Vega Alan – Alan Vega (Remastered Magenta Vinyl)

Alan Vega's self-titled debut solo album was released in 1980, at the same time as Suicide released their second album "Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev". While Suicide's record label ZE Records wanted to push the duo towards a synthetic disco sound inspired by Moroder's production of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love", Vega was drawn in a different direction. He wanted to delve deeper into the roots of his own musical identity, which was shaped by blues, rockabilly, early rock 'n' roll and his enduring love of Elvis Presley. Vega used the time between recording with Suicide to flesh out his self-written songs, began producing his first album and performed live to further develop this sound. As with his visual art, Vega layered sounds in a minimalist, dynamic and deliberate way.

The result was a unique album created from raw materials and deeply rooted in Vega's artistic vision. Tracks like the classic anthem "Jukebox Babe", with its buoyant rhythm and minimalist confidence, captured this approach perfectly and became a hit in France. "Kung Foo Cowboy" has a Southern touch and leans heavily on the blues, while the golden pop sheen of "Ice Drummer" features melodic but plaintive vocals, marching drums and a tasteful harmonica solo. "Bye Bye Bayou" is a haunting mutant-rockabilly song that blends '50s rock with Vega's eccentric performance style and was later reinterpreted in LCD Soundsystem's 2009 cover version, introducing Vega's solo work to a new generation. Similarly, The Flaming Lips' cover of "Ice Drummer" paid tribute to Vega's maverick spirit.

Now remastered by Josh Bonati from the original tapes and available on streaming services for the first time, Alan Vega has been faithfully reissued by Sacred Bones Records, preserving the raw intensity of Vega's original recordings while making them newly accessible to listeners around the world.

"Alan Vega" is more than a solo debut, it's a declaration of artistic independence and freedom from one of New York's most influential and uncompromising artists. Without the intense electronics of Suicide, but with Vega's outsider energy and edge, the album translates early rock 'n' roll through an art-punk filter that has stood the test of time as a cult masterpiece in its own right.