Although the Hoboken-based neo-psychedelic dream pop collective the Special Pillow is primarily a vehicle for the haunting songs of singer/bassist Dan Cuddy, some of the bigger names in the Hoboken pop world have passed through the group. Besides the core of Cuddy, drummer and producer Peter Walsh (like Cuddy, a former member of Hypnolovewheel), and violinist Laura Gentile (ex-Splendora), the lineup on the Special Pillow's debut album Ancient History, recorded in 1994 but not released until 1997, also included Yo La Tengo's James McNew on guitar and Splendora's Cindy Brolsma on cello. McNew and Brolsma were later replaced by Carey Burtt and Tim Harris, respectively. ~ Stewart Mason