For those wondering, once named by Rolling Stone as “the best unsigned band in the World” they went on to record four studio albums, ‘People’ (1988), ‘Home’ (1990), ‘Songs From The Rain’ (1993) and ‘Born’ (1998) with London Records which are all featured here on the just-released The Older We Get: The London Years [8CD].

It also includes many single versions, rare B-sides, and live versions, plus an entire disc of previously unreleased demo versions sourced from the London Records tape archives all offering fans a deep dive into the band’s creative journey from over the years.

From their chart-topping debut to their later, introspective works, Hothouse Flowers consistently pushed the boundaries, blending rock, folk, and soul with Irish roots. This collection not only captures their biggest moments but also unveils hidden gems.

The band’s first hit single, ‘Don’t Go’, released in 1988, remains one of their most iconic tracks, capturing the raw energy and emotion that propelled them into the global spotlight.

Following the success of their debut album, the band continued to deliver chart-topping hits. ‘Give It Up’, from their sophomore album ‘Home’, exemplifies their ability to craft uplifting anthems, while ‘I Can See Clearly Now’, a vibrant cover of Johnny Nash’s classic, became a fan favorite, highlighting their versatility and ability to reinterpret timeless songs.

This Hothouse Flowers’ box set is a loving tribute to a band whose music transcends time and genres. Whether you are reliving cherished memories or discovering their magic for the first time, this collection is an essential addition to any music library.

The Hothouse Flowers are embarking on a nine date UK tour starting in Newcastle on June 6th. For more information, please visit: www.hothouseflowers.com

Disc One: PEOPLE + BONUS TRACKS (1988)
1. I’M SORRY
2. DON’T GO
3. FORGIVEN
4. IT’LL BE EASIER IN THE MORNING
5. HALLELUAH JORDAN
6. IF YOU GO
7. THE OLDER WE GET
8. YES I WAS
9. LOVE DON’T WORK THIS WAY
10. BALLAD OF KATIE
11. FEET ON THE GROUND
12. LONELY LANE
13. SAVED
14. DON’T GO (SINGLE VERSION) ¶
15. BETTER AND BETTER ¶
16. DON’T GO (LIVE ACOUSTIC VERSION) ¶ *
17. BIG FAT HEART ¶ *
18. HYDROMAN ¶

Their generic sound stands up well over twenty years later, can Bruce Hornsby, Marc Cohn et al boast that? Some pretty groundbreaking writing here, most satisfying in an Ireland which hadn’t even caught on to already plodding stadium rock let alone shunned it.

Stax grit pumped into a contemporary piano raging with fury is Love Don’t Work This Way, the military march chant Feet on the Ground are stand outs from a band who were briefly at least a cut above all else. Don’t Go was their breakout radio hit, and well worthy of being so, along with the under the radar album cut The Older We Get.

Disc Two: BONUS TRACKS
1. DON’T GO (EXTENDED VERSION) * 2. FEET ON THE GROUND (SIZE 12 MIX) * 3. HARD RAIN 4. STRANGE FEELING 5. CARRICKFERGUS 6. SEELINE WOMAN 7. MOUNTAINS 8. LOVE DON’T WORK THIS WAY (LIVE, INTERNATIONAL, MANCHESTER, JUNE 1988) * 9. THE OLDER WE GET (LIVE, INTERNATIONAL, MANCHESTER, JUNE 1988) * 10. YES I WAS (LIVE, INTERNATIONAL, MANCHESTER, JUNE 1988) * 11. IF YOU’RE HAPPY (LIVE, INTERNATIONAL, MANCHESTER, JUNE 1988) * 12. HYDROMAN (LIVE, BERLIN, 1987) + 13. FREEDOM (LIVE, BERLIN, 1987) + 14. WILLY (LIVE, BERLIN, 1987) + 15. HARD RAIN (LIVE, BERLIN, 1987) + 16. DON’T GO (LIVE, BERLIN, 1987) +

Disc Three: HOME + BONUS TRACKS (1990)
1. HARDSTONE CITY
2. GIVE IT UP
3. CHRISTCHURCH BELLS
4. SWEET MARIE
5. GIVING IT ALL AWAY
6. SHUT UP AND LISTEN
7. I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW
8. MOVIES
9. EYES WIDE OPEN
10. WATER
11. HOME
12. TRYING TO GET THROUGH
13. DANCE TO THE STORM
14. SEOLADH NA N’GAMHNA
15. GIVE IT UP (EDIT)
16. I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW (SINGLE VERSION) ¶
17. MOVIES (SINGLE VERSION) ¶
18. HARDSTONE CITY (SHORT VERSION) ¶
19. THE ROSE (FEATURING THE DUBLINERS) ¶

The band continued their exploration of Irish folk and gospel on their second album, Home. Their debut album, People, had introduced them to the world, largely through the strength of their radio singles and whilst Home is every bit as good as People, it lacks an obvious standout track.

Nonetheless, several singles were released from this album, namely I Can See Clearly Now, Give It Up, and Movies. The shadow of Van Morrison looms large over Home, from the slow, piano-driven ballads Sweet Marie and Shut Up and Listen to gospel choir-backed rockers like Giving It All Away and their cover of I Can See Clearly Now.

Hothouse Flowers aren’t simply a pale imitation of their influences, though, and their songwriting and musicianship are excellent throughout. From the clever anthem Movies to the Eastern-tinged Water, Hothouse Flowers created a masterful collection of pop songs. Home is an underrated gem.

Disc Four: B-SIDES & LIVE
1. IF YOU’RE HAPPY (LIVE AT THE RDS STADIUM, DUBLIN, SEPT 88) 2. BEAN PHAIDIN (LIVE AT THE RDS STADIUM, DUBLIN, SEPT 88) 3. IF YOU GO (LIVE AT THE RDS STADIUM, DUBLIN, SEPT 88) 4. KANSAS CITY (LIVE) 5. BETTER DAYS AHEAD (LIVE) 6. STRANGE FEELING (LIVE) 7. I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW (LIVE, EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE, MAY 90) * 8. EYES WIDE OPEN (LIVE, EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE, MAY 90) * 9. HARDSTONE CITY (LIVE, EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE, MAY 90) * 10. SHUT UP AND LISTEN (LIVE, EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE, MAY 90) * 11. GIVING IT ALL AWAY (LIVE, AUSTRALIA, FEB 91) 12. HALLELUAH JORDAN (LIVE, AUSTRALIA, FEB 91) 13. CHRISTCHURCH BELLS (LIVE, AUSTRALIA, FEB 91) 14. SI DO MHAMO I (LIVE IN MELBOURNE)

Disc Five: SONGS FROM THE RAIN + BONUS TRACKS (1993)
1. THIS IS IT (YOUR SOUL)
2. ONE TONGUE
3. AN EMOTIONAL TIME
4. BE GOOD
5. GOOD FOR YOU
6. ISN’T IT AMAZING
7 THING OF BEAUTY
8. YOUR NATURE
9. SPIRIT OF THE LAND
10. GYPSY FAIR
11. STAND BESIDE ME
12. AN EMOTIONAL TIME (SINGLE VERSION) ¶
13. THING OF BEAUTY (EDIT) ¶ *
14. ONE TONGUE (SINGLE VERSION) ¶
15. ONE TONGUE (REMIX) ¶

This record concluded a terrific stretch of productivity from this Irish band who captured in three excellent records a wonderful mixture of traditional Irish music, punk rock energy, and a yearning for the transcendent.

The energy of songs such as “This is It (Your Soul),” “Be Good,” “Isn’t It Amazing,” and “Thing of Beauty” is palpable but moreover it is perhaps their best-known song, with it’s gentle picked electric guitar, underlying piano and growing crescendo of vocals that builds to a joyous choir of voices that takes the crown overall.

Another stand out is “Spirit of the Land” which picks up more upbeat tempo, like a horse galloping along a sandy beach, and the lyrics are charged with energy and social consciousness. Man, it is chock full of such powerful wordless vocals and a grand outstanding piano within the magnificent tune.

Disc Six: B-SIDES & EXTRA TRACKS
1. THE SEASONS WHEELS 2. HELP US MAKE OUR PEACE 3. SONG OF ECUADOR 4. AIR FROM THE HILLS 5. BANISHED MISFORTUNE 6. LET THE RHYTHM TAKE YOU HOME 7. CARRY ON 8. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING 9. THE REBEL 10. SAME SONG 11. WISH YOU EVERYTHING 12. THE RAIN 13. OF THE PEOPLE 14. THE WELL 15. LET HIM KNOW 16. GETTING TOO MUCH 17. SUSPICIOUS MINDS 18. FOREVER YOUNG

Disc Seven: BORN + BONUS TRACKS (1998)
1. YOU CAN LOVE ME NOW
2. TURN UP THE REVERB
3. FOREVER MORE
4. BORN
5. POP SONG
6. USED TO CALL IT LOVE
7. AT LAST
8. FIND THE TIME
9. I BELIEVE
10. LEARNING TO WALK
11. YOU CAN LOVE ME NOW (RADIO EDIT) ¶
12. IT’S A MAN’S MAN’S WORLD ¶
13. LOVE DON’T WORK THIS WAY (‘98 VERSION) ¶
14. TURN UP THE REVERB (DEMO VERSION) ¶ +
15. BORN (DEMO VERSION) ¶ +
16. I BELIEVE (DEMO VERSION) ¶ +

I’ve listened to all of their albums extensively over the years, and once again here within this incredible new box-set, but I must say that this is by far my favorite and the most balanced of their albums.

Indeed, in my opinion it is their best work till then, and their most original and the one where Liam Ó Maonlaí sounds the least like Van Morrisson. Here Hothouse Flowers were carving out their own sound and making musical progress!

Disc Eight: DEMO VERSIONS
1. MOVIES + 2. WATER + 3. SHUT UP AND LISTEN + 4. LET HIM KNOW + 5. HARDSTONE CITY + 6. HELP US MAKE OUR PEACE + 7. SPIRIT OF THE LAND + 8. THE WELL + 9. HE WHO WAS + 10. CHANGING TIDES + 11. ANGEL FRIEND + 12. GETTING TOO MUCH + 13. THING OF BEAUTY + 14. HURTIN’ + 15. JUNK FOOD + 16. GO MAITH +

+ denotes previously unreleased

*denotes on CD for the first time in the UK

¶ denotes bonus tracks

Hothouse Flowers - The Older We Get - The London Years 8CD [Official Trailer]

Official Purchase Link

www.hothouseflowers.com