In 1996-1997 the four first Divine Comedy albums were (re-)issued for Japan under the label Tristar (branch of Sony Music). Contrary to the Japanese edition of Liberation, Promenade and Casanova, A Short Album About Love wasn’t really a reissue in so far as it came out in Japan in 1997. First, Casanova came out in Japan in 1996, and the next year followed the Japanese edition of Liberation, Promenade and A Short Album About Love under the name The Divine Selection.

This release holds no bonus titles, unlike the Casanova one. What makes this release different is the fact it comes in a jewel case. The CD is nearly the same but has Tristar logo and the mentions ‘SRCS 8422 / STEREO / JASRAC’. Near the centre of the disc, we can read: IFPI L275 PUA-566 1 ¤ ¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

The disc originally came with a sticker on its blister pack. The date 22/08/1997 refers to the concert the band played at the Quattro Club in Tokyo. The record also comes with an obi strip on which appears on one side a logo ‘The Divine Selection’ over a coffee cup (referring to the picture of Neil drinking his coffee in Venice on Casanova). On the other side of the obi-strip is a reminder that the three following albums are available on Tristar, with their serial number. On the top in a black frame is the reference number of the record. On the side, the names of the group and of the album in Japanese are printed (as for Casanova, but not Liberation and Promenade).



On the back we can find at the same place as the UK release the barcode and the tracklisting. Under the barcode we can read the serial number ‘SRCS 8422’, and on its left, a Tristar logo. On the bottom, we can spot some mentions. Down left there is a Compact Disc Digital Audio logo. The right side is similar to the UK edition (green titles on a black background) but with the Japanese serial numbers on the bottom and a blue round on the top. The left side is different this time: there is a white background with the names of the group and of the album in English printed in black (as on the obi-strip); but still with the serial numbers on the bottom and a blue round on the top.

As the UK release does not come with a booklet, Tristar had to design their own booklet for this jewel case release. Therefore they included all the Japanese notes instead of providing an additional sheet. First the booklet includes the credits - same as the UK edition - then a tracklisting in English and Japanese. After that comes an article, in Japanese, and all the lyrics in English and Japanese. The translations of the lyrics are credited to Yukako Honda, who used to be behind the fanzine L’Eretico. On the bottom of each page we find the serial number ‘CS 8422’. On the back, a Tristar logo appears on the bottom over the picture.

CD promo

The Japanese releases of Divine Comedy’s albums also turned out in promo version. However, those promos are different than the European ones. It is an ordinary album, and not a CD-R or a CD in a card sleeve. It is indicated as being a promo with the mention ‘SAMPLE’ is graved on the CD slice. A sticker ‘Not for sale’ with the serial number on it is stuck on its back. It seems that each copy has a different serial number, but with the three first digits being always the same (886).

Adverts

Tristar released some adverts to promote the albums in Japan. This ad makes reference to the 4 first albums reissued by Tristar under the name The Divine Selection.