Lowrider to Reissue Ode to Io for 25th Anniversary
There have been a few editions of Lowrider‘s classic 2000 debut, Ode to Io (reissue review here), at this point. If one wants to begin with 2017 when the band released a deluxe edition of the album as their first offering through Blues Funeral, then with the subsequent 20th anniversary edition in 2020 and this 25th anniversary pressing, that’s three in the last eight years. Not every record needs to be constantly in print. Ode to Io might.
I was asked earlier this year to contribute to liner notes for this release with a few other people. I had a whole idea for it and whatnot, had hit up Peder Bergstrand and got him to tell me about growing up with this music, an experience of it no one outside the band can know anything about, but having the songs as formative in his life. I will try to get an interview going, though, ugh, looking at myself. In any case, it’s obviously a special record so I want to do something for it, and all the more since I ultimately wasn’t able to make those liner notes happen because I suck at everything and am so distractable I couldn’t even finish telling you about that before I got sidetracked by negative self-talk. Maybe not the time for me to be doing interviews after all.
I got to see Lowrider in May at Desertfest Oslo 2025 (review here) and it was a highlight of my year. I’m just saying that because it’s nice to remember. The punchline was I told them I’d do the liner notes for the 30th anniversary edition, so give me five years and I’ll get on it. Har har, but also I’d do that when the time comes.
Reissue is out Sept. 19, which was also the original release date. As per the PR wire:
European stoner rock icons LOWRIDER to reissue special 25th anniversary edition of classic debut album “Ode to Io” on Blues Funeral Recordings
The godfathers of European stoner rock LOWRIDER are set to release a special 25th anniversary reissue of their landmark album “Ode to Io” in a limited deluxe edition this September 19th, with preorders available now via Blues Funeral Recordings.
At the dawn of the internet, bands and fans around the world coalesced in the wake of defunct Palm Springs originators Kyuss to craft their own visions of the desert rock sound. Standing foremost among them was Lowrider, whose debut, “Ode to Io”, became the blueprint countless others would follow. Stream the full album at this location.
Now, longtime fans and new arrivals can delve into this rumbling chronicle of seminal desert fuzz-heaviness in deluxe remastered glory. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of its original release on September 19, 2000, Lowrider present a towering new reissue of this absolute foundational text for the post-Kyuss stoner rock movement.
“This is the version they didn’t let us do back then — only better. I can’t wait for people to see it”, says singer and bassist Peder Bergstrand. “When we handed in Ode to Io to be printed back in 1999, we had this elaborate silver screen print for the cover. But the external label tasked with making the vinyl were cheapskates. They forced the 2LP playing time into one LP, resulting in subpar audio quality. To finish off, they printed the elaborate silver cover as plain grayscale. Needless to say, we were pretty gutted by the result. Ever since, I’ve dreamt of making THAT version, doing it justice. That is exactly what we’ve done with the 25th anniversary version of ‘Ode to Io’.”
“It’s forever humbling and mindblowing that people care so much about this album, a fourth of a century later. We wanted to do the record justice, and invite fans to see photos and hear stories from that period that we haven’t shared before”.
This limited new special edition of “Ode to Io” will be issued on silver, black and white color merge 2xLP and features previously unpublished photos, essays, liner notes from the band, and updated silverboard packaging and silver-infused art and design.
“Ode to Io” Deluxe Edition
Out September 19th via Blues Funeral Recordings (LP/CD)
Bandcamp: https://lowriderofficial.bandcamp.com/album/ode-to-io-deluxe-edition-2
Bluesfuneral.com: https://www.bluesfuneral.com/search?q=lowrider
SPKR shop: https://en.bluesfuneral.spkr.media/en/Artists/Lowrider/Lowrider-Ode-to-Io-25th-Anniversary-Deluxe-Edition-Vinyl-2-LP-Gatefold-Silver-White-Black.html
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