A Rave First Review of the whole album: Museum Of Tomorrow

A Rave of a review from much esteemed Something Else Webzine, And, the first review of the whole album:

"...While listening to Museum of Tomorrow - which clocks in as the Speed of Sound’s latest and fifth full-length album - it is easy to imagine yourself gliding through space in a time machine. This 13-track collection centres on science-fiction concepts; where the past meets the future, the future meets the past, the present is questionable, and the line is blurred between fantasy and reality. There is zero fat content on Museum of Tomorrow, as the tunes are trim and tight, sloping towards a zoomy feel that reflects the subject matter. The material on Museum of Tomorrow orbits around big and bubbly rhythms rippling with new-wave reflexes, aided by flashes of ringing psychedelic Byrdsian guitar figures. Every “exhibit” – as the songs are referred to – on Museum of Tomorrow is rife with power-packed pop melodies and harmonious instrumentation, making for a record that has a long-lasting effect..."

You can find the piece here

New Double-A-Single

Our third set with the lovely bunch of dudesses & dudes at Big Stir Records in Burbank CA is now out and this single link will take you to streaming at Apple Music, Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify. Here.

The new pair of songs is Radio Safe and No Kicks and we have again collaborated with photographer Natalie Paddick (see our fabulous bunny t-shirt), using a crop-and-cut her fabulous 'Red Rope' picture (available as a print from Saatchi online) within the sleeve artwork. Here's the landscape view:

Exciting is an understatement. The feeling of releasing new music in these impossible circumstances is pretty big. A definite sense of achievement and joy at being able to share it. 

More to follow including video...

New single sleeve art

We have a new single on the way... sleeve art:

fabulous artwork by LocalHotelParking
More detail will follow...

Busy in lockdown

Strange Days, as the say - and they are; we hope you're adapting to the circumstances.
We've been a little quiet lately, but its because we've been too busy to tell any one about it. We have a new single coming again on the lovely Big Stir Records of LA. We've been making video too, which is not easy when you can't get anyone together or film anything outside your house. But here's a teaser shot from one of the videos, we've edited in a little bit of film taken from a gig in back September, it feels so much longer ago than six months since then:

To add to that, we're still here and the website shop and Bandcamp are still open, the post is still going out and still arriving so don't be shy about picking up some limited edition independent music on vinyl or any of the other exciting items we have for you.

30th Anniversary CD

Here it is: the 30th Anniversary, and the 30th Anniversary CD.
Specially remastered and balanced for this release, a selection released here on CD for the first time Only available on the shop page of the website:

I See You
Seen It All Before (acoustic)
I Don't Want Your Attentions
I'm Real (without fade)
Shut All The Clubs (single version)
Love (single version)
Girl On The Roof (single version)
Checkered Land (2014)
Maid Of The Grey (single version)
There's No One There (live 2013)
Nightmare (1989)
I Wanna Feel Good (1989)

Postal delivery of physical music

30 years of independence

The Speed Of Sound Go America

And here it is: The new single and the first release to feature the new line-up. Big Thanks to Big Stir Records of Burbank California for having us in their exceptionally good catalogue, it is a pleasure to be there and without further ado here is their press release:

'The next BIG STIR DIGITAL SINGLE comes to you from The Speed of Sound, who have many fine releases headed your way. We’re proud to showcase the wonderfully original band that come to us all the way from Manchester England! We showcase two fine recordings for your listening pleasure: “I See You” backed with “Seen It All Before” will be released Friday, October 25, and this wonderful pair of songs is available for pre-order now! (As always at: www.bigstirrecords.com/big-stir-digital-singles)

Formed in the rainy city of Manchester UK, thirty years ago (with a pre-history dating directly back to the day Andy Warhol died in 1987), The Speed Of Sound ventures across the pond to California with an exclusive new recording released digitally as Big Stir Records’ Digital Single Of The Week. The catchy track “I See You,” (a McGuinn/Crosby song) is the first cover version The Speed Of Sound has released in seven years! This powerful pop pleasantry is paired with an acoustic rendition of their original “Seen It All Before”. These original underground independent veterans have a busy 2020 ahead of them with an EP. Next year will bring a double-A-side single plus there is a brand-new full-length new album on the way! Lord Litter, DJ extraordinaire from Berlin, (and also on California’s Sonoma County’s KWTF) described The Speed Of Sound as, “A cool mix of punk and The Byrds’ 5th Dimension LP!”. Appropriately, the natural beauty and order of the alphabet places The Speed of Sound between Sonic Youth and Dusty Springfield. The band brings an original, distinctive, and identifiable sound - impossibly described as “like The Stranglers” and “like Jefferson Airplane” by different people simultaneously watching the same gig!

Since their first release in 1989, they have produced hard-edged music filled with optimism and a lyrical bite merged with a DIY ethos derived from punk, topped with a lust for experimentation taken from the best of psychedelia. The sound is enhanced by their long-term creative partnership with both Manchester’s Vibratone Sound Studio and their new collaboration with visual artist Local Hotel Parking.

The Speed Of Sound

John Armstrong – Songwriting/Guitars/Vocals: John has developed a vivid style of guitar playing born from combining lead and rhythm techniques in a flow that pulls the music like an ocean tide steeped in unresolved chords that beautifully underscore John’s entrancing vocals.

Ann-Marie Crowley – Vocals/Guitars: Ann-Marie returns the listener to the 1989-era format of dual lead vocals and male/female harmonies. She hadn’t performed rock based music before joining The Speed Of Sound. Ann-Marie brings her vast experience of Irish, folk and classical singing.

Kevin Roache – Bass guitar: Kevin has performed with John since 1990. Kevin contributes a wide understanding of different genres including music of Indian origin. He has a unique, beautiful and wholly individual outlook when it comes to playing the bass.

John Broadhurst – Drums: John brought his wealth of skills to The Speed Of Sound in August 2018. He is effortlessly comfortable playing jazz, pop, rock or blues. John has the ability to play within the spaces or straight down the centre. He finds the freedom of playing originals to be liberating while the fluid and improvisational sections are something he embraces and relishes.

Paul Worthington – Drums: Paul played in The Speed Of Sound from May 2015 to May 2017 and can be heard on “Seen It All Before” and the highly acclaimed “Everything Changes” album.'

Website: https://thespeedofsounduk.com
Bandcamp: https://thespeedofsound.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSpeedOfSoundUK/

Yes. It is exciting.

News Ahoy!

Yep, we have some news coming up; we have been very busy. Major announcement next week. Before then, we've a bit of catching up to do: The gig at Wigan on 20th September was a lot of fun, thanks to everyone that came to see us instead of the rugby and thanks to Nikos Pavlou for the live stills from the night.
Set List:

I'm Real
Checkered Land
Uhrwerk
Seen It All Before
The Day The Earth Caught Fire
Shadow Factory
Tomorrow's World
Love
I Don't Want Your Attentions

Next gig is Manchester on 16th November... more updates soon!

Sorry for being a bit slack with blog updates this year, its just too busy to keep up with it... back shortly!

Line-up

It has 'been a bit intense' lately, very very busy, which means there is a lot happening. Thing One is: Huge thanks to Anthony 'Eddy' Edwards of Weimar for sitting in on drums since September 2017 and a big welcome to John Broadhurst who will be playing his first gig with The Speed Of Sound at the soon to be announced new single release gig.

Meanwhile - for those that like lists - here's the updated personnel listing since the first EP released in 1989:

Stay tuned for more updates!

Now the football is over...

Semi-final night was gig night, a strange feeling knowing the set start time was dependent on extra time or penalties... Fred's Ale House was hosting Levy Festival and mindful of the result we played a mellower set than it might have been. Thanks to Dave for doing a superb job with the sound and to Fred's and the Levy Festival organisers for inviting us and Nina Gerstenberger for playing a superb opening set and to everyone that wanted to make their evening longer. Late start, late finish, great gig - thanks everyone.

Three songs on their debut

Set List:

Last Orders
Uhrwerk
Leaf Blower
Day In Day Out
Smokescreen
Charlotte
Impossible Past
Love
Seen It All Before
Little Miss Restless
Always Seems To Fall
I'm Real
and
Femme Fatale

 

acoustic single - instant download

Seen It All Before, the acoustic version.
The new digital single, plus three bonus tracks.

Languid and sultry, summer bleached and weather worn, let it wash over you; dive in here

Instant download of Seen It All Before and the other three tracks on release date.

Slower, longer and a different feel. Not just a remix with the guitar part changed this is a completely separate recording. Everything has changed...

Recorded during the Everything Changes sessions, this single augments the album and effectively turns it into the deluxe version. All four tracks for £1.