Who Cares
6. Happy Birthday [Dance Mix]
7. So We Go Whispering
8. Jeepster
9. Real Toys [new version]
10. Happy New Year

Altered Images: Pinky Blue DLX RM – UK – 2xCD [2024]

CD1

1. Pinky Blue
2. See Those Eyes
3. Forgotten
4. Little Brown Head
5. See You Later
6. Song Sung Blue
7. Funny Funny Me
8. Think That It Might
9. I Could Be Happy
10. Jump Jump
11. Goodnight And I Wish

CD2

1. I Could Be Happy [7” version]
2. Insects [re-record]
3. Disco Pop Stars
4. See Those Eyes [Long Version]
5. How About That Then (I’ve Missed My Train)
6. Pinky Blue [Dance Mix]
7. Jump Jump – Think That It Might [Segued Dance Mix]

This being 2024, there are also LP pressings with 180g black vinyl pressings [some restraint shown there!] in half-speed masterings by Barry Grint at AIR mastering. But they are single LPs with no bells and whistles… your choice, but I know where my interests lay. I’m inclined to get all three 2xCDs and cut free my large and near-perfect Altered Images record collection. Though there’s much to be said for “Dead Pop Stars” as a peerless debut single! I’ve already [shhhh!] sold off my copy of “Bite…Plus” from 2004, so I’d better get my rear in gear if I don’t want to miss out on having any copy at all of “Bite” on CD! I still have the UK cassette tape given to me courtesy of my friend Mr. Brick as ‘insurance.” The album sure seemed odd when it dropped in 1983, but time has been kind to it. If you also respond to Altered Images DLX RMs, then DJ hit that button.

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