Today, Juno-Award winning, Canadian alternative power pop band The Pursuit of Happiness (TPOH) announce details of a remastered deluxe edition of their 1988 debut album, Love Junk in celebration of the 30th anniversary since its release. The album is set to be released on September 21 through Universal Music Canada. The Love Junk Deluxe Edition will be available on 2CD, 2LP Deluxe and digital versions. The 2CD Deluxe housed in a digipak includes a 24-page booklet and the special 2LP Deluxe edition is housed in a triple gatefold and includes a special 12 x 12 LP sized booklet. The booklets for both editions contains brand new liner notes with interviews from band members past & present, written by David Wild, an Emmy nominated TV writer, best-selling author and a longstanding contributing editor to Rolling Stone. The booklet also includes archival photographs both licensed and from the band’s personal archives, many which have never been seen.
Love Junk was originally produced by long-time collaborator Todd Rundgren and went on to be certified platinum in Canada. Today it is recognized as one of the Top 100 debut albums ever released, anywhere! The deluxe edition of the album includes unreleased demo and live versions, along with the original indie tracks that were recorded and released that landed the band their deal with Chrysalis Records in 1988. Along with the stand out track, “I’m An Adult Now”, the album is known for its alternative radio staples “Killed By Love”, “Hard to Laugh” and “She’s So Young”.
In an excerpt from the liner notes, Wild remarks “Junk is generally defined as any rubbish that is considered useless and disposed of quickly. Love remains somewhat harder to define. Yet in a world where popular music can all too often sound relatively disposable, Love Junk — the 1988 masterpiece of a debut by The Pursuit Of Happiness, AKA TPOH — has been justifying our love for thirty years now. What can you say about an altogether inspired song cycle that has kept many us happy, horny and humming along for three decades? Now add to that significant accomplishment the fact that the songs at the heart of Love Junk continue to make us think, feel and smile — even at times where it can feel increasingly hard to laugh.”
TPOH are excited to return to the stage and play their nostalgic songs for fans across the country with two west coast dates already announced in November, see details below. Stay tuned for more show announcements. After many years of evolution, the band’s current line-up features original memebers, Moe Berg (lead vocals, lead guitar, songwriting) Kris Abbott (guitar, backing vocals), Dave Gilby (drums), and long-term additions, Brad Barker (bass, occasional live backing vocals) and Renee Suchy (backing vocals, live percussion).
Time changes many things — as Moe Berg wrote and sang in “I’m An Adult Now,” that is “no cliché — it’s the truth.” Yet even three decades later, Moe and all of the men and women who together made Love Junk what it was — and what it still is — often discuss their triumphant first album as the best kind of rock & roll dream.” The band’s extensive career and accomplishments are highlighted in the detailed timeline below
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS – LOVE JUNK (DELUXE)
DISC 1 / LP 1 – LOVE JUNK (REMASTERED)
LP1 – SIDE A #1-6 / SIDE B 7-13
Hard To Laugh
Ten Fingers
I’m An Adult Now
She’s So Young
Consciousness Raising As Social Tool
Walking In The Woods
Beautiful White
When The Sky Comes Falling Down
Looking For Girls
Man’s Best Friend
Tree Of Knowledge
Killed By Love
Down On Him
DISC 2 / LP2: LOVE JUNK (SESSIONS/OUTTAKES/DEMOS/LIVE)
LP1 – SIDE A #1-6 / SIDE B 7-13
I’m An Adult Now (Original 1986 version)
Let My People Go (The Todd Rundgren sessions)
Walking In The Woods (Demo)
Handsomest Man and Prettiest Girl (Live)
All That You Got Me For Christmas (Demo)
Wake Up and Smell Cathy (Demo)
Take You With Me (The Todd Rundgren Sessions)
Shave Your Legs (Demo)
Master (Live)
She’s So Young (Original 1986 version)
Killed By Love (Original 1986 version)
If You Feel That Way (Demo)
Santa Claus Is Back In Town (Live)
