Sometimes bands notice what we say about them and our posts touch places that we didn’t expect or even imagine they would. Over the years certain ‘Spillers have expressed love for Animals That Swim and their music. This has not gone unnoticed by the band themselves and now, as they prepare to launch their first download only single for over ten years, they have asked us to help them let the world know what they’ve been up to. This is a band that has never had an easy time of it and whose charm and appeal was probably best summed up by John Robinson of the Guardian in a 2000 gig review as they made their way back onto the live scene after a three year absence. “The group’s evident poverty is only matched, however, by the richness of their music”.
As Hugh said to me in an email earlier today “it’s probably only the fact that people have said nice things about us on the internet that gave us the energy to record these songs in the first place”.
After two great albums in the mid nineties and another at the end of that decade, they’re back. This is hopefully just the first of many new recordings. Here’s a taster of things to come. Visit their website for further information and to see what they’ve been up to. Full versions of the songs in the player will be available for download from i-tunes in April.
NOW AVAILABLE ON ITUNES!
Maki – that’s fantastic news! I rarely drop in on the ‘Spill, but saw your post on the mothership and had to investigate. I hope they’re planning some gigs too. I saw them a ridiculous number of times in the early 90s, and they were always top entertainment. I’m going to dig out 50 Dresses before going to bed.
Mark – I don’t think Hugh will mind my telling you that your comments regarding ATS on here are one of the reasons they asked us to do this.
Aw, shucks. Well, that’s made my day!
New to me, Maki, i loved them. Especially the first one, thanks.
Aw wow! Cockles of my heart feeling lovely and warm now. Can’t wait to hear more of the new material. One day, we’ll get them A-listed…
amyless – have a listen to this:
@amylee – sorry, I’ve just noticed I called you amyless. No idea why. Absolutely no slight intended!
btw, i used to be nicknamed Aimless. Can’t imagine why.
Thanks Barbryn -
I really loved that one!
Really good to hear the new stuff. “Pink Carnations” and “Faded Glamour” are fab songs and have stood the test of time very well.
Although I do remember taking issue with “Faded Glamour” at the time due to the line “this faded glamour’s a stupid art-school idea” as I was at art school and liked a bit of the old faded glamour, y’see?
These days I am less likely to take offence at a lyric.
it is very very cool that people saying nice things on blogs can have this kind of positive power and even cooler that the band show appreciation by having direct communication and letting out pre-release tunes like this on our humble blog……nice one ATS!
I have fond memories of IWTK, IRW (posted by Barbryn above) and really liked the sound of the new tracks too
It was surprisingly fun to record new songs, we did it pretty quickly and hadn’t played together for 10 years so I was a bit nervous but although the songs are ramshackle and stuttering i think we probably will do some more. Thanks for all the support. Like Makinavaja says, that’s why we did ‘em. Hank
I seem to remember previously telling a couple of RRegulars not to bother me ever again with Animals That Swim (sorry, fellas!), but Silver Rays is really rather lovely.
And I wanted to add to the expressions of going all warm’n'fuzzy at the appreciation of The ‘Spill by any of the bands we discuss.
ATS still not really my cup of tea, but reading the thread and hearing the music has nonetheless cheered me up.
Thanks all.
I haven’t heard ATS since ‘I Was The King . . .’, this was a nice reintroduction, and further proof, if it were needed, that RR rocks (and Animals That Swim always deserved a wider audience)! Yay Hugh! Now start recommending . . .
Comebacks after a long hiatus, don’t often work. Here it seems ATS have a few good tunes left in them. Many happy returns.
Animals That Swim has always had a special place in my heart, such a unique band that was able to tap into a mixture of sadness and hopefulness in a way that has to be heard to be understood. “Seven Days” never fails to bring a tear to my eye. These new songs sound great, though it appears the amazing sax player is no longer with them.
Hank Starrs – never underestimate the impact your music can have on someone’s life. Even if it’s fewer people than you deserve, it’s an eternal gift you’ve given the world. Be proud! And gods be praised for your return, whether it’s a brief single or something much more.
(Not sax player, horn player!)
That’s a thoughtful compliment. Thanks.
Very late to comment on this, but loved-love-loved it – at least until the whistling kicked in. That was just a little too lo-fi for me! Love that der-der-der-dum string thing going on though – stirring stuff. Is it wrong to be reminded of some of the more strident Les Mis anthems?! (In a good way, natch.)
Animals That Swim are quite simply ‘my favourite band’, you’ve never let me down, and I’ve never tired of listening to everything you’ve done. And to hear you are back, is like a lightning strike, how wonderful it is to listen to you with something new, thank you for everything. All the best ATS.
[...] new songs from them after such a long while. After reading the interview, you can head over to the Spill to sample the two new songs. Both of which should be available in iTunes any day [...]
These songs are now available on iTunes – see animalsthatswim.wordpress.com for details.
Had forgotten how wonderful Animals That Swim were until I recently chanced upon a copy of the Madame Levonde single. I’ve listened to it again and again and again and now I find there’s some new stuff coming out. Great post, thanks.