Mid-period
Our Genome was finally released by Day Release Records in the spring of 2001. It displayed a much-evolved band sound – more cohesive and dynamic, and considerably quieter, with added instrumentation (including horns) on several tracks. It featured none of the early singles and no previously released tracks, demonstrating the band’s intention to continue moving. The band were now heading in a post-rock direction, with Ross’ vocals assuming more of an ensemble/instrumental quality and various experiments with textures.
By this time, Delicate AWOL had also established themselves as a significant band within the London math rock scene, sharing stages and audiences with bands such as The Monsoon Bassoon, Rothko, The Shrubbies (featuring future North Sea Radio Orchestra members), Geiger Counter, Billy Mahonie and others. For a while, they also ran their own club night, "Everywhere Is Mouse", in the basement of Helter Skelter music bookstore in Denmark Street. The event attracted performers including The Monsoon Bassoon, Stewart Lee and Al Murray (performing as part of a band), Keith Burstein and others.
Adding trumpeter Jo Wright (later known as Jo Downs) to the line-up, Delicate AWOL toured America during the summer and returned to play the fifth Terrastock festival (this time in Boston) in October. The Driesh EP, released in autumn 2001 (with the band’s elegiac set-closer "Dust" as the lead track) ended the band’s middle period. One track - the instrumental "Evergreen China Prairie Tribunal" - pointed the way forward towards the next phase.
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