Islands Treat 'Return to the Sea' to 10th Anniversary Vinyl Reissue

BY Gregory AdamsPublished Oct 5, 2016

Canadian indie outfit Islands went for broke this year by pumping out two new albums: Taste and Should I Remain Here at Sea? However, they aren't done with us yet, as they've just announced plans to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut album, Return to the Sea, with a new vinyl reissue.

The original vinyl pressing of Nick Diamonds' first post-Unicorns LP was issued through Equator Records in the spring of 2006. Now, however, you can pick up a newly remastered vinyl version of the album, pressed on two 45 rpm LPs, through Islands' Bandcamp. It's set for release on November 11.

While the package doesn't contain any bonus material, the re-release adds touched-up artwork, new photos and an essay from Diamonds about the making of the album. Apparently, he contemplated doing a fully re-imagined remix that would strip away certain sections from the record, but he has embraced the "flaws" of the original release.

"No, this record isn't anywhere near perfect, and nor should anything earthly be," Diamonds wrote. "I've only started to realize that this record's imperfections are exactly what cradles its meaning and curiosities, its heart and spirit. Here it is again. Back in my arms or under my wings, the waves licking our ankles, ready to head back out again."

Adding to the celebrations, Islands have also announced anniversary shows in New York City and L.A., where they will be playing Return to the Sea in full with a string section and "special guests from the album's heyday."

A stream of Return to the Sea opener "Swans (Life After Death)" can be found below, where you'll also find all the info on the band's upcoming U.S. tour.

Return to the Sea:

1. Swans (Life After Death)
2. Humans
3. Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby
4. Rough Gem
5. Tsuxiit
6. Where There's a Will, There's a Whalebone
7. Jogging Gorgeous Summer
8. Volcanoes
9. If
10. Ones
11. Bucky Littlewing

Tour dates:

10/11 Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar *
10/13 Dallas, TX - Three Links *
10/14 Austin, TX - The Sidewinder * 
10/15 Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall * 
10/16 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues - The Parish *
10/17 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder * 
10/19 Atlanta, GA - Terminal West %
10/20 Nashville, TN - The High Watt %
10/21 Knoxville, TN - The Concourse %
10/22 Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery %
10/23 Wilmington, DE - Arden Gild Hall %
10/25 Pittsburgh, PA - Club Cafe %
10/26 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop % 
10/27 Indianapolis, IN - The Hi-Fi % 
10/28 Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room %
10/29 Denver, CO - Marquis Theater % 
10/31 Salt Lake City - Urban Lounge % 
12/02 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Forever Cemetery #
12/10 New York, NY - Webster Hall #
 
* with Alex Cameron 
% with Steady Holiday 
Return to the Sea 10th Anniversary Show 

 

Latest Coverage