Performer Notes

Personnel: Richard Hawley (vocals, guitar); Shez Sheridan (guitar, background vocals); Martin Simpson (guitar); Jon Trier (piano, keyboards); Colin Elliot (electric bass, percussion, background vocals); Dean Beresford (drums); Sally Doherty, Louise Thompson, Simon Robinson (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Alan Moulder.
Creator: Felix Rashman.
Photographer: Richard Tailby.
Despite issuing two records steeped in orchestral pop, songwriter and guitar slinger Richard Hawley never got rock & roll out of his system. Perhaps because of his participation in Pulp's reunion shows, or his Arctic Monkeys collaboration, Hawley -- who switched from Mute to Parlophone -- decided on a back-to-rock & roll approach for the highly textured, psych-drenched Standing at the Sky's Edge. The album features nine cuts fueled by two very aggressive guitars, bass, drums, and "rocket sounds" much of it recorded live in the studio.

Professional Reviews

Q (Magazine) (p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Hawley wields his guitar with fresh zeal, unfurling long, turbulent solos while his chocolatey baritone is less Roy Orbison, more Mark Lanegan."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.84) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "His craftsman's melodiousness and honest voice add balm and balance. 'Seek It' is a lilting and persuasive ode to romantic attachment..."

Uncut (magazine) (p.75) - "The opener, 'She Brings The Sunlight', kicks the doors off with a wail of noisy, electric guitars, while the title track is a layered guitar landscape..."