Sonically sumptuous, fiercely literary refined pop with a punk-derived sensibility.
Originally released in 1979, the Radiators’ “Ghostown” is widely regarded as one of the definitive Irish records, alongside “Astral Weeks”. The album is suffused with Bowie/Bolan producer Tony Visconti’s landscape production. Coming at the end of the 70s, it embraces the band’s punk origins, but with a fierce literary bent, and references 50s and 60s music in a historic overview of a changing Ireland. Singer and writer Philip Chevron went on to develop these themes in the Pogues. This expanded 45-track 2CD edition encompasses the original album and all related singles plus 28 previously unissued sides of demos, backing track mixes and live tracks that produce an insight into the making of the album. The booklet contains contributions from the record’s many fans, including Roddy Doyle.
ROGER ARMSTRONG
