Metamatic Forums John Foxx John Foxx and Louis Gordon IMPOSSIBLE re-press

Don't know if this one has passed us by or if nobody's bothered very much...

Bit of a cheek remixing just one track I reckon but there you go...

It's mentioned by yours truly on the 'Three CDs, two new songs' thread. I seem to be the only one who's annoyed by it, however. :rolleyes:

Oh sorry ... should be "Four CDs" then! . .well, six depending on which way you look at it...

Yes it is annoying that Million Cars remix...

I'm more annoyed that it was originally released as a limited edition but has now been re-released. As regards the 'Million Cars' remix, I've always loathed that particular song so I shall not be buying this edition.

Well consider yourself lucky cos I really like the song and and miffed I will be missing out on a remix!

The version on Impossible was just horrid.

Well, I posted on the myspace blog that the remix should be given for free to people who bought the limited edition. Yeah, I'm a bit annoyed.

ETA: speaking of limited... I ordered Jesu's Pale Sketches a while back from the new record company formed by Justin Broadrick, the guy behind Jesu (and Godflesh and various others). Limited edition CD. Apparently sold out pretty quickly. It's just been reissued with a bonus CD with three alternate versions. No, I won't be spending the money.

I've been shouted down for grumbling about this kind of thing before, but really, what is the point of issuing a "limited edition" if it will be reissued shortly with only minor tweaks like remixing a single track "so that the backing vocal melody is a lot quieter"? I actually laughed out loud when I read in the email from Townsend, regarding "ANKOM": "To mantain [sic!] the 'integrity' of the first 1000 copies of this release, which sold out over a year ago, there are some changes to the artwork on this re-release." What, the order of a couple of pages in the booklet was reversed when they stapled them?

I know it must be unpleasant to see high prices on eBay for which the artist or record label or official shop isn't getting a cut, and for a fan who missed out on the limited edition it's painful to know how much a rare item might cost, but how many people (other than the independently wealthy or the saddo completist) will repurchase a CD for ONE track or some artwork changes? :rolleyes: Do I sense an accounting problem at Townsend that must needs be remedied by desperately flooding the market with new limited editions in hopes of a sudden influx of cash?

Sorry, that was uncalled for. My cynicism often gets the better of me when I'm annoyed.

@Lele,

I agree with you 100%. I also raised a cynical laugh at the use of the word 'integrity' with regard to 'ANKOM'.

*edit*
And, like you, I also see the hand of Townsend in all this.

"Unlimited edition
with an unlimited supply
That was the only reason
we all had to say goodbye"
E.M.I. by the Sex Pistols

Actually I'm not upset about it, I just don't buy reissues. I buy one version of a CD and that's it. However, John's management should be careful about this sort of thing. At some point, fans will feel like they have been fleeced and say goodbye.

Thanks Lele, for such a wonderful post. You've summed up my feelings about this fiasco on limited v unlimited editions nicely. I won't be wasting my hard earned cash on this, just to line Townsend pockets. I'll just wait, until, well you all know what I mean without actually saying it.

Peter

Here is my thoughts on it.

I did buy Impossible but I am glad that people who missed out can now buy it without paying skyhigh E-bay prices. I am also glad that the demand is there so that John can make some more money and continue his work!
There thats it. :rolleyes:

I wouldnt mind get a free download of the new re-mix though!! But does hat mean the old remix should be made available for the new buyers?

Hurrah!

myspace blog

Somebody obviously read all the rants!!

Yes, well done Steve! Great idea even though we all know an mp3 download will never be as good as a CD etc etc .... but never look a gift mp3 in the mouth..

Nice to see someone's taking notice but is it really worth getting excited a bout a remix where the only difference is that one of the backing vocals is a little bit quieter?

Wow, that didn't take long at all.

Like the MP3? Get the CD!

Just how bad was it? And, if I buy the new CD, do I get a free MP3 of the old version?

I've recieved the link to the new version & downloaded it.

Dont know if it sounds any different

Just got the email from Townsend with the pointer to the free mp3 of A Million Cars. Dang, Brian beat me to it.

The backing vocal that appears at about 3:05 into the song is mixed way, way down in this version.

I only listened on the way back from work in my car so I didnt have the other version to compare.

I suppose its one for completists

This was the first time I'd heard that song. I was quite impresed with it. Will add the cd to my "wants" list.

Oh, there may be one or two completists around here somewhere...

Good to hear Scott - it is definitely one of John Foxx & Louis Gordon's finest moments.
You'll enjoy Impossible...

I suspect that was the logic behind the original decision NOT to release the track seperately or make a big deal of the re-pressing. This subtlety will only appeal to completists (thus really only a handful of 'repeat purchases') and really doesn't merit all the fuss about a 'different' version...

The BV is absent on the 'From Trash' version altogether, so its little more than a technicality.

I wonder how many people would have even noticed the difference...

How do you think we should refer to this 'new' version? It's hardly a remix, is it, more of an 'artistic correction'. Maybe A Million Cars(2009) will suffice?

Interestingly, it probably means that the (2008)version is the rarity.

This does all mean that four 'versions' of the song have been released, and ALL have the SAME title as no 'official' quantifying subtitle has been added to any of them..

*sigh* :rolleyes:

Bl**dy fine tune though!!! One of my favourites

Simple answer is to call it a Million and one Cars :rolleyes:

Mustn't grumble it's summat for nowt after all

A Foxxism for this track should be;

A Million Cars (Repurposed Remote Shout Method Reversed)

The backing vocal sample is mixed way into the distance.

Overall I still prefer the original version - it's less "shouty".

Or A Million Cars Exo-shout edition

Was in FOPP today and while browsing I found myself looking through the 'F's, (as you do ) as its still something of a treat to see just what albums of John's are on display, and in fact there were two, one copy each of Impossible, and ANKOM, at £11 each.
It was a bit strange seeing those in a shop (not sure quite why I say that) and I've just realised that they've appeared early as the release date should be this Monday.