They seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth. Hopefully, this will herald a new album - their first is still one of my all-time favourites.

including music from the new album - http://obscuresound.com/2011/04/hal-return-finally/

Here's another contender, by the way

Hope you have an ace evening Mr Carty. Hoarders will have this doozer on the free Word cd from September 2005:

I've got an acoustic session that these guys recorded for an old show of mine on the BBC about four or five years ago. I could do you a copy if you fancy sending me your details. They were great- nice to see that they're back. I honestly thought they'd split or something.

They seemed to suffer from being around the Magic Numbers, am I wrong to think they had a joint single with them? Good to see they didn't give up, I look forward to their new stuff.

Is certainly one of the best singles ever, really glad to see them back too.

Enjoy!

were very good, a bit stripped down from the records obviously. I'm very, very sick now of course.

Their 2nd Album "The Time, The Hour" is out in April. Delighted to see a date confirmed, hope it's worth the wait!

made me cry. Still does.

[Having made uncharacteristically sincere post, slinks off to make flippant remark about combovers]

Between a first and second album. Probably not but seems like an age (almost seven years having just looked it up). First saw them when they toured with the Magic Numbers and thankfully went to see them again when they were supported by the magnificent Duke Special.

Looking forward to the new album and seeing them live again. Hope the world's smiliest drummer is still in the band.