The Silencers – A Letter From St. Paul on vinyl LP. VG+. 1987 Scottish jangle pop debut, ex-Fingerprintz. Ships from Germany.
About A Letter From St. Paul
A VG+ vinyl pressing of a widely praised, underappreciated 1987 debut from Scottish band The Silencers, formed by two former members of post-punk group Fingerprintz.
A Letter From St. Paul is the debut album by The Silencers, released in 1987 via RCA Records, produced by Dave Bascombe with the band’s involvement. Formed by Jimmie O’Neill and Cha Burns from the remains of their earlier post-punk band Fingerprintz, the album has since become a genuine cult favourite, praised by critics and longtime fans as a criminally overlooked gem of 1980s Scottish rock. This listing is a VG+ vinyl pressing from a Berlin based eBay seller.
- Who were The Silencers
- About this album
- Critical reception
- Pressing details and buying advice
Fast Facts
- Artist The Silencers were a Scottish rock band formed in 1986 by Jimmie O’Neill and Cha Burns, both formerly of post-punk band Fingerprintz.
- Release A Letter From St. Paul came out in 1987 via RCA Records, produced by Dave Bascombe, the band’s debut album.
- Singles Painted Moon, the lead single, received notable US radio airplay; I See Red followed as a second single.
- Touring The band supported U2 in Cardiff and toured with Squeeze in the US, including a stop at Madison Square Garden.
- Sound Jangly, atmospheric guitar pop compared to Big Country, Simple Minds and Del Amitri.
The Silencers – A Letter From St. Paul (LP, VG+)
Vinyl LP, RCA Records
Very Good Plus condition vinyl pressing of A Letter From St. Paul, sold by a Berlin based eBay seller with 100% positive feedback.
Pressing Specifications
Who Were The Silencers?
The Silencers formed in 1986 when Jimmie O'Neill and Cha Burns reunited after their earlier post-punk band Fingerprintz, who had released a run of albums for Virgin Records in the late 1970s and early 1980s, went their separate ways. Rounding out the new lineup with drummer Martin Hanlan and bassist Joseph Donnelly, the band recorded a three song demo and toured extensively across Europe before signing to RCA Records to record their debut. O'Neill's sweet falsetto and vulnerable vocal delivery became a defining feature of the band's sound, distinguishing them within the wider landscape of mid-80s Scottish rock.
About This Album And Its Critical Reception
Recorded with producer Dave Bascombe and released in 1987, A Letter From St. Paul opens with lead single Painted Moon, which received notable airplay on Los Angeles radio stations KROQ and 91X and later became widely regarded as one of the finest jangle-pop songs of the decade. The album also includes the poignant I Can't Cry, addressing themes of abortion with striking emotional honesty years before similar territory was explored in more widely known songs, alongside the title track, an atmospheric piece built around a dialogue about sending a letter woven into its instrumental backdrop. Decades after its release, the record has developed a devoted cult following, with critics and fans consistently praising its jangly, atmospheric guitar work and O'Neill's distinctive vocal delivery, drawing comparisons to Big Country, Simple Minds and Del Amitri while retaining a genuinely underground character all its own. The band toured extensively behind the record, supporting U2 in Cardiff and touring the US alongside Squeeze, including a memorable stop at Madison Square Garden.
Critical Reception
- VG+ condition, a well kept vintage pressing
- Widely and consistently praised by critics and fans as an overlooked 80s gem
- Includes the acclaimed jangle pop single Painted Moon
- From former members of respected post-punk band Fingerprintz
- Not a sealed or mint copy
- Genuinely hard to find, with the album rarely reissued or remastered
- Niche appeal outside jangle pop and 80s Scottish rock collectors
What is A Letter From St. Paul by The Silencers?
It is the 1987 debut album from Scottish band The Silencers, released via RCA Records, widely regarded as an overlooked gem of 80s jangle pop.
What condition is this vinyl copy in?
The sleeve is graded Very Good Plus (VG+).
Who were The Silencers?
A Scottish rock band formed by Jimmie O’Neill and Cha Burns, both formerly of post-punk band Fingerprintz.
What is the album's most notable song?
Painted Moon, the lead single, is widely regarded as one of the finest jangle pop songs of the 1980s.
Does this listing ship outside Germany?
The seller is based in Berlin and lists a fixed shipping cost; check the current listing for up to date international shipping options and rates.
Where To Buy This Pressing
Final Spin
- A widely praised, criminally overlooked gem of 80s Scottish jangle pop
- VG+ condition vinyl featuring the acclaimed single Painted Moon
- Best suited to fans of Big Country and Del Amitri-adjacent Scottish rock
A Letter From St. Paul remains a genuine lost classic well worth rediscovering, and this listing offers a VG+ pressing from a highly rated German seller.