Lloyd Cole and The CommotionsCole,BlairCowan,Lawrence Donegan,Neil ClarkandStephen Irvine were formed in Glasgow in 1982, where Buxton-born singer-songwriter Cole was studying Philosophy and English at the University of Glasgow -Their sound swam against the tide of shiny 80s synthesisers, offering intense, melodic, guitar-based pop, topped with droll words packed with literary references.

By the time ofMainstreamin October 1987, the group had taken a break and had spent time trying to find the right producer for their new material. Working withIan Stanley, then fresh from the success of Tears For Fears’Songs From The Big Chair, the album allegedly cost ten times the budget ofRattlesnakes. Despite its 80s opulence for example, guest appearances fromJon Hassellon trumpet,Tracey Thornon vocals it sounds untouched by the decade’s excess. Its singles,My Bag,Jennifer She SaidandFrom The Hipwere all well received.

This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1987 Polydor Records UK release with printed inner sleeve and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.

Tracklisting:

1. My Bag
2. From The Hip
3. 29
4. Mainstream
5. Jennifer She Said
6. Mister Malcontent
7. Sean Penn Blues
8. Big Snake
9. Hey Rusty
10. These Days