After a five-year absence, Pavement guitarist and Preston School of Industry main man Spiral Stairs (Scott Kannberg) returns with a heart-on-sleeve songcycle about his complicated personal life. Alert listeners will also spot Richard Thompson, Captain Beefheart and the Died Pretty. The album was recorded in Australia with a diverse crew of talented people, including members of the Posies, Gersey, Ian Moore and others. Spiral is assembling a new touring band including former members of Preston School of Industry and others, and will be performing the new album worldwide in 2009 and 2010.