Showing posts with label Northern Picture Library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northern Picture Library. Show all posts

14 March 2016

THE FIELD MICE Skywriting 1990



Artist Biography by


The flagship band of the legendary Sarah Records, the Field Mice neatly encapsulated the label's trademark wispy, lovelorn pop sound and remain among the most beloved British cult bands of their time. Debuting in 1988 with the single "Emma's House," the Field Mice were originally comprised of singer/guitarist Robert Wratten and bassist Michael Hiscock; initially dismissed in the U.K. press as little more than twee pop fluff, over the course of subsequent releases like 1989's "Sensitive" and the So Said Kay EP, the group earned not only a devout following, but also grudging critical respect, in the process becoming Sarah's best-selling band. Later growing to a quintet with the additions of guitarist Harvey Williams, keyboardist Annemari Davies, and drummer Mark Dobson, the group held fast to their label's singles-only policy (or mini-LPs) until a much-requested compilation LP, Coastal, was finally released in mid-1991; a studio album, For Keeps, appeared just a few months later. However, in the wake of a November, 1991 Glasgow live date which ended in on-stage fisticuffs, the Field Mice essentially disbanded, playing one final London farewell gig before splitting for good; Wratten, Davies, and Dobson later reunited in Northern Picture Library and Trembling Blue Stars
 

Tracklist

Triangle
Canada
Clearer
It Isn't Forever
Below The Stars
Humblebee
 

26 July 2012

NORTHERN PICTURE LIBRARY Alaska 1993


Discogs

 

Review

by Dean Carlson
Northern Picture Library's debut is largely impulsive, frayed, and capable of creating an affecting, almost inactive atmosphere. Sandwiched in between the on-stage self-destruction of the Field Mice and the creation of Trembling Blue Stars, Alaska underplayed indie traditionalism as it took an unexpected, interesting tenure into dream-based ambient pop. Annemari Davies and Robert Wratten's compositions were frequently free of guitars, lyrics, or drums. By avoiding an emphasis on found sound, however, songs like "Glitter Spheres" and "Skylight" were also connective and built from melody, while "Dreams and Stars and Sleep" seemed to anticipate the predatory, childlike dub gospel of Saint Etienne's Sound of Water and Dusted's When We Were Young. Northern Picture Library would break up soon after its release, but Alaska's better moments, its quieter moments, were some of the more memorable, most overlooked yields of all of the Field Mice's offshoots. 
 

Tracklist


1
Untitled #10:39
2
Into The Ether4:02
3
Catholic Easter Colours7:08
4
Glitter Spheres1:09
5
Insecure5:09
6
Dreams And Stars And Sleep6:02
7
Lucky4:49
8
L.S.D. Icing2:18
9
Truly Madly Deeply4:36
10
Isn't It Time You Faced The Truth?3:44
11
Untitled #20:58
12
Skylight3:59
13
Of Traffic And The Ticking2:55
14
Lucky (Reprise)1:39
15
Monotone8:34