PRE-ORDER: This item will be shipped with the aim to deliver on release day.
Release Date: 14 March 2025
Label: Twelth Night
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 0741049573277
Genres: Rock Progressive Rock
Description
Smiling At Grief, Twelfth Night's first album with singer Geoff Mann represented a major step forward in terms of sound and presentation. Recorded as a collection of demos to attract record company interest it saw the band experiment with a variety of styles. Comprising nine tracks it was originally released on cassette in 1981.
"This is easily my favourite period of Twelfth Night, when the band were reaching for some kind of new wave / progressive hybrid, and successfully so, really captured something of that moment in time, both the past and the future. STEVEN WILSON
A view echoed by Joe Banks in his PROG review in 2021.
'East of Eden' is a terrific opener, a dynamic new wave rock song. Similarly catchy is the spiky alt-pop of 'The Honeymoon Is Over'. 'Three Dancers' is positively new romantic, and 'Fur Helene part II', Andy Revell's adventures in echoplex with its four-to-the-floor groove, being evidence of the band's Krautrock roots.
Similarly, Paul Strange in Melody Maker back in 1981...
"A great improvement... a newer, aggressive Twelfth Night. 'This City' is an emotional evocative look at Salford. 'Three Dancers' is the standout cut with its fast funk choruses... while 'Fur Helene Part II' is a heady, enjoyable instrumental. Essential listening...
This brand new 'Definitive Edition double CD is released on the band's own label for the first time. The 2025 refresh has new and updated artwork with its dark red and gold theme. The track listing, however, mirrors the expanded 'Definitive Edition' version from 2009 which comprises the original album, contemporary demos and a second disc featuring 12 tracks recorded live in December 1981, the only live recording known to exist of the four-piece line up. A total of 28 tracks!
"Smiling At Grief underlines why Twelfth Night remain neo-prog's most exciting and musically innovative band."
Twelfth Night
