Formed in 1992, the High Llamas have released six studio albums to date, along with a slew of EPs. Much of the story of the High Llamas is the story of Sean O'Hagan. O'Hagan worked with Cathal Coughlan in the group Microdisney, formed in 1980, until the group disbanded in 1988. O'Hagan then released a solo effort titled High Llamas, the title and album cover of which came from a magazine picture of a Victorian hot-air balloon. In 1992, O'Hagan formed the High Llamas and recorded the Apricots EP. Mute Records took the four tracks on Apricots, added four more tracks, and released it as the High Llamas' debut full-length, Santa Barbara. Their next album Gideon Gaye met with high praise from critics upon its release in 1994. Since that time, the Llamas have been putting out great pop records on a fairly consistent basis.