Disco II (the lost 1988 album)

[markus]

Yes, Disco 2, released right after Behaviour, might have worked even better. Including the KLF remix would’ve been both flattering and smart from a commercial point of view. Behaviour, being mellow and ballad-driven, was probably a disappointment to some after the success of Introspective (which sold 4 million copies compared to Behaviour’s 2.5). A Disco 2 follow-up could’ve brought back the missing 1.5 million listeners.

[TwizzleUK]

This "lost album" was recently discussed as it turns out there was a mentioning of it in a music magazine in 1988 [Record Mirror: 46, april 1988 https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record ... 02-OCR.pdf]

I've scoured this scan, but can't find any mention of this - what page is it on?

Thanks

[VRIDD]

This "lost album" was recently discussed as it turns out there was a mentioning of it in a music magazine in 1988 [Record Mirror: 46, april 1988 https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record ... 02-OCR.pdf]

I've scoured this scan, but can't find any mention of this - what page is it on?

Thanks

46

[telys]

Greetings,

As cool as this hypothetical release would have been, there's no way on earth they could have done a Disco II without forsaking Introspective... (imagine releasing those two back to back!?) and I'm not losing Introspective for a compilation.

IMO, the ideal time for Disco II would have been 1992. It would have allowed them to be a bit choosier about the mixes included, and would have had given them at least some hope of reaching the power of the original.

Retro.

Oh, but remember we also have another Lost album: the soundtrack to It Couldn't Happen Here. The promo cassette is longer than 60 minuters so I don't really know if the LP version would been contracted or a double album. My guess is that the LP-version would've gotten edits and missing 1-3 tracks compared to the CD version.

After that soundtrack they would've been able to release Introspective but not in October of '88 but probably earliest spring of '89 with perhaps a winter single before that.

[neilgregory72]

I remember talk of Disco 2 in 88 and around the time of Heart it seemed an obvious step.
A summer release of Disco 2 followed by an album in 89. Obvious really.
Then came ICHH around the time we were expecting Heart and then the announcement of Introspective in Smash Hits put paid to all that. Introspective just seemed like the worst of both worlds at the time. Half a Disco 2 and no new album just the new songs.

Was really disappointed at the news. I need not have worried though.

And we didn't get the album in 89 either.

[telys]

I remember talk of Disco 2 in 88 and around the time of Heart it seemed an obvious step.
A summer release of Disco 2 followed by an album in 89. Obvious really.
Then came ICHH around the time we were expecting Heart and then the announcement of Introspective in Smash Hits put paid to all that. Introspective just seemed like the worst of both worlds at the time. Half a Disco 2 and no new album just the new songs.

Was really disappointed at the news. I need not have worried though.

And we didn't get the album in 89 either.

Very interesting to read.
Maybe a parallel to Closer To Heaven... a major side project (where they have no idea what they are doing) ruining "the perfect plan".

[telys]

It's all not very focused:
Heart is the nr 1 single in the spring of '88 and they still haven't released Always on my mind on an album
Then comes a flimsical film without any soundtrack album where we could get the 7'' mix of Heart and Always on my mind
Instead there is a new single in September and a completely new album.
No wonder things didn't as well as during 87.

[TallThinMan]

And we didn't get the album in 89 either.

To be fair, we did get ‘Results’ and half of ‘Reputation’. Oh and ‘Getting Away With It’. Not bad?

[Gabby]

I thought it's documented that the Boys were contractually obligated to release another album, and that's partly why Introspective exists where it does in the timeline? Didn't Tom Watkins and the Boys have to make a case for it being a legit album as well because of the short tracklisting?

I think a "proper" Disco 2 was shelved perhaps because they wanted to push their contractual album obligations along more quickly?

[telys]

I thought it's documented that the Boys were contractually obligated to release another album, and that's partly why Introspective exists where it does in the timeline? Didn't Tom Watkins and the Boys have to make a case for it being a legit album as well because of the short tracklisting?

I think a "proper" Disco 2 was shelved perhaps because they wanted to push their contractual album obligations along more quickly?

Why would a Disco II hurt them in that sense? All the tracks alreade recorded and done, only for the record company to compile it and release it.

[Ramzy]

Also weren't they on a seven-album deal that only ended with Nightlife? I'm not sure any of these theories really make sense - if they'd wanted to churn through an album release they could easily have done so without making all the tracks eight minutes long (as others have pointed out, they had I Get Excited, Don Juan and The Sound Of... good to go). Surely the most likely explanation is simply that this is the album they wanted to make?

[neilgregory72]

It almost feels like they weren't quite sure what they should focus on in mid/late 88.
They weren't ready to tour so made a film. Released an album without the standard 10 tracks. We're these just to appease the record company?

A full album with Liza the following year as Dusty wanted other people on her record. Why not their own full album?

But most of all, we should have had a Left to my own devices Remix!!

[telys]

Also weren't they on a seven-album deal that only ended with Nightlife? I'm not sure any of these theories really make sense - if they'd wanted to churn through an album release they could easily have done so without making all the tracks eight minutes long (as others have pointed out, they had I Get Excited, Don Juan and The Sound Of... good to go). Surely the most likely explanation is simply that this is the album they wanted to make?

Hey why not go full Pink Floyd on us.. Introspective 4-track version
Side A
1. Left To My Own Devices (incl Atomsplitting after Guevara-Debussy part) 8:16+3:37=11:53
2. Always On My Mind/In My House/Always on my mind Dub Mix 9:05+2:07=11:12
Side B
3. I'm Not Scared+ J'ai pas peur 7:23+5:48=13:11
4. It's alright (+extra verses from 10'' mix) 9:24+1:00=10:24
Total album length: 46:40

[Spittingcat]

Hey why not go full Pink Floyd on us.. Introspective 4-track version
Total album length: 46:40

That could have been quite "Trevor Horn" as well.