Hefner - The Fidelity Wars

1999 was a special year for Hefner. The original Fidelity Wars reached number one in the independent album charts, with its accompanying single, cult favourite Hymn for the Cigarettes securing them the number one place in the independent single charts. It was also the year that saw Hefner working hard for John Peel, recording three sessions for his show and having five entries in the Festive Fifty for ’99. They reached numbers two and three in the chart, only beaten to the number one spot by the Cuban Boys! Fidelity Wars saw Hefner coming of age; the rawness of songwriter Darren Hayman’s earlier music and lyrics developing into a more intelligent, observational style. Hymn for the Alcohol, tells the tale of two alcoholics falling out of love, accompanied by the sweet pedal steel of new member Jack Hayter. The Weight of the Stars has the narrator memorising the contents of a roll of camera film, which was lost on a one-night stand. Don’t Flake Out On laments upon the lost friends of our early twenties, accompanied by the broken voice of ex-Raincoat Gina Birch and brass section. This re-release of Fidelity Wars contains the original album plus an extra 29 rare and unreleased tracks including deleted EPs, b-sides, and alternate versions.

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