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
