We just kind saw the images and knew the cliches, so to have the opportunity to go there and learn something about Russian music and about Russian people and to see things apart from being a tourist.

Almond left EMI Records. Almond has stated this will possibly be his last fully self-penned album. Hegarty sang "My Little Book of Sorrows" with Almond.

Almond first began performing and recording in the synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell. He has sold over 30 million records worldwide. Peter Mark Sinclair "Marc" Almond (/ˈɑːmənd/; born 9 July 1957 Southport) is an English singer-songwriter and musician.