The former name of 4AD, a record label which was started in 1979 as Axis Records by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, but quickly renamed when it was discovered that Axis Records already existed.
The album was released by 4AD on 4 October 1999 in the UK and a day later in the US.
Something of an anomaly in Midwestern America, For Against—especially early in its career—has looked to a distinctly British aesthetic for inspiration, most obviously the post-punk scene exemplified by the early rosters of the Factory and 4AD record labels.
The album was initially available at live shows from late 2008 onwards, but was given a general release on CD and Download by 4AD on 2 February 2009.
During the mid-eighties Clan of Xymox recorded two highly acclaimed albums on 4AD.
Their influences are cosmic psychedelia, industrial rock (like Swans or Godflesh), Neurot & Hydrahead catalogue, old 4AD bands, krautrock, Norwegian black metal.
During this time, they created a distinct visual identity for the British independent music label 4AD through their record sleeve designs for bands such as Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, and This Mortal Coil.
The quintet came together out of its members' shared affection for bands like Seefeel, Flying Saucer Attack, earlier works from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, along with many of the acts on the 4AD and Creation Records imprints.
The sleeve art, showing a painting by Paul Delvaux, was very slightly different on the Beggars Banquet release, and due to the change of names of 4AD, some editions on public sale will have contained one imprint of the disc with a different imprint of the cover.
A founding member of The Delgados, she signed a solo recording contract with British independent record label 4AD in 2005 after the amicable split of the band.
Fool the World features interviews and recollections from a range of characters involved with the band, including Surfer Rosa producer Steve Albini, Kim Deal's twin sister Kelley Deal and 4AD co-founder Ivo Watts-Russell, as well as each member of the band.
In 1983, Sharp sang with fellow Scots Cocteau Twins on one of their John Peel sessions and at selected live gigs, where he met 4AD executive Ivo Watts-Russell.
2006: He recorded an original song about the biblical plague of frogs called Relate the Tale for the Artangel /4AD project Plague Songs; He remixed Badly Drawn Boy's Nothing's Going to Change Your Mind for the single release (highest chart position in the UK #38); He recorded a version of the song Nothing Compares 2 U, originally written by Prince.
Defever stated in interviews that the arrangement with 4AD was quite loose; 4AD president Ivo Watts-Russell would release what he was interested in, and Defever was free to release the rest elsewhere.
The album was produced by Ivo Watts-Russell (joint-founder of record label 4AD) and recorded at Blackwing Studios, London.
A diverse array of Guest vocalists appeared on the band's major label debut including Wayne Static, Hafdis Huld of Gus Gus, former 4ad artist Paula Frazer and Mad Lion.
In 1982 he met Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard in London and joined Dead Can Dance on drums and percussion and, in 1983, was one of the members of DCD to sign with the 4AD label.
Another more probable scenario is that Kozelek was having strained relations with 4AD's American branch, controlled by Warner Bros. Records at the time.
"The Dirt Eaters" contains a sample of Jack Nicholson from the movie Ironweed: "I'd eat all the dirt in this yard for you. And all the weeds. And all the dog bones too, if you asked me." A later 4AD compilation called ...and dog bones too, which featured "The Dirt Eaters", was named after this part of the song.
He first came to musical prominence in 1998 as a 4AD signing under the moniker Starry Smooth Hound, releasing a track co-produced by Guy Fixsen (of Too Pure band Laika) on the label sampler Anakin.
The album's artwork of two Dalmatian dogs barely visible against a snowy outdoor scene was created by design team 23 Envelope, who at the time were also designing many of the album covers for another British independent label, 4AD.