Lloyd Cole Still Causing A Commotion

With the release of three distinct albums over the course of the next month, post-punk grandfather Lloyd Cole may seem like he's one prodigious musician. Cole however, will tell you differently.

Recently signing to Bjork's One Little Indian label, the former Commotions frontman has finally found solid ground to release his work on this side of The Big Pond. The affable Brit grins at finally finding North America representation, a land that has all but forgotten his moody work.

And thanks to the straight-forward folk-inspired approach of some of his recent releases â€" Music In A Foreign Language (his latest album proper), Etc., a collection of songs originally recorded for other venues and his ambient endeavor Plastic Wood â€" 40-somethings and curious teens alike can now reintroduce themselves to Cole's output. Music which he admits is the culmination of many years' work, despite being released in quick succession in North America.

'It's not like I wrote all of (these albums) in a week,' Cole chuckles, nursing a tender throat. 'Music In A Foreign Language is a proper new record, but the other two were out in 2001. I didn't have a label situation that I was happy with (in North America), so they weren't released here. Now they're coming out because it's more about the start of a new relationship with this company than anything else.'

'I'm happier to have a smaller, more devoted audience,' says Cole and readily admits that he is 'a little bit known in a lot of places; I sell a few albums all around the world' and he is similarly modest about his contribution to the world of music. Originally touted as 'the next Big Thing' way back in, like, the mid-‘80s, he has taken more than his share of knocks and bruises to become the voice for devout legion of those battling 'mid-life ennui.'

'People kept expecting me to get bigger over here and it never happened,' Cole says. 'I've had some ups and downs in my career but I'm certainly happy with it,' he says almost defiantly. 'After becoming comfortable with my lot in life, I can feel stronger about an album like Music In A Foreign Language. It's just how I wanted it, and those people who like my music will hopefully understand it.'
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