Plaid's new album 'Spokes' is to be released on October 20th - read on for the microsite, audio previews and a description from Ed and Andy.

You can preview the album tracks quickly and easily at the new Spokes microsite. There is also a puzzle that, when correctly solved, unlocks an exclusive new MP3 download.  The track is called "Awotm", think from left to right..

View the Spokes Microsite

Spokes is available to order in Warpmart now: Every order for the album did recieve a free one-hour mix CD of Plaid classics and unreleased live edits (sold out now, sorry), mixed by Plaid themselves. Designed by TDR, this is essential for any Plaid fan, and unavailable anywhere else!

Spokes marks a return in mood, if not production, to some of their earlier work in the 90's as The Black Dog, but retains the characteristic harmonic warmth and rhythmical sensibility they have developed as Plaid. Although unashamedly optimistic in parts, it reaches more melancholic and darker spaces than their recent outings on Warp.

............................................................................................................

Heres a brief explanation from Plaid:

"The seeds of the album were sown as we toured America and Europe during 2002 and many of the venues we played now have small Spokes trees growing in their dressing rooms and toilets. However, some of these initial ideas went terribly wrong and we would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any distress we may have caused during the course of our experimentation. We can only pray for Carston Banister.

After returning home with the basic working structures of the album in place, five months were spent in the studio editing, enhancing, mixing and removing some of the more extreme emotional content until one night in May, when covert Warp agents were finally able to extract these ten finished tracks."

The cover painting is by Elena Copenkova and The Designers Republic completed the rest of the design and layout. The Sleeve art is gradually being revealed at the Plaid Website.

............................................................................................................

Snapping on the heels of this release will be a US tour in November with Luke Vibert and Chris Clark, and a European tour in the new year, where Plaid will give Spokes a live workout, joined as ever by live collaborator and video artist Bob.

In addition to this new album, Ed, Andy and Bob have been working over the past six months on their highly anticipated full length DVD project, recorded in surround sound and due for completion in 2004. Early views of the yet to be completed tracks promise a very special release.