Which albums from the 1980s have never been released digitally on CD? Even though CDs started in 1982, albums (and singles) were being released on vinyl (and, sometimes, cassette) only right into the late 1980s. There's been a massive reissue push for a lot of this material by labels like Cherry Red in recent years, but some stuff has still never seen the light of day. There's been a general thread on this theme before, I recall, but many responses dealt with the '60s and '70s. The '80s was a transitional period with a lot of alternative genres, and I think it'd be interesting to highlight more of those cases. I wanted to focus explicitly on albums never released digitally on CD, not just those that are rare. Rare is one thing, unavailable at all is something else entirely. And who knows, maybe this thread can inspire some of the reissue labels - including the couple that live on these very forums - to look into some of these rare albums
The vast majority of albums issued from 1980 to 1983 never came out on CD because 99% of albums are total flops that never come close to selling out their first pressing.
I'll start with a few: The Firm - Serious Fun The album from the band that brought us Star Trekkin', and various other hits in the 1980s, has only ever been released as an LP. Seems like safe fodder for a reissue label, so very surprised it's never been issued, unless there's a good reason for it. The Danse Society - Seduction As far as I can tell, this album has never - remarkably - had a proper reissue. There's a sort of reissue as an expanded compilation from the early 2000s, with all of the tracks, but they're not sequenced the same, and I have a suspicion may even be edited in some way. It's a highly rated goth album from the 1980s so a proper reissue would make a lot of sense. Natasha - Captured Pop debut album from a singer that charted in Europe with a version of Iko Iko in the early 1980s. Never issued, although a compilation has apparently featured all of the tracks. It's online and on streaming as a deluxe edition. Leningrad Sandwich - Go East Leningrad Sandwich - Heat Leningrad Sandwich - Steps European gothic rock type band with three albums never released on CD. Xmal Deutschland - Sequenz EP I've mentioned this to a reissuer before because I'd like to see it appear somewhere, even as a bonus to a reissue of one of their albums (all on CD, but two not since the 1980s). It's notable because it's the material used on their Peel Sessions compilation, that's totally unavailable digitally. Strip Tease Belette - Strip Tease Belette Cult gothic type band, apparently only released on cassette. Insulin Reaction - What's The Point Another 1980s alternative band of gothic disposition. Looks like it's on streaming services, so might be available digitally to buy, but no idea of the quality of that. The Dispossessed - Sister Mary And another gothic rock band never issued on CD.
Lots of Boston stuff. The Turbines' two albums, the Nervous Eaters' Elektra album, Salem 66's debut, the Neighborhoods-- Fire is Coming, for starters.
Canadian band - The Payolas, had a few big hits, still getting airplay in 2018. The Payolas - EP Introducing Payolas The Payolas - In a Place like This The Payolas - No Stranger to Danger The Payolas - Hammer on a Drum
the Nervous Eaters yellow LP was issued about ten years ago on Wounded Bird The Dawgs albums , talking about Boston .
Tones on Tail "Pop" (1984). It got a release in the correct track sequence as part of a 1998 2CD compilation, but never a proper individual release, in any country
Why do you think it is different there. I dont know that the 99% figure is accurate, but it is very long odds against success for a first album by a new act, which lead to most not making second albums. And in a smaller market a band would need to sell to an much larger % of the market to be viable.
Another one: Toni Basil - Word of Mouth Her first album, the famous one, with the famous hit. It's had loads of LP issues but apparently never a CD. There's obviously a good Steve Hoffman mastered compilation, but that doesn't have quite a bit of material off this album. Seems odd that this one has never been reissued.
"Here's the World For Ya" as well. Although "Under the Volcano" came out late enough to merit one. I've got to imagine that most Canadian artists who didn't get international recognition never saw any kind of rereleases. It's shocking how poorly we look after the legacies of our own artists.
I feel like I'm the only guy who still cares about this album, but I happen to think it's great. Toronto post-punk band, The Government. Never released on compact disc. I'm not even sure there was a cassette.
Human Switchboard - Who's Landing in My Hangar, though the album was released as part of a CD compilation of all their work. So sorta-kinda.
A Drop in the Gray - Certain Sculptures (1984) Blanket of Secrecy - Ears Have Walls (1982) Shriekback - Jam Science (1984), though the band released a small, limited edition themselves it is essentially unavailable on CD
