Head Of Programmes - The Spring Band Was

Our review
Customer reviews
Press release

4...according to our Business Lady on Thu 23 Jun, 2011.

Head of Programmes is the pseudonym of James MacGregor, a singer/songwriter based down south somewhere. Macgregor's music is both accomplished and heartfelt in the vein of classic mid-nineties underground Americana a la Smog, Lambchop, Bonnie P.B., Sun Kil Moon and, most prominently, The Mountain Goats. The EP begins with one of those top down, hair in the wind, road movie-esque jams that oozes American cool, driven by solid beats and strong lyrical imagery. The remaining two tracks on side A are rather more relaxed affairs that drive home Macgregor's highly emotive songwriting style which is characterised by light brushes and soaring instrumentation. Flip it and things get increasingly delicate with odes to love and loss becoming more apparent. The instrumentation is sparse and folksy and there's some lovely slide guitar touches, especially on 'Three Times A Day'. Definitely one of the most talented UK singer/songwriters I've heard touting alt. country style tunes. A must for Mountain Goats fans that's for sure.

Head Of Programmes - Spring

A 6 track 12" EP on white vinyl with insert, photograph and CD all housed in a screen-printed gatefold sleeve. Limited x 125.

Head Of Programmes is essentially the alias of James MacGregor, a singer/songwriter based in South West England. He writes simple songs that wander the same paths of love, joy and failure proffered by Smog, Sun Kill Moon or Bonnie Prince Billy
Reviews

"This haunting collection of downtempo songs are intricately written, possessing a haunting quality that will stay with you for long after they’re brief 26 minutes are up. The delicate musicianship works its way into your head and lays a brilliant canvas for Macgregor’s lyrical imagery.

‘Let Go’ opens the EP with a driving rhythm that implores you to wind down the car windows and head off into the sunset, setting the americana-tinged scene for the songs to follow. Although it’s difficult to pick a favourite from this heartfelt selection, the penultimate track on the EP will continue to echo around your head long after you’ve stopped listening, ‘The Last Dance’ is a beautiful requiem for an ending love played out over the simplest of guitar lines. “...and hopeless thoughts remain like battlescars...”

Head of Programmes writes songs that play like a soundtrack to an ending youth, this EP is one that you could return to time and time again and still find solace in it’s words." Tom at Ballad Of A Thin Man

Tracklisting

    Head Of Programmes - Let Go
    Head Of Programmes - Break
    Head Of Programmes - Drive
    Head Of Programmes - Three Times A Day
    Head Of Programmes - The Last Dance
    Head Of Programmes - Spring

Pete Davies said:

Some satisfied customer comments:

'Spring has become my new train-to-work soundtrack. Lovely :)' Lou

'Just had my first full sit down and listen! Absolutely loving it! :) Best HOP record yet wrapped up in such lovely, lovely vinyl loveliness!' Karl

'Got Spring through the post today, sounds awesome!!!!' Dan

'Got mine today, the sleeve is wonderful, one of those sleeves that
in the 'old' days when you came across one in a record shop you'd buy
the album purely on the strength of it, even if you had no idea who the
band were..by heck even if the band was Westlife you'd still buy it just
to own the sleeve....' Bogart Cat

So, what do you think? Best reviewer each month gets £10 off their next order!