Obscure Alternatives (October 78)

1. Automatic Gun 
2. ...Rhodesia
3. Love Is Infectious 
4. Sometimes I Feel So Low
5. Obscure Alternatives ("Melody Of Agonising" in Japanese)
6. Deviation ("Opposing What Is Young" in Japanese)
7. Suburban Berlin
8. The Tenant ("Tenant Of Love" in Japanese)

This album has a harder, more rock orientated sound than the last, with the exception of "The Tenant"; the first of Sylvian's Satie inspired piano pieces. Other standout tracks are "...Rhodesia", a live favourite which remained in the set until 1981, and "Suburban Berlin", which is actually best heard on the compilation "Assemblage", cut next to "Life In Tokyo". The ex-members consider that this album would have been better for their debut release, as for the first time they were able to assert themselves in the studio. This is evident - many features of the Japan sound that is familiar to us are here: Richard's synths are more experimental, using sound and the stereo sound field to create a mood, Mick begins to use fretless bass, and Sylvian's vocals are getting deeper and less cockney sounding. 

Charted at No21 in Japan

If you are looking for this on vinyl, go for an original UK pressing, which includes an inner sleeve showing the group recording the LP. The Japanese lyric sheet is similar. The original UK pressing is very good indeed, much better sonically than the later "Fame" label re-issue. The Japanese edition does not have totally accurate song titles!

Note that the US, Canadian,  Australian and New Zealand LP sleeves use a red Japan logo instead of blue.

Still available worldwide on CD. Produced by Ray Singer. Rumoured unreleased tracks still in the vaults: "Heartbreaker" (Stones cover - see the live data page), "Can't Get Enough" and "Venus In Furs" (Velvet Underground cover).

• Original UK LP (inner sleeve with photos & lyrics): Hansa AHALH8007 - this was re-issued with the same catalogue number in September 1982; these copies have Hansa International sleeves and labels
• Re-issue UK LP 1983 : Fame/EMI FA 41 3098 1
• Australian LP RCA  VPL1 4147
• Japanese LP (with insert/lyrics): Victor VIP6593
• Japanese cassette VCW-1635
• Spanish LP Ariola 200066-1
• Italian LP: Recordi International SNIR 25075 
• German LP Hansa 200 166-320
• French LP Careere 67.334
• Hong Kong LP: Hansa HA200166-320
• First Japanese CD: Victor VDP1154 - there are 2 versions, the 1st being priced at 3,200 Yen, with a later pressing at 3,008 Yen. Both are identical except for the price shown on the obi strip. 
• Remastered Japanese CD: BMG BVCP7373
• USA CD (remastered): Caroline CAROL 1202-2
• German CD BMG 74321 13882 2
• Japanese CD with card sleeve BVCM-37219
• UK remastered CD 2004, includes the "Live In Japan" EP tracks and "Sometimes I Feel So Low" video. BMG 82876 566942
• UK 2006 jewel case version of the above: BMG 82876 84447
• Japanese 2004 remastered edition with bonus tracks: bvcm31131
• Japanese "Now & Forever" re-issue of the above: BVCM 37799

Japanese LP with OBI

UK Inner sleeve, also one side of the Japanese insert

Other side of the UK inner sleeve and Japanese insert. The inside of the Japanese insert has the lyrics translated into Japanese.

Italian label - click here for the bigger scan

1st UK pressing manufactured in England by Pye

UK re-issue label from 1982

German LP label

Australian LP label - for a larger version click here

French label

Spanish LP label

Japanese stock label

Japanese white label

Japanese cassette (1983 mid price re-issue)

French cassette inlay

French cassette

German cassette inlay 

UK "Fame" label re-issue cassette

Japanese re-issue CD

Japanese re-issue CD back

Promo CD

Japanese CD with card sleeve

Japanese card sleeve insert

USA CD booklet 

Japanese card sleeve disc

USA CD back

USA CD disc

German CD back cover

German CD disc

Russian CD booklet

Russian CD disc

Inside the Russian CD booklet

Russian CD back cover

USA & Canada LP edition - alternate track order

1. Sometimes I Feel So Low
2. Automatic Gun
3. ...Rhodesia
4. Love Is Infectious

US & Canadian sleeve

US test pressing

Canadian label

Canadian cassette inlay

Canadian cassette

Ariola D 400066

There is also a Malayian cassette (probably not official, on the "ET" label) with the same tracklisting. ET 1570. Side One: Automatic Gun ...Rhodesia Love Is Infectious Suburban Berlin Side Two: Obscure Alternatives Deviation Sometimes I Feel So Low The Tenant

Malaysian cassette inlay

Remastered version, 2004 

• UK CD 2004,  BMG 82876 566942
• UK 2006 jewel case version of the above: BMG 82876 84447
• Japanese 2004: bvcm31131
• Japanese 2006 "Now & Forever" re-issue of the above: BVCM 37799
• Japanese 2008 mini LP sleeve version BVCM-35414

Japanese remaster with bonus tracks

Japanese remaster, alternate obi

UK CDR promo

8 Track Tapes, USA 1978

These sealed copies were sold on Ebay in 1999. Extremely rare.