EP Stream: Churches ‘Self-titled’
Today, the Bay Area’s CHURCHES released their debut, self-titled EP. The six tracks hit hard, pumping out at a palatable mixture of 90s-influenced indie rock. The project was produced by current WATERS and former Port O’Brien front man Van Pierszalowski. Pierszalowski’s influence is understated, but CHURCHES shares the energetic, guitar-driven sensibility that served as the cornerstone of WATERS’ debut Out in the Light.
Hoosier native Pat Spurgeon sets the beat for CHURCHES, rounding out their sound with cymbal-heavy percussion. Spurgeon gained national attention a few years back during his public struggle to find a living organ donor for his failing kidney. At the time, Spurgeon was holding down rhythm for the band Rogue Wave, forced to perform grueling dialysis treatments amidst a busy tour schedule. The experience was chronicled in the award-winning documentary D tour. Spurgeon’s story has placed him in the spotlight in the national debate over health care reform. Staying insured is often a struggle for full-time musicians with inconsistent paychecks.
However, this is not a post about Pat. This is a post about a new band that is worth your attention. I am particularly taken with tracks “SAVE ME”, “FEEL ALRIGHT” and the drum-driven “HUSK.” CHURCHES relies heavily on early grunge and alternative influences, but the soaring vocals lead singer Caleb Nichols prevents the project from dissolving into the darkness that dominated that scene. Stream the entirety of CHURCHES’ self-titled EP below. Name your price for a download via Bandcamp. West coast readers can catch the band live at one of the tour dates listed below.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Album Review: New Terrors ‘Mother’
A day is but 24 hours. 24 hours to be stressed, happy, sad, comedic, relaxed or anything else you may be feeling. Moods, and what bring about them, are what we base our living on. In the grand scheme of things, the slice of pie that we spend talking about how we feel and what crossroad brought us to this very moment in time is bigger than most of the rest. And it only works because we all can relate…because the interconnectivity between us has, and always will be, the triumphant greatness of the human spirit.
These Monday night thoughts stem from my first few spins of Mother, a new EP from Indiana based New Terrors. The solo project of Burke Sullivan, the album is hard to peg into a distinctive electronic genre. From the moment the heavy synths drop on lead track “Teething Troubles”, the albums intrinsic feelings begin to bloom. This is not an in your face album, but rather a highly meditative vibe best enjoyed with headphones on and eyes closed. “Seagulls”, the second track on the album, has a comforting warmth ala many of the chillwave acts such as Teen Daze or Washed Out’s debut LP from last summer.
As the record moves on, an uneasiness associated with the vast expanse of ambient atmosphere present throughout takes over. This is especially prevalent on personal favorite “Snakeskin” in which the grandeur of the entire whole seems never ending. It’s as if I’m at the edge of the world starring out into nothing, but everything, at the same time.
In an interview with Indiana University’s WIUX radio, Brandon discusses how the album came about as a process of discovery, including the title Mother. “The title was the last decision of the whole process. I was going to make it self-titled, but I felt like that would be a cop-out, and I thought there was enough depth to the songs and the artwork that it deserved a title. I realized there was a lot of bird imagery, from words like “eggs”, “flying”, “dove”, and so forth in the lyrics to song titles like “Seagulls” and “Feather Fingers”, to the cover art with that eagle mask. Once again, it wasn’t really planned that way. But I looked at those themes, and I thought of how birds seem like very communal animals, and you always have the mother making the nest and coming back and forth to take care of the little ones, and the way the babies think the first thing they see is their parent or caregiver (at least that’s what I’ve always heard). So in that context, I thought “Mother” would be a nice way to convey a feeling of comfort and safety amidst the uncertainty and chaos happening outside the nest.”
The album is available for streaming as well as purchase for $5 via Bandcamp. The release party for the album will be this Saturday 4-28-12 at the Indy Alliance Church in Indianapolis. Tickets are $5 at the door.
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Written by Greg Dahman
Album Review: Spiritualized ‘Sweet Heart Sweet Light’
Great leaders have the uncanny knack of surrounding themselves with the best talent. Before impact can be made in any industry, leaders find ability, mold the talent, and then set their products free. While this process might seem rudimentary, oftentimes most people in charge miss the mark. A thick ego can bog the brain. Tyrannical thought, mixed with a self-serving aptitude typically leads to a premature death for many projects. Revolutionary bands like the Sex Pistols were shut down with so much more left in the tank. They lasted only three years because of John Lydon’s (Johnny Rotten) constant disputes with those who were helping drive his radically rebellious mission. Exhibit B is Noel Gallagher. He compared Oasis to the Beatles and became blinded by self-worth. Ego rose above blood and he pushed his brother to the side by ending a project that had much more to offer. I do not bring up these stories to defeat the mood, because that is not what we do around here. I attempt to identify band abandonment in order to showcase someone who has maintained brilliant leadership for nearly three decades. The key here is that one man has found a way to allow success to survive, while maintaining control over a revolving door of musical talent.
Jason Pierce has represented consistency and proper organization over the years with his band Spiritualized. Prior to fronting Spiritualized, Pierce drove Rugby, Warwickshire band Spacemen 3. From 1982-1991 this band grew an enormous cult following in the independent music scene in England while shifting band members regularly. Pierce was continually able to maintain synergy with new members and project music that kept listeners engaged regardless of the people involved. Towards the end of Spacemen 3, Pierce decided to do what any musical executive does best, start fresh. In complete start-up mode, he grew an idea and surrounded himself with the best talent available and then watched it blossom. I share this story with the readers of Thought on Tracks because it is important to not only note Pierce’s drive and leadership, but also to highlight his longevity. While many listeners did not think he could not produce another release that held a candle to Spiritualized’s 1997 release, Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space, I write this review to say that he has made a hell of a try nearly 12 years later.
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space set the bar for Pierce’s career by giving him that album that listeners will remember forever. It amazes me that this feat was reached and sanity was preserved during the 30 years of band attrition that Pierce was forced to reconcile with. While this kind of band turnover would make the typical crazy front man jump off the deep end, it has oddly has given Pierce a rare lasting energy . Pierce corralled the newest members of Spiritualized together and released Sweet Heart Sweet Light this week. Serving as a mirror image to Pierce’s career, this record has immediate staying power and the opportunity to flirt with the year’s best.
I am struck by the 8:51 of “Hey Jane”. The breakdown, just past the 3:30 mark, grabs the listener’s attention for the rest of the album. Bass build up, a screaming electric lead and drums that kick, have caused rock and roll to officially land for me in 2012. Lyrics, “Hey Jane, when are you going to die?” are repeated over and over again as this epic anthem comes together. This song plays like a rock opera with serious substance. I will have trouble finding another song this year that fills the speakers the way “Hey Jane” does.
Song, “Too Late” intimately begins with a string section. The mood comes off calm, comfortable and collected. The character references past advice from mom and demands my attention. Speaking as a mother Pierce states, “Don’t get to deep because you know you know you’ll regret, heart ache and pain because that is what you get”, which digs deep for me. Pierce projects words of wisdom by those who know more, but highlights the theme that the listener chooses to ignore the obvious. Hanging on to a smokers mentality until something serious happens, Pierce is able to project an ignorance is bliss atmosphere throughout this record. I can look back on many moments in life that I chose to discount advice, but now I am able to realize how big of an idiot I was for the ignorance. If you find yourself looking back on stupid moves of the past then this record is for you.
I would be remiss not to mention the beauty that closer “So Long You Pretty Thing” offers. Opening line, “Help me Lord, help me Jesus because I am lonely and tired” begins to put Pierce’s theme of carefree and live each like it his last into perspective. This song offers tremendous quality to close out a record because it counteracts everything that he presents listeners with throughout the rest of the record. It is hard to identify if these thoughts are genuine or faded realization covered with regret. Sometimes all it takes is a moment of vulnerability to create a masterpiece and I strongly believe that Pierce was able to reach that point here. This song demands the most important quality that music can offer for me, reflection. A “Holocene” type impact bottled with hope. This song is a quick recovery that causes me to forget past events to believe in.
Sweet Heart Sweet Light is one of those records that not only caused me to reflect on the music itself, but the career of Jason Pierce as a whole. Many others will review this record and sing its praises, but I want to focus on Pierce as a great musical leader in this one. Throughout decades of crazy lifestyles with countless crazy partners, Pierce has continually provided his listeners with releases that have kept us all engaged. Pierce possesses an eye for talent and an even greater capacity to bring it together. While Jason Pierce might not go down noted in the same breath as Johnny Rotten or Noel Gallagher, those who he has reached will always recognize him. He continually projects a subtle style of direction that will always cause me to follow.
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Written by Brett McGrath
Thought on Tracks 