Sleeve recreated from original artwork by Mathew Fletcher and Bro Fishman and new scans of Alison Wonderland's photos. Colour inner sleeve and 7" colour booklet by Elodie Ginsbourg, which includes lyrics, photos and sleeve notes by the band members. The thirteen track LP includes extra songs from Heavenly's "Space Manatee" single (covers of the Flamin's Groves' "You Tore Me Down" and The Jam's "Art School"). Black vinyl.
Originally released by Wiiija, Elefant and K Records in 1996. Re-released by Skep Wax July 2025.
This album is the band’s own favourite, but Operation Heavenly was barely acknowledged at the time: the original release in 1996 was totally overshadowed by the sudden death of drummer Mathew Fletcher. The promotional tour was cancelled, the surviving members of the band went into emotional and musical hibernation. No-one could bring themselves to celebrate these new songs in the face of such tragedy.
So, this release by Skep Wax Records, nearly thirty years on, is more like an album launch than a re-issue. Time has healed most wounds, and the songs on Operation Heavenly feel as fresh now as they did then.
