The Balky Mule is the project of Australia-via-England songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Sam Jones. Jones played with some of Bristol's best-known post-rock bands, including Movietone, Flying Saucer Attack, Minotaur Shock, and Crescent, whose founder Matt is Jones' brother. Jones began playing and recording on his own in the late '90s, issuing self-released tapes and CDs and remixes of tracks by Pram and Vase; the Balky Mule's self-titled debut album appeared in 2000 on the Jones brothers' Archipelago label. One of the demos Jones sent to the FatCat label ended up on their 2001 compilation, No Watches. No Maps. Jones spent five years -- which included a move to Australia in 2006 -- recording his second album, The Length of the Rail, using old and often malfunctioning instruments, including a Bentley Carousel home organ. The Length of the Rail was released in spring 2009. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi