Double 140g LP with 4-page lyric/info insert. Limited to 300 copies globally.
The Rocking Horse Music Club’s genre-defying rock opera Circus of Wire Dolls features performances from Noel McCalla (Smallcreep’s Day), Tim Bowness, Chris Difford (Squeeze), Ms Amy Birks, Sing Gospel Choir of London, David Cross, Kenwood Dennard (Brand X), John Hackett, Greg Hawkes (The Cars), Rob Townsend, Kate St John (Dream Academy) and many more.
The album tells the story of a man who creates a miniature circus out of wire, string, and cloth. In his imagination, the performers of his circus come to life with human thoughts and emotions. As the circus plays out, the performers each tell their own stories, revealing the aspirations, fears, and thoughts of their creator.
Band leader Brian Coombes is joined by RHC members including Justin Cohn and Patrik Gochez.
While the progressive rock of Genesis, Pink Floyd, and Rush was the album’s primary influence, the band also drew inspiration from 1960’s baroque/symphonic pop (the Beatles, the Zombies, and Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys), art rock/glam (Roxy Music, David Bowie, Queen, TRex), 1980’s new wave (Tears for Fears, the Cars, Squeeze), and touches of gospel, jazz fusion, folk/americana, and modern musical theatre.
Producer Brian Coombes augmented the band’s rock format with orchestral and acoustic instrumentation, backing vocal arrangements, and vintage keyboards, including mellotron, optigan, electric pianos, celeste, and the famous Mrs Mills and Challen pianos from Abbey Road
