NEW PATHS TO HELICON, PT. 2

"'New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 2'" (almost always referred to as "'Helicon 2'") is a song by Scottish band Mogwai. It was first released as a double A-side with "New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 1", on 7" limited to 3000 copies.^[1] It was later included on the 1997 compilation album, ''Ten Rapid (Collected Recordings 1996-1997)''. The single reached #2 in English radio presenter John Peel's 1997 Festive Fifty Chart.^[2]

Contents

Overview

Musical composition

Personnel

Notes

External links

Overview

"Helicon 2" is a rare live song, despite being a strong fan-favourite. A live version of "Helicon 2" (recorded live by John Peel from a BBC Radio Session at Maida Vale in 20 January 1998) can be found on Mogwai's 2005 live compilation album, ''. The last track on ''Ten Rapid'', "End", is simply "Helicon 2" played backwards. "Helicon 2" was featured on the Scottish Association for Mental Health's 2004 compilation album, ''One-In-Four''.

Musical composition

The track begins immediately with a quiet guitar melody, and soft drums which are repeated along with bass and guitar doubling them. At (0:34), the guitar goes on to play a lead part, while the other guitar plays soft harmonics. At (1:08), they slide back into the main riff. At (1:42), a stronger, more distinctive lead part is played. This continues until (2:16), when the main riff is repeated for the last time. At (2:32), the song ends abruptly.

Personnel

★ Stuart Braithwaite – guitar

★ Dominic Aitchison – bass guitar

★ John Cummings – guitar

★ Martin Bulloch – drums

★ Andy Miller – producer, mixer

Notes

1. Mogwai Singles on brightlight.youngteam.co.uk
2. Festive Fifty: 1997 Chart on bbc.co.uk

External links

★ Guitar Tablature for "Helicon 2"

★ Last.fm page for "Helicon 2"