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| Allmusic |   | 
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 Dazzle's 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.