Enigma Variations (album)

Untitled

The Enigma Variations is a compilation album of newer artists (in 1985) that were on Enigma Records or one of its subsidiaries. It was originally released as a double LP and cassette, but was then subsequently also released as a CD with a reduced number of tracks. The album was compiled by Steve Pross and William Hein. The Greek pressing of the album (on Virgin Records) was issued as a single LP.

A second volume was compiled and released in 1987.

Track listing

US LP

Disc 1, Side 1

1. Screamin' Sirens - Maniac 2:38
2. Jet Black Berries - Shadowdrive 4:41
3. Naked Prey - Flesh On The Wall 2:34
4. Tex & the Horseheads - Oh Mother 2:55
5. Greg Sage - Straight Ahead 4:10
6. Chris D. / Divine Horsemen - Time Stands Still 4:08
7. John Trubee - A Blind Man's Penis 1:41

Disc 1, Side 2

1. Rain Parade - No Easy Way Down 6:58
2. Plasticland - Disengaged From The World 2:36
3. The Pandoras - Worm Boy 2:10
4. Get Smart! - Just For The Moment 2:20
5. The Leaving Trains - Leaving Trains 2:28
6. Green On Red - Sixteen Ways 2:33
7. Game Theory - 24 3:05

Disc 2, Side 1

1. 45 Grave - Insurance From God 5:03
2. The Effigies - Blue Funk 4:50
3. Kraut - Juvenile Justice 1:54
4. Redd Kross - Citadel 2:52
5. T.S.O.L. - Flowers By The Door 3:32
6. Channel 3 - True West 2:59

Disc 2, Side 2

1. Cathedral of Tears - A Situation Of 3:25
2. Passionnel - The Yellow Boat 3:41
3. The Untouchables - Lebanon 3:42
4. The Pool - Where Did We Go Wrong 3:46
5. Scott Goddard - Cow Punk 4:51
6. SSQ - Playback 4:51

US CD

1. Jet Black Berries - Shadowdrive 4:41
2. Naked Prey - Flesh On The Wall 2:34
3. Tex & the Horseheads - Oh Mother 2:55
4. Greg Sage - Straight Ahead 4:10
5. Chris D. / Divine Horsemen - Time Stands Still 4:08
6. Green On Red - Sixteen Ways 2:33
7. Game Theory - 24 3:05
8. Rain Parade - No Easy Way Down 6:58
9. Plasticland - Disengaged From The World 2:36
10. The Pandoras - Worm Boy 2:10
11. Get Smart! - Just For The Moment 2:20
12. The Leaving Trains - Leaving Trains 2:28
13. 45 Grave - Insurance From God 5:03
14. Redd Kross - Citadel 2:52
15. John Trubee - A Blind Man's Penis 1:41
16. Screamin' Sirens - Maniac 2:36
17. T.S.O.L. - Flowers By The Door 3:32
18. Passionnel - The Yellow Boat 3:41
19. The Untouchables- Lebanon 3:42
20. SSQ - Playback 4:51

Greek LP

Side 1

1. Rain Parade - No Easy Way Down 6:58
2. Green On Red - Sixteen Ways 2:33
3. Screamin' Sirens - Maniac 2:38
4. Chris D. / Divine Horsemen - Time Stands Still 4:08
5. The Leaving Trains - Leaving Trains 2:28
6. Naked Prey - Flesh On The Wall 2:34
7. Greg Sage - Straight Ahead 4:10

Side 2

1. Jet Black Berries - Shadowdrive 4:41
2. Plasticland - Disengaged From The World 2:36
3. Tex & the Horseheads - Oh Mother 2:55
4. 45 Grave - Insurance From God 5:03
5. Cathedral of Tears - A Situation Of 3:25
6. Channel 3 - True West 2:59
7. T.S.O.L. - Flowers By The Door 3:32

Reception

• "Despite its lack of success with EMI, Enigma has continued to put out new records including the current two record set "The Enigma Variations", the budget priced compilation which takes its name from a composition by Sir Edward Elgar offers 26 songs including several unreleased tracks by such stellar bands as Red Kross, the Leaving Trains, Green on Red, the Untouchables, the Screaming Sirens, the Effigies, TSOL and Cathedral of Tears. The label plans to follow up this release next month with a country compilation." (Patrick Goldstein, L.A. Times, 1985)

• "If this is not the best compilation album ever, it is only because volume two is just as good. This is alternative rock when it was really alternative. If any of these songs were sung by R.E.M., Nirvana, Pearl Jam or Coldplay, you would hear them every week on the radio, but now they are forgotten." (JT Fournier, epinions, 2006)

External links

• Enigma Variations at Discogs (list of releases)
• ASIN B00000E75I, Enigma Variations CD @ Amazon
• ASIN B001X1CX6Y, Enigma Variations LP @ Amazon
• Listing on Get Smart! site
• Nothin' Sez Somethin'
• Rate Your Music