IN REVIEW
LEVELLERS
ZEITGEIST 30TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
“This release has brought songs like Just the One and P.C. Keen back into the forefront of my mind,
and they are still going round and round in my head as I write this.”
and they are still going round and round in my head as I write this.”
Reviewer: David Weddle
Release date: 7th November 2025
Release date: 7th November 2025
Take a trip back in time to celebrate Zeitgeist, the fourth album from Levellers, which they released back in 1995. Zeitgeist achieved the coveted top spot on the UK charts and brought the band's unique sound to a whole new audience, and judging by the crowd that came to see them when they visited my hometown of Newcastle last year, that audience is as strong as ever today. This very special 30th Anniversary release is crammed full of audiological goodies that are sure to keep even the most avid fan happy.
If you were a fan of the band back in the 1990s, you will be very familiar with this album, and the band have done a great job of capturing the nostalgia that I certainly felt when listening to it, and I am sure you will too. Adding the four extra tracks from the 2007 release, they have remixed the entire album, and it sounds cracking. Right from 'Hope Street' to 'Your 'Ouse', I was totally engrossed in the music and memories that those songs brought back.
If you were a fan of the band back in the 1990s, you will be very familiar with this album, and the band have done a great job of capturing the nostalgia that I certainly felt when listening to it, and I am sure you will too. Adding the four extra tracks from the 2007 release, they have remixed the entire album, and it sounds cracking. Right from 'Hope Street' to 'Your 'Ouse', I was totally engrossed in the music and memories that those songs brought back.
Levellers on stage in Newcastle June 2024 - Photo: David Weddle
The release is not just a remix of the original, oh no, it has much more to it than that, with a special Demos / Outtakes CD included with the deluxe CD version. There are snippets of conversations / interviews interwoven into the fabric of the release which are both humorous and also tie the different sections of the collection together nicely. There are things in there that you might not have heard before, there are loads of stunning demos, including 'Alive', 'The Fear' and 'Maid of the River', to name just a few. Some of the demos were recorded at the band's self-sufficient studio, Metway. It's things that let you get a little closer to the music and hear the classics in a different light. It's really great stuff.
The 2LP set includes a second remixed disc containing the single mix of ‘Just The One’ (with Joe Strummer on piano) along with B-sides and rarities from the Zeitgeist sessions. This release has brought songs like 'Just the One' and 'P.C. Keen' back into the forefront of my mind, and they are still going round and round in my head as I write this. With a total of 37 tracks and 7 interview snippets, the Levellers have made sure that this celebration is a big one, they've put on the 30th anniversary party, and everyone is invited.
I might be a little biased here, but, heck, it's not about blowing smoke. Levellers certainly don't need that, but I do think this is an extra special collection that you should check out for yourself. 'Zeitgeist 30th Anniversary Collection' is out on the 7th of November, so be sure to preorder it here. PRE-ORDER LINK: levellers.lnk.to/Zeitgeist30
The 2LP set includes a second remixed disc containing the single mix of ‘Just The One’ (with Joe Strummer on piano) along with B-sides and rarities from the Zeitgeist sessions. This release has brought songs like 'Just the One' and 'P.C. Keen' back into the forefront of my mind, and they are still going round and round in my head as I write this. With a total of 37 tracks and 7 interview snippets, the Levellers have made sure that this celebration is a big one, they've put on the 30th anniversary party, and everyone is invited.
I might be a little biased here, but, heck, it's not about blowing smoke. Levellers certainly don't need that, but I do think this is an extra special collection that you should check out for yourself. 'Zeitgeist 30th Anniversary Collection' is out on the 7th of November, so be sure to preorder it here. PRE-ORDER LINK: levellers.lnk.to/Zeitgeist30
Continuing the celebrations Levellers will hit the road across the UK in November on the Zeitgeist 30th Anniversary tour. Ticket are available to purchase via https://www.levellers.co.uk/
NOVEMBER 2025 UK TOUR DATES
Wed 12 – Southampton, O2 Guildhall
Thu 13 – Wolverhampton, KK's Steel Mill
Fri 14 – London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
Sat 15 – Derby, Vaillant Live
Sun 16 – Manchester, Academy
NOVEMBER 2025 UK TOUR DATES
Wed 12 – Southampton, O2 Guildhall
Thu 13 – Wolverhampton, KK's Steel Mill
Fri 14 – London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
Sat 15 – Derby, Vaillant Live
Sun 16 – Manchester, Academy
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