[Alternative] Declaration

Artists

Album Info

Release Date: 2024

Label: The Twenty First Century Recording Company

BESPOKE LIMITED EDITION OF 250 COPIES.

DECLARATION Double Red VINYL LP with alternative versions of each of the 12 songs on Declaration, plus Anniversary mixes and classic songs from the band’s repertoire of 1983/84. The album sleeve features the famous Alarm Red Poppy that was originally created by designer Robert Olsen in 1982. Robert also hand made this red Poppy variation, made up of all the lyrics of Declaration in 1984.

DECLARATION [In Session from Abbey Road Studios 1984] Double Digipak CD containing all the original songs from the official Declaration release, plus some additional singles, b-sides and previously unheard outtakes with a special running commentary from each of the original Alarm members that was recorded by US DJ George Gimarc at Abbey Road Studios in 1984.

All the songs and more from The Alarm’s classic debut album Declaration, as captured at various recording sessions throughout the UK in 1983/4/5.

Produced by the band themselves, Declaration also includes seminal Alarm fan favourites such as What Kind Of Hell, For Freedom, Unsafe Building and more, along with two brand new 40th Anniversary mixes of classic Alarm singles, Sixty Eight Guns and Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke?

This is the version of Declaration that the first generation of Alarm fans wanted to hear, recorded by the original incarnation of the band at its untamed best, stripped back and bursting with electro-acoustic guitar energy, passionate vocals and blazing harmonica.

"This is a legacy project", says Mike Peters. "I have always wanted this era of the band to be documented and with the coming together of Declaration, my mind can now rest in peace knowing that the way we conducted ourselves and performed with such commitment back in 1983/84 is finally available to be heard once and for all. Hearing the contemporary interviews with each member talking about the songs and the times brings back very special memories of a pivotal time in all our lives."

This is the sound of The Alarm that was left behind by the arena rock production of the official Declaration release, and this brand new collection finally unleashes the original sound and fury of the band with a sonic template and drive similar to SLF’s Inflammable Material (1979), or the “we’re a garage band” ethos of the debut Clash album (1977).

Prepare to be transported back to 1983/4 when The Alarm emerged as one of the most exciting new alternative rock bands in both the UK and USA and listen to the pure adrenalin rush of the songs that would eventually catapult the group into world renown and the higher echelons of the music charts around the world.

The Double LP also features an A2 size poster with archive designs from 1983/84 Alarm concerts around the world plus comprehensive sleeve notes from Mike Peters.