The Callaghan Mafia Box Set

2018 marks the 25th anniversary of Liz Phair’s landmark album Exile in Guyville. On May 4th, Matador Records will release Girly-Sound To Guyville: The 25th Anniversary Box Set. This release is an extensive, limited edition 7-LP or 3-CD box set to celebrate the anniversary of her classic album. The box set contains the first official restored audio of all three 1991 Girly-Sound tapes from the original cassettes. It also contains the 1993 Exile In Guyville album remastered by Emily Lazar at The Lodge. Also included is a lavish, thick book, which contains an extensive oral history by Jason Cohen, plus essays by Liz Phair and journalist Ann Powers. The vinyl version of the book also contains never before published photos, unseen artwork, and ephemera.

Released by Legacy in the U.K., this compact box set contains 20 albums – inside adequate LP replica sleeves – released by Philadelphia International. When it was issued, it retailed at a price that was roughly equivalent to the sum of three or four full-price titles, which made it a significant bargain. These albums don't represent the absolute best that PIR had to offer; instead, the box offers an assortment of commercial hits and misses, creative masterpieces and not-quite-failures, and showcases a significant portion of the label's roster.

Released by Legacy in the U.K., this compact box set contains 20 albums – inside adequate LP replica sleeves – released by Philadelphia International. When it was issued, it retailed at a price that was roughly equivalent to the sum of three or four full-price titles, which made it a significant bargain. These albums don't represent the absolute best that PIR had to offer; instead, the box offers an assortment of commercial hits and misses, creative masterpieces and not-quite-failures, and showcases a significant portion of the label's roster.

Five years, six discs, and though it is certainly a flawed document, it is still unlikely whether there will ever be a more complete accounting than this. Between 1982 and 1987, Marillion first established – and then confirmed – their place at the vanguard of the U.K. prog scene. Of course they maintained it thereafter, but the loss of frontman Fish saw them lose a certain madness as well; things became safer and calmer once he was gone, and if you need proof of that, then this is for you…