Animals That Swim (thing)

A band from somewhere just outside London, Animals That Swim inhabit the strange but comfortingly mundane space between indiepop, light jazz and slacker street poetry: jangly guitars and dreamy trumpet providing the backdrop for down-to-earth tales of the beauty (or otherwise) of everyday life and dreams of escaping it.

Lineup is:

• Hank Starrs (actually Hank Barker): drums, vocals.
• Hugh Barker: guitar, some vocals
• Derek Crabtree ('Del'): Trumpet
• Alan Barker: guitar
• Terry de Castro: bass

Partial discography (with full details only for the records I have):

• "Workshy", album released on Elemental in 1994
• "Pink Carnations", EP on Elemental 1995.
  The eponymous A-side of this tells a sorry little tale, exploring the anxieties and expectations of the protagonist and the characters he meets in hospital while convalescing after a car crash; B-side subject matter includes civilised class struggle ('New Boots') and the loss of childhood friends).

1. Pink Carnations
2. Kandy Kars
3. New Boots
4. Harry Dean
5. Del Fresco

"I Was The King I Really Was The King" album on Elemental, 1996

"Happiness from a Distant Star", album on Snowstorm, 2001.
More upbeat in general, with added piano and a distinct swing feel to many of the tracks, and the same blend of daydreaming and cameo-like songs.

1. All Your Stars are Out
2. Sixteen Letters
3. Dirt
4. Homunculus
5. The Moon and the Mothership
6. The Last Thing You Said To Me
7. The Bathtube
8. Sing and Rejoice, Fortune is Smiling on You
9. Mackie's Wake
10. Happiness From A Distant Star
11. Seven Days
12. A Good Day for Everyone
13. Voices from Beyond The Grave

More info at:

• http://www.oms.com/bigpop/animalsthatswim/bio.html
• http://www.indian.co.uk/cgi-bin/oli/artist.pl%3Fartist%3D129+Animals+that+Swim&hl=en