Replica Sun Machine is the second album by The Shortwave Set

The Shortwave Set

The Shortwave Set are a British alternative pop band whose debut album, The Debt Collection, was released in 2005 on Independiente Records. The band's music combines sample-based music with more traditional songwriting and instrumentation to create a sound the group have described as "Victorian Funk"...

.

Work began on the album shortly after the release of The Debt Collection

The Debt Collection

The Debt Collection is the debut album by The Shortwave Set, released in 2005 on Independiente Records. The album encompasses what the band described as their "Victorian Funk" period.-Track listing:#"Slingshot"#"Sven Rokk"#"Is it any Wonder?"...

. In an interview for Swedish television, singer and songwriter Andrew Pettitt said that by February 2007 the album was completed as far as they were concerned. However, around this time, Danger Mouse

Danger Mouse

Brian Joseph Burton , better known by his stage name Danger Mouse, is an American musician, songwriter and producer. He came to prominence in 2004 when he released The Grey Album, which combined vocal performances from Jay-Z's The Black Album with instrumentals from The Beatles' White Album.He...

 heard they were working on a new album, and offered to produce it for them. This led to The Shortwave Set delaying release of the album in order to accommodate Danger Mouse's busy schedule.

Production with Danger Mouse began in May 2007. The group kept in touch with their fan base during this time in Los Angeles

Los Ángeles

Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...

 via a series of posts on their myspace blog. Their return in July was followed by a long 'radio silence

Radio silence

In telecommunications, radio silence is a status in which all fixed or mobile radio stations in an area are asked to stop transmitting for safety or security reasons.The term "radio station" may include anything capable of transmitting a radio signal....

', during which time they left their then current record label Independiente Records

Independiente Records

Independiente is a record label formed in 1997 after Andy MacDonald sold Go! Discs Records to PolyGram in 1996 for a reported £30 million. In the UK, the label is distributed Vital PIAS....

, and signed with Wall of Sound

Wall of Sound (record label)

Wall of Sound is an independent record label based in London, England. It is part of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group, a European independent music company....

 to produce Replica Sun Machine.

Initially, it was announced the album would be released 28 April, preceded by single No Social on the 14th. However, for unknown reasons, the release date was officially pushed back for both: the 5th May and 25 April for the album and single respectively. Despite this, London based Rough Trade distributed the album via their Web site. This has since been confirmed as a mistake by the Shortwave Set and presumably Rough Trade have ceased distribution.

As of 28 April, their myspace website and blog were reporting the CD/Vinyl versions of the album would not be released until 12 May, although digital downloads would still go ahead from 5 May.

Track listing

All songs written and performed by The Shortwave Set. Produced by Danger Mouse.

1. "Harmonia"
2. "Glitches 'N' Bugs"
3. "Replica"
4. "House of Lies"
5. "Now Til '69"
6. "Distant Daze"
7. "No Social"
8. "Yesterdays to Come"
9. "I Know"
10. "Sun Machine"
11. "The Downer Song"

Orchestration on tracks 3,4,8,9 arranged by Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....

.

John Cale

John Cale

John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....

 of The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...

 is also credited for 'Viola

Viola

The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...

, synths and atmospheres'.

From Deptford to Hollywood

The album was released with an exclusive bonus disc via Rough Trade. The disc included alternative versions of some songs, and a movie entitled The Shortwave Set Go To Hollywood. This, along with the title of the bonus disc, From Deptford to Hollywood, reference how the band, which began in Deptford, London, ended up working with Danger Mouse (of Gnarls Barkley

Gnarls Barkley

Gnarls Barkley is an American soul duo comprising Danger Mouse and Cee Lo Green. Their first studio album St. Elsewhere was released in 2006; along with its first single "Crazy". Both single and album were a major commercial success and have been noted for their large sales by download...

fame) to produce Replica Sun Machine.

1. "Yesterdays To Come (Clothed Dog Remix)"
2. "House of Lies (Orchestral Version)"
3. "Replica (Orchestral Version)"
4. "I Know (Deptford Daze Remix)"