{"product_id":"the-essex-green-the-long-goodbye-reissue","title":"The Essex Green - The Long Goodbye (Reissue)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe limited-edition white Peak Vinyl reissue marks the 15th anniversary of the band’s Merge debut—and its first appearance on vinyl! The album includes a full download plus three rare digital bonus tracks (“The Boo Hoo Boy Reprise,” “Mendocino,” and “Everybody’s Missin’ the Sun”).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e+++\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDebut follow-up albums have a dreaded reputation for falling short of their predecessors. \u003cstrong\u003eThe Essex Green \u003c\/strong\u003ebucked the odds and delivered a masterwork release with \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Long Goodbye\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e in 2003. The band’s core trio of Sasha Bell, Jeff Baron, and Chris Ziter were fresh out of the influential Elephant 6 stables with their stunning twin releases, a self-titled extended play and the classic full-length \u003ci\u003eEverything Is Green\u003c\/i\u003e. Compared to the psychedelic swirl and sunny disposition of \u003ci\u003eEverything Is Green\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Long Goodbye\u003c\/i\u003e was a mature and incredibly thoughtful endeavor that emphasized the core members’ evolution in songwriting and arrangement. Remember when XTC jumped the \u003ci\u003eBlack Sea\u003c\/i\u003e post-punk ship and delivered the eccentric and elegant \u003ci\u003eEnglish Settlement\u003c\/i\u003e? \u003ci\u003eThe Long Goodbye\u003c\/i\u003e embodies that massive leap by taking risks and sinking the debut album blueprint. Their second full-length has a more relaxed and assured vibe, akin to the feel of summer’s end. There’s a sense that the band is preparing for a new season. Each of the twelve tracks on \u003ci\u003eThe Long Goodbye\u003c\/i\u003e is distinctive. They create a patchwork of influences that range from post-Sandy Denny Fairport Convention on “By the Sea” to the spirited and catchy bounce of “The Late Great Cassiopia.” One almost hears a direct link between Flying Nun and K Records pop sensibilities. The hypnotic “Our Lady in Havana” summons the spirit of Judee Sill, and “Julia” rings like a Jimmy Webb \/ Emitt Rhodes collaboration at some roadside cafe. “Chartiers” would’ve been a hit on Scotland’s Postcard Records, with its stunning sound that either Lloyd Cole or Prefab Sprout longed to perfect. Take the essence of all these influences, wrap them up in sweetened Cowsill harmonies, add that passionate longing of Kevin Ayers and a dose of “Dandy”-era Kinks and you get close to what The Essex Green are capable of. \u003ci\u003eThe Long Goodbye\u003c\/i\u003e is timeless work and warrants another introduction to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Peak Vinyl","offer_id":52739214377271,"sku":"MRG228lp-C1","price":21.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739214344503,"sku":"MRG228digital","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/536366c407a5f9727bb8b64c294163171a0a9fad_02a07f52b3ec560e7b6c0e16e49cf9864e199431_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785381337","url":"https:\/\/mergerecords.com\/products\/the-essex-green-the-long-goodbye-reissue","provider":"Merge Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}