Northern Picture Library was a British
dream pop
Dream pop (also typeset as dreampop) is a subgenre of alternative rock and neo-psychedelia that emphasizes atmosphere and sonic texture as much as pop melody. Common characteristics include breathy vocals, dense productions, and effects such as ...
group, formed in 1993 by Bobby Wratten and Anne Mari Davies, both former members of
The Field Mice
The Field Mice were an English indie rock band on the independent record label Sarah Records. They had top 20 success in both the singles and albums UK Independent Charts.
Career
The Field Mice initially formed as a duo from South London subur ...
. They were soon joined by former Field Mice drummer Mark Dobson.
The group adopted a more abstract, ambient and
synthesiser-based sound than the more guitar
pop approach of The Field Mice. Their debut single, "Love Song For The Dead Che", was a
cover
Cover or covers may refer to:
Packaging
* Another name for a lid
* Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package
* Album cover, the front of the packaging
* Book cover or magazine cover
** Book design
** Back cover copy, part of co ...
of a song by 1960s psychedelic group
United States of America
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...
. Both it and the following album, ''Alaska'', won critical acclaim, however sales were poor even compared to The Field Mice's records. The group members' personal problems (various members succumbed to depression, stagefright and substance abuse) made touring difficult and thus also made it difficult for the group to promote their records effectively. Two more EPs followed before the group dissolved. Wratten later went on to form
Trembling Blue Stars with Davies also joining the group in a later incarnation.
In 2005 the entire Northern Picture Library back catalogue was released on two CDs on the
LTM label.
Discography
Singles
*"Love Song for the Dead Che" (12"/CD, Vinyl Japan, September 1993)
*"Blue Dissolve EP" (12"/CD, Vinyl Japan, June 1994)
*"Paris EP" (CD,
Sarah Records, September 1994)
The "Paris EP" was also issued as two separate 7" singles, "Paris" and "Last September's Farewell Kiss".
Albums
*''Alaska'' (1994)
*''Still Life'' (singles compilation, 2000)
*''Postscript'' (singles and out-takes, 2004)
References
{{Authority control
English pop music groups
Sarah Records artists