Editing Prefab Sprout (section)

===Line-up changes (1997–2001)===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:PrefabSprout2000.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Prefab Sprout performing at [[Shepherd's Bush Empire]] in 2000]] -->
After a five-year hiatus, Prefab Sprout released their first new studio album since 1990's ''Jordan'', ''[[Andromeda Heights]]'', in 1997. After its release, Wendy Smith left the band to pursue a new career as a voice instructor.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 June 1997|title=Wendy Smith singer with hit band Prefab Sprout has launched a new Stock Photo - Alamy|url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-wendy-smith-singer-with-hit-band-prefab-sprout-has-launched-a-new-20251516.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704152317/https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-wendy-smith-singer-with-hit-band-prefab-sprout-has-launched-a-new-20251516.html|archive-date=4 July 2020|access-date=4 July 2020|website=Alamy Stock Photo}}</ref>

A double album anthology, the ''[[38 Carat Collection]]'' was released by CBS in 1999 as the group was leaving the record label.<ref name="AMG"/> The group's US label, [[Epic Records|Epic]], belatedly reissued this set as ''The Collection'' in early 2001.<ref name="AMG"/> To promote the compilation, in 2000 the band embarked on their first UK tour in ten years.

In 2001 the band, now reduced to Paddy and Martin McAloon, released ''[[The Gunman and Other Stories]]'', a [[concept album]] themed on the [[American Old West|American Wild West]], produced by [[Tony Visconti]]. The opening track "Cowboy Dreams" was a hit for the British [[actor]]-singer [[Jimmy Nail]]. Though critically acclaimed, neither enjoyed major commercial success.