self-financed from earnings saved from performances at new york's danceteria, "november's heat" was released in france in november 1984 by i.a.s. records. this would prove to be a major turning point. when they arrived in paris on february 3, 1985, the french daily "libération" welcomed the band and marked their arrival with front-page coverage and three interior articles, with a headline above a front-page photo that announced: "certain general: "nous voila" (we are here)." calling the band "jim jarmusch's and william faulkner's america," and referring to dulany as "desperately beautiful," "libération" declared certain general "best new band" and awarded "1984 album of the year" honors for the release. the uk would take notice as well, with the "new musical express" designating "heat" one of their "five-star albums."