The Island Years is a double CD compilation of John Cale's work during 1974 and 1975. The collection, released in 1996, is composed of the three previously released Cale albums issued by Island Records: Fear, Slow Dazzle and Helen of Troy. The album also includes some extra tracks, b-sides, and individual tracks from other albums but the Slow Dazzles last and experimental track "The Jeweller" was shortened to 4:11 (The same length as on the original LP of Slow Dazzle. On the CD version of the album, the track's duration is 5:07). In 2007 The Island Years was reissued as a budget release, Gold'', with the same track listing but reduced packaging.
Track listing
CD 1Fear (1974) & outtake "Fear Is a Man's Best Friend" – 3:52
"Buffalo Ballet" – 3:28
"Barracuda" – 3:46
"Emily" – 4:21
"Ship of Fools" – 4:36
"Gun" – 8:04
"The Man Who Couldn't Afford to Orgy" – 4:33
"You Know More Than I Know" – 3:34
"Momamma Scuba" – 4:23
"Sylvia Said" – 4:07 (single B-side, remixed; leaving the original single 45 a rarity)Slow Dazzle (1975) & outtakes''' "All I Want Is You" – 2:55 (outtake) "Bamboo Floor" – 3:24 (outtake) "Mr. Wilson" – 3:15 "Taking It All Away" – 2:56 "Dirty-Ass Rock 'N' Roll" – 4:41 "Darling I Need You" – 3:35 "Rollaroll" – 3:57 CD2 "Heartbreak Hotel" – 3:10 "Ski Patrol" – 2:05 "I'm Not the Loving Kind" – 3:07 "Guts" – 3:26 "The Jeweller" – 4:11 '''Helen of Troy (1975) & outtakes "My Maria" – 3:48 "Helen of Troy" – 4:18 "China Sea" – 2:30 "Engine" – 2:45 "Save Us" – 2:20 "Cable Hogue" – 3:30 "(I Keep A) Close Watch" – 3:27 "Pablo Picasso" – 3:20 "Leaving It Up To You" – 4:33 "Baby, What You Want Me to Do?" – 4:48 "Sudden Death" – 4:36 "You & Me" – 2:50 (outtake) "Coral Moon" – 2:14 (originally replaced "Leaving It Up To You") "Mary Lou" – 2:46 (outtake that originally appeared on the 1977 Guts compilation)