A Map of the Floating City
Encyclopedia
A Map of the Floating City is the fifth studio album by English musician Thomas Dolby
, released on 24 October 2011. It is his first full-length studio album since 1992's Astronauts & Heretics
.
The album's concept, set in an alternate history, is accompanied by a web-based social networking game designed with the help of Andrea Phillips
and J. J. Abrams
. The game ran from June to September of 2011, and the group that won the game will receive a private Dolby concert.
The album was recorded "aboard a solar and wind-powered 1930s lifeboat" on the coast of East Anglia
, and includes contributions by Mark Knopfler
, Regina Spektor
, Natalie MacMaster
, Bruce Woolley
, Ethel
and Imogen Heap
.
Many tracks from the album were released/premiered prior to the release of the complete album:
"Love Is a Loaded Pistol" was premiered at the TED
conference in Long Beach, CA in February 2010, and was later released as a free MP3 download.
"Road To Reno", "The Toad Lickers", and "17 Hills" were released as a digital EP, Amerikana, that was sold on Dolby's website in June 2010.
"Oceanea", "Simone", and "To The Lifeboats" were released as another digital EP, Oceanea, in November 2010, and as a physical disc in March 2011
Three tracks were performed live for WNYC Soundcheck in February 2011 with the help of New York string quartet Ethel
and accordion player Rachelle Garniez.
"Nothing New Under The Sun", "Spice Train", "Evil Twin Brother", and "A Jealous Thing Called Love" were revealed within the online game "A Map of The Floating City" in July and August of 2011. Prior to the inception of the game, Dolby had planned to release these songs as a third EP, Urbanoia.
The deluxe edition of the album features a second disc with the following tracks:
Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!", he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician.-Early life:Dolby was born in London, England, contrary to information in early 1980s...
, released on 24 October 2011. It is his first full-length studio album since 1992's Astronauts & Heretics
Astronauts & Heretics
Astronauts & Heretics, released in 1992, was the fourth studio album by Thomas Dolby.-Track listing:All tracks by Dolby and Lost Toy People unless noted#"I Love You Goodbye" - 5:58#"Cruel" - 3:08#"Silk Pyjamas" - 3:38#"I Live in a Suitcase" - 5:29...
.
The album's concept, set in an alternate history, is accompanied by a web-based social networking game designed with the help of Andrea Phillips
Andrea Phillips
Andrea Phillips is an American transmedia game designer and writer. She has been active in the genres of transmedia storytelling and alternate reality games , in a variety of roles, since 2001...
and J. J. Abrams
J. J. Abrams
Jeffrey Jacob "J. J." Abrams is an American film and television producer, screenwriter, director, actor, and composer. He wrote and produced feature films before co-creating the television series Felicity...
. The game ran from June to September of 2011, and the group that won the game will receive a private Dolby concert.
The album was recorded "aboard a solar and wind-powered 1930s lifeboat" on the coast of East Anglia
East Anglia
East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...
, and includes contributions by Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
, Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor
Regina Ilyinichna Spektor is a Russian American singer-songwriter and pianist. Her music is associated with the anti-folk scene centered in New York City's East Village.-Early life:...
, Natalie MacMaster
Natalie MacMaster
Natalie MacMaster, CM is an award-winning fiddler from the rural community of Troy in Inverness County, Nova Scotia, Canada who plays Cape Breton fiddle music....
, Bruce Woolley
Bruce Woolley
Bruce Woolley is an English writer, performer, record producer and composer.- Early years :Bruce Woolley was born in Loughborough, England on 11 November 1953 and was educated at Loughborough Grammar School where he learned electric guitar, began to write songs and where he met his future wife,...
, Ethel
Ethel (string quartet)
ETHEL is a New York based string quartet that was co-founded in 1998 by Ralph Farris, viola; Dorothy Lawson, cello; Todd Reynolds, violin; and Mary Rowell, violin. Unlike most string quartets, ETHEL plays with amplification and integrates improvisation into its performances...
and Imogen Heap
Imogen Heap
Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap is a Grammy Award-winning English singer, composer and songwriter from Havering, Essex. She is known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces, and mixes...
.
Many tracks from the album were released/premiered prior to the release of the complete album:
"Love Is a Loaded Pistol" was premiered at the TED
TED (conference)
TED is a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading"....
conference in Long Beach, CA in February 2010, and was later released as a free MP3 download.
"Road To Reno", "The Toad Lickers", and "17 Hills" were released as a digital EP, Amerikana, that was sold on Dolby's website in June 2010.
"Oceanea", "Simone", and "To The Lifeboats" were released as another digital EP, Oceanea, in November 2010, and as a physical disc in March 2011
Three tracks were performed live for WNYC Soundcheck in February 2011 with the help of New York string quartet Ethel
Ethel (string quartet)
ETHEL is a New York based string quartet that was co-founded in 1998 by Ralph Farris, viola; Dorothy Lawson, cello; Todd Reynolds, violin; and Mary Rowell, violin. Unlike most string quartets, ETHEL plays with amplification and integrates improvisation into its performances...
and accordion player Rachelle Garniez.
"Nothing New Under The Sun", "Spice Train", "Evil Twin Brother", and "A Jealous Thing Called Love" were revealed within the online game "A Map of The Floating City" in July and August of 2011. Prior to the inception of the game, Dolby had planned to release these songs as a third EP, Urbanoia.
Track Listing
- Nothing New Under The Sun
- Spice Train
- Evil Twin Brother
- A Jealous Thing Called Love
- Road To Reno
- The Toad Lickers
- 17 Hills
- Love Is A Loaded Pistol
- Oceanea
- Simone
- To The Lifeboats
The deluxe edition of the album features a second disc with the following tracks:
- Nothing New Under The Sun (Instrumental)
- Spice Train (Instrumental)
- Evil Twin Brother (Instrumental)
- Jealous Thing Called Love (Instrumental)
- Road To Reno (Instrumental)
- The Toad Lickers (Instrumental)
- 17 Hills (Instrumental)
- Love Is A Loaded Pistol (Instrumental)
- Oceanea (Instrumental)
- Simone (Instrumental)
- To The Lifeboats (Instrumental)
- Spice Train (Radio Edit)
- 17 Hills (Demo)
- I'm Not Your Dog