VIA PRESS RELEASE | Independent Project Records proudly announced today, the reissue of the 1996 debut shoegaze/dream pop album A Fascination With Heights, by beloved Tempe, Arizona band Half String on September 17 available via Darla Records.
The album, long out-of-print, and originally only available upon initial release via compact disc, will now be released digitally and on vinyl for the first-time. The expanded CD / 2xLP reissue adds more than 35+ minutes of previously unreleased tracks, newly excavated from the original recording sessions. Additionally, the package includes new artwork based on the original album artwork, expanded liner notes by Peter Relic, newly remastered tracks, and features IPR’s iconic hand-letter press printed packaging. Additionally, the vinyl package will add a bonus vinyl 7” and the CD package will include a bonus CD single.
“At the time of the original release in 1996, there was this term ‘shoegaze’ used to describe British bands,” explains Half String’s Brandon Capps. “Half String was the same generation as those bands, and felt a kinship, but we wanted to create our own thing. We coined the term ‘beautiful noise’ to describe what we were doing. Revisiting A Fascination With Heights now, I hear a band totally in tune with itself and what we set out to do.”
“Releasing A Fascination With Heights on vinyl is something I always wanted to do,” said Independent Project Records’ Bruce Licher. “The fact that the music holds up wonderfully after a quarter century is all the incentive we needed to make the album one of the first releases by IPR in our newly revived incarnation. We’ve expanded this album both musically and visually to give the fans of the band a unique experience.”
Half String was the unified muscle of Kimber Lanning (drums), Brandon Capps (vocals/guitar), Matt Kruse (guitar), and Dave Rogers (bass/vocals). Reviewing A Fascination With Heights for Allmusic, Nitsuh Abebe wrote that the album “does such a good job of using its dream-pop influences that it tends to sound more definitive than derivative. While its very independent roots kept it from receiving much attention, it’s certainly as worthy as many higher-profile records.”
The extra material comes from a variety of sources: the 1⁄2-inch tape reels from the album recording sessions, rehearsal audiotapes, and a 1994 live performance. Also included is a special remix of the title track by Adam Cooper and featuring the vocals of Catherine Cooper of Alison’s Halo.
Track Listing:
1. Shell Life
2. Backstroke
3. Hurrah?
4. …
5. Departures
6. Clipper (on vinyl only) (Pre-Session Rehearsal – 1990)
7. A Fascination With Heights
8. Momentum
9. Lolligag
10. The Apathy Parade
11. Numbers And Fingers
12. Everton (Session Outtake – 1995)
13. Stabbing (Session Outtake – 1995)
14. Seconds Past (Session Outtake – 1995)
15. A Fascination With Heights (Alison’s Halo remix – 2020)
16. Boysenberry (Session Outtake – 1995)
17. Alaska (Session Outtake – 1995)
18. Skin Of My Teeth (Live Performance – 1994)
Bonus 7” with vinyl & bonus CD single with CD – Part Time Punks Session (2012/2013)
1. Honeycut (PTP Session – 2012)
2. Pelican (Night Version) (PTP Session – 2013)
