Skids – The Absolute Game (45th Anniversary) 2LP (Blue Stone Translucent Vinyl)

The Skids – The Absolute Game (45th Anniversary)

Truly one of the greatest British bands to come out of the 1976 / 1977 musical rupture that was Punk, Dunfermline's Skids went on to demonstrate they had so much more to them than many of their contemporaries. Always a tight and powerful musical powerhouse they enjoyed a string of classic chart hits between 1978 and 1979 ('Into The Valley', 'Masquerade', 'Working For The Yankee Dollar' etc).

Following this, they surprised and delighted fans and critics alike with 1980's ambitious and experimental third album outing 'The Absolute Game'. The album was also the first to feature feature new bassist Russell Webb and his inclusion, along with the contribution of new producer Mick Glossop, made for an accomplished and progressive evolution.
The first sign that the band had upped the ante somewhat came with the album's first single (and its opener), 'Circus Games', which fused incisive lyrics and rallying vocal delivery with a powerful backing track, replete with synth stylings and even a schoolkids' chorus. Future singles to be culled included 'A Woman In Winter' and the glorious 'Goodbye Civilian'. Record Collector latersaid of the album: "Endlessly inventive and perfectly executed, it deservedly became their most successful release".
Initial copies of 'The Absolute Game' came with the free mini album 'Strength Through Joy' an experimental mini- album that blended world music influences and atmospheric and ambient sounds that perfectly fitted 1980's Peter Gabriel / Talking Heads / 'Scary Monsters' Bowie zeitgeist.

For this stunning 2LP vinyl reissue, 'The Absolute Game', and 'Strength Through Joy', have been remastered from the source tapes, thereby correcting previous problems with the album's tape transfers. The work was undertaken by respected audio engineer George Shilling (previous credits include Blur, Teenage Fanclub, Bernard Butler, Oasis, Primal Scream).

Artwork has been lovingly recreated with the original's lyric sheet and Skids merchandise inserts promoted onto illustrated inner bags. The albums have pressed onto translucent blue stone vinyl.

Tracklist:
A1 - CIRCUS GAMES
A2 - OUT OF TOWN
A3 - GOODBYE CIVILIAN
A4 - THE CHILDREN SAW THE SHAME
A5 - A WOMAN IN WINTER

B1 - HURRY ON BOYS
B2 - HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU
B3 - THE DEVILS DECADE
B4 - ONE DECREE
B5 - ARENA

C1 - AN INCIDENT IN ALGIERS
C2 - GRIEVANCE
C3 - STRENGTH THROUGH JOY
C4 - FILMING AFRICA
C5 - A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

D1 - SNAKES AND LADDERS
D2 - SURGICAL TRIUMPH
D3 - THE BELL JAR

Label: Demon Records
Released: 1980/2026