Seventh Dream Of Teenage Heaven was Love And Rockets darkly psychedelic debut album, and it was released by Beggars Banquet in 1985 and marked the beginning of a career that would span an impressive 14 years and 7 albums. This special release features a high definition 96 kHz / 24 bit surround mix created by Neil Wilkes from the analogue multi-tracks and also includes three additional bonus tracks from the original session including the single “Ball Of Confusion” and a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Lucifer Sam”.
The original stereo masters, as used on the CD and vinyl, were digitally mixed on to F1 masters in 1985 at 44.1 kHz / 16 bit, so no high resolution analogue copies were created. For the Blu-ray release, Neil Wilkes has created a new HD stereo mix. The release has been approved by original producer John A. Rivers.
Love And Rockets formed in 1985, almost 2 years after the demise of cult goth pioneers Bauhaus. The band re-united Daniel Ash (vocals and guitar), David J (vocals and bass) and Kevin Haskins (drums). Back in the mid-Eighties, when the US alternative scene was just that, Love And Rockets were one of the leading lights.
Love and Rockets provided a clean slate and an opportunity to plumb the depths of imagination and influences. Their first single, a radical reworking of The Temptations classic “Ball Of Confusion”, was a huge hit in underground dance clubs on both sides of the Atlantic. The release of their acclaimed debut album followed. Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven was an unashamedly psychedelic adventure, far removed from the dark soundscapes of Bauhaus. Yet they had to fight hard to avoid being branded ‘goth’, citing Syd Barrett, Marc Bolan and the Beatles as primary influences.
This release is on a Pure Audio Blu-ray disc, meaning it can be played on a Blu-ray player like a CD, without the need for a navigational screen (though this is included). The audio streams are allocated to the color buttons on the remote control.
Ned Ragget wrote about it’s recent 30th anniversary for The Quietus. “it’s its own thing, ruined elegance, sculpted beauty, sometimes sharp without being angry, often inspiring without being sappy, able to capture even slow dull moments in an attractive fashion. Every time I hear it, I’m glad it exists.”