1992's Why Be Blue? is a more produced and up beat, hedonistic affair than its 1988 predecessor, A Way of Life. The jubilant title track, 'Chewy-Chewy', the vivacious 'Flashy Love' and 'Play The Dream' all proudly flaunt a hard fought for optimism, with Vega's uninhibited vocals and surreal cut-up lyrics in full kinetic flight. Pleasure is definitely the boss on Why Be Blue? The mesmerising 'Hot Ticket' is a classic Suicide post-apocalypse dance tune, the rollicking 'Pump It' roars through a mean neon drenched night, 'Last Time' finds Vega on the phone to Vegas, while 'Universe' launches a fever dream redemption prayer for the world into the void. As ever, Suicide are the authentic, nonconformist sound of New York City on Why Be Blue?

Why Be Blue?'s supplementary disc documents a celebratory concert performed for an adoring Parisian crowd at Le Palace, 17th April 1989. This vital recording should be of particular interest for long standing Suicide aficionados, as it contains numerous Vega/Rev compositions that the band have never yet recorded in the studio: the resigned but defiant 'C'est La Vie', the decadent and improvised Latin flavoured 'Mambo Mambo' ("Here's a song even I haven't heard before," states Vega), the wanton mutant rockabilly of 'Rock Train' (dedicated to their ardent fan and ceaseless champion, Bruce Springsteen, whose Nebraska LP was heavily influenced by Suicide), the propulsive 'Night Time' and the sleazy 'On Fire'. Also featured are inspired renditions of 'Johnny' (recorded on their 1st LP) and their enduring anthemic 1983 12 inch single, 'Dream Baby Dream'.

Producer:  Ric Ocasek