Northern Picture Library was a British Dream Pop group formed in 1993 by Bobby Wratten and Annemari Davies, both former members of The Field Mice. They were soon joined by former Field Mice drummer Mark Dobson. Dream pop is a type of alternative rock that originated in the early 1980s when bands like Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, and A.R. Kane (to whom the term has been attributed) began twisting New Wave melodies into sonic, echoing textures and mumbled vocals. ... The Field Mice were the most popular band on the seminal, cult indie label Sarah Records. ...

The group adopted a more abstract, ambient and synthesiser-based sound than the more instantly-recognisable guitar-pop approach of The Field Mice. Their debut single, "Love Song For The Dead Che", was a cover of a song by 1960s psychedelic group United States of America, and both it and the following album, Alaska, won critical acclaim, however sales were poor, even compared to the Field Mice's records. The group members' personal problems (various members succumbed to depression, stagefright and substance abuse) made touring difficult, and thus also made it difficult for the group to promote their records effectively. Two more EPs followed before the group was dissolved. Wratten later went on to form Trembling Blue Stars, with Davies also joining the group in a later incarnation. The term synthesiser is also used to mean frequency synthesiser, an electronic system found in communications. ... Trembling Blue Stars are a London-based twee pop band that currently includes members Robert Wratten and Beth Arzy (who is also in Aberdeen). ...

In 2005 the entire Northern Picture Library back catalogue was released on two CDs on the LTM label. Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Discography

Singles

• "Love Song For The Dead Che" (12"/CD, Vinyl Japan, September 1993)
• "Blue Dissolve EP" (12"/CD, Vinyl Japan, June 1994)
• "Paris EP" (CD, Sarah Records, September 1994)

The Paris EP was also issued as two separate 7" singles, "Paris" and "Last September's Farewell Kiss". There and Back Again Lane is a genuine road name near Blackwells Bookshop, Park Street, Bristol, England Sarah Records was a UK independent record label, best known for its recordings of twee pop. ...

Albums

• Alaska (1994)
• Still Life (singles compilation, 2000)
• Postscript (singles and out-takes, 2004)