Dream Academy - Religion, Revolution & Railways - The Complete Recordings (7 x CDs)

DREAM ACADEMY

Dream Academy - Religion, Revolution & Railways - The Complete Recordings (7 x CDs)

The Dream Academy, a British band formed in the early 1980s, featured the talents of singer/guitarist Nick Laird-Clowes, multi-instrumentalist Kate St John, and keyboardist Gilbert Gabriel. They gained international fame with their hit single “Life in a Northern Town” in 1985, which resonated with audiences worldwide. Their music is a delightful mix of alternative pop, folk rock, and new wave, distinguished by their use of unique instruments like strings, woodwinds, and synthesizers.

The band’s sound was shaped by a diverse range of influences. Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, who co-produced two of their albums, played a significant role in their musical development. They also drew inspiration from the melancholic and introspective songwriting of Nick Drake, the innovative production techniques of Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys, and the intricate guitar work of Johnny Marr from The Smiths. Although The Dream Academy disbanded in 1991, they left behind a legacy of innovative and captivating music that continues to enchant listeners.

The Dream Academy’s box set, "Religion, Revolution & Railways - The Complete Recordings", is a delightful treasure trove released by Cherry Red Records. This 7CD collection beautifully captures the band’s entire musical journey, featuring their three studio albums, B-sides, remixes, and some never-before-heard tracks. The band’s frontman, Nick Laird-Clowes, personally oversaw the meticulous remastering and compilation, ensuring that this collection is the ultimate representation of their work.

Formed in the early 1980s, The Dream Academy was influenced by a rich tapestry of musical styles and artists. Their sound is a unique blend of alternative pop, folk rock, and new wave. One of their most significant influences was Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, who co-produced two of their albums and played a crucial role in shaping their sound. The band’s ethereal and pastoral art-pop style also drew inspiration from the likes of Nick Drake, whose melancholic and introspective songwriting left a lasting impact on their music.

The Dream Academy’s music was also shaped by the innovative production techniques of Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys and the intricate guitar work of Johnny Marr from The Smiths. Their collaboration with Lindsey Buckingham and Richard Dashut, known for their work with Fleetwood Mac, further enriched their sonic palette. The band’s use of unconventional instruments such as strings, woodwinds, and synthesizers set them apart from the power pop groups of their time, creating a distinctive soundscape that resonated with audiences worldwide.

In summary, Religion, Revolution & Railways - The Complete Recordings is a celebration of The Dream Academy’s enduring legacy and their ability to blend various musical influences into a cohesive and captivating body of work. This release by Cherry Red Records is a must-have for fans and collectors alike, offering a deep dive into the band’s rich and varied musical journey. (B)

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Track lists

CD01 The Dream Academy

01 Dream Academy - Life In A Northern Town 4:19

02 Dream Academy - The Edge Of Forever 4:23

03 Dream Academy - (Johnny) New Light 4:22

04 Dream Academy - In Places On The Run 4:27

05 Dream Academy - This World 5:08

06 Dream Academy - Bound To Be 3:08

07 Dream Academy - Moving On 5:15

08 Dream Academy - The Love Parade 3:47

09 Dream Academy - The Party 5:07

10 Dream Academy - One Dream 2:32

CD02 Remembrance Days

01 Dream Academy - Indian Summer 4:57

02 Dream Academy - The Lesson Of Love 4:40

03 Dream Academy - Humdrum 4:18

04 Dream Academy - Power To Believe 5:15

05 Dream Academy - Hampstead Girl 3:42

06 Dream Academy - Here 4:24

07 Dream Academy - In The Hands Of Love 4:50

08 Dream Academy - Ballad In 4/4 3:59

09 Dream Academy - Doubleminded 3:53

10 Dream Academy - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime 3:43

11 Dream Academy - In Exile (For Rodrigo Rojas) 6:44

CD03 A Different Kind Of Weather

01 Dream Academy - Love 3:44

02 Dream Academy - Mercy Killing 4:44

03 Dream Academy - Lucy September 3:06

04 Dream Academy - Gaby Says 5:04

05 Dream Academy - Waterloo 5:04

06 Dream Academy - Twelve-Eight Angel 4:19

07 Dream Academy - St. Valentine's Day 2:45

08 Dream Academy - It'll Never Happen Again 3:33

09 Dream Academy - Forest Fire 4:15

10 Dream Academy - Lowlands 3:47

11 Dream Academy - Not For Second Prize 2:54

CD04 The River Ran on...

01 Dream Academy - The Love Parade (Remix) 3:56

02 Dream Academy - Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want 3:07

03 Dream Academy - Girl In A Million (For Edie Sedgewick) 3:47

04 Dream Academy - In Places Of The Run (Single Version) 3:42

05 Dream Academy - In The Heart 3:10

06 Dream Academy - The Chosen Few 4:29

07 Dream Academy - Hampstead Girl (B/V Mix) 4:26

08 Dream Academy - Indian Summer (Single Version) 3:42

09 Dream Academy - Sunrising 4:50

10 Dream Academy - The Demonstration 4:23

11 Dream Academy - The Last Day Of The War, Pt. 1 2:00

12 Dream Academy - The Last Day Of The War 4:50

CD05 Be-sides

01 Dream Academy - The Day It Rained Forever 2:52

02 Dream Academy - Poised On The Edge Of Forever 3:35

03 Dream Academy - Test Tape #3 5:07

04 Dream Academy - Bound To Be (Demo) 2:39

05 Dream Academy - Things We Said Today 2:57

06 Dream Academy - Doubleminded (Demo) 3:45

07 Dream Academy - These Walls 4:38

08 Dream Academy - The Party (Acoustic Version) 3:33

09 Dream Academy - Living In A War 4:17

10 Dream Academy - Immaculate Heartache 5:07

11 Dream Academy - House Of Heartbreak 8:16

CD06 Back Tracked

01 Dream Academy - Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want (Instrumental) 3:07

02 Dream Academy - Love Parade (Instrumental) 3:32

03 Dream Academy - Humdrum (Instrumental) 4:20

04 Dream Academy - Power To Believe (Instrumental) 4:40

05 Dream Academy - Hampstead Girl (Instrumental) 3:41

06 Dream Academy - Here (Instrumental) 4:23

07 Dream Academy - Hands Of Love (B/V Mix) 4:53

08 Dream Academy - Ballad In 4/4 (Instrumental) 3:59

09 Dream Academy - Doubleminded (Instrumental) 3:53

10 Dream Academy - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime (Instrumental) 3:44

11 Dream Academy - In Exile (For Rodrigo Rojas) (Instrumental) 6:45

12 Dream Academy - The Demonstration (Instrumental) 4:06

13 Dream Academy - In Suspendium 1:37

CD07 Love Etc...

01 Dream Academy - Life In A Northern Town (Extended Version) 5:21

02 Dream Academy - The Love Parade (12' Version) 6:17

03 Dream Academy - Indian Summer (Extended Version) 6:51

04 Dream Academy - Angel Of Mercy (12/8 Mix) 6:00

05 Dream Academy - Mordechai Vanunu 5:40

06 Dream Academy - Love (Love Is 7) 5:02

07 Dream Academy - Love (Dreamstrumental) 5:09

08 Dream Academy - Love (Dreamhouse) 7:36

09 Dream Academy - Love (Love Is 12) 6:54

10 Dream Academy - Love (Whales In Love) 4:02

11 Dream Academy - Love (Hare Krishna Mix) 7:02

12 Dream Academy - Heaven (Pts. 1 & 2) 4:32

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