Arm's Way

Islands' Anti- Records debut Arm's Way finds the young, critically-acclaimed Montreal sextet heading in a surprising new direction. Their 2006 release, Return to the Sea, was heralded as a stunning work of impulsive outbursts and emotional explorations. Arm's Way sees the band naturally evolving to a more lavish, yet centered, sound that showcases songwriter Nick Thorburn's astounding talent. Prefix Magazine has called him "an extraordinary songwriter." With Ryan Hadlock (Blonde Redhead, Stephen Malkmus) as co-producer, Island's Arm's Way opens the door to a sprawling symphonic world that fans and critics have been looking for.

Patrice Agbokou: bass
Alex Chow: violin, viola, synth, percussion
Sebastian Chow: violin, piano, oboe, vocals
Patrick Gregoire: guitar, bass clarinet
Aaron Harris, drums, percussion, vocals
Nick Thorburn: vocals, guitar

Songs written by Nick Thorburn Music arranged by Islands drum programming on track 5 by Corn Gangg
Produced by Ryan Hadlock and Islands
Engineered by Ryan Hadlock
Assistant Engineering by Mathieu Roberge
Mixed by Rob Schnapf and Doug Boehm
Mix Engineer Assistant: Chris Constable
Mastered by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone
Recorded at Mixart in Montreal & Bear Creek in Woodinville, April & May, 2007
Mixed at Sonora in LA, September & October 2007 Mastered at Sterling Sound in New York, December 2007

Artwork by Rebecca Bird
Photography by Alexander Wagner
Layout and Title Design by Philip Laslett

special thanks to Jamie Thompson, Jim Guthrie and Katie Perkins for their contributions to the arrangements that appear on Arm's Way.
thanks to:
Kev Moo, Geoff Travis, Dan Symons and all at Rough Trade/Beggars Banquet UK, Andy Kaulkin, Brett Gurewitz, Matt McGreevey and everyone at Anti-/Epitaph Records, Asif Ahmed, Richard Grabel, our families, Manny Hadlock, Richard Baron, Jo & Ed, Franz & Steve, Patti & Dan, Aaron Curnow at Spunk!, Christian at Kork, Colin and Jen at Agency Group, Michelle & Brian, Sinbad, Nick Petrowski.