F♯ A♯ ∞
| F♯ A♯ ∞ | ||||
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One of the three different vinyl album covers.
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| Studio album by Godspeed You! Black Emperor | ||||
| Released | 14 August 1997 | |||
| Recorded | May 1997 | |||
| Studio | Hotel2Tango in Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 38:22 (Vinyl record) 63:27 (Compact Disc) |
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| Label | Constellation, Kranky | |||
| Producer | Don Wilkie Ian Ilavsky Godspeed You! Black Emperor |
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| Godspeed You! Black Emperor chronology | ||||
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| Compact Disc release | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| NME | 8/10 |
| Pitchfork Media | 9.3/10 |
| Sputnikmusic | 5/5 |
F♯ A♯ ∞ (pronounced "F-sharp, A-sharp, Infinity") is the debut album of the Canadian post-rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. It was released twice, first in 1997 by Constellation Records and then again on 8 June 1998, by Kranky as an expanded edition that ran for 63:27. The album is devoid of traditional lyrics and mostly instrumental, featuring lengthy songs segmented into movements and wide dynamics.
The album was recorded at the Hotel2Tango in the Mile End of Montreal. It was initially released in very limited quantities, and was mainly distributed through live performances and advertised by word of mouth.
In 1995, Mauro Pezzente moved into a loft with his then-girlfriend in the Mile End of Montreal. Pezzente used the flat as a performance venue, dubbing it the Gallery Quiva. Around 1996, fumes from the mechanic's garage below the loft forced them to vacate it. Shortly after their departure, Efrim Menuck moved into the space and established Hotel2Tango, serving both as a recording studio and practice space. There, in 1997, the original recording of F♯ A♯ ∞ took place. By this time, the band had reached an unwieldy 15 members. In preparation of the album, they trimmed their numbers to ten.
The culmination of material spanning back to 1993 resulted in two lengthy songs, each about 20 minutes in length. After the record's release, the band became interested in touring the United States. In order to make headway, they sent a copy of their album to the Chicago-based record label Kranky. Impressed by the recording, Kranky offered to republish the album on compact disc. The band quickly returned to the studio and re-recorded the album, which was released in June 1998. Changes to the album included the addition, subtraction and reorganization of material, resulting in three tracks and slightly over an hour of music.
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