Tubes
The Completion Backward Principle
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

1981 Original with inner sleeve. The Completion Backward Principle is the sixth studio album by the Tubes, released in 1981. Marking a significant shift in their artistic direction, this record was their first collaboration with producer David Foster, whose influence ushered in a more polished, radio-friendly sound. The Tubes, previously known for their satirical and theatrical approach to rock, embraced a more streamlined production style, integrating elements of new wave and pop-rock into their music. The album’s concept draws from the idea of corporate motivational seminars, with the band adopting a tongue-in-cheek persona that is reflected in both the music and the album's packaging, which resembles a business manual. The Completion Backward Principle represented a reinvention for the Tubes at a time when many late 1970s rock acts were adapting to the changing musical landscape of the early 1980s. Songs like "Talk to Ya Later" and "Don't Want to Wait Anymore" became some of their best-known tracks, earning substantial radio airplay and chart success, particularly in the United States. The album’s slick production and catchy hooks helped the Tubes reach a broader audience, establishing it as a pivotal release in their discography. This era demonstrated the band’s versatility and willingness to evolve, balancing their characteristic wit with a commercially viable sound that resonated with both longtime fans and new listeners.