1st October will see the release of trans-atlantic experimental orchestral group The Flowers Of Hell’s fourth album, ‘Odes’, an orch-pop covers record. Their current and past work has established them as an “artist’s artist” with praise having come from members of My Bloody Valentine, Spiritualized, Spacemen 3, The Wedding Present, Death In Vegas, The Patti Smith Group, The Fugs and Laurie Anderson amongst others. ‘Odes’ features The Flowers’ interpretations of songs written by Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Siouxie & The Banshees, Laurie Anderson, Klaatu, Stereolab, Joy Division, Neutral Milk Hotel, Fleetwood Mac, and The Plastic People Of The Universe. 

Based in Toronto and London, with a revolving membership of 16 or so musicians, the Flowers Of Hell are led by Canadian synaesthette Greg Jarvis who co-produced the album in Toronto with Peter Moore (John Cale, Neil Young, Cowboy Junkies). The record includes collaborations with British Sea Power’s Neil Wilkinson and Abi Fry (a founding member of The Flowers Of Hell and a two time Mercury Prize nominee through her work in British Sea Power and Bat For Lashes). along with Czech dissident musician Ivo Pospíšil, a key member of The Plastic People Of The Universe’s many offshoot groups.

‘Odes’ differs greatly in its tone and direction from previous Flowers’ releases. 2010’s ‘O’ was an epic 45 minute abstract song that sought to break beyond traditional songwriting; this time the group do the opposite, celebrating straight up pieces as penned by their favourite writers. Known for their non-linear instrumentals, this is the first time The Flowers of Hell have released music featuring lyrics or verse-chorus-verse structures. 

Praise for Flowers of Hell

“They take orchestral pop to the next level” - Rolling Stone

“Stirringly evocative” - NME

“They balance stately chamber pop with noise” - Pitchfork