Howling Bells (Dinked Archive Edition #34)

HOWLING BELLS CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR ACCLAIMED SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM WITH ITS FIRST-EVER VINYL RELEASE!

Twenty years after the release of one of the most captivating albums of the 2000s, Howling Bells announce the 20th Anniversary Edition of their self-titled debut album, released on 2nd October via Nude Records. 

Originally released in 2006, 'Howling Bells' marked a striking debut for the Australian band Produced by Grammy Award-winning Ken Nelson (Coldplay, Gomez, The Charlatans), the album introduced their cinematic blend of darkly romantic songwriting, atmospheric guitars, and Juanita Stein's unmistakable vocals. Hailed upon release as a moder alternative classic, Pitchfork raised Stein's "thoroughly unexpected, confidently strange, and immediately commanding voice, while NME simply called it "an extraordinary album." The Guardian described it as "bruising, narcotised rock'n'roll, refracted through the bottom of a glass, darkly... on the verge of unequivocal magnificence'. MOJO celebrated "an utterly flawless, heart-twisting vocal throughout," praising her ability to turn "tales of sorrow and betrayal" into "something exquisite," and Clash observed that it's the voice that grabs you," calling it a wonderfully lucid piece of songwriting, emotion lingering on each note.' 

Twenty years later, the album retains its intoxicating magic. Still, the opening seconds pull you in; still, the record won't let you go. For the first time ever on vinyl, listeners can experience one of the great alternative debuts of its era in a format worthy of its enduring legacy.

"OK, now I can finally listen to Setting Sun on vinyl and be reminded all over again why I love Howling Bells" Chris Martin 

"There was a time when we thought great records would just keep rolling in. We didn't realize we were living in a golden age until it was gone. Twenty years later, Howling Bells stands as a testament to what we've been missing" Brandon Flowers

“A haunting, beautiful and at times emotionally brutal debut by one of alt-rock's unsung talents” Brett Anderson

"Listening to Howling Bells' debut album was a cultural awakening for me back in the early 2000s. It reminded me that writing artful, sophisticated pop music was absolutely possible. Twenty years later, this record still sounds so fresh and exciting" Anna Calvi

Side A

The Bell Hit

Velvet Girl

Low Happening

Broken Bones

Wishing Stone

A Ballad For The Bleeding Hearts

Side B

The Night Is Young

Across The Avenue

Setting Sun

Blessed Night

In The Woods

I’m Not Afraid

BONUS 7”

Side A

The Bell Hit (Unreleased demo 2003)  

Highway 99 (demo 2004)  

Side B  

Night Is Young (Unreleased demo 2003)  

Sunken Eyes (Unused demo 2004)