One of my favorite bands, the Willard Grant Conspiracy, released a new album at the beginning of May. Although it is meant to be a continuation of “Regard The End” (2003) it seems to be musically aligned with “Let It Roll” (2006). Topically, however, it is definitely the successor to “Regard The End” with an abundance of religious/spiritual themed lyrics. In addition to these aspects, it is also the first time the Robert Fisher has attempted to write and arrange an album containing many musicians - dubbed the “Willard Grant Conspiracy Orchestra” in their tour schedule. All personal critiques aside, it is a huge change in style, and one that should be commended.
Robert Fisher’s wavering bass conveys a feeling of emptiness and solitude, and while it doesn’t always mesh with the orchestral arrangements, it is the perfect instrument for his lyrics. “Lost Hours” pushes into a lush stringed arrangement toward the end - similar to the choral buildup in the following “The Great Deceiver.” Maybe I’m used to looser production, but it was at this point that I became very skeptical of the additions being made to the standard instrumentalization of WGC. The choral arrangement is tight and a little overpowering, effectively draining the emotion from Fisher’s own voice.
The segue into “Jerusalem Bells” is smooth, and the feeling once again slips briefly into the simplicity I am accustomed to. “The Pugilist” provides dispersed and soulful choral and string accompaniment, giving the album its first possible single. One is immediately reminded of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer,” but there doesn’t seem to be any relation to the two. The album continues along this theme until “Miracle On 8th Street” and my self-appointed favorite from the album “Painter Blue.” The album finishes with the slow, spacious “Vespers” and an short untitled (Great Deceiver reprise) track.
Reactions:
I really like the album, but it took a few times through the album to really start warming …
If you were at the Middle East Upstairs last night, you caught a great show. If you weren’t there, you’ll have to settle for a YouTube clip. Check out their Tour Blog for plenty of pictures, thoughts, and movie clips.
Pela - Waiting on the Stairs. Middle East Upstairs. 6/8/08.
Great to meet everyone from GLG - thanks to Matt, Heather, and Janelle to putting together a great show! I’m already looking forward to reviewing Pela’s next album, which should (this is all hearsay) come out around Christmas.
I’ve been waiting on this show for a long time, because it puts a lot of bands in one place and makes them a little easier to keep track of, at least for one night. Hopefully this won’t run too long, but I would like to give my full attention to the last three bands, which I haven’t written about before. Following: upsides, downsides, past concert reviews!
Static of the Gods
I originally wrote about Static of the Gods in reference to their first full-length CD Cycles Follow Signs, which I was initially unimpressed with. Talent and songwriting aside, the album just didn’t do it for me. Several months later I was able to see them in concert, and was given their newly-released EP to check out. Vast improvements in sound and production propelled Static of the Gods from a formerly written-off state into a new band-to-watch category. Tarnished Cities is a good example of where the band is headed - hard, driving beat, almost syth-like bass (it’s actually a guitar on an octave pedal), and firm vocals. I’ve grown to like the band’s sound and uniqueness among emo-metal, and the Peluche EP provided the hooks that were lacking on Cycles Follow Signs. I hope they keep on this road for a while.
Static of the Gods - Tarnished CitiesPeluche EP
The Motion Sick
I originally heard about The Motion Sick from a friend that worked at the AI: International in Boston. She heard the CD right after it was recorded, and immediately alerted me. They definitely stand apart from the other bands in this lineup, and adhere to a more “post new-wave” sound (”new-new-wave,” “post-second-wave?” It’s not really post-punk…) than the other bands. Their sound isn’t full and continuous - it’s broken up, with the empty space invoking the Talking Heads and other new-wave and second-wave bands.
They will be celebrating their 100th show on Saturday.
The previous blog I contributed to, Aural Fitness, was transferred from a blogspot blog called Trees-Lounge. The owner of the previous two blogs has been a huge Hayden fan since the late 90s, or slightly longer. Because of this fact, I tried to get into Hayden as much as I could. Just listening to a few of his albums, you can tell he doesn’t prescribe to a particular genre, except possibly the genre of loneliness, aimlessness, and emptiness. His website, wasteyourdaysaway.com is testament to this. I love it.
Hayden has been around for quite a while, and it was horribly surprising to see him touring with Feist earlier this spring. My fears of him becoming a huge pop star are completely unfounded, but it did worry me. If you’ve picked up his earlier albums, you can hear a definite grunge influence - a sound that has diminished but never gone away over the last few albums. His most popular album to date Skyscraper National Park is lighter sounding than the earlier recordings, but it still carries the drawn-out loneliness that characterizes his songwriting. Accompanied by better production and sound, it is still the most accomodating album for new listeners.
The best advice to get into Hayden was given to me by the owner of Aural Fitness - “Get Skyscraper National Park and listen to Dynamite Walls. Then listen to the entire album from beginning to end. After you do that, and only after that, get Everything I Long For and listen to it until you get it.” That’s what I did, and I’m a fan. I’m not sure I “got it,” but it’s hooked me.
This is bound to be a great show. Stand at the bar, sway to the music, and cry into your beer.
Perhaps more than 3500 years old, the tangelo is a citrus fruit resembling an orange, but is in fact a product of crossing a grapefruit with a tangerine. A tangelo is characterized by a slightly dark rind than an orange, and a sweeter taste than a grapefruit. They are, like this blog, thin-skinned and juiceaaaay.
The Man
We are posting mp3s of 128-160kbps, which are not generally acceptable for any sort of serious listening. If you think that your lack of sales is a direct result of this blog, we will gladly remove the offending tracks. If our readers prefer low-bitrate transcodes over albums, chances are you weren't making any money off them anyway. All mp3s are removed after 30 days.
The Fans
Please support your favorite musicians. You preference in music is of little concern to us; it is your involvement that counts. You can buy CDs, buy mp3s, or go to shows. They wouldn't be able to make music if it wasn't for your support. Where do you think these mp3s come from, anyway?
