Strand (album)
Strand is the second studio album by the American indie rock band The Spinanes, released in 1996 by Sub Pop. Production. The album was recorded in Memphis, Tennessee. Elliott Smith sings on two tracks. Release and promotion. "Strand" was released on February 27, 1996, by Sub Pop. To promote the album, the band performed with two additional musicians at Lounge Ax in Chicago, Illinois, on March 26, 1996. Critical reception. AllMusic praised the album's variety of instruments and the addition of guest vocalists. "The Washington Post" wrote: "With Rebecca Gates adding piano, organ and mellotron to her  guitar, such hushed, atmospheric tracks as 'Madding' and 'Luminous' live up to their Cocteau Twinnish titles." "Magnet" wrote that the album "transcended [the band's] ragged Northwest-indie roots and gave Gates’ smart songwriting a dreamy, atmospheric sheen." "Trouser Press" wrote that "the album exists on another plane, a dreamstate rooted in studio experimentation not live practicality."