The band have had two previous major releases. Donkey Stock in 2005 was a six track EP, which received a 6.8 rating from Pitchfork but a less enthusiastic review from PopMatters.Tangari, Joe (2005) "Absentee Donkey Stock, Pitchfork, 7 July 2005. Retrieved 3 January 2018Bernard, David (2005) "Absentee: Donkey Stock EP", PopMatters, 4 August 2005. Retrieved 3 January 2018 The NME called it a "lugubrious wonder", with James Jam considering "Michaelson’s grumbled, world-weary mumble...the most wondrous sound to trickle out of a human being’s voicebox all year".Jam, James (2005) "Absentee : Donkey Stock", NME, 12 September 2005. Retrieved 3 January 2018
