New Meursault Singles Out Today
Meursault’s new singles are out today, and have been awarded Single of the Week in Drowned in Sound (thanks Wendy!) and have also been nominated for Single of the Week on The 405 (go here to vote, and please do because, erm, who the fuck are Frankie & the Heartstrings, no disrespect intended).
These singles are released on a pair of clear vinyl 7″s, with the really rather gorgeous artwork having been done by Chris from the band, and frankly I think they look fantastic.
The songs themselves, however, had a slightly more uneasy ride. The tracks on this release are the album versions of The Dirt & the Roots and A Few Kind Words as double A-sides with new recordings of William Henry Miller Parts One and Two respectively, and the first time I heard those new recordings I was rather taken aback.
Everyone who knows these songs already will know the incredibly sparse acoustic versions from the Nothing Broke EP, but these are a totally different proposition. Slowed down (in the case of Part 2 almost to a standstill) and incredibly densely layered, they take full advantage of new band memebers Phil Quirie on electric guitar and Pete Harvey on cello. There are guest vocals provided by Bart from eagleowl and Dan from Withered Hand, and the results may be a shock to the system for fans of the acoustic versions. As Neil said when he first played them to us: “I thought I’d finally written a song you really didn’t like.”
Give it a few weeks, however and these bloody singles are never off the stereo in Toad Hall. William Henry Miller Part Two, became a favourite pretty much instantaneously – in fact it’s just about my favourite song of the year. There’s something about the wailed vocals, rhythmic piano and the truly stunning layers of cello which I just can’t stop listening to.
Part One took a little longer to get used to. To a degree it sounds like the version from Nothing Broke has had a stroke; the beginning is all thick and slow, a mile from the jaunty handclaps of the acoustic version. Somehow though I find myself preferring this one these days. I don’t know why, but I think it’s because there’s just something odd and unsettling about it now.
It’s funny how the two new recordings seem to fit with the songs from Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues as well. In terms of clearing the decks for the new album and drawing 2009 to a close, these singles seem about perfect.
They can be bought as a pair or individually from the Song, by Toad Records site, recently given a very, very snazzy redesign by Andy from Nonimage. Preview pretty much all of these on the Meursault MySpace page if you like, and digital versions are available from the likes of iTunes and Amazon mp3 as well.
Ch-ching! Gimme gimme gimme!
I feel I should write some sort of ‘total lack of impartiality’ disclaimer, but everyone knows that, right?
Magic, can’t wait to get these on the 1200.
It’s so unfair on the hard-working CD format, but there is something very special about vinyl as far as I’m concerned. It may be silly, but it does retain a certain aura.
Meursault suck.
LITTLE MATTHEW IS ADOLPH CROSBY! UNMASKED!
Don’t tell everyone Matthew or the stupid buggers won’t offload their vinyl to Oxfam and I won’t get as many bargains as I have had recently.
Haha. If only my fingers would let me type such utter pish.
In all honesty, the vinyl version of The Dirt & The Roots is so good. Has a really nice new layer of warmth to it.
Actually Drew, we donated five of every release to Oxfam Music in Stockbridge just for, em… just for… er, why did we do it, again?
That’ll be charity, Matthew.
The Byres Rd Oxfam Music is a veritable treasure trove at the moment. I got some great 12″ singles all mint at the weekend for 99p a pop.
Hmmm, I picked up both parts of the 7″ (the fiver deal) in Avalanche last week. I feel speshul now.
We gave them to shops and sold them at gigs before the official release dates. Frankly I find release dates a fucking annoyance. Print and radio won’t touch anything which has already been released, but airplay or a review which happens when the customer has the opportunity to actually make an impulse purchase is massively more valuable than anything which requires them to wait, and then hopefully remember to buy it when the thing finally comes out.
So basically, I just lie and make up some release date in the future once the fucking things are already out and for sale – it’s a total waste of good press otherwise.
I’m playing the singles now. Thats right fuckers. Now.
I do believe there’s a postal strike/holiday coming up too…it would be such a shame if y’all didn’t get yours while I’m sat here with a few hundred copies.
Har hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaa!!!!
Darling. Behave.
I worry about her.
I bought these the other week when I saw Meursault in Glasgow, but I don’t actually have a record player. Now I’m off to buy them again as some kind of downloady thing. Don’t say I’m not very slightly good to you.
I too have had them for a couple of weeks, and I even managed to get the numbers to match -99/500; much to the irritation of the manager of Avalanche who had to try and get two numbers to match! Great songs, btw.
Will get them on download soon.
Ed
Jim and Ed, I will be sending you guys digital copies very soon, don’t go buying them.
Actually, what am I saying!
Oh, and as much as possible we are trying to keep matched pairs together Ed, but Christ knows how long we’ll be able to manage that.
Too late Matthew, eMusic finally updated it’s weeks releases today and I grabbed them from there.
Those new recordings of part 1&2 are FUCKING INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! proper stop-in-your-tracks incredible.
When Neil finished mixing Part 2 in particular he had this funny look on his face and said ‘I think – I think – it might be the best thing we’ve ever done.’
I am inclined to agree with him.
Aw, thank you very much, will leave feedback on emusic and iTunes. Have added many of the Song, By Toad Records to my emusic Great scottish acts of the 00s list. Along with stuff on 17 Seconds, obviously!
Just grabbed them off iTunes – I haven’t graduated to vinyl yet.
Dear lord Agnes, you’re on the spam list for Christ’s sake! What are you doing paying for music and supporting the band when you could just have er… I’m doing it again, aren’t I. Sorry.
Thanks Agnes!
Ha! Only too happy to help. Please feel free to spend the four dollars in whatever manner you see fit.
COKE AND WHORES!!!
Now I’m glad I bought downloads, since I know the wee bit of money from them will be spent well!
I only dug my record player out from the attic last week – it must be fate! They’d better get to me be before new year as I get the distinct impression that they’ll be contenders for inclusion in the inevitable end-of-year lists I’m prone to compile (along with everyone else and his dog…).
They are quite, quite gorgeous items.
…and of course I’m always glad to fund the coke and the whores… (p.s. arse – finally got Chrome for mac, but it’s playing silly buggers with my avatar… no fair!)
When Neil finished mixing Part 2 in particular he had this funny look on his face…
Just wind, probably.
This site is so annoyingly good… rats.
Off presently to see if the Meursault single measures up…
Never felt quite so obliged to apologise after a compliment before. But, er, thanks Ed. And sorry!
Oh, I do wonder how the 405 got wind of our Meursault?
go have a peek at their poll over there, winning by a mile right now!
Matthew, I am seriously considering unveiling my true identity in order to secure this vinyl! xo
Adolf Crosby?
Why have you got to unveil your identity, Tart?
If I sent a letter addressed to: Tarty Tart, Somewhere near Chicago I think, The Midwest, Americaland, I’m pretty sure it would get to you.
It’s like when kids send letters addressed to Santa at the North Pole.
Ah yes, the jolly fat bearded man and I are so alike…. NOT
coal in Dylan’s stocking this year again. As if it needed saying, pffft!
Are you saying you’re not from ‘Somewhere Near Chicago I Think’, Tart? Come on, we all know you are!
Who’s the mayor of Somewhere Near Chicago I Think?
mum?
Oh well that would be me of course
No wonder he’s so fucked up.