Alan Vega's work with Suicide is revered by just about every electronic music artist who's tapped a keyboard or moved a mouse; his snarling, rockabilly-styled vocals teamed with Martin Rev's ominous, repetitive soundscapes blazed a trail for post-punk, synth pop, industrial rock, techno...the list goes on. Vega's solo career substantially overlapped with his Suicide recordings; this 1983 release, his first for a major label (Elektra), was his bid for commercial success, enlisting Ric Ocasek of the Cars (who had produced the second Suicide record) to produce and recruiting a young Al Jourgenson (who had just founded Ministry) to play keyboards. Vega even trimmed down his notoriously long songs - however, his art still proved too idiosyncratic for mainstream success. But even if it didn't result in sales, the relatively accessible sound of Saturn Strip ended up garnering much critical acclaim; this is Vega's best solo album, highlighted by "Kid Congo," his tribute to Cramps/Gun Club guitarist Kid Congo Powers, and a cover of the disco hit "Every 1's a Winner" that sounds like White Light White Heat-era Velvet Underground. First-ever LP reissue!