Mad Season - Above Reissue

Pre-Order Mad Season Above
In 1994, four Seattle-based musicians decided to embark on a side-project that took them into new and different musical territory. Formed by Mike McCready, Layne Staley, Barrett Martin, and bluesman John Baker Saunders, the group went on to form Mad Season, which made one seminal album in the history of Seattle rock. That album, Above was released in 1995 and immediately struck a resonate chord with the public that sent the album into gold status within a few weeks. It is the only complete album of Layne Staley's introspective and mystical lyrics, which were highlighted by additional vocals from Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan and Seattle-based saxophonist/percussionist Skerik.

In 2012, the two remaining band members, Mike and Barrett, along with Above's original producer Brett Eliason, convened in Seattle to sift through the original magnetic tapes from that second album's sessions to revisit the unfinished songs. They called on Mark Lanegan to pen lyrics and sing on 3 of the best of those songs, including one co-written by Peter Buck of REM, which will be featured on the forthcoming reissue honoring the legacy of Layne and Baker.

Fans can pre-order the newly expanded edition of Above (release date April 2nd 2013) on iTunes and will receive an instant download of "Locomotive," which features new lyrics and vocals from Mark Lanegan, with each order.

"When I think of the triumph and tragedy of the Mad Season Above record and the few shows we played , I am overcome with emotion. When people tell me it's their favorite record, it somehow makes the loss of Layne and Baker sting less. Still hurts forever. I believe they would have been proud that people still resonate with the music they created. I certainly do. Layne's lyrics are prophetic and deep, and Baker's bass is subtle and tough. I hope people enjoy the re-release of the brief, elegant and dark Season we all shared. Thanks for listening." - Mike McCready

Pre-order Above (Deluxe Edition) - available April 2, 2013