New releases: Skinny Puppy, PiL, British Electric Foundation, Pastels, Stranglers

Record Rack: A round-up of the week’s new albums, expanded reissues and/or box sets, appearing each Monday on Slicing Up Eyeballs.

Skinny Puppy

RELEASE: Weapon
BACKSTORY: The electro-industrial legends return this week with their 12th studio album, a timely 10-song collection that the band’ says stands as a philosophical commentary on “the concurrent glorification of the gun culture and simultaneous horror at the devastation guns can cause.”
BUY: Amazon.com (CD, vinyl)

Public Image Ltd.

RELEASE: First Issue
BACKSTORY: This week sees the first-ever U.S. release of John Lydon and Co.’s debut album, which is reissued in an expanded 2CD set with a bonus track (“The Cowboy Song”) and a nearly hour-long audio interview recorded in 1978, plus two stickers. Also available on single LP and digital.
BUY: Amazon.com (CD, vinyl, digital)

British Electric Foundation

RELEASE: Music of Quality and Distinction Vol. 3: Dark
BACKSTORY: The project led by Heaven 17’s Martyn Ware returns this week, in the U.K., with the third its Music of Quality and Distinction Series, and first in 22 years. The new disc, which arrives in the U.S. on June 11, features Andy Bell, Boy George, Glenn Gregory, Green Gartside and more.
BUY: Amazon.co.uk (CD, digital)

The Pastels

RELEASE: Slow Summits
BACKSTORY: The Glaswegian indie act, featured on the original C86 tape, returns this week with its first new album in 16 years, recorded with Tortoise’s John McEntire and featuring contributions from members of Teenage Fanclub, To Rococo Rot and Tenniscoats.
BUY: Amazon.com (CD, vinyl, digital)

The Woodentops

RELEASE: Before During After: Remasters, Remixes & Rarities 1982-1992
BACKSTORY: The One Little Indian label this week releases, in the U.K., a 3CD box set featuring remastered versions of the band’s two albums, 1986’s Giant and 1988’s Wooden Foot Cops on the Highway with rare, unreleased material, plus a third disc of alternate and remixed versions.
BUY: Amazon.co.uk (CD, digital)

The Stranglers

RELEASE: Giants
BACKSTORY: It’s taken more than a year, but the 17th studio album from the punk survivors — singer-bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel, drummer Jet Black and keyboard player Dave Greenfield, plus guitarist Baz Warne — this week is released in the U.S. The record came out in the U.K. in March 2012.
BUY: Amazon.com (CD, digital)