American Analog Set - Through the 90's: Singles and Unreleased - Emperor Jones Records

Review by: Dave Morgan

I been trying to write a review for this record for a couple of weeks but somehow I just couldn't find the words. Then it occurred to that the best thing I could say about The American Analog Set's Through the 90's: Singles and Unreleased is that I've been listening to it almost daily for weeks. It works really well as a whole despite its being a collection of singles, a lost EP, unreleased album tracks, a soda jingle and some live stuff.

I guess the most surprising thing about this collection is that it exists at all. The Analog Set never quite seemed the type of band that would indulge in this sort of thing. They're not the most prolific band and neither are they terribly forthcoming with information. Through the 90's: Singles and Unreleased goes a long way towards aquatinting the music buying public with this somewhat enigmatic band. For a band that never had much more than song names on their records, there is a veritable goldmine of photos and notes for each song detailing when and how it was recorded along with the original plans for release.

While pretty much the whole record is good, "The Only Living Boy Around" is very much a stand out track. I'm glad not to have to get up and flip the single anymore. Some of the songs here have appeared on albums as different versions such as "Magnificent Seventies" which is on From Our Living Room to Yours. This is the shorter single version of the song. I prefer the 10 minute album version where its allowed to stretch out but I think I'm in the minority on that one.

The only song here that gets skipped though is "Don't Wake Me (Meow Mix)" wherein the song from Living Room gets the remix treatment from late Austin electronic group Kitty. While its interesting and all, I think the idea of an Analog Set remix should have stayed an idea.

This is their last record for the Emperor Jones label as The American Analog Set has now moved on to the greener pastures of Tiger Style. It makes for a very nice holdover until the new record is out.

Read where Tiger Style got their name from here.

See pictures of The American Analog Set here.