Cranes' journey to lightness

COLIN WILSON

The Cranes celebrate the release of their latest album, Particles and Waves, with a joint-headlining gig with Canadian band the Dears at Norwich Arts Centre, off St Benedict's, on Monday, September 6.

The Cranes are now 15 years into a career which has seen them become “Support Band By Appointment” to the Cure and move from dark gothic rock towards a sound so light it's barely there.

Originally based in Portsmouth, the band released their first album, Self non Self in 1989. John Peel played some tracks from the album and the group later recorded two sessions for his show.

Some intense media interest followed and shortly afterwards they signed to the label Dedicated (which also became home to Beth Orton and Spiritualised) and went on to record the albums Wings of Joy (1991), Forever (1993), Loved (1994), La Tragedie d'Oreste et Electre (1995) and Population Four (1997).

In 2001 after having a four year break, The Cranes signed a new publishing contract with Mute Song

The group now has five members. Drummer Jon Callender and bassist Ben Baxter arrived in 2000, joining vocalist Ali Shaw and guitarist Jim Shaw (who are brother and sister) and keyboard player Paul Smith.

Montreal band The Dears were probably the most talked about band at this year's SXSW music conference in Texas and are currently one of the most exciting and hotly-tipped bands around today.

The Dears music combines an orchestral elegance with a classic pop melodicism, bombastic outbursts and theatrical tension.

To coincide with the tour, the Dears will be releasing We Can Have It, their debut UK single. The NME describes the single as “pop, pomp and Smiths-fixated splendour from Montreal”. The single is the first to be taken from No Cities Left, the band's forthcoming album.

Doors 8pm. Tickets £7adv/£8door. Box office: 01603 660352.