SC Distributon

The sound of our anti-heroes lost on the edge of a treasure map. The fifth Beat Happening studio album, You Turn Me On was produced by Steve Fisk and Stuart Moxham. Mr. Moxham had been a member of the Young Marble Giants, an important early influence on the band. You Turn Me On finds the band experimenting with various arrangements and musical ideas; several of the songs have two, rather than the usual one, guitarist playing interwoven parts, and many of the songs break out of the band’s standard three minute song format, some extending into the 6 to 9 minute range. Heather Lewis and Calvin Johnson also wrote lyrics for each other on “Sleepy Head” and “Hey Day”. An expansive, rumbling audio odyssey, You Turn Me On includes the epics “Godsend” and “Tiger Trap”, plus anthems “Teenage Caveman” and “You Turn Me On”.

Dreamy is the fourth Beat Happening studio album, considered by many to be their finest achievement. From the epic “Revolution Come and Gone” to the country-tinged “Cry for a Shadow”, there is a plethora of styles and forms and feelings on Dreamy. Combining state-of-the-art studio technique with down-home captured in the moment, Dreamy is a delicate balance between “real” 24 track studio recordings, and documents made while our quiet three are ensconced in Steve Fisk’s home four track lodging (a photo of the band in front of Fisk’s pad graces the cover). Included is the original version of the oft-covered “Red Head Walking” and “Hot Chocolate Boy”. Originally a 1991 co-release with Sub/Pop, Dreamy has been out of print on CD for several years except as a part of the Crashing Through (KLP115) CD box set of Beat Happening material.

Hey, Gravedigger. Welcome to Black Candy, the third Beat Happening album. Bret, Heather and Calvin explore the more sinister aspects of life, with an eye towards the relief that can be found in its simpler pleasures. “Melancholy” is a word that has been used to describe this approach, though Black Candy does include many optimistic moments. If you like your pop music effervescent and carefree, there’s “T.V. Girl” and “Other Side” to polish your bike to. If you like it black, here’s a blast of playhouse on fire, pajama party and haunted shadow to propel your day. Originally a 1989 K release, available on Rough Trade in the U.K., Black Candy was re-issued on Sub/Pop in 1993. Included on here is the original version of “Cast a Shadow”, covered by Yo La Tengo and Cub. Black Candy has been out of print for several years on CD except as a part of the Crashing Through (KLP115) box set of Beat Happening material. Crashing Through includes all five of the Beat Happening albums (Beat Happening, Jamboree, Black Candy, Dreamy, You Turn Me On) plus the singles compilation Music to Climb the Apple Tree By (KLP109). All of the packaging for the CDs has been redesigned as six-panel digi-pak to include additional photographs of the band, many of which have never been published previously.

The second Beat Happening album: it rocks killer. Includes the original version of "Indian Summer", since covered by the likes of Luna and Spectrum. It was produced in Ellensburg, WA at Albright Productions by Steve Fisk. It was co-produced by Mark Lanegan and Gary Lee Conners of the Screaming Trees. Gary Lee Conners also plays guitar on the song “Midnight A’ Go-Go”. Hailed by many as one of the founding releases of the Crash-Pop genre. Nail it to your turntable and arch your back to the primitive beat.

“The only band in the history of the planet to be equally influenced by the Raincoats and Minor Threat. Beat Hap manufactures a universally acceptable sound that is as likable as a cool rain. Jamboree is their heaviest outing yet (actual “power chords” can be heard) but remains completely at odds with the more “pushable” (out the window, please) bands on the new breed RT roster. A perfect record. From a perfect band. - Forced Exposure

This album compiles Beat Happening songs recorded between 1984 and 2000, including material long out of print on 45s and compilations, including the original version of "Nancy Sin". The last four songs are from the Beat Happening/Screaming Trees collaboration EP. Music to Climb Apple Trees by was originally included in the seven CD box set Crashing Through (KLP115) released last year. Now it is being made available individually for the first time.