Leader of the Starry Skies - A Loyal Companion is a limited edition compilation album

Compilation album

A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...

 featuring cover versions of songs by Tim Smith

Tim Smith (Cardiacs)

Tim Smith is an English singer-songwriter, composer, poet, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and music video director....

 (the songwriter behind Cardiacs

Cardiacs

Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...

, The Sea Nymphs, Spratleys Japs

Spratleys Japs

Spratleys Japs was a British psychedelic rock band formed by Cardiacs leader Tim Smith and Joanne Spratley. The band is known to have been inspired by the sound of a malfunctioning Mellotron loaned to Tim Smith by Planet Mellotron coordinator Andy Thompson. The Mellotron is used extensively on the...

 and Panixphere

Panixphere

Panixphere are a British rock band featuring various past, present and future members of Cardiacs and Levitation, Dark Star, Dragons and The Wildhearts....

). It was released on CD on December 13, 2010 on the Believers Roast label (via Genepool distribution). It was originally free with preorders of Leader Of The Starry Skies: A Tribute To Tim Smith, Songbook 1

Leader of the Starry Skies: A Tribute to Tim Smith, Songbook 1

Leader of the Starry Skies: A Tribute To Tim Smith, Songbook 1 is a compilation album featuring cover versions of songs by Tim Smith . It was released on CD on December 13, 2010 on the Believers Roast label...

, but is now on limited general release via the Genepool website.

All contributing artists and bands have either stated a strong Cardiacs

Cardiacs

Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...

 influence in their music, profess sincere admiration for Smith's work, or feature at least one person who has at some time been involved with Cardiacs

Cardiacs

Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...

. The album was recorded as a response to Tim Smith's hospitalisation in 2008 (following a combined heart attack and stroke in London) was released in order to raise funds for his ongoing care and recovery. All profits from the album sales go directly to help Tim Smith.

Track listing

1. "Spell With a Shell" - Silvery
   Silvery
   Silvery are a London-based 4-piece indie rock band, signed to Blow Up Records . Their sound was best described by Journalist David Quantick in The Word as “Splenetic, frenetic, kinetic” and in NME as “Girlie harmonies, sniggering, fairground piano.....
   
   
2. "Arnald" - Eureka Machines
   Eureka Machines
   Eureka Machines are a British pop-rock band based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, who formed in 2007. The band consists of Chris Catalyst on lead vocals & guitar, Davros on guitar & backing vocals, Pete Pseudonym on bass guitar & backing vocals and Wayne Insane on drums...
   
   
3. "Gloomy News" - The Gasman
   The Gasman
   The Gasman is the recording name of Christopher Reeves, an English electronic music artist. He is currently signed to Mike Paradinas's record label Planet Mu, as well as his own record label, GasmanMusic.-Albums:- External links :* at Discogs...
   
   
4. "My Trademark" - Bug Prentice
5. "Victory Egg" - Sidi Bou Said
   Sidi Bou Said (band)
   Sidi Bou Said were a London based rock band, who existed during the 1990s. Their music combined an indie rock/folk sound with complex arrangements and literate lyrics. They were often compared to Throwing Muses and the Pixies, with whom they shared a taste for sometimes uncomfortable lyrical themes...
   
   
6. "To Go Off and Things" - Panixphere
   Panixphere
   Panixphere are a British rock band featuring various past, present and future members of Cardiacs and Levitation, Dark Star, Dragons and The Wildhearts....
   
   
7. "I Hold My Love in My Arms" - Local Girls
8. "Dirty Boy" - Sterbus
9. "Tree Tops High" - Jason Pegg
   Clearlake (band)
   Clearlake are an indie rock band, based in Brighton, England. The members of the band are:*Jason Pegg *David 'Woody' Woodward *Toby May *Jim Briffett -History:...
   
   
10. "Everything is Easy" - The Scaramanga Six
    The Scaramanga Six
    The Scaramanga Six are an English rock band noted for their aggressive live act, their flamboyant and theatrical songs and their independent business practices...
    
    
11. "Joining The Plankton" - a/c woods
12. "Dead Mouse" - Spiritwo
13. "All Spectacular" - Agency
14. "Nurses Whispering Verses" - Idiot Box
15. "The Barnacle Tree" - Sarah Cutts (hidden track)

External links

• Order page at The Genepool
• Article on BBC Wiltshire website
• Interview with Steven Wllson on BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks website