When Cooking Vinyl asked us to supply material for a Bonus CD to go with the various Fatal Mistakes packages, we seized the chance to resurrect the B-Side. We knew we had at least ten tunes written for the album that didn??t make it into the final sequence and we also knew that we didn??t see them necessarily getting onto the next studio album.
At A&M in the 1990s, every single (there were at least three from each album) was issued in multiple formats (7?, 12?, CDs 1&2, cassette), each format requiring at least one exclusive new track. That gave us the opportunity to go into the studio and try different things, without the supervision of a producer or the commercial pressure of making album masters.
We learned an awful lot doing those sessions and were very proud of the quality of many of those B-Sides. As time ticked by we also noticed that a lot of fans were catching on to these tunes. Everyone had a favourite or two. So in the absence of the physical single, Fatal Mistakes: Outtakes and B-Sides allows us that freedom to play around with new songs away from the spotlight of the album proper.
Two of these tracks, Lips Of London and Gone In A Second, were recorded and mixed as part of the 2020 album session and the rest were written for the project and recorded remotely during the winter lockdown of ??21. They should work as companion pieces to Fatal Mistakes and as long as someone somewhere claims one of these B-Sides is better than anything on the album we??ll be happy. -
Throughout their entire career, Del Amitri have mastered the art of timeless, melodically focused pop rock. Frontman Justin Currie comments on their seventh album: "Recorded over three weeks in March in a country house in deep England, 'Fatal Mistakes' is the Dels' first studio album since' Can You Do Me Good '. Everyone had a good time. It's a bizarre collection of stories powered by guitars, drums and keyboards played entirely by the quintet we toured great tours with in 2014 and 2018. 'Close Your Eyes and Think of England' is our European farewell, a ballad of pure bile and remorse, sweetened with a sledge hammer of sarcasm." The result is the brilliant sound of a 35-year-old band that does what it does best: melodic rock songs with a lyrical bite, soulful comfort and a refreshing buoyancy. You can hear that in the lament "Close Your Eyes And Think of England" and also in the hook of "It's Feelings," with Currie's soulful, scratchy voice that hits the alternative radio vibe of the 90s. And it resonates in the driving power pop of the album opener "You Can't Go Back." This contrasts with the fragile, painful "Lonely," a song that lives through it's emptiness and is peppered with CSNY-style harmonies. The song feels different than anything the band has done before.
Issued in a 4-panel gatefold cardboard sleeve
"Fatal Mistakes" is a CD by the Scottish band Del Amitri, released via the independent label Cooking Vinyl. The album presents the band in mature, reflective form, combining melodic guitar pop with bittersweet lyrics about regret, resilience, relationships, and the passage of time. Characteristic for Del Amitri are catchy hooks, warm harmonies and a songwriting style that balances melancholy with wry humor. On "Fatal Mistakes" they lean into mid-tempo rock and atmospheric ballads, with carefully crafted arrangements that foreground vocals and storytelling. This makes the record appealing both for long-time fans and for listeners discovering the band's literate, emotionally nuanced songs for the first time.
Del Amitri, formed in Glasgow in the early 1980s, became internationally known in the late '80s and '90s with a string of melodic rock and pop hits. They are particularly associated with songs like "Nothing Ever Happens" and "Roll to Me," which brought them chart success and enduring radio presence in the UK, Europe and North America. Over the years Del Amitri have built a reputation as a songwriter's band: thoughtful lyrics, strong choruses and a sound that bridges alternative rock, classic pop and roots influences. "Fatal Mistakes" shows them as a seasoned group that can still write memorable, emotionally direct songs that stand alongside their earlier successes without merely repeating them.
The CD format of "Fatal Mistakes" offers clear, detailed sound and a sequence that unfolds like a complete story, inviting listeners to experience the album from start to finish. Depending on the edition, the physical release may also include printed lyrics and artwork that echo the album's themes of missed chances and hard-won wisdom, making it a satisfying choice for collectors who value a tangible music experience.
Cooking Vinyl, the manufacturer and label behind this release, is a long-established independent company known for giving artists creative freedom and for carefully curating a diverse roster in rock, folk, indie and alternative music. Founded in the UK, Cooking Vinyl has built a strong reputation in the industry for artist-friendly deals and for supporting established names as well as distinctive voices outside the mainstream. Their involvement signals a focus on quality songwriting, credible production and sustainable careers rather than short-term trends, which aligns well with an album as song-driven and enduring as "Fatal Mistakes."
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