Written by: Alex Green

The surviving members of Mother Love Bone have teamed up to compile a stunning new box set of the legendary band’s complete works.

The Seattle outfit was fronted by the late Andrew Wood and also featured future Pearl Jam members Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard as well as Bruce Fairweather and Greg Gilmore.

Although they were only officially together from 1988-1990, they were at the forefront of the burgeoning Seattle scene that spawned the Screaming Trees, Nirvana and Mudhoney. The first of the scene to be signed to a major label, Mother Love Bone walked the tightrope between metal and grunge and on the strength of one of the most flamboyant frontmen to ever take the stage, they became known as one of the most powerful and charismatic live acts around.

Wood’s death in 1990 came a week before the release of the band’s debut full-length record Apple.

Their recorded legacy amounts to Apple, an EP called Shine and a self-titled compilation. However, the band has just announced the release of On Earth As It Is, a completist’s dream collection of everything MLB ever recorded. The vinyl collection features a remastered version of Apple and 1989’s Shine. It also features new artwork and never-before-seen photos, a comprehensive 20+ page booklet, lyrics, credits, a 12″ x 12″ envelope containing photo prints, a 24 page zine, fold-out poster and stencil.

The vinyl set is handsomely packaged in a slipcase replicating a Mother Love Bone wall mural painted by Jeff Ament

On the Pearl Jam website the band writes: “A very limited number of randomly selected vinyl box set packages will receive a rare Happy Holidays greeting card signed by each member of Mother Love Bone. These cards were uncovered from the Mother Love Bone / Love Co. deep archives.”

The CD/DVD version of the collection features two bonus discs rife with B-Sides and demos, plus unreleased tracks as well as the sought after film Love Bone Earth Affair, which features videos, interviews and live clips.

On Earth As It Is can be pre-ordered here:

Tracklisting:

Apple/Shine:
“This Is Shangrila”
“Stardog Champion”
“Holy Roller”
“Bone China”
“Come Bite the Apple”
“Stargazer”
“Heartshine”
“Captain Hi Top”
“Man of Golden Words”
“Capricorn Sister”
“Gentle Groove”
“Mr. Danny Boy”
“Crown of Thorns”
“Thru Fade Away”
“Mindshaker Meltdown”
“Half Ass Monkey Boy”
“Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns”

B-sides/Alt Versions Disc 1:
“Holy Roller”
“Bone China”
“Hold Your Head Up”
“Capricorn Sister”
“Zanzibar”
“Lady Godiva Blues”
“Red Hot Shaft”
“Seasons Changing” (Live at the Plant)
“Stardog Champion” (Live at the Plant)

B-sides/Alt Versions Disc 2:
“Lubricated Muscle Drive”
“Savwahfair Slide”
“Jumpin Jehova”
“Showdown”
“Bloodshot Ruby”
“Elijah”
“Chloe Dancer” (Demo)
“Have You Ever Kissed A Lady”
“Otherside”
“These R No Blues”
“Made of Rainbows”
“Bloody Shame”
“One Time Fire”
“Stardog Champion” featuring Chris Cornell and Pearl Jam (Live from Alpine Valley)