[MP3s] Boston Spaceships, Andy Church, Gifts From Enola
Shit, when it comes to really writing about Robert Pollard, I won't bullshit you - I wouldn't/don't know where to start or even end. Pollard is literally a music making machine, producing/releasing albums at more than a startling pace. He has been responsible for some of the best indie rock of the past three decades, namely through Guided By Voices (which disbanded in 2004) and his other numerous projects (Acid Ranch, Airport 5, Circus Devils, and the Takeovers) plus his own solo work. He also created his own record label, where he has released his most recent work on. I could seriously take a whole week of blog posts to attempt to cover all his endeavors but that wouldn't even be enough time. It is staggering to say the least.One of Pollard's most recent projects is the band Boston Spaceships. In '08, the Spaceships released their debut Brown Submarine featuring John Moen of the Decemberists and the Dharma Bums and Chris Slusarenko of the Takeovers and Sprinkler. Brown didn't necessarily tread new ground but picked up nicely from GBV's peak period of music. And, it marked the beginning of a new and remarkable tight band. Take the track "Two Girl Area" which is a classic tuneful pop song, that only Pollard can pull off, intact with catchy lyrics. Wonderful stuff! Then comes 2009, which sees the Spaceships to deliver two proper LP's: Planets Are Blasted and Zero To 99, separated by an eight month period. And, let's not forget the two solo album's Pollard released in 2009: The Crawling Distance and Elephant Jokes. Four LP's in a year's time, AMAZING. Planets received rave reviews by critics, once again comparing it to GBV's output during their "golden era" but "with a grander sense of scale and drama". Pollard's songwriting craft is at its peak and the music carries an extra punch above his usual but excellent pop sensibilities. For example, take the track "UFO Love Letters" with its "Who" like qualities but only better. The album boasts fourteen excellent songs all packed into a tight 35 minutes. Incredible! Zero To 99, is set for release in October '09, and reportedly continues to see the band grow and Pollard having considerable fun with the Spaceships.Explore Pollard's world of music, you won't be disappointed!mp3 Two Girl AreaBoston Spaceships - Brown Submarine (2008)mp3 UFO Love LettersBoston Spaceships - Planets Are Blasted (2009)Andy Church is another one of those guys who is a one man music making machine. On 2008's Sleeping In The Van, Church played all of the instruments on the recordings (except brass), handled the vocals, did the recording, and mixing. Reportedly, Church has been making music since the 60's. "Based in Connecticut, this singer-songwriter has a long career working in the industry both as a player and an engineer". The album is pop/rock with elements of southern blues and folk influences. Check "Imaginary Girl" with its strong instrumentation and poppy/catchy vocal hooks. Nice stuff indeed!mp3 Imaginary GirlAndy Church - Sleeping in the Van (2008)Gifts From Enola's 2009 From Fathoms is the bands sophomore release and follow up to their successful debut Loyal Eyes Betrayed The Mind. GFE takes the well driven path of post-rock and stretches it outside its confining boundaries. The music is a sum of dark atmospheres, hard driven beats, and wailing guitars. The album boasts three guitarists who create huge walls of sound. No, this is not definitely just post-rock but rather experimental post-rock/prog rock. It's heady stuff that comes out of the starting gate with a wail and then culminates into a whisper. The track "Resurface" brings to the forefront of what the album wants to achieve, slowly moving forward into a fast paced explosion of post-rock enthusiasm via rising, chaotic guitar swirls, back beating drums, and all complete with intermittent vocals. Trippy stuff indeed!mp3 ResurfaceGifts From Enola - From Fathoms (2009)
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