OLIVES & SUCH
(released on MCA in August 1994)
From the very start of the HERD POLITICS sessions, it was known that there would be two releases eventually -- one for commercial material and one SODAS IN HELL-style record featuring experimental work. It was released the same day as HERD with almost no publicity, though singles were released (primarily for foreign markets; none were hits). The songs that ended up making the cut of OLIVES & SUCH are as far from pop music has Plaastik as gotten to date: very Eno-influenced, they are often ambient and free of melody and structure, primarily using piano, cheap synthesizers, and -- much more rarely -- acoustic guitar and strings. This was considered a foolish indulgence at the time and was dismissed by just about everyone with the sole exception of "Hamlet." Nothing could seem to boost its sales, although it has subsequently found an audience within the fan base.
tracklist:
1. Straw
2. Big
3. Trombone
4. Olives (single 2)
5. Hamlet
6. Breathe (single 1)
7. See
8. Yes
9. Us (single 3)
10. The Article
Breathe b-sides
Breathe [single version]
Hair
You're a Bastard (My Woman Kate)
Olives b-sides
Crazy [version D]
People Like Us
Us b-sides
Hamlet [acoustic]
Blank Page [acoustic]