EMI Records are proud to present the debut album from epic pop pioneers Captain, due for release on August 14th. Produced by Trevor Horn, ‘This is Hazelville’ is an album populated by strange characters, intriguing stories and huge tunes born from the band’s varying, eclectic and consistently passionate love of music with influences ranging from Burt Bacharach to Smashing Pumpkins. But instead of producing a sound-a-like album, Captain have taken all the best bits from the music they love and produced an album that sounds like no-one else; one that doesn’t aspire to fit in with scenes or keep up with the sound du jour.
The band were signed to EMI Records at the tail end of last year and soon caught the eye of Steve Lamacq and Zane Lowe who started playing their debut, low key release ‘Frontline’ on their radio shows. Tips for the top followed in the press and by the time Captain’s first single proper ‘Broke’ charted at number 34 in May, the band had been busy dividing their time between touring (supporting the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, The Magic Numbers, Ordinary Boys, The Delays as well as headline tours and playing SXSW) and recording this outstanding debut long player.
‘This is Hazelville’ is a great big canvas heavily daubed in sonic drama, some heavenly harmonies, and a gleeful refusal to follow your usual verse/chorus/verse/chorus song structure. Sandwiched between slow-burning ‘Hazelville’, which opens the album in full epic and gloriously cinematic style, and album closer ‘Accidie’ – Captain’s dramatic and cacophonous live favourite – are songs so immediate and accessible you’ll struggle to get them out of your head.
‘Frontline’ is a beautifully constructed romantic pop anthem, ‘This Heart Keeps Beating for Me’ is equal parts euphoric and deeply sinister, while ‘East West North South’ details relationship indiscretion with both pinpoint accuracy and a Wurlitzer-like melody. And of course, forthcoming single ‘Glorious’ is an unashamedly uplifting and summery pop anthem with an unfeasibly big sing-a-long chorus, that will no doubt be resonating around this summer’s festival audiences.
“A modern Prefab Sprout who emerge with perfect ‘80s pop production [and] light-headed boy-girl harmonies” – Uncut “’This Is Hazelville’ is a divine, sublime soak in warm, swirling waters… the best record we’ve danced to in ages” – The Fly “Savvy, snappy art-pop… ‘This Is Hazelville’ is an absolute honey of a debut” – Sunday Times “Like the Cocteau Twins doing Coldplay. The sound of the summer 2006” – What’s On “An insistent, intoxicating little brew of dark and utterly hummable pop music” – Metro “Swirling and soaring guitars from a band destined for great things” – The Sun “Grandiose, windswept… utterly irresistible” – NME “Lovely, soulful indie pop” – Time Out
CAPTAIN are:
Rik Flynn (Vocals, Guitar) Clare Szembek (Vocals, Keys) Mario Athanasiou (Guitar) Reuben Humphries (Drums) Alex Yeoman (Bass)
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