Sigue Sigue Sputnik ‎- The F1rst Generation / 2econd Edition (1996)

Much like Sigue Sigue Sputnik itself, F1rst Generation/2econd Edition is a study in overkill. Originally issued as the cassette-only First Generation, the compilation gathered up four-track demos from the sessions for Sputnik's debut album, Flaunt It; six of that record's eight songs were present, along with five others that didn't make the cut. 1996's F1rst Generation/2econd Edition kept ten of the original 11 tracks, excising a cover of David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel" and adding two more songs from the demos left off the first comp. Finally, in 1999, Cleopatra reissued the 2econd Edition as a remastered "Gold Collector's Edition." Some of this material wasn't developed enough to make the cut on their proper albums, and even Sigue Sigue Sputnik's best music now seems quite dated; plus, these are four-track demos, and their thin sound only exacerbates the weakness of some of the material. And to top it all off, Sputnik's original albums aren't even in print anymore. Even those with fond memories of the band might look at this package and wonder: why?