Teenage Fanclub & Jad Fair - Words Of Wisdom & Hope (w/ Bonus 7" Single) (RSD 2026)
Teenage Fanclub & Jad Fair - Words Of Wisdom & Hope (w/ Bonus 7" Single) (RSD 2026)
Format: Vinyl LP
UPC: 673855088211
Release Date: 04/18/26
Condition: N
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Event: RECORD STORE DAY 2026
Release Date: 4/18/2026
Format: LP / 7in
Label: Merge Records
Quantity: 1000
Release type: 'RSD First' Release
Indie pop cratediggers, behold the miracle: Record Store Day 2026, Merge Records is reissuing Words of Wisdom and Hope, the 2002 album by Teenage Fanclub and Jad Fair. Available on vinyl for the first time since its original 2002 release, Words of Wisdom and Hope is accompanied by a bonus 7-inch, "Always In My Heart" b/w "Rock Me Tonight," with the B-side's North American debut making this the definitive edition of the album.
Words of Wisdom and Hope is both a curio within Jad Fair's sprawling catalog and a left turn for Teenage Fanclub after the harmony-drenched jangle-pop of Howdy! Its charms — which are unrelenting from the moment Fair breaks in over the Fanclub's groove on "Behold the Miracle" to document the sparkle in the eye of a girl — are as obvious as they are mysterious: Is it Fair's spur-of-the-moment earnestness bringing out the rawer edges of Teenage Fanclub? Is it the polish of a band at one of several career peaks revealing new facets of the legendary Half Japanese frontman's songwriting?
Whatever it is, their sensibilities mesh together perfectly. Words of Wisdom and Hope finds the sweet spot between Teenage Fanclub's gorgeous Glaswegian pop soundscapes and Jad Fair's twitchy takes on love and monsters, like if Jonathan Richman were at the helm of Loaded-era Velvet Underground, somehow wide-eyed in its innocence and winkingly sly all at once. An album aimed directly at the biggest, tingliest part of the heart — play it loud for young crushes, and louder for something to remember young love by.
Tracklist
1. "Behold the Miracle" 3:47
2. "I Feel Fine" 3:28
3. "Near to You" 4:13
4. "Smile" 4:48
5. "Crush on You" 7:07
6. "Cupid" 6:36
7. "Power of Your Tenderness" 3:57
8. "Vampire's Claw" 3:45
9. "Secret Heart" 2:37
10. "You Rock" 5:36
11. "Love's Taken Over" 4:01
12. "Good Thing" 3:23
7-inch:
1. Always In My Heart
2. Let’s Celebrate
SHIPPING & RETURNS
SHIPPING & RETURNS
FREE SHIPPING on purchases over $75 (domestic orders, media only)
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RETURNS
Items may be returned within 90 days of the delivery date.
If not defective, any product returned must be in the same condition in which customer received it and in the original retail packaging.
Yellow Racket will be responsible for cost of return on all damaged or defective items. Customer is responsible for cost of return if item is not damaged or defective. Photo/video evidence of damages/defects must be provided by customer within 14 days of the delivery date.
Customer assumes all responsibility for duties and taxes associated with international shipments.
GRADING
GRADING
Yellow Racket assigns condition based on the Goldmine Standard for grading records.
New (N) (Not typically included in the Goldmine Standard)
New records are purchased directly from the label, distributor, or registered wholesaler. Records are still sealed. Jackets may have slight shelf wear, but media has never been played.
Mint (M)
Still sealed. Never played. No observable flaws. Items have been purchased secondhand.
Near Mint (NM)
A Near Mint (NM) record will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. The record should show no obvious signs of wear.
The cover (and any additional packaging) has no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable defects.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
A Very Good Plus (VG+) record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it.
Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not affecting the actual playback as a whole. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches.
The disc and LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be gently marred by spindle marks, paper scuffs, wrinkled corners, etc.
Very Good (VG)
Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident, but will not overpower the music. Disc may have light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.
Labels, jackets, and inserts will have visible cosmetic flaws such as wrinkles, cut-outs, slight splitting, etc. However, it will usually have less than a dozen minor flaws.
Good (G)
A record in Good condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present.
While the record will be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompany the playback.
Poor (P), Fair (F)
The record may be cracked, badly warped, or won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve may be water damaged, split, or heavily marred by wear and writing.
