The 1900s’ Return of the Century Set For Release On Nov. 2nd on Parasol Records

THE 1900s’ RETURN OF THE CENTURY SET FOR RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 2ND ON PARASOL RECORDS

After parting ways with two founding members and shelving the Fleetwood Mac-esque romantic drama, Chicago pop band The 1900s spent the years since their 2007 debut, Cold & Kind, updating their line-up and trademark sound. Now a sleek 6-piece, The 1900s is singer/guitarist Edward Anderson, vocalist Caroline Donovan, singer Jeanine O’Toole, bassist Charlie Ransford, and violinist Andra Kulans.

For the recording of their second full-length, Return of the Century, The 1900s step away from the grand orchestration and retro obsessions of their previous work and expand on the pop elements – sublime vocal arrangements and more powerful vocal performances, catchy guitars, and lockstep rhythms – while blending artfully finessed home recordings with the pristine quality of high-end recording studios, including Soma and Clava in Chicago. Drummers Graeme Gibson (Disappears) and Josh Johannpeter (Mahjongg, Lazer Crystal) and producer/arranger Benjamin Balcom also help lead the band into new territory.

The dual perspectives provided by alternating three lead singers throughout the album present a subtle narrative, guiding listeners through Return of The Century. The album is loosely inspired by the mysterious story of the Incredible String Band’s Christina ‘Licorice’ McKechnie — the prevailing theme regards a Woman (the “Kidnap Runaway”) who leaves Her home and Her dude for strange and troubling adventures in the desert. This vision was further enhanced when Edward and Caroline spent the spring traveling through the Southwestern deserts, including a visit to a polygamist compound in Colorado City, AZ. Though the album deals with a lot of strange issues – free will, cult compounds and the loss of self, among others – The 1900s tackle their typically steamy themes with humor and grace

In addition to releasing an album and two EPs with Parasol Records, The 1900s have performed at Lollapalooza, and toured across America, supporting The Vaselines, Iron & Wine, Midlake, The New Pornographers, Black Mountain, Ted Leo, Belle & Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson and British Sea Power.

The 1900s’ Return of the Century is out November 2nd on Parasol. Leading up this release, The 1900s will play Lincoln Hall in Chicago on Friday, August 27th. They will tour the US this fall, as well as perform at Belle & Sebastian’s curated ATP, “Bowlie 2”, happening December 10-12 in the UK.

Return of the Century tracklisting:
1. Amulet
2. Lay A Ghost
3. Kidnap Runaway
4. Lions Fur
5. Zerkalo
6. Bmore
7. Babies
8. Overreactin’
9. Jean Demon
10. Sanzimat

“The 1900′s have a terrific EP to their credit, ‘Plume Delivery’ (Parasol), and a boatload of buzz built on live gigs. Their gorgeous multipart harmonies, swooning strings, indelible melodies and multipart psychedelic folk-rock songs suggest a cool, clear-headed update of the Zombies and Love. Yes, the future looks bright.” – Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune

“Cold & Kind is the kind of record that will capture the heart of anyone lucky enough to discover it, a glittering jewel of well-written, perfectly recorded, and heartbreakingly honest and true music…”—Tim Sendra, All Music

“This is elegant pop . . . – Jessica Suarez, Pitchfork

“A surprisingly fragile and breathtakingly beautiful sound. . . a fresh, hook- and harmony-laden take on ’60s influences . . . ” – Jim DeRogatis, Chicago Sun-Times

“Even if you’ve been following their steady evolution into a beautiful machine for the delivery of pop bliss, even if you’ve seen them so often you can sing along with songs they haven’t recorded yet, the new album still might catch you off guard. It’s actually kind of spooky how good it is. With its wealth of unforgettable hooks and its intricate, sensitively executed arrangements, it feels like a classic on first listen . . . Chicago Reader