The majority of the ten tracks were recorded at Maida Vale Studios and the cuts range from 1996 to 2003 (check out the old-skool 'gwai picture on the right), supplying a rather handy overview of the band’s career so far.

Speaking of the release, group leader Stuart Braithwaite said: “The reason why we’re putting out this collection is simple, the recordings here are worth hearing. Some are definitely better than the official recordings. Some are sketchy, but to be honest, so are we. Sketchy but nice. Nicely Sketchy.”

’Government Commissions (BBC Sessions 1996-2003)’ is released on 21st February 2005

Having got our grubby mitts on a copy, we can highly recommend. Especially ‘New Paths To Helicon Part 1’. It’s lush.

Full track listing and session dates would be:

‘Hunted By A Freak’ (recorded at Maida Vale 21/05/03)
‘R U Still in 2 It’ (recorded at the Hippodrome 22/12/96)
‘New Paths To Helicon Part II’ (recorded at Maida Vale 20/01/98)
‘Kappa’ (recorded at Maida Vale 23/08/98)
‘Cody’ (recorded at Maida Vale 23/08/98)
‘Like Herod’ (recorded at Maida Vale 28/10/97)
‘Secret Pint’ (recorded at Maida Vale 10/04/01)
‘Superheroes of BMX’ (recorded at the Hippodrome 22/12/96)
‘New Paths To Helicon Part I’ (recorded at Maida Vale 20/01/98)
‘Stop Coming To My House’ (recorded at Maida Vale 21/05/03)