Cuts Across The Land was the first full-length album from much-loved cult rock band Duke Spirit – Originally issued on Loog Records in May 2005, it was a huge, critically acclaimed adrenalin-rush of an album that consolidated the group’s word-of-mouth success – To commemorate the album’s 20th Anniversary, the original album is paired with a new limited LP of B-sides and rarities from the era and is pressed onto two audiophile 180gm LPs: one on yellow splatter vinyl and the other on red vinyl splatter vinyl.
The Duke Spirit was formed in London in 2003 by guitarist Luke Ford (guitar) and vocalist Liela Moss (vocals), who’d met at art college in Cheltenham. Joined by bassist Toby Butler and guitarist Dan Higgins after moving to London, their debut EP, Roll, Spirit, Roll was released on City Rockers that year. It garnered positive reviews, which led ultimately to a contract with Polydor through James Oldham’s hip Loog Records imprint.
Cuts Across The Land was produced by ex-Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde and U2 producer Flood, taking the strident vocals of Moss and the chiming guitars of Higgins and Ford to create a dense, exciting sound. Containing five singles, including the UK Top 30 hit, “Lion Rip”, the group offered an exciting mixture of post-punk and heavy rock, creating their own, unique sound. Album standout and live favourite “Love Is A Unfamiliar Name” typifies their approach.
