Name: Sketches From The Book Of The Dead
Brand: Mick Harvey

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

LSTUMM329

Colour

Gold

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: Yes

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Housed in Gatefold Sleeve.

Format Music GB

Limited edition

1000

Release date

2023-01-13

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

PIAS

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5400863089511

Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Mick Harvey

Genre GB

Singer Songwriter

Label GB

Mute

Mick Harvey is an Australian musician, born on 29 August 1958 in Rochester, Victoria, Australia. He has made significant contributions to the music industry as a talented multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer.

Throughout his career, Mick Harvey has collaborated with renowned artists such as *Rowland S. Howard*, *Nick Cave*, *Anita Lane*, and many others. His unique style blends elements of rock, post-punk, and alternative genres to create captivating and evocative music.

With his involvement in various bands including *The Birthday Party* and *Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds*, Mick Harvey has established himself as a key figure in the Australian music scene. His musical prowess extends beyond performing; he also showcases his skills as a producer for albums by artists like *Grinderman* and *16 Horsepower*.

Please note, some Mute issues also carry an EMI logo. This is not a label and EMI should not be added as a label, it instead indicates that Mute was part of the EMI Group.

Founded in 1978 by [a=Daniel Miller], Mute (also known as [l36339]) releases various forms of music, with an emphasis on electronic and experimental pop. In May 2002 the label was acquired by the [l=EMI Group]. In 2010 Miller did an agreement with EMI to handle Mute as an independent label again, licensing the trademark from EMI via his company [l=Mute Artists Ltd.], but EMI kept the rights over Mute's back catalogue. After the EMI Group was dissolved, in 2012 [l206061] acquired [l636]'s back catalogue.

Branch offices exist in Germany ([l168349]) and in North America ([l36296]). 

Mute has spawned many regional and special-interest sublabels, some of which are still active. One offshoot, [l=Parallel Series], even became independent of [l636] Mute also operates Mute Bank Mail Order, which sells the label's merchandise directly to consumers. Mute Bank published two issues of [i]Mute Statement[/i], a softcover book that details the entire discography of the label and includes band profiles and photos of release artwork.

Another label strongly associated with Mute is [l=Toast Hawaii], run by [a=Depeche Mode]'s [a=Andrew Fletcher].

Label code: [b]LC 05834[/b] / [b]LC 5834[/b]

‘[b]P[/b]’, included to the catalog numbers,
generally stand for promo copies.
‘[b]L[/b]’, included to the catalog numbers,
generally stand for limited editions.

Sketches From The Book Of The Dead is Mick Harvey's first solo album since leaving the Bad Seeds, a group he was part of for 25 years, mostly as the band's musical director. It could just as easily have been titled "Sketches from My Book of the Dead". This collection of all-original songs was written as a memoriam for people, places, and things; it's a look at how the present impacts life as it moves toward its conclusion, and what will be left unsaid, undone; what will be left behind that matters. Harvey plays most of the instruments himself, with help from longtime collaborator J.P. Shilo on violin and accordion, bassist Rosie Westbrook, and backing vocals by Xanthe Waite. This is Harvey the songwriter; these are the most skilfully written, tender, and empathic tomes in his career thus far. "October Boy," the album opener, is obviously for the memory of former Birthday Party bandmate and collaborator Rowland S. Howard, who died in late 2009. Shilo contributes a second guitar played in Howard's signature stun gun style, it offers a direct look at Howard's life, his demons, and his obsessions. Its spaghetti western framework is balanced by a minor-key, two-chord vamp with feedback and tempered noise.&nbsp;

 Harvey sums up Sketches from the Book of the Dead with two songs that alternately counter loss with beauty and bravado: "How Would I Leave You" features his lilting piano, which creates a melodic line for a sublime poetic reflection on the questions framing one's taking leave of his beloved and friends. "Famous Last Words" is the bookend: a swaggering rock &amp; roll tune full of razor-blade guitars, fuzzed-out basslines, and tribal percussion, that answers both the Grim Reaper and God himself with wonderfully gaudy panache. Harvey's music has never been more self-assured than it is here, and this album marks the dawn of a new era for him as an artist.

Sketches From The Book Of The Dead

Music GB