Those inestimable folks at Leeds’ Norman Records have some kind words to say about “Sketches For A Lost Summer”.

‘Sketches For A Lost Summer’ looks appealing. Beautiful cover art, recycled packaging and swish foam padded CD tray, lovely stuff. Music is pretty sweet too. The Untied Knot a.k.a Nigel Bryant (from 90’s indie rockers The Fables amongst others) makes the old acoustic six-string sing like a bird chorus on a summer’s morning. ‘An act of kindness’ sounds like Donovan jammin’ the soundtrack for BBC1’s Gardener’s World, and it sounds better than you’d think. This whole record oozes tranquillity….Bryant’s guitar does most of the talking but the occasional percussive element elevates the tracks and adds colour. Things even sway into psychedelic territory with the introduction of analogue synthesizers on ‘The Clocke Stopped At Mydnyte’ and ‘A Premonition’ among others. I can hear elements of The Byrds, John Fahey, Simon and Garfunkel, Donovan and Nick Drake…..All good references. If you like modern psyche influenced folk ala Static Caravan then you’ll dig this for sure. Limited to 500 copies so catch ‘em while you can.

Norman Records is my favorite independent mail order store, they’ve got a vast range, top service (free sweets!) and actually give a damn about new independent music – pop along and treat yourself to something nice…

Just a quick note to say that Rough Trade in Brick Lane, E1 6QL and Sister Ray in Berwick St, W1F 8RP are stocking “Sketches For A Lost Summer” on CD.

Both are well worth a visit – Rough Trade’s shiny new(ish) flagship store has lots of live in-store stuff every week and Sister Ray is my favourite London shop because it just feels right.

The 2009 summer solstice sees the release of The Untied Knot’s “Sketches For A Lost Summer” on a limited edition CD in deluxe 100% recycled digi-pack and MP3 download.

The shop is now open, all you need is a Paypal account – sign up here if you don’t already have one.

3 full tracks are available to listen to here