Album Notes

Malcolm Morley's solo album ALIENS, could be described in many ways.For those who have been waiting for the return of Malcolm Morley as a songwriter since 1974 the words "stunning" and "brilliant" come to mind upon first listen.Unless you were a fan of 70's cult favourites, HELP YOURSELF and MAN, the name Malcolm Morley might not carry the same weight as it does in certain circles. Briefly: The story of HELP YOURSELF is a mysterious and convoluted tale.Will Birch in his book 'No sleep till Canvey Island, has shed some light on the subject.An in-depth interview with all the participants can be found on the PTOLEMAIC TERRASCOPE website (www.terrascope.org/helps.html). The Helps were part of a stable of artists signed to U.A. Records in London, which included BRINSLEY SCHWARZ, MAN, HAWKWIND,and GYPSY. Many of the colourful characters from this scene later emerged as leaders of the U.K. Pub Rock movement, which sowed the seeds of the Punk explosion in 1976. After releasing four albums the Helps disbanded and Malcolm and bassist Ken Whaley joined up with Welsh legends MAN for their first American tour and appeared on their Rhinos, Winos and Lunatics album. Morley then seemed to disappear from the music scene.You might have spotted him on tour or recording with the likes of WRECKLESS ERIC and KIRSTY MC COLL. A solo album was recorded and then abandoned. Some years down the line Malc re-emerged playing some solo gigs and recording with Soma Records' ENVOY for the track "Saxman." Knowing all that, however, could not prepare you for the album you hold in your hands.From the first notes of MIGHTY SISTERS,it is clear this is no nostalgic look to the past.The powerful anthem of Mighty Sisters shows that after such a long absence from the spotlight Malcolm has hit the ground running. THE SHADE and THE BURNING FRAME help set the story of ALIENS, and the world it is set in.It's the song THE CLONE that takes you deep inside the mind that has lived these songs. "I have a heart that beats, a mind that wanders dimensions unknown, i saw somebody that looked like me but i am quite alone." If this could be called a "song cycle" the inspiration is more PHILLIP.K.DICK than MEHER BABA.Musically The Clone is one of two songs which may strike a chord with long time fans. FUTURE CITY explores the landscape of this new world. VENUS RISING could have easily appeared on a Help Yourself Album with its driving guitar and persistent drumming, and leads us to the most mysterious track on the album: THE CRUCIFIXION AREA. Ex Helps guitarist Richard Treece makes a guest appearance as Jack 'Bunny' Lightup, the paranoid E.T. hunter, on X-FILE301, sounding like WILLIAM BURROUGHS on helium.An auspicious acting debut. SANDS leaves you standing at the edge of time, and ready to go back to the beginning once again. RON SANCHEZ. Bozeman, Montana. 2001. SOME QUOTES: "The British Neil Young. In a perfect world, Morley should be as prolific as Bruce Springsteen, say.In fact you know from what he sings and the way in which he sings it that anything more is a bonus." Joni Mitchell biographer and record critic Brian Hinton in his latest book "Country Roads." "One of my favourite artists. An undiscovered genius" Elvis Costello. "Help Yourself is uniformly delightful.If your ears are shaped like mine, you'll adore Help Yourself's shimmering crystalline guitar sound." John Mendelsohn ROLLING STONE. "Malcolm never disclosed why he left the music buisiness.When he left the muscic scene he was virtually penniless. Now he seems inordinately wealthy but I do not know how he made his fortune since he was not forthcoming. He lives though, in modest surroundings and it was here that i saw the original artwork for 'ALIENS'(Some of which is included in the C.D.booklet)That intrigued me enough to listen to the music. Morley also seems to value his privacy. Since our association began, i have only met him twice and the person i met the second time bore little resemblance to the one I had first met.One's memory sometimes plays tricks and i did'nt quite have the nerve to ask 'are you sure you're Malcolm Morley?'" John Carpenter. Director.CREO PRODUCTIONS. (Notes for interview for 'Q' magazine) MALCOLM MORLEY: selected recordings HELP YOURSELF HELP YOURSELF Libery LBS 83484 HELP YOURSELF STRANGE AFFAIR U.A.UAS 29287 HELP YOURSELF BEWARE THE SHADOW U.A.UAS 29413 HELP YOURSELF RETURN OF KEN WHALEY UA UDG 4001 MAN RHINOS,WINOS&LUNATICS UA UAG 29631 WRECKLESS ERIC BIG SMASH STIFF SEE2 21 KIRSTY MCCOLL DESPERATE CHARACTER POLYDOR POLS 1035 ENVOY WHERE THERE'S LIFE SOMA CDO11