The Orchids will be releasing a new album on 19th March 2007 titled Good To Be A Stranger. The press release states:The Orchids have released some of the finest pop songs of their generation since their humble beginnings in Penilee, a Glasgow suburb, where the three founder members grew up and started the band in 1986. Their first six singles and three albums were met with widespread critical acclaim. They graduated from the gentle lo-fi craft of their first album, Lyceum, in 1989 (“A minor classic – don’t let is pass you by” NME) through to the ground breaking and progressive sounds of their third, and aptly titled, Striving For The Lazy Perfection (“lithe, evocative and memorable music” Melody Maker) in 1994 with “sixth member” Ian Carmichael of One Dove at the studio controls.
In the intervening years they released Unholy Soul in 1991 (“Sarah Records answer to the Beach Boys Pet Sounds”) and some truly original singles & EPs that, in keeping with a stance sometimes perceived as awkward and single minded, were always kept apart from album projects. The ethos was always more about value for money for their fans than genuine stubbornness, however. These included what many believe to be the high point of their career to date, Something For The Longing as well as final single Thaumaturgy in 1993.
Reformed in 2004 after a break of Paddy McAloon proportions they have recorded an album that takes them back to their musical roots. Recorded at Riverside Studios, home to other acts such as Travis, Teenage Fanclub and Trash Can Sinatras, their new record Good To Be A Stranger is a fabulous collection of new songs that will feed the hungry appetite of the fan base that has grown over the intervening years. Ahead of their time in the early 90’s, it is only now that many have realised how fascinating and mature those earlier releases were.
GOOD TO BE A STRANGER is released on Madrid based label Siesta and the band will be heading out to play live gigs for the first time in twelve years to promote the new release – nothing like keeping your fans waiting! Offers of gigs in the UK, Sweden, Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Singapore and the USA illustrate how the world wide web has allowed their global reputation to grow. Following the album, a cover of The Go Betweens’ song Magic In Here will also appear on a Grant McLennan tribute album released on USA’s Rare Victory Records.
The band are also said to be planning some live dates including one at London's Spitz but no concrete news of these have appeared as of yet.
EDIT: The Orchids will be playing London's The Luminaire on the 2nd March 2007. Info & Tickets here.
The Orchids - From This Day
[My Space link]
2nd March - The Luminaire is announced. And tickets are available from WeGotTickets. Got mine yesterday.
So not the Spitz at all then! Ordering my tickets now.