BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
Re-Rip Remaster
Originally I posted this one back in May of 2010. But for those who may have missed it, or if you are a new reader just discovering BTG. I decided to give this one a fresh new rip with my newer Ortofon 30 stylus. The 12″ is also being posted in 24 bit flac for the very first time!
“Things Can Only Get Better” was released as the first single from Howard Jones’ 1985 album Dream Into Action, reaching #6 in the UK Singles Chart and #5 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Curiously, the song also crossed over to the R&B charts in America, peaking at #54 (a rarity for a white artist at the time).
A typically upbeat Jones composition, it was one of two songs from the album to feature all-female singing group Afrodiziak on backing vocals. John Leland from Spin magazine wrote that “It mines the best of the Anglo soul movement: a clean slap-bass line, precise horns and synths, and some well-paced and inviting singing”.
The cover of the 12″ single featured a photograph of Jones, in profile, sitting in a high bar stool. This image was used in silhouette for the 7″ artwork, the single being issued in several alternative sleeves with different colour backgrounds.
“New Song (New Version)” is the same version that appears on the 12″ Album except that it has an earlier fade.
SIDE A:
Things Can Only Get Better (LP Version) 4:05
What Is Love? (New Extended Version) 6:33
Lyrics By – Howard Jones, William Bryant
Music By – Howard Jones
SIDE B:
Things Can Only Get Better (Extended Version) 7:25
New Song (New Version) 4:51
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
CHARTS:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Things Can Only Get Better | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #5 |
| 1985 | Things Can Only Get Better | U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | #28 |
| 1985 | Things Can Only Get Better | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play | #10 |
| 1985 | Things Can Only Get Better | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #54 |
| 1985 | Things Can Only Get Better | U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | #21 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Elektra – 0-66915
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 RPM, Yellow Sleeve
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Producer – Rupert Hine
Recorded By, Mixed By – Stephen W. Tayler
Written-By – Howard Jones (tracks: A1, B1, B2)
NOTES:
Picture sleeve available in 3 other colours.
white, pink and orange.
Produced for Gestalt.
Mastered at Sterling.
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Greetings from Vermont USA – Incredible website…such a labor of love – thank you very much.
Hello Master dj gracias por toda la musica…
Some great songs on this 12″
Thanks Paul 🙂
Many thanks Paul!!
Even I (with my bad hearing) can hear the difference between the rips, amazing!
You rock!! wohoo!! =D
Paul,
I usually just replace your old rips with the new ones without listening immediately. Just listening to this one now. It sounds absolutely fantastic. THANKS.
Mike
You’re welcome Mike! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Cool, thanks for the re-post… I’ve missed my files….
Is there a chance to reupload some such as Exposé’s Point of No Retrun ’85 e ’87 12¨ Album?
Thank you very much
you’re welcome Marcello. The Expose files should be working.
This 12″ in hangs framed in my living room wall (the orange cover) along with some other LP’s LD’s and 12″ singles
Very cool Sailer 🙂
Cool. Thanks.
You’re welcome Music Fan 🙂
Is there a 12 inch version of Howard Jones’ You Know I Love You Don’t You. That’s one of his best songs, I reckon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks0mEJZXiPE
Hi Music Fan yes there is I think I have posted it before. I’ll try to post it again sometime.
Thank you, Paul!
You’re welcome Dean 🙂
Your blog is a treasure.
Thank you AbFabRabCab 🙂
Thanks for these superb albums.
Is there a chance to reupload some such as Regina´s Baby Love 12¨ Album?
Very thanks!
T H A N K Y O U S O M U C H !
i am in absolute heaven. xo
You’re very welcome Reid 🙂
BTW Paul – thanks!
You’re welcome Jermajesty 🙂
Oh dear. Each to their own, but at a time when the UK charts were packed with great synthpop, he was one of the acts – see also A Flock of Seagulls, Kajagoogoo – that slipped in on their coat tails and made it easy for people to attack synthpop as weak, trite, etc. Truly awful 🙂
Lol, of all the bands you could’ve picked..! Do you not think A Flock of Seagulls and Kajagoogoo were themselves riding on the coat tails of The Human League, Depeche Mode, OMD, Soft Cell… all massively successful by 1981.
I think a lot of Howard’s songs would’ve stood up even if he’d never touched a synth. Not so sure Ooh-To-Be-Ahh would (much as I do love it). Some great lyrics and themes in Howard’s early days, first album is quite dark for a pop record.
Oh, hang on, I’ve just re-read your comment in a different way – you’re grouping HoJo WITH Kaja and Flock of Seagulls, as all riding coat tails?? Apols.
I still stand by my HoJo comments though. 😀
Where do New Order sit in all this?? In one way they could be seen as jumping on the synth bandwagon, they were a bit late to the party, yet most people have nothing but praise for them. ‘Legends’.
Yes, I meant it in the latter sense :-). Thankfully AFOS were never that big in the UK (though I did like I Ran). New Order weren’t really late to electronics as they had been using them in their Joy Division days. But I hated pretty much everything about Howard Jones from the first time I saw him on Top of the Pops performing the blander than bland New Song with some arsehole mime artist wearing chains (which he threw off at the relevant part of the song – it was that bad). We’d had a variety of artists who’d… Read more »
I understand where Jonathan is coming from about HoJo, Kaja and AFOS. Hojo did come across as more whimsical, Kaja almost nonsensical and AFOS more miss than hit. Plus, what is the connection between the three? Pineapple head vs Seagull head…OTT New Wave hair-do! Perhaps this is what Jonathan is averse to? Bad 80s Hair? LOL! But like Jermajesty, I do appreciate the lightweight New Wave charm of these acts. Gave the UK Pop in the 80s its eclectic vibrance. It’s all relative at the end of the day, for I’m sure Jonathan would prefer the above three to the… Read more »
At least Black Lace knew Agadoo was rubbish! And I wouldn’t call Howard Jones or Kajagoogoo “new wave” – pure pop, or pap. Plus I had pretty bad 80s hair too – wouldn’t mind some of it now 🙂
Thanks, great 80’s tune.
You’re welcome Cheesegland 🙂
loved this one. Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar!
Thanks for the post! 😎
When you decide to re-rip something, is it because you weren’t 100% satisfied with the result of the original rip or some other reason? Or do you just know it will sound better with the new stylus? Just curious as to how you make the decision to re-rip. I will try to do a side by side comparison of the old and new rip and give you some feedback if you want it.
Generally it’s because I know it will sound better with the stylus upgrade. With this 12″ I originally ripped it using the Ortofon 10 which is the next to the bottom of the line in this Ortofon series. The Ortofon OM Super 30 that I am using now is like night and day compared to the old one. Another factor is that I was sent a donation to re-upload this one and instead of upping the old transfer I decided it was worthy of a new one. Donations always get priority on requests and re-ups 🙂
Thanks Paul for the HoJo! I had to get any and all of the colors of this back in the day.
Do you think you’ll post any 12″s of Eric Prydz derivation “And Do You Feel Scared”? However, Everlasting Love would also be a nice classic addition.
Also, a bit of trivia: Howard’s mum used to run his fanclub in High Wycombe back then. I used to get all sorts of sweet handwritten letters from her asking how I was. Thelma was a sweetheart. 🙂
You’re welcome Goodguy! That’s a very nice bit of trivia cool that she was so personable. I will have to look through my HoJo collection to see what I have left.
Thanks Paul! I actually grabbed this one back when you orig. posted it, but I will re download it considering your new Ortofon. I use Ortofon as well! I remember when this 12’er came out. I had to find all (4) versions! Best, RA Feutz
you’re welcome RA! I absolutely love my Ortofon Super 30 I am so glad i spent the extra money for the upgrade 🙂
Thanks for post!
I like these 2 extended versions!
great work !
You’re welcome Drake!