A - How Ace Are Buildings

How Ace Are Buildings is the debut album by British alternative rock band A, released in 1997.

Track listing

"Turn It Up" – 1:33
"Foghorn" – 3:04
"Cheeky Monkey" – 3:36
"Number One" – 3:50
"Bad Idea" – 2:21
"Sing-A-Long" – 4:20
"Winter Of '96" – 5:28
"Out Of Tune" – 4:19
"Fistral" – 3:59
"House Under The Ground" – 4:01
"Five In The Morning" – 3:14
"Ender" – 18:07
Contains a hidden track at 14:49


A are a British alternative rock band from Suffolk, England, that formed in formed in Leeds in 1993, England by brothers Jason Perry, Adam Perry and Giles Perry alongside Mark Chapman and Stevie Swindon. They have released four albums, and two live mini-albums.

A were originally called 'Grand Designs', but abandoned this name before signing with Warner Bros. Records in 1996. They released their first album 'How Ace Are Buildings' in 1997. After this, bassist Stevie Swindon left and was replaced by Daniel P. Carter (current host of BBC1's Rock Show).

A licensing agreement for the U.S. and Canada was reached with Mammoth Records. Their second album ''A' Vs. Monkey Kong' was released in 1999 and followed by a live album 'Exit Stage Right' in 2000. Their third album, 'Hi-Fi Serious' was released in 2002.

Their fourth album 'Teen Dance Ordinance' was recorded in 2003 but due to the illness of Jason Perry and disputes with the record company it's release was delayed until 2005. This album features a straighter rock sound and the keyboards and samples that were present on the earlier albums are almostly completely absent. Hollywood Records had agreed to release this album in the states but eventually decided against doing so.

After the release of 'Teen Dance Ordinance' the band have been on hiatus and the members have been working on other projects. In 2008 the band announced that they were back in the studio working on new material and have since began touring again.