Scars - Author! Author! [3 Disc Expanded Edition]

The 3-Disc Expanded Edition of Scars’ Author! Author!, released by Cherry Red Records, stands as a definitive, lovingly compiled monument to one of the post-punk era's greatest "lost" masterworks. Originally released in 1981, the solitary studio album from this Edinburgh outfit has spent decades in digital obscurity, frustrating collectors due to licensing disputes. This comprehensive reissue finally fills the void, packing the original 10-track album alongside essential singles, unreleased demos, and blistering live recordings. It successfully recontextualizes the band's critical legacy, proving that their angular, darkly melodic music has outlived the ephemeral 1980s New Romantic aesthetics that temporarily boxed them in.

Disc one delivers the crisp, remastered core of the original album, showcasing a band that masterfully straddled the line between pop accessibility and art-punk tension. Anchored by Paul Research’s dazzling, razor-sharp guitar riffs and Robert King’s urgent, broad-accented vocals, tracks like "All About You" and "Leave Me In Autumn" sound remarkably fresh. The production deftly captures a "seedy menace" underlying the rhythmic precision, creating a theatrical yet anxious sonic atmosphere that rivals contemporaries like early U2, Josef K, or The Associates.

Discs two and three peel back the polished studio veneer to reveal the raw, proto-Goth energy of Scars' early incarnation. The inclusion of the ferocious debut single "Horrorshow" alongside wilder, faster demo versions of "Anti-Feelings" provides a fascinating alternate history of the band's evolution. While some audiophiles on Discogs note the naturally primitive and noisy quality of the archival live tapes, these flaws actually amplify the set's historical value. They capture the unvarnished, seething intensity of a young art-punk band tearing through venues in their prime.

However, the collection is not entirely flawless, as meticulously documented by music historians on The Arts Desk. The accompanying booklet, while visually striking, falls short by omitting crucial historical data such as recording dates, locations, and context for specific tracks, like their unexpected cover of David Essex's "Silver Dream Machine". Furthermore, complex licensing hurdles resulted in the omission of a few definitive early studio versions, an absence that purists looking for a truly exhaustive anthology will certainly notice.

Ultimately, these minor archival oversights do not diminish the immense value of this essential reissue. Cherry Red Records has delivered an affordable, expansive, and vital epitaph for a quietly influential band that burned out far too quickly. For seasoned post-punk enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, this three-disc set is a mandatory deep-dive into a golden era of Scottish indie rock, securing Author! Author! its rightful status as a cult classic.

Ripped as a wee bonus to MP3

ENJOY!!