Life Without Buildings

Life Without Buildings

1763 fans

Although the short-lived Scottish band Life Without Buildings only released one studio album, the group earned a loyal following during the turn of the 21st century, thanks to an indie-rock sound inspired by post-punk pioneers like Television and the Talking Heads. Formed in Glasgow in 1999, the band consisted mainly of visual artists and graphic designers, many of whom had previously studied at the Glasgow School of Art. Drummer Will Bradley, bassist Chris Evans, and guitarist Robert Johnston were the first to join, with frontwoman Sue Tompkins completing the lineup later that year. Led by Tompkins' unique delivery, which found the vocalist singing her lyrics one minute and rhythmically speaking them the next, Life Without Buildings released their first single, "The Leanover," in March 2000. Any Other City followed in 2001, with outlets like Pitchfork hailing the debut album as one of the decade's best releases. Produced by Any Miller, Any Other City was also a hit at college radio, where the album peaked at Number 22 on the CMJ. Radio 200. Life Without Buildings briefly toured in support of Any Other City's release, even playing a show in London with fellow indie-rock buzz band the Strokes. Tompkins soon announced her decision to prioritize visual art over music, however, and the band broke up during the final weeks of 2002. The four musicians focused on other creative endeavors following the band's split, with Tompkins and Evans both becoming internationally-recognized visual artists. Meanwhile, Live at the Annandale Hotel was released posthumously in 2007. Recorded in December 2002 in Sydney, Australia, the concert album captured one of Life Without Buildings' final performances.

Top tracks

04
The Leanover
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
05:24
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
03
Juno
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
05:07
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
10
Sorrow
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
06:53
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
01
PS Exclusive
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
04:16
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
02
Let's Get Out
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
03:57
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
09
New Town
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
05:53
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
07
Envoys
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
04:08
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
08
The Leanover
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
04:48
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
05
Young Offenders
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
03:09
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
08
14 Days
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
03:11
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
06
Philip
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
02:29
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
05
Juno
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
05:27
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
12
New Town
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
07:36
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
06
Love Trinity
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
04:22
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
03
PS Exclusive
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
04:49
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
09
14 Days
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
03:43
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
01
Liberty Feelup
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
05:07
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
07
Young Offenders
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
03:08
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
02
Let's Get Out
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
04:10
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
10
Is Is & The IRS
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
04:15
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
04
Philip
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
02:47
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
11
Sorrow
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
06:56
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley

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  • Discography
Albums
Live At The Annandale Hotel
Gargleblast, under licence to Absolutely Kosher
01-01-2007
Live At The Annandale Hotel
01
Liberty Feelup
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
05:07
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
02
Let's Get Out
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
04:10
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
03
PS Exclusive
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
04:49
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
04
Philip
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
02:47
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
05
Juno
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
05:27
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
06
Love Trinity
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
04:22
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
07
Young Offenders
Life Without Buildings
Live At The Annandale Hotel
03:08
Writer: Sue Tompkins / Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Any Other City
Tugboat Records
31-01-2001
Any Other City
01
PS Exclusive
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
04:16
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
02
Let's Get Out
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
03:57
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
03
Juno
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
05:07
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
04
The Leanover
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
05:24
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
05
Young Offenders
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
03:09
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
06
Philip
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
02:29
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
07
Envoys
Life Without Buildings
Any Other City
04:08
Composers: Chris Evans - Robert Johnston - Sue Tompkins - Will Bradley
Access the complete album info (10 songs)