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Record Labels Rinse & Repeat: The Indie Reissue Trend
11 Oct
Summary
- Major labels prolonged industry downturn with CD reissues in the 90s.
- Indie bands now reissue albums, including those not considered classics.
- Mogwai's debut reissue is timely due to label bankruptcy.
The music industry's current market correction echoes past practices. Major labels artificially inflated profits in the 1980s and 90s by encouraging consumers to replace vinyl records with CDs. Now, independent labels are exhibiting similar behavior by reissuing albums, even those that were merely good rather than era-defining classics.
This trend includes 15th-anniversary editions of albums like Liz Phair's 'Exile in Guyville' and the Lemonheads' 'It's a Shame About Ray' from 1993, which resonate primarily with nostalgic fans today. Scottish band Mogwai is also participating, reissuing their debut album, 'Young Team,' a decade after its initial release.
However, Mogwai's reissue has a practical motivation. The original US label, Jetset, ceased operations years ago, making their debut album difficult to obtain. This reissue also coincides with Mogwai's recent album, 'Mr. Beast,' being perceived as their most perfunctory. Revisiting 'Young Team' offers a chance to recall the album that initially garnered their attention and whose influence persists in various international indie and avant-metal scenes.
