Praised at its U.K. release last year for its "spirit of invention, its surfeit of ideas and its ear for a good tune" (The Guardian), Late Of The Pier's ambitious and genre-confounding album 'Fantasy Black Channel' was released January 13th 2009 on Astralwerks in a special U.S. edition with two U.S.-only bonus tracks. The American response was instant, and unanimous: "The quartet's fervent debut, produced by DJ Erol Alkan, offers a fabulous simulation of 80's new wave, with burping, sputtering synths and sleazy, Bowie-inspired crooning from frontman Sam Eastgate," said Spin. Blender was no less of a convert, saying: "(Late of the Pier) have made one of the most vital EPs of the year." Teen Vogue, Billboard, and a host of local papers agreed, praising the band's "loud, feverish thrills" (Marie Claire) and "the most genius, gonzo anthems you'll have heard come the New Year" (Filter).

Now, anticipation of the band's arrival in America is building fast, with Late Of The Pier's MySpace.com webpage nearing a total of 4 million audio streams, with individual album tracks well in the mid-six-figure range. "Late of the Pier…can create arena-electro as good as the 80's antecedents that came before them," raved Alternative Press.

"They reference prog, heavy metal, Roxy Music, Blur, Aphex Twin and Gary Numan - often all in the same song," The Guardian continued. "Every time you play this album, you'll find a new favourite song, riff or wayward moment." The Observer called the album a "tour de force comprising glam techno and rave…It's hard to see how (Alkan) or (the group) could spin a more definitive statement."

[At least they didn't quick Pitchdork]