Saddle Creek Is Reissuing The Faint’s Blank-Wave Arcade

If you weren’t an indie kid living in Omaha or Lincoln in the early ’00s, then I don’t know if you’ll truly appreciate the phenomena of The Faint back then, especially around the time that 2001’s Danse Macabre was released. Every time they played in Omaha, it was an Event for me and my friends, and I have very fond memories of traveling up to Omaha to watch them play in the Sokol Underground.

Last year was the 25th anniversary of The Faint’s breakout album, Blank-Wave Arcade, on which they began to embrace synths over guitars. (The Faint originally started out as a more straightforward emo/indie-rock band called Norman Bailer, which featured Conor Oberst on vocals before he started Bright Eyes.) To mark the occasion, Saddle Creek Records is releasing a deluxe edition of Blank-Wave Arcade, which includes a remastered version of the original album as well as remixes, rarities, and live tracks.

Blank-Wave Arcade’s deluxe edition will be released on March 14th, 2025; preorder your copy today on 2xLP or digital. On that same day, Saddle Creek is also releasing a similar deluxe edition of The Faint’s 2004 album, Wet From Birth, to mark that album’s 20th anniversary.

In related news, The Faint are embarking on a short spring tour throughout the midwestern and western portions of the country, with an Omaha date on April 3. I’m half-tempted to go, but given that most of my friends from that era have long since left Nebraska, it probably wouldn’t be the same.