Powers

Reissue of this 2010 experimental release from the former leader of XTC. CD in jewel case with 12 pages of sleeve notes and illustrations by long-time Ape House sleeve artist Andrew Swainson. A Long time ago, in a library far away, (well, Swindon, actually), a shy schoolboy who loved books but was a slow reader, borrowed three science fiction books per week. He didn't read them. Instead, mesmerized by the covers, he imagined his own stories to match the cover paintings which he stared at intently for hours. Richard M. Powers had been the principal artist, illustrator among illustrators and guide to unleashing Andy Partridge's imagination among the stars and galaxies. Andy's response was to record a sort of soundtrack to the paintings which had been so inspirational to him. The resulting album conjures, via 12 enigmatic pieces - akin to a virtual Musique concrete (with the computer/editing process replacing the more cumbersome scissors/tape method) - a musical accompaniment to the variety of alien landscapes which Powers illustrated so profusely. It also works as a standalone album of experimental music.