Stack-a-Tracks

Available March 12, 2013

Available for the First Time! It’s the instrumental versions of Bellybutton & Spilt Milk.

 
Be quiet! We’re trying not to hear Jellyfish sing!

What to do after selling through acclaimed pressings of two classic albums on vinyl? How about offering them in a new way on a different format?

While recording their two studio albums, (1990’s Bellybutton and 1993’s Spilt Milk), “instrumental” mixes of each record were created by Jellyfish and their producers. Unheard and untouched for decades, these recordings will finally see the light on Omnivore Recordings’ Jellyfish Stack-a-Tracks.

Both albums, start to finish, as they’ve never been heard before. These versions of Bellybutton and Spilt Milk were created in the studio, at the time of their original recording/mixing. These are not “remixes” from the multi-tracks. To do that would have compromised the integrity of what was originally envisioned, potentially eliminating or dismissing elements that are actually there, yet not as audible under the vocals. This is not a “re-imagining” of what these records “might” sound like as instrumentals. They’re the real deal, transferred from the original 1/4″ masters.

After the individually numbered, limited-edition digipak for Record Store Day flew off the shelves, fans took to the internet begging for another run. So, using the same, new illustrated artwork (created for the release), this 2-CD set is now available in a jewel box to be added to the collections of power-pop fans everywhere.

Now, everyone can have a Stack-a-Tracks!

 

 
 

Live At Bogart’s

First official live Jellyfish album—ever!
On CD and double LP with three sides of music and one side with laser-etched art.
The first 1,500 copies pressed on translucent blue vinyl, and black vinyl thereafter.

 
They had the songs—tremendous songs, with melodies and arrangements that harkened back to an earlier time when pop music was ruled by bands like Badfinger, Cheap Trick, The Beach Boys, and Big Star. This live performance captures the band minus all the frills of studio trickery and clever visuals, proving once and for all that Jellyfish was not a dog-and-pony show. They were the real deal, equipped with phenomenal songwriting, playing, instrumentation, and harmonies. Even though the group lasted for only two albums over four years, their influence has been as profound as that of any of the bands that influenced Jellyfish in the first place—all part of a power pop tradition.

Live At Bogart’s features thirteen tracks including five previously unissued performances. This set was recorded in 1991 at Bogart’s (hence the clever title) in Long Beach, California while the band were on tour supporting their debut album Bellybutton. In the band that night were Andy Sturmer, Roger Joseph Manning, Jr., Chris Manning and Niko Wenner. Regular Jellyfish member at the time, Jason Falkner, was sidelined that night by a dislocated shoulder, so Niko filled in on guitars, backing vocals and additional keyboards!

 

 
 

Bellybutton & Spilt Milk

As nature intended—as 12″ LPs. First 1,500 copies pressed on 180 gram colored vinyl are sold out.
Second pressings on 180-gram black vinyl are in the shop now!
Cut from the original analog masters by John Golden at Golden Mastering.

 
Early ’90s power pop at its finest—commercially available for the first time on vinyl in the U.S.! After the demise of Andy Sturmer and Roger Manning’s Beatnik Beatch, the two recruited Roger’s brother Chris and former Three O’Clock guitarist Jason Falkner to create Jellyfish. While Jason and Chris left after the first album and tour—the follow-up, Spilt Milk, was created by Andy and Roger with help from Jon Brion (Aimee Mann, Kanye West, Fiona Apple, Spoon), Lyle Workman (Todd Rundgren, Bourgeois Tagg, Beck), and T-Bone Wolk (Hall & Oates).

Even though the group lasted for only two albums and four years, their influence on power pop bands since has been as profound as the bands that Jellyfish were influenced by: Cheap Trick, Big Star, Badfinger, Raspberries, Brian Wilson, and more—all part of the power pop tradition being handed down one generation at a time.

Omnivore Recordings’ release of the two Jellyfish albums on LP marks the first time either have been commercially available on vinyl in the U.S. Bellybutton was only released on vinyl as a promotional item in 1990—its only official release at the time was on CD. The first 1,500 copies of the Omnivore release carefully replicates the original tri-fold gatefold packaging and is pressed on translucent blue vinyl. Spilt Milk has a similar story. It was only released on vinyl in the U.K. The U.S. release was, again, only on CD. This time around Omnivore is pressing the first 1,500 copies on translucent green vinyl.

 

Now we know that late January is still a ways away and you’ll probably need something to do to keep you busy while you’re waiting for these pretty pieces of vinyl to be fully cooked. So we dug deep into our archives and found this illustration that was originally used for a coloring contest to promote the release of Bellybutton. We thought you might like to spend a little time coloring in Jellyfish (or maybe your kids would). If you come up with something of which you are particularly proud, go ahead and send it to us and we’ll post the ones we like.

Send to:
I Colored A Jellyfish!
Omnivore Recordings
7958 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048

 
 
 
 
 
 
Here’s a few of the masterpieces we’ve received thus far—keep coloring and keep sending them to us! You can click on your fav to see it larger.