Revolutionary Spirit: The Sound of Liverpool 1976-1988 is an extensive 5CD deluxe boxset released by Cherry Red Records that chronicles the "second wave" of music in Liverpool following the era of The Beatles. Curated by the team behind acclaimed compilations like Scared to Get Happy, the set features 100 tracks including classics, rarities, and previously unreleased material. The collection covers a broad spectrum of genres, from punk and new wave to synth-pop and early indie rock.
Revolutionary Spirit: The Sound of Liverpool 1976-1988 is a masterfully curated 5CD box set that serves as a definitive "civic reclamation" of the city’s musical identity following the shadow of The Beatles. Released by Cherry Red Records, the collection expertly moves from the raw, eccentric punk energy of the late 70s into the lush, psychedelic-infused synth-pop and indie-pop that defined the 1980s. By prioritising "parochial singles" and rare gems over overplayed jukebox hits, the set successfully re-establishes Liverpool as a creative powerhouse often overshadowed by the better-documented Manchester scene.
The first two discs are a particular highlight, capturing the "Class of '77" at the legendary venue Eric's. Early myth-making tracks from The Teardrop Explodes ("Sleeping Gas") and Echo & The Bunnymen ("The Pictures on My Wall") sit alongside experimental electronic works by OMD and A Flock of Seagulls. This era showcases a unique "Northern surrealism," where bands rejected southern punk tropes in favour of a "wilful obtuseness" and a love for 1960s-inspired psychedelia.
As the collection moves into the mid-to-late 80s, it pays homage to the feverishly creative indie scene populated by "no-hit wonders" and future talent generators. Notable inclusions like The Lotus Eaters’ "The First Picture of You" and Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s "Two Tribes" provide mainstream anchors, but the real treasure lies in the deeper cuts. The final disc signals the transition toward Britpop with tracks from The La’s, before ending on the haunting, atmospheric "Come Holy Spirit" by The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus, which perfectly encapsulates the city's "purple passion".
The physical presentation of the set is consistently praised as "sumptuous" and "essential". It is housed in a hardback-bound format with a 56-page A5 book featuring insightful essays by scene participants like Bernie Connor and Mike Badger. Many of the tracks are accompanied by sleeve notes written by the artists themselves, adding a deeply personal layer to the historical archive. This high-quality packaging makes the set a must-have for collectors and those seeking a "trip down memory lane".
While almost universally acclaimed, the collection is not without minor controversy regarding its tracklist. Critics and users alike have pointed out the glaring absence of Pete Wylie (Wah!) and Half Man Half Biscuit, likely due to complex licensing issues. However, even with these omissions, the set remains a monumental achievement. It stands as a vivid testimony to the elevating power of art during a dark economic time for the city, proving that Liverpool's "revolutionary spirit" was truly second to none.