Intense Records

Fuse (Magenta Vinyl)

£19.16 (£22.99 incl. VAT)

LIMITED EDITION OF 500 WORLDWIDE ON MAGENTA COLOUR VINYL.                     

Friday 5th April 2024 saw the re-reissue of CRANES über rare (cassette only) debut  album Fuse on Dadaphonic. First time on vinyl and CD! 

The Fuse album was remastered at Abbey Road in 2023.  The album includes an extra unheard track from the period called New Liberty. Artwork is by Chris Bigg of V23. 

6-PANEL DIGIPAK CD STILL AVAILABLE. 

“...The compelling strangeness that would become associated with the band is evident from the start. Jim’s ear for percussion in particular is key, sampling and triggering beats that, especially set against quieter moments, communicate a sense of near-monstrous scale ... making Fuse more than a curio for the initiated.” – THE WIRE 

“While later releases have seen them exploring artful, shiver-inducing ambience, the clanking industrial post-punk of Fuse represents their earliest, rawest state ... Brittle guitar parts and insistent, repetitious beats wind like wire, while Alison Shaw’s lost-child vocals drift through the ever-shrinking gaps.” – METAL HAMMER 8/10 

“If it seems incongruous that a DIY demo-cum LP has now been remastered at Abbey Road, it’s worth noting that these reissued recordings are of far more importance than historical value. Rather they reveal a young band fearlessly experimenting and, as on the superb title track, producing music that’s densely textured and eerie.” – CLASSIC POP 4* 

“Fuse is a powerful album ... as relevant now as it ever was. It sounds like now. Excellent album.” – ORGANTHING.COM 

'Cranes’ vast body of work, which never fit comfortably in any particular genre, is timeless in itself, and the band has remained a forever favorite amongst their devoted fanbase' POST-PUNK.COM 

https://post-punk.com/hopes-are-high-a-conversation-with-alison-shaw-of-cranes/?fbclid=IwAR1re-nWbBp-W2WVmTflbQnjD8QOe_lOvwDkVyP0zCGlEmNa6796PmO9a1M 

The second in a series of archive releases by Cranes, Fuse was recorded in Portsmouth, their home town by siblings Alison and Jim Shaw. It originally appeared as a cassette album in 1986 on the Bite Back! label. With an initial run of only 200 copies, over the years this album, with its distinctive purple cover has been highly sought after amongst fans, often exchanging hands for more than £100.  

FUSE showcases a sparser, darker and more industrial, post punk sound. From the hypnotic allure and rhythmic intensity of the title track to the ferocious and challenging beats of Wrench, the songs are just as mesmerising as Cranes' later, critically acclaimed releases.   

Recorded in a garage on a 4 track porta-studio, the band spent many months experimenting and became obsessed with the recording process. Jim Shaw used a very early sampling pedal to create the drum sounds, which were all individually triggered. The only and first ‘industry’ person to hear anything by Cranes at this time was Martin Hannett (legendary producer of Joy Division and New Order).  He was looking for unsigned bands to appear on a new music TV show in Manchester and so Ian Binnington from Biteback! sent him a compilation tape of many Portsmouth bands. Hannett picked out ‘Fuse - original version” by Cranes and told Ian that the track was ‘fucking great’.    

Following their sold out gigs in October 2023 in London and Portsmouth, Cranes will be playing the following shows in May, supported by deary*: Tue 30th April BRUSSELS, Botanique, L’orangerie (Sold-Out) Thu 9th May LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club* Sat 11th May LONDON, Islington Assembly Hall* Mon 27th May BARCELONA, Primavera @Apolo.  

Side A 1. Pillow Panther 2. Fuse (Original Version) 3. Valentine 4. Gas-Ring 
Side B 1. Things That I Like 2. Wrench 3. Fracture 4. New Liberty