The late Mark Lanegan’s acclaimed 2004 album “Bubblegum” is receiving a deluxe 20th anniversary reissue, featuring a wealth of previously unreleased songs and demos, including a collaboration with Beck. Titled “Bubblegum XX,” the reissue arrives on August 23rd and marks the first posthumous release since Lanegan’s passing in February 2022.
The original “Bubblegum” album, which has been remastered for this reissue, features a stellar lineup of guest musicians. Lanegan’s Queens of the Stone Age bandmates Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri, and Troy Van Leeuwen contribute, as well as The Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli and classic Guns N’ Roses members Duff McKagan and Izzy Stradlin. Singer PJ Harvey also lends her vocals to two tracks: “Hit the City” and “Come to Me.”
The collaboration with Beck, titled “Union Turnpike,” is a song that Lanegan had hoped to include on the original version of “Bubblegum.” However, Beck was unable to contribute at the time, likely due to working on his own 2005 album, “Guero.” Beck recorded his vocals and harmonica earlier this year to finally complete the track.
Among the other rarities are a series of tunes that Lanegan recorded with Van Leeuwen in various hotel rooms. “These hotel demo sessions were basically forgotten,” Van Leeuwen said in a statement. “When I heard the news of Mark’s passing, these memories started rushing back to me. I searched through my archive of drives and somehow magically was able to open up these sessions. It’s a true gift from Mark to those of us who love him and his unvarnished expression of beauty. With every listen, I am humbled and honored to share his gift with you.”
The deluxe reissue comes in a limited edition 4-LP/3-CD box set, complete with a 64-page hardback booklet featuring essays by Homme, Van Leeuwen, McKagan, Alain Johannes, and more. Separate 2-LP editions of just the “Bubblegum” album are available in transparent red or black vinyl.
“Bubblegum XX” 4-LP Tracklist:
Bubblegum:
A1. “When Your Number Isn’t Up”
A2. “Hit the City” feat. PJ Harvey
A3. “Wedding Dress”
A4. “Methamphetamine Blues”
B1. “One Hundred Days”
B2. “Bombed”
B3. “Strange Religion”
B4. “Sideways In Reverse”
C1. “Come to Me” feat. PJ Harvey
C2. “Like Little Willie John”
C3. “Can’t Come Down”
D1. “Morning Glory Wine”
D2. “Head”
D3. “Driving Death Valley Blues”
D4. “Out of Nowhere”
Here Comes That Weird Chill (Methamphetamine Blues, Extras & Oddities):
A1. “Methamphetamine Blues”
A2. “On The steps of the Cathedral”
A3. “Clear Spot”
A4. “Message to Mine”
A5. “Lexington Slow Down”
A6. “Skeletal History”
B1. “Wish You Well”
B2. “Sleep With Me”
B3. “Sleep With Me – Version…”
B4. “Sympathy” (previously only available on the “Has God Seen My Shadow” anthology)
B5. “Mirrored” (B side from “Hit the City” single)
B6. “Mud Pink Skag” (B side from “Hit the City” single)
Demos & Unreleased Songs:
A1. “Heard a Train” *
A2. “Union Tombstone” feat. Beck *
A3. “Josephine” *
A4. “Kingdom” *
A5. “Soldier” *
A6. “Little Willie John” * (Alternate version of “Like Little Willie John”)
A7. “Blood (Crackers & Honey)” *
B1. “You Wild Colorado” ** (Johnny Cash cover)
B2. “Revolver” ** (original demo of a song eventually recorded with Isobel Campbell)
B3. “Leaving New River Blues” ** (previously only available on the “Has God Seen My Shadow” anthology as “Heaven Is Dry”)
B4. “St. James Infirmary” **
B5. “Willie John” ** (Alternate version of “Like Little Willie John”)
B6. “Pure Religion” ** (Alternate version of “Strange Religion”)
* outtake
** Troy Van Leeuwen Hotel session
According to brooklynvegan.com, the reissue will be available as a four-LP or three-CD set and will also come out digitally. All of the music, including the original album and the EP “Here Comes That Weird Chill (Methamphetamine Blues, Extras & Oddities),” has been remastered at Abbey Road. Twelve of the 40 tracks in the collection have never been released before.
Seven of the rarities are outtakes, including “Union Tombstone,” which Lanegan wanted Beck to record on at the time. Beck was working on another album of his own at the time, likely 2005’s “Guero,” and wasn’t able to record his part. Beck recorded vocals and harmonica to the track earlier this year to complete it.
The rest of the unreleased music is recordings Lanegan made with Van Leeuwen in various hotel rooms. “These hotel demo sessions were basically forgotten,” Van Leeuwen said in a statement. “When I heard the news of Mark’s passing, these memories started rushing back to me. I searched through my archive of drives and somehow magically was able to open up these sessions. It’s a true gift from Mark to those of us who love him and his unvarnished expression of beauty. With every listen, I am humbled and honored to share his gift with you.”
The limited-edition vinyl set includes a 64-page hardback booklet that includes essays by many of Lanegan’s friends and collaborators, including Van Leeuwen, Homme, Goss, Johannes, Catching, Dulli, McKagan, and Brett Netson. It also includes studio notes and photography by Steve Gullick, including previously unpublished pictures.
The original “Bubblegum” album will also be reissued on transparent red vinyl and black vinyl as double-LPs, retitled “Bubblegum XX.”
Lanegan, who chronicled his experiences with drugs in vivid detail in his 2020 memoir “Sing Backwards and Weep,” recorded the album between stints in rehab. Many of the songs make reference to drug use, which he openly spoke about at the time. “Every one of these goddamn songs is about [drugs], and when I’m talking about love, it’s not a human love,” he told CMJ New Music Monthly in 2004. “But that’s just me. And luckily, some people can connect to this shit, this music, that aren’t junkies. But I always figured that I was making this music for my own people.” In the same interview, he said, “Today, I’m good, my quality of life today is really good, and I’m OK with that.”
Source: Consequence, BrooklynVegan
