Debut album – “The Merchant”

Following on from a series of exceptional singles, Leeds art-rock four-piece Tigers That Talked finally self-release their long awaited debut album “The Merchant”.

Since forming in 2006, singer-songwriter and guitarist Jamie Williams, bassist Owain Kelly, violinist Glenna Larsen and drummer Chris Verney have been patiently and meticulously honing their sound while releasing a series of critically acclaimed singles, picking up fans in Zane Lowe, John Kennedy, and Steve Lamacq along the way.

The result of their fortitude is The Merchant, a truly special debut record. Beautiful and fragile yet uplifting and defiant, The Merchant is a collection of songs that combine the emotional depth associated with art-rock with a pop sensibility that will no doubt appeal to mainstream audiences.

Having extensively and successfully toured the UK for the past three years alongside bands such as Wild Beasts, Micah P Hinson and Broken Records, Tigers That Talked are set to make their live US debut in 2011 with an official invite to showcase at Texas’ South By South West festival. This overseas exposure will allow the band to further expand on a devoted UK fanbase, taking their individual brand of anthemic yet experimental music to a US audience that has already shown a substantial and passionate interest.

Tigers That Talked

Praise for Tigers That Talked -

“My new favourite band [...] I’m waiting desperately for the Album” - Steve Lamacq, BBC Radio 6

“Masters of the slow brood, [they] ebb and flow with filmic elegance, swaying between maudlin melodrama and frenzied, multi-layered crescendos” – NME

“Tigers That Talked are slowly evolving into mastering a scene where the pedestal is high and unsuccessful climbers are frequent, not that taking a tumble seems likely for them“ – Q Music

Praise for “The Merchant” -

“When the sum of the album’s parts is considered, they nearly always end up doing their own thing. Boasting melodies that are impossible to shake after only a few listens […] it is when they step out of their comfort zone that Tigers That Talked truly excel. [The Merchant is] an album that contains not one sub-par effort. These Tigers could be a roaring success with a debut like this” – This Is Fake DIY

“Debut albums that arrive fully formed are few and far between. It takes a rare and exceptional artist to create a debut album that sounds the product of a self confident and well established band […“The Merchant”…] is immediately accessible, yet their musical arrangements are complex and nuanced.” – AvantFaire

“Not only does [“The Merchant”] highlight the band’s obvious talents in arranging wonderfully sweeping melodies, the instrumentation allows for a hint of drama throughout; [an] amalgamation of driving guitars and effortless strings. Glenna Larsen’s string melodies truly shine as they match the unique, melancholic vocals of Jamie Williams. […] “The Merchant” is without a doubt a strong debut from the Leeds four-piece and it is likely to garner the band even more praise.” – Shout4Music 8/10

“Full of drama and sweeping melodies from the opening track, ‘The Merchant’ is the perfect album for long winter nights. Lead singer and guitarist Jamie Williams’ unique voice add to the drama and melancholy prevalent throughout the album […and…] violinist Glenna Larsen really comes to the fore, with strings swirling around the raw emotion present.” – Faded Glamour

“Tigers That Talked FINALLY release their album The Merchant, which they’ve been promising online for well over a year. It was worth it. All the hits no one ever heard are here, alongside some new classics. Album centerpiece “The Earth And The Urn” is a must-download.” – The Music Slut #9 in “top 25 Albums of the Year”

“I love just about every song on it […] it’s a great debut album.” – Mind Taker “Album of the Year”

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