Virgin Prunes

Over the Rainbow is a double-CD odds and ends compilation of Virgin Prunes singles, B-sides, compilations and rare tracks assembled in gloriously remastered audio by Mute. This version differs from the original LP and the double-LP versions considerably. For starters, the original compilation contained only CD one of this set, which features the band's first A-side, "Twenty Tens," as well as Rough Trade's (C812) track entitled "Red Nettle," and "Pagan Lovesong Vibe-Akimbo" form the 12" version of the single. Also included are a pair of cuts -- "Mad Bird in the Wood" and "Jigsawentallama" -- that were released on flexidisc with the Dutch magazine Vinyl.and a couple of other Rough Trade comp cuts. The original CD issue of Over the Rainbow also contained the studio tracks from Hérésie. This one, with a different cover (the "Baby Turns Blue" single sleeve) removes those -- because first the band's own label, Baby, and now Mute have released both live and studio Hérésie cuts on their own in another package -- and add more rarities to the mix. Included here are "Third Secret" from the Perspectives & Distortions: Cherry Red Rarities comp, "The Faculties of a Broken Heart" from the limited-edition Baby Turns Blue 12", "The Happy Dead," which was recorded for the soundtrack to the New Form of Beauty film but was never released, "White History Book," set on tape during the Moon Looked Down and Laughed session but went unused, the A-side of the band's second single, "In the Greylight," "Revenge" from the Virgin Prunes EP, and "Love Lasts Forever," a single from the New Rose label in 1984. Sure, it's for fanatics, but it's also of real interest to anyone wanting to check out the glorious monstrosity that was the Virgin Prunes. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide