For those not in the know, this remastered Delay Tactics limited-edition 2CD set includes the double CD reissue of Out-Pop Options (1982) and Any Questions? (1984), as well as there also being a deluxe box-set which houses their brand new album Elements of Surprise (2022), plus the bonus CD, Delay tactics Live at The River Styx Poetry Series concert from 1983.

Delay Tactics was among the first American bands to produce music using digital instruments, including looping, sampling and delay effects, and was one of the most innovative indie bands of the 1980s. Formed in 1981 as the tape-looping guitar duo of Carl Weingarten and Reed Nesbit, Delay Tactics made its mark with late night ambient music concerts in St. Louis movie theaters.

Within a year, synthesist/sound designer Walter Whitney joined the band while recording the first Delay Tactics album, Out-Pop Options (Multiphase 1982). Nesbit departed in 1983 and was replaced by guitarist David Udell (of Wax Theatricks) and Delay Tactics released their second album, Any Questions? (Multiphase 1984).

Disc One: OUT-POP OPTIONS
1. Yellow Samba (5:35)
2. This Time (1:54)
3. Five PM Expressway (2:46)
4. On The Roll (2:32)
5. Journey To Omdurman (2:38)
6. Le Noeud De Viperes (4:39)
7. Cymbolia (3:56)
8. Rommie Dancing (3:49)
9. Chasing Moroder (5:43)
10. Basic Tactic (2:03)
11. Departure (2:56)
12. Fire Quest (5:06)*
13. Ceremony (2:28)*
14. Initial Opus*
15. Rommie Dancing (Live)*

*Tracks Previously Unreleased

The first album from St. Louis’ most vital group of musicians, is Out-Pop Options and opens on the veritably shimmering Yellow Samba, the opulent This Time, and the striking jagged Five PM Expressway and they are followed by the jaunty On The Roll, the powerful Journey To Omdurman and both the hauntingly ethereal, veritably industrial strains of Le Noeud De Viperes and then more aesthetic melodies that form Cymbolia are brought forth.

We then get brought forth the synth-propelled fever of Rommie Dancing, the cinematic Chasing Moroder and the cultured Basic Tactic, which are in turn backed seamlessly by the free-flowing Departure, a trio of previously-unreleased cuts in the vibrant Fire Quest, the elegantly-sculpted Ceremony and the pure brilliance of Initial Opus, the disc rounding out on a live version of Rommie Dancing (recorded at West End Wax, St. Louis, 4-9-1983).

Disc Two: ANY QUESTIONS?
1. Pterodactyl (3:11)
2. Hands On Fire (3:46)
3. Oysters (3:30)
4. On Green Waters (4:54)
5. Almost Touching (4:27)
6. Kites (6:05)
7. Under The Ice (4:18)
8. Trio (0:51)
9. Spring Man (5:56)
10. Woman In A Room (of Colors) (3:38)
11. Fiction Music (4:29)*
12. Nuke The Beat (3:43)*
13. Big Sound (3:10)*
14. Funk Tune (3:13)*
15. Ms. Witchdoctor (2:47)*
16. Car Crash Jam (5:42)*

*Tracks Previously Unreleased

Using a unique synthesis of electronic effects within a framework of rock bass and percussion, along next is their Any Questions? album, which itself kicks off with the synth-driven ebbs and flows of Pterodactyl, the sumptuously-synth Hands On Fire, and the gorgeous Oysters, and then we are graced with the ambient On Green Waters, the digitally punctuated Almost Touching, the eloquent Kites, and both the diffusive Under The Ice and the short, but sweet Trio.

Along next is the playfully perky Spring Man and the resoundingly all-encompassing Woman In A Room (of Colors), and the remainder of disc are all previously-unreleased tracks, such as the fun Fiction Music, the Human League-esque lines of Nuke The Beat, the aptly-titled Big Sound, the album closing on the Kraftwerk-esque Funk Tune, the atmospheric nature of Ms. Witchdoctor, and finally we get the charged Car Crash Jam.

From the more expansive box-set, Elements of Surprise is the latest release from the techno-pop instrumental trio Delay Tactics, making the band’s remarkable return with their first new album in 38 years. Produced and recorded by the original members Walter Whitney (keyboards, synthesizers), Carl Weingarten (electric and slide guitars) and David Udell (acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards), with special guest Michael Manring on fretless bass, Elements of Surprise contains all new songs ranging from the pop-ambient sound of Viola’s Ascent to the pastoral and evocative Acoustic Reprise to the prog inspired Shadow of Berlin, all showcasing the Delay Tactics signature sound.

This reissue of Delay Tactics’ seminal albums comes as a deluxe double compact disc package, remastered from the original master tapes. The package includes artwork and credits for both albums, plus 10 bonus tracks of previously unreleased studio and live recordings.

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