Balboa Island is the legendary British Rock group The Pretty Things’ long awaited 11th studio album in a 43-year recording career. Their first CD release in over eight years, it is already regarded by many as on par with their very greatest 1960s and 70s recordings. From the stadium sized Rock of “All Light Up” through the raw acoustic guitar blues of “Feel Like Going Home” to the Beatles / Abbey Road period style of “Dearly Beloved” – The Pretty Things have crafted a “dark” record – doomed, brooding, powerful, mysterious and full of edge. The 13 new songs – mostly originals, but also containing an acoustic cover of an early Bob Dylan song “The Ballad of Hollis Brown” – have a rawness, intensity, depth and passion which is unmatched by any of their contemporaries: The Stones, Van, The Who – none of the class of 64 has enough gas left in the tank to make a record like this. Founded in 1964 by lead vocalist Phil May and lead guitarist Dick Taylor – who was the Rolling Stones’ original bass guitarist prior to starting the Pretty Things - “the Pretties” have always followed their own, fiercely independent path: although the huge international break-through of the Rolling Stones, the Who has eluded them, their un-compromising musical integrity has given them a cult following around the world. The first 5,000 copies of the North American, ZOHO ROOTS label release of the CD includes original full-sized artwork by lead vocalist Phil May, making this first edition an instant must-have collectors’ item for the group’s many fans! February 2008 US Tour in preparation.