Peel Sessions 21.08.01 and 16.04.03

Reading-based folktronica/dreampop outfit Saloon were Peel favourites during their 5½-year lifespan at the turn of the century, when they were regulars in the legendary’s DJ’s Festive 50 countdown. Darlings of fanzine writers with their distinctive and languid lo-fi sound, Saloon were memorably described as sounding like “Belle and Sebastian in space” – though the group with which they were to draw stronger comparisons was the much-admired Stereolab.

This new album – the first-ever such release on Precious Recordings of London – features their two studio sessions for John Peel recorded in 2001 and 2003 and now released for the first time in any format .And yes, the sessions do include a wonderful version of the classic ‘Girls Are The New Boys’, No.1 in Peel’s Festive 50 in 2002. 12-inch vinyl features printed inner with many hitherto unseen images, sleeve notes from Adam Cresswell and Matt Ashton, plus download code.