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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]

"New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 2"
Single by Mogwai
from the album Ten Rapid (Collected Recordings 1996-1997)
A-side"New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 1"
ReleasedFebruary 1997 (UK)
RecordedMCM Studios
Hamilton, Scotland
GenrePost-rock
Length2:51
LabelWurlitzer Jukebox
WJ 22 (UK, 7")
Producer(s)Andy Miller
Mogwai singles chronology
"Summer" / "Ithica 27ø9"
(1996) 		"New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 1" / "New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 2"
(1997) 		"Club Beatroot, Part 4"
(1997)
Ten Rapid (Collected Recordings 1996-1997) track listing
  1. "Summer"
  2. "New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 2"
  3. "Angels vs. Aliens"
  4. "I Am Not Batman"
  5. "Tuner"
  6. "Ithica 27ø9"
  7. "A Place for Parks"
  8. "New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 1"
  9. "End"
Government Commissions: BBC Sessions 1996-2003 track listing
  1. "Hunted by a Freak"
  2. "R U Still in 2 It"
  3. "New Paths to Helicon Pt II"
  4. "Kappa"
  5. "Cody"
  6. "Like Herod"
  7. "Secret Pint"
  8. "Superheroes of BMX"
  9. "New Paths to Helicon Pt I"
  10. "Stop Coming to My House"

Overview

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A live version of "Helicon 2" (recorded live by John Peel from a BBC Radio Session at Maida Vale on 20 January 1998) can be found on Mogwai's 2005 live compilation album, Government Commissions: BBC Sessions 1996-2003. 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

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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

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  • Stuart Braithwaite – guitar
  • Dominic Aitchison – bass guitar
  • John Cummings – guitar
  • Martin Bulloch – drums
  • Andy Miller – producer, mixer

Notes

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