The only album the band released in their short life is back. The Creation – We Are Paintermen vinyl reissue – and a CD set too.
Not that it was a ‘proper’ album. The album was pretty much a catch-all for the band’s material recorded at the time, courtesy of Hit-Ton, which was the German distributor of The Creation’s records. The Painter Man track was a top 10 tune in Germany, and the band was big news there. Saying that the album didn’t sell well and never got a release in the UK.
But despite that, the album was the only release by the band (compilations aside) until Power Surge in the 90s, so it is noteworthy from that point of view. It’s also a cracking collection of tunes. And even more so if you get the new CD version. More on that in a moment.
First up is the vinyl, which is a half-speed master edition on 180g black vinyl. According to the label, the new edition has been mastered by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering from the original tapes using precision half-speed mastering. That’s a vinyl cutting technique that ‘improves groove accuracy and transient information’, creating an ‘incredibly detailed stereo image’ with a ‘natural high-frequency response’. Should you be wondering.
The album only saw a release in Germany and Denmark, and this reissue is presented in the Danish LP sleeve with the original liner note, and also features an obi strip and housed in a poly-lined inner sleeve, with all the credits and photos on the 4-page insert. I think that’s it. Track listings at the bottom of the page.
It lands on the 11th August 2023, and is available to pre-order now for £29.99.
Find out more about the vinyl at the Amazon website
As I said, there’s also a CD version with more tracks. It is a 2CD set that includes all their recordings from the 1960s. The two CDs are presented in brand new, seven-inch deluxe gatefold packaging, designed by Phil Smee, with an 8-page booklet which includes the credits and archive photos. Details of the tracks are again below.
That’s also released in August and again on pre-order, this time for £18.99.
Find out more about the CD at the Amazon website
Vinyl track listing:
Side One
1. Cool Jerk
2. Making Time
3. Through My Eyes
4. Like A Rolling Stone
5. Can I Join Your Band?
6. Tom Tom
Side Two
1. Try And Stop Me
2. If I Stay Too Long
3. Biff Bang Pow
4. Nightmares
5. Hey Joe
6. Painter Man
CD track listings:
Disc One
WE ARE PAINTERMEN
1. Cool Jerk
2. Making Time*
3. Through My Eyes
4. Like A Rolling Stone
5. Can I Join Your Band?
6. Tom Tom
7. Try And Stop Me*
8. If I Stay Too Long
9. Biff Bang Pow
10. Nightmares
11. Hey Joe
12. Painter Man
Disc Two
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO FEEL
1. How Does It Feel To Feel
[UK version]
2. Sylvette
3. Life Is Just Beginning
4. How Does It Feel To Feel
[US version]
5. I Am The Walker*
6. Ostrich Man*
7. Sweet Helen*
8. Midway Down
9. The Girls Are Naked*
10. Bony Moronie*
11. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy*
12. For All That I Am
13. Uncle Bert*
*mono
