tracklisting, artwork and shows

so this is everyone's first glance at the cover of our new record - in fact it's the first time we've bothered to isolate it from the general design to have a look ourselves. as usual it's plain and simple. we like it that way. the subtlety is in the proposed packaging - we are steering completely clear of plasic this time. it should look and feel great.

it's great running your own label - you can design your own album covers too.

you can also set the tracklisting for your albums, and that's what we've been doing these last few weeks. listening to the mixes in all conceivable orders, wondering which tracks stay in, which go out, etc... and we've finally settled on a running order for the album, which we can reveal now.

1. omaha
2. alibi blues
3. last orders
4. sandman
5. bliss
6. the last one to understand
7. stonefruit
8. dust devils
9. faith
video - bonecrusher

as we mentioned before, the album is about half and half songs from the kansas sessions and new songs, plus this new version of 'bliss' from the first album (we're still working on plans for a reissue of that album, more soon...) featuring chris cundy's saxello playing. the new songs have a lovely dark energy to them - we're still really enjoying the combinations of guests all over the record.

we're looking at a release around march-time right now (subject to all the changes these things invariably go through), with the advance copies for show attendees going out in january.

if you can’t wait for march next year to get your copy of ‘no.5’ (we know how hard waiting can be...) we have some solutions to offer. we hope to be taking pre-orders from the hoboshop from sometime in february, and we’ll be making copies available for ONE NIGHT ONLY at glasgow’s celtic connections festival on SATURDAY, JANUARY 16th. we’re delighted to announce that we'll be having an early album launch party there with the full hobopop collective (plus a guest from the album) and people in the audience will be able to grab copies around six weeks before they become commercially available.

those of you who can't make scotland in january will be happy to hear that we're looking at a special launch show in manchester nearer the time of release, and a full uk tour through march and april 2010 - dates will be up on the website before the end of the year.

finally, we are also happy to announce that the no.5 jewellery from wonderhaus is now available to buy online, just in time for christmas. you can get bold and stylish 5 pendants, brooches and key-rings from their site at etsy.com - we’re still working on the currency issue, but you can use any UK credit or debit card to pay in dollars. you won’t be able to get these anywhere else until next year’s shows. these are limited to 1,000 pieces, and judging by the uptake at the recording last month they might not last long...

we're in europe on tour right now. our first show tonight in germany. we'll be having to do as much as we can of the listening back to the masters and signing off the artwork from motorway service stations around the continent. we'll look forward to seeing some of you when we get back.