Originally released as a vinyl double album in 1981, this was problematic from the start. The first album was necessary outtakes and other studio material, but the second album was a completely unnecessary live set. This original version was later reissued on CD as a first generation CD transfer, which I normally avoid. Then it was re-rereleased as a 2 CD set, with the original double album on the first CD, and a second CD with a further unnecessary live set. I'm not buying a padded outtake album in used vinyl, when it was reissued on CD, not buying the reissued CD because it's not remastered, and not buying the bloated 2 CD version. In this case, the outtakes disc is good enough that I was tempted to just buy the original CD version, but it's selling used for more than the bloated 2 CD set sells new. Ridiculous. I did find a like-new original CD selling for a reasonable price, but of course it's a cut-out, so the price is actually not that reasonable. Bottom line: I'll stick with the two studio albums and Substance.
p.s., I was tempted to manufacture a single CD of the first album of the original release, with the studio material. That would be, leaving off the live "Sister Ray" and the tracks that are on Substance ("Glass" and "Dead Souls"). But what's the point of that anymore, especially for 7 outtakes? Note also that Christgau and Hull didn't even review the release.
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