I’ve been working on an alternate tracklisting for the Howling Bells’ second album “Radio Wars” for a while and I think I’ve finally settled on a running order.
When I first bought the album my reaction was mixed and I felt that there was a stronger, more coherent work hidden beneath a confused tracklist.
The original was:
Treasure Hunt
Cities Burning Down
It Ain't You
Nightingale
Let's Be Kids
Ms. Bell's Song
Radio Wars Theme
Golden Web
Into the Chaos
Digital Hearts
How Long
To LA (bonus extra track)
I felt that there were some weak songs that could do with being removed and some challenging songs that languished unfairly towards the end of the record. My gut instinct told me that “Radio Wars” was a little “top heavy” and that the subtle science fiction concept could be brought to the foreground with the following tracklist:
Radio Wars Theme
Treasure Hunt
To LA
It Ain’t You
How Long
Digital Hearts
Nightingale
Breaking My Back
Cities Burning Down
Into The Chaos
Ms. Bell’s Song
When I initially moved To LA to the first half of the album I didn’t realise it was meant as a “hidden track” and thought it was part of the official running order, but I’ve warmed to it as part of the piece.
For me, this is a much more satisfying version of the album, although I’m sure the band would be offended by such audacity.
Regardless, you can find my version here.
Do stay in touch, darlings.
Toodles!
