LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

In 1980, Code Blue, a no-nonsense power trio featuring Dean Chamberlain of The Motels, released its first studio album. Although commercial success on a grand scale was not to be, the band's potent melodic concoction remains one of the most original sounds of the New Wave era. While attending Berkeley in the early '70s, Chamberlain formed the group that would become The Motels. Soon after relocating to L.A., the unit fractured as singer Martha Davis became the primary focus, attracting attention from none other than Phil Spector. Chamberlain left to form Skin with drummer Randall Marsh and bassist Michael Ostendorf. Soon they had a record deal with Warner Bros. and a new name, Code Blue. Nigel Grey, fresh from work on the first two Police albums, signed on as producer, and Gary Tibbs of The Vibrators replaced Ostendorf on bass. After initial sessions at the legendary Olympic Studios in London and overdubs at Grey's studio in the south of England, the band broke with the producer and continued in L.A. with engineer Mike Stone. Released in 1980, Code Blue harnessed the raw, melodic spirit of the New Wave without relying on its musical cliches. While not as emblematic of the '80s as some of their contemporaries, Code Blue brought their delightful "Whisper/Touch" to the classic teen film Pretty In Pink, cementing their place among the finest the decade had to offer. Also featured on this expanded, remastered edition are 12 bonus tracks, including demos, live performances, and 2003 remixes of "Whisper/Touch" and "Hurt." Code Blue is available as an individually numbered limited edition of 2,500 copies.
TRACK LISTING WHISPER/TOUCH (2:33) MODERN TIMES (3:00) HURT (2:55) FACE TO FACE (3:13) BURNING BRIDGES (2:50) SOMEBODY KNOWS (2:03) OTHER END OF TOWN (2:38) WHERE I AM (4:02) SETTLE FOR LESS (2:42) THE NEED (4:27) PAINT BY NUMBERS (3:16) WHISPER/TOUCH (2003 Remix) (2:33+) HURT (2003 REMIX) (3:00+) WHERE I AM (Demo) (5:00) SETTLE FOR LESS (Live) (3:00) OTHER END OF TOWN (Live) (2:53) BOOK OF JOB (4:52) BURNING BRIDGES (Demo) (2:45) SHE SAID YEAH (Live) (1:53) LETTER FROM LEAVENWORTH (3:22) PAINT BY NUMBERS (Live) (3:11) SPELLBOUND (3:50)