A new Catbird Records release is out today: the second full-length from Fulton Lights. It’s called The Way We Ride. On this one, Andrew Spencer and Co. sweep back the dense orchestral layering in favor of a stripped-down, lean and mean approach; and the results are great. This record melds the faded strums of music past with an austere technological bent.

The disc is 10 tracks, and comes in a gatefold Catbird Mini-7 sleeve designed by the inimitable Jez Burrows. $7. It’s also a free/pay-what-you-want download, if you prefer.

At the end of the week, Fulton Lights is kicking off a (solo) European tour. Current dates:

9/13 Stavanger (Norway) @ Kafe Akvariet
9/27 Hamburg (Germany)@ Hasenschaukel (Reeperbahn Festival)
10/1 Hamburg (Germany)@ Hasenschaukel
10/4 Frankfurt (Germany)@ Hinah House (email for details)
10/10 Berlin (Germany)@ Electronic Church
11/1 2008 Paris (France)@Abracadabar

Stay tuned to the Fulton Lights Myspace for updates, or give FL a shout if you’d like to have him play show in your little corner of the Continent.