By the dawn of the 1990’s The Verlaines had parted company with long-time New Zealand indie label Flying Nun. Looking to increase their profile in the Northern Hemisphere (where their previous albums had made an impact through the likes of U.S. College Radio), they signed with Los Angeles based Slash Records.
“Ready To Fly”, was the first of two releases with the label, appearing in 1991. Recorded in Sydney, Australia, Trouser Press praised the albums 12 songs, saying “… throw in Downes’ strongest bunch of guitar-pop tunes and you’ve got the Verlaines’ best LP to date.
Indeed, some of the band’s most enduring material can be found on “Ready To Fly”, in particular “War In My Head”, “Gloom Junky” and the titular track with it’s grand orchestration.
Released for Record Store Day 2026 for the very first time on Blue Jay Opaque coloured vinyl on with remastering by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios.
This is a 2026 Record Store Day Release.
The Fat Angel Sings 