(4 / 5)
The Vapors formed in 1978 and were discovered by the Jam’s Bruce Foxton, and managed by Paul Weller’s dad. Signed to United Artists in 1979.
There is more to them than their big hit, “Turning Japanese” though, their second single which dropped in January 1980 and was number three in the UK and number one in Australia. Also a chart hit in New Zealand and Canada – # 36 in the US.
This 76-track deluxe four-CD box set contains the original albums “New Clear Days”, and “Magnets”, plus B-sides and single versions.
Also, two CDs of previously unreleased demos, rough mixes, alternative and live versions; featuring their performance from The Rainbow Theatre, London on third December 1979.
The set also delivers three previously unreleased songs: “Move”, “Secret Noise” and “Caroline”.
With a fully illustrated 24-page booklet containing “rare and previously unseen photos”, with a brand new annotation by Ed Piller. Mastered from the original master tapes retrieved from the EMI Archives
Their debut LP, “New Clear Days” peaked at # 44 in the UK albums chart, released in 1979. Second album “Magnets” hit the record stores in early 1981.
The band did not repeat the same degree of commercial success as “Turning Japanese”, but developed an international following before they called it a day in the early ‘80s.
They reformed 35 years later in 2016, and again in 2020 to release their third album “Together”, and they continue to play live shows, due embark on the “New Clear Days 40th anniversary” UK tour in October 2021, playing the debut album in full plus material from “Magnets” and “Together”.
By Daniel Curtis
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’
(3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’ (4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
