BOLSHOI
COUNTRY LIFE (ORANGE/GREEN VINYL) - LP
UPC: 607618254513
Label: BEGGARS BANQUET US
Format: LP
Release Date: May 3, 2024
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The Bolshoi released three albums during their existence, but they also recorded a fourth album that was never officially released during their tenure. Provisionally titled Country Life, it was released in 2015 as part of a limited 5-CD box set. We are excited to now release it on vinyl for the first time. The album is double colored orange and green vinyl. Country Lifeconsists of demos recorded for the album, and many of these only survived on reference cassettes but were digitally restored. We are especially thrilled that Trevor Tanner has recorded a brand new acoustic reimagining of the song “Dolores Jones” specifically for this release.
The Bolshoi were different. Their songs were dark and subversive, sufficient evidence for many critics to corral them under the ‘Gothic’ banner at the time of their debut - but they really only “flirted” with Goth. They oozed dark, pensive lyrics supported with inventive pop-goth guitar making them nearly impossible to categorize.
The suburban surrealism of the lyrics was rooted in the stories from characters on the fringes of society rather than brooding romantics, with an undercurrent of boredom, inadequacy and violence. Not the usual themes for pop success!
Based in London, the band consisted of Trevor Tanner (lead vocals, guitar), Nick Chown (bass), Jan Kalicki (drums) and Paul Clark (keyboards). With powerful live shows The Bolshoi built a substantial following before disbanding in 1988.
“Trevor Tanner’s songs scraped away at the surface of suburban normality to uncover the darkness beneath, and he knew how to deliver a bombastic powerchord and reverb drenched riff” – Q Magazine
“The Bolshoi’s strength lies not only in the clever use of knobs and strings and keys and thigs, the juxtaposition of profanity and purity, innocence and lies, but also in the dank, darkly secret passages of their will.” - Melody Maker
TRACKLIST
A1. World In Action
A2. Under the Shed
A3. What’s Your Favourite Colour
A4. Country Life
B1. We Don’t Want Him Here
B2. Boy From The Nursery World
B3. Long Tall Sally in a Black Dress
B4. Too Late
C1. Out There in the Distance
C2. Castaway
C3. Dolores Jones
C4. Yee Hee
D1. Madame Hecate
D2. Last Chance for the Slow Dance
D3. Everything Is Done for You Today
D4. Dolores Jones 2023 (Re-imagined acoustically by Trevor Tanner)
