The initial release of a limited run of 4000 7''s and similarly limited download finds The Boss tackling the classic 1979-single by Suicide in tribute to Alan Vega's 60th birthday. Released on a monthly basis during 2008, each single will feature established artists (Grinderman, Julian Cope, Primal Scream, Klaxons, Spiritualized etc) backed by upcoming acts like Effi Briest, No Bra, and the wonderful HTRK (...though how did The Horrors get in the 'established artist' section?). Acts old and new both tackle the mighty back-catalogue of Rev and Vega.

I know what some may think...Bruce Springsteen? You're probably thinking of 'Born to Run' or 'Born in the USA' - but don't. Instead recall the influence of 'Frankie Teardrop' on Nebraska's 'State Trooper' - those screams weren't there by accident. & let's recall The Boss has been cited by the hip likes of Nick Cave and Sonic Youth...

Springsteen's 'Dream Baby Dream' sounds little like the original, completely rephrased with Springsteen's vocals echoing over a pump organ that recalls Neil Young's Unplugged-take on 'Like a Hurricane'...Strangely this sounds more like Dead Can Dance than the E-Street Band! 'Dream Baby Dream' was often used to conclude sets in 2005, fitting well with the celebratory aspects of the E-Street Band and the world following 9/11 caught on The Rising.

REM's Mike Mills once said he only 'got' Suicide when he went on the New York subway, which might not be something everyone has to experience but reminds you that Suicide were New York. Not the shitty corporate Giuliani hole Ian Svenonious blames on Friends and Seinfeld in his book The Psychic Soviet but the 'artists only'-world that gave us Basquiat, CBGB's, No Wave, Scorsese...and Suicide. Springsteen's The Rising reflected on New York and those falling towers and here it seems that Suicide represent New York.

Springsteen has been a fan for years, something appreciated by the sometimes neglected Rev and Vega - Suicide always happy to embrace their admirers, and on the first issue from this series of releases it looks like the beginning of a golden batch. I love the cute idea of a limited download and vinyl-only release, but have the notion that the material will be too great to hide away. Here's hoping the collection finds itself on an album sometime next year... Meanwhile, happy 60th Mr Vega!!

Released 6th October 2008