Three Imaginary Girls - Sonic Boom Recordings

A thank you for Thank You

Sarah Joann Murphy — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:19:08 +0000

If Ben Lashes stops writing songs, he should go into PR.

Speaking of Seattle bands getting love outside the NW, Rock Sellout hearts Siberian

imaginary dana — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:27:39 +0000

I just wrote about how Aversion has a crush on Math & Physics Club, and now I see that another Seattle band is getting some serious online love from a non-Northwest based website...

With Me

imaginary stella — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:54:49 +0000

7.6

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000W1V8EO/wwwthreeimagi-20/

siberian_cover_with_me_small.jpg

Local outfit Siberian has earned a lot of press and praise for such a young band whose first full length doesn’t officially release until the end of October. The five-piece apparently charmed the right names in Seattle’s scene, for they’ve captured the ears of KEXP, found themselves a home on Sonic Boom Recordings, recorded with Martin Feveyear (who’s lent his touch to other notable local artists like Brandi Carlile, Slender Means, and the Presidents of the USA), and landed a Bumbershoot billing long before their debut even debuted.

So what’s all the fuss about? Though this is their first full-length, Siberian’s been a band for more than three years now, and they’ve clearly been tweaking and refining and perfecting the material on With Me for some time.

The band’s swooping, Brit-pop sound falls prey to undeniable Radiohead comparisons, as frontman Finn Parnell’s vocals lift and lilt ala Thom Yorke. The mandolin-ish guitar effects and melancholic chord progressions don’t hurt the association, either. But Siberian are much more than just a sound-alike tribute band in disguise. Their tracks are new, fresh, and stellar. Arpeggio-laden, math-rock guitar riffs and poppy dance grooves are swoon-worthy and blissful (like in “Tightropes”). The chorale of vocals — layer upon layer of saccharine-but-not-sickly-sweet harmonies — come in all the right places (like the chorus of “Futuristic Kids”). And with sly song names like “Belgian Beer and Catholic Girls,” and lyrics that dually tug at the heart and scoff at the past, it’s easy to fall head over heels. Closer “Islands Forever” is a gem, pulling together all the band’s best faces into one gorgeous track.

With Me demonstrates a depth of musicianship, songwriting, and attention to craft so rarely achieved on a debut — sometimes not even reached after two or three albums into a band’s career. Have a listen, and see what all the fuss is about.

The band’s swooping, Brit-pop sound falls prey to undeniable Radiohead comparisons, and the mandolin-ish guitar effects and melancholic chord progressions don’t hurt the association, either.

Quixoticism

Erik Gonzalez — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 04:16:18 +0000

7.6

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/B000M53GJA/wwwthreeimagi-20

ghost.jpg

Quixoticism might not be the most exotically new-sounding album you’ve ever heard, but it's quite a satisfying treat from a Seattle jack-of-all-bands. Ron Lewis, beyond Ghost Stories, finds himself in the Joggers (sometimes), Grand Archives, and the Fruit Bats, along with being a purveyor of cheesy comestibles.

Ghost Stories is more or less a one man show and what you get is a highly adorable pop record in the vein of XTC, late 60’s Beatles, or Michael Penn, chock full of catchy melodies and fun lyrics from start to finish. Everything seems very pleasant on Quixoticism, with a musical sincerity that is seriously lacking in a lot of modern rock these days without turning into monstrous twee (not that there is anything particular wrong with twee, but sometimes change is good). It's sort of hard to get across the pleasant feeling I get when I listen to Ghost Stories – the best I can do is that it feels like the sonic equivalent of watching snow fall from inside a nice, warm house in the middle of winter. Something like that, like kittens dancing in unison in slow motion. Pleasant enough for you?

“The Upper Ten/The Lower Five” starts off with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah-like feel that then slowly morphs into a disturbingly accurate Andy Partridge impression that then arrives at a very fine Beatles song, and, in a nutshell, that is what to expect from Ghost Stories. “You Were It Like a Stained Glass Window,” beyond its fabulous title, is an infectious two minute pop song that deserved airplay more than most summertime hits. Ghost Stories shows off its quieter side on the Elliot Smith-meets-Belle & Sebastian number “Secret Life of the Union, Part II,” a song broken in half by pleasurable chimes and bird sounds – a modern rock lullaby. This less-desolate Elliot Smith sound is returned to on “The Pink Princess Eskimonia,” a cute little ballad. “Secret Life of the Union, Part I” (which comes after Part II if you’re keeping score at home) is livelier, more like an Arcade Fire song, but with a little more Beatles-like pop sensibility that breaks into as anthemic of a song you might expect from a one-man band. You get a more Decemberists flavor on “The Black Hand,” which is driven by a Baltic rhythm and an oddly Cash-like guitar that grooves into a full-blown bleak-pop gem.

If anything, you just have to appreciate Lewis’ dedication to creating infectious melodies, because once you get to “Isn’t It Appropriate That Way,” the aggressive XTC sound has blossomed and you wonder if you’ll ever be able to get this album out of your head. The album closes with an absolute marvel of self-loathing song naming – “Even a Vampire Wouldn’t Drink My Blood” – and the song comes through like a perfect prize to end the disc. It starts with a marching beat that breaks down into a stripped down verse that rebuilds the song piece by piece until you’re sucked in like a black hole of pop-rock flawlessness waiting for the instruments to drop out and Lewis half-sing, half-whisper the song title.

Ghost Stories have clearly put their best foot forward with Quixoticism by creating an album that knows what it wants to do, does it and doesn’t care that it isn’t shocking the audience into submission through unwarranted noise and experiments. This album caught me by surprise, and now it can catch you by surprise because if you’re looking for a great early summer soundtrack, this is exactly the sort of album you need.

Quixoticism is one of the most pleasant surprises so far this year - hock full of catchy melodies and fun lyrics from start to finish.

Hey Celestial!

Cal Ledbetter — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 08:00:00 +0000

7.7

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MV8D7O/wwwthreeimagi-20

siberian07mar.jpg

An imaginary friend of mine recently described Seattle band Siberian's six-song EP Hey Celestial! as her "latest crush." This statement created an inquisitive eyebrow, a tilt of the head, and possibly an itch on the back of my neck. A crush? That's a pretty strong statement, and a word I haven't heard associated with someone or something since middle school.

It only took one listen to Hey Celestial! to realize why my friend feels the way she does. Siberian's music is, well, handsome. The guitars saunter with confidence and Finn Parnell's vocals are some of the best I've heard in a long time. His voice is so crystal clear you'd almost think it would be better applied elsewhere, but lucky for him, and us, Siberian's guitars and drumming keep up. It leaves you wanting more; you want to know all about this band, what makes them tick. What they like. What they don't like. Before you even realize it, you have a big, fat crush on Siberian.

With songs about his own crushes (and lost loves), Parnell paints pictures we can all relate to. But the songs don't come off sounding like they're created by a bunch of whiners. They describe situations of heartbreak without the "poor me" attitude that usually comes along with it. Parnell realizes the relationship is over, the girl is gone, or that she just didn't live up to his standards, and he retells it as to explain or warn, not to complain.

The first note of "Soft Rains" may make your heart skip a beat, and will keep you captivated with its soaring Brit-pop sensibilities and hook-filled melodies. When the last note of "Talk to the Moon" ends, you're left with a feeling, a feeling you can't describe. Guys might say, "That's right, I should have handled it like that. Thanks, dude." And girls are just left with a big ol' crush.

What does having a crush on Siberian's Hey Celestial! mean? If the definition of a crush is a "passing infatuation" — passing being the key word — then do we assume that the crush will fade, that a year from now we'll have only vague memories of a band whose name we don't even remember that used to make our stomachs clench, our palms sweaty, or our cheeks flush? How can you ensure it's not just a passing infatuation?

The answer is: go see them play live. In our metaphorical story here, seeing Siberian play live would be akin to becoming friends with a crush. And becoming friends with a crush is the best way to validate (or negate) your feelings.

Lucky you: Siberian's EP release show for Hey Celestial! is this Saturday, March 10th, at the Crocodile, with Youth Group. Go see them play live and (possibly) fall in love.

Siberian's music is, well, handsome. The guitars saunter with confidence and Finn Parnell's vocals are some of the best I've heard in a long time.

Heather Duby

Joseph Riippi — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 07:00:00 +0000

8.4

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000G73UHW/wwwthreeimagi-20

heatherduby06jul.jpg

It's been a few years since we last heard from Heather Duby. Her last two records, Post to Wire and Come Across the River, firmly established her as a leader in the "Seattle solo artist" sect of independent music, and the level of quality on those records made the anticipatory wait for a third record less than easy.

Duby's new release breaks ground as her first self-titled record; fitting, as the record finds a fusion of her past stylings (sometimes electronic, sometimes more organic) that combine to form a complete, unwavering voice. This is undeniably Duby, and undeniably honest and raw. Personal and terrible, Duby guides her listener through songs that are formed like the most tragic of art: Something dire made out of something beautiful. A woman weeping is a beautiful thing, she seems to be telling us. And proving it, at the same time.

Heather Duby opens with "Never Even Made a Voyage," a track which illustrates the light/heavy, sad/happy, electronic/organic dualism that characterizes the rest of the album. Her soothing voice reveals itself to be sinister, as one wants to invite it in, only to then find that her lyrics are sharp and painful under their satiny texture. "Take this, my heart / me and all my problems, bored you from the upstart," she sings on "Wrestle and Cuss." "Worthless, crying eyes / worthless, crying eyes."

The dark electronic melancholy of "Wrestle and Cuss," with its haunting strings and slow build, juxtaposes more hopeful, bouncy beats ("Would have liked you"; "Still Rough") that even break into a major key at times.

"Never Made..." begins with layered, reverb-swallowed vocals accompanied by chunky and thick electric guitar. One feels as though they are entering a cave, getting deeper and deeper into the earth. "My self-mentruation begins," she sings, and then, suddenly, the chorus enters sweet and bright, with rapid vocals and a single vocal line in the front of the mix. The juxtaposition between the darkness of the verses and brightness of the chorus act as a push-pull of tension that makes both ends of the spectrum so much the better. This very effect, this tension between tragedy and beauty, is what made Shakespeare's plays so effective and timeless. It makes Heather Duby a record to be heard immediately.

And just when you think the record is done... keep listening. There's a battlefield of love hidden towards the end that will make you smile like a child in a sandbox.

Personal and terrible, Duby guides her listener through songs that are formed like the most tragic of art: Something dire made out of something beautiful.

Curse of the Tuatara

Imaginary NYC Kelly D — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 08:00:00 +0000

6.8

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BC8SP6/wwwthreeimagi-20

jadeshader06feb.jpg

Members of San Diego's The Jade Shader cull elements of their varied musical backgrounds to create an energetic and emotive debut EP, Curse of the Tuatara. The anguished, guitar-driven flavor of lead singer Terrin Durfey's former band Boilermaker is evident, as is the pop-tinged poignancy of guitarist Chris Prescott's band No Knife. Prescott is also a veteran of Rocket from the Crypt, which manifests itself in The Jade Shader's affection for low grooves and punk dissonance. Drummer Matt Lynot's resume includes touring with Michael Andrews, perhaps best known for composing the Donnie Darko score. These experiences and influences converge to create a strong undercurrent of vitriolic intensity that is countered by up-tempo melodies, playful jazz ambience and intricate vocals.

"Eraser" relies on nursery rhyme structure and a heavy bass line as it weaves through phases of sparse instrumentation and escalating punk guitars to craft an ominous and hypnotic story. "Buzz Genie" fits a similar sonic mode, with a heightened focus on introspection and despondency. A journey of restlessness, regret, fear, and flight comes to life amidst layers of Rhodes piano and guitar riffs. "Space Goat" combines the pulsating frenzy of early-era Dischord bands with the catchy pop-punk hooks to deliver palpable anger, power chords and touches of screamo. "Scallywags" focuses on the travails of pirate life, one of the band's favorite themes. Lush, jazz-infused melodies and delicate beats belie the tune's tale of mutiny and murder.

Scallywags' focuses on the travails of pirate life, one of the band's favorite themes.

AstroPOP! for December 2005

Chris Estey — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 08:00:00 +0000

Your monthly imaginary horoscope told in album reviews!

December 2005 AstroPOP! is brought to you with musical reviews by Chris Estey.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
"The boss man says there is no work this winter, so go on home now and check back in the spring," Rocky Votolato observes within the bleak "The Night's Disguise," one of many lines he utter-plausibly sings on the twelve songs that make up his way-long-awaited release, Makers. Through masculine, subterranean, absolutely convincing street-level vignettes like the mini-opera "Where We Left Off," the updated Simon and Carbuncle "Uppers Aren't Necessary," and the romantic debris arranged and rearranged for "Portland is Leaving," this album is one a young Bruce Springsteen or Tom Waits would have taken a few years off to let ferment, too. The album combines bitter experiences in the real world elongating into haunted expressions of metaphysical proportion. The acoustic-based rock is pleasantly full and mellow, while paradoxically nail-tough vocals and sagacious lyrics consistently grab you by the black pea-coat lapels with juxtaposed images of aching hope, and hope achingly deferred. Yet this robust Barsuk release reminds the Sagittarius in all of us that challenge can make one great. This is a preliminary plug for an album so important that we had to warn TIG readers (Sadj and otherwise) to be ready to add it to their Top Ten lists as the new year commences (release date is late January 2006).

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
Once you have made up your mind, Capricorn, you cannot stop making things your own way. Like Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age, who has never been tempted to make anything less than the most soulful music he can. When Lanegan met Belle & Sebastian's Isobel Campbell in Glasgow, dropped a hint that he'd love to make a record with the divine-sounding chanteuse. Now V2 has released the resulting Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campbell collaboration, the paradoxically gritty yet pretty Ramblin' Man EP, which is a little taste of Ballad of the Broken Seas, the upcoming full-length they've recorded and plan to release next year. The Hank Williams title track is the sort of dark night of the soul you go through this time of year, Capricorn, despite your upcoming birthday. "Come Walk With Me" is a balm to the bitter soul, their voices interlocking magically. The two B-sides also included feature Campbell, and are necessary jewels for any B&S fans' obscure gem collections (she was born to record "St. James' Infirmary").

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
"Even a vampire wouldn't drink my blood," Ron Lewis sadly admits on the opening track to his four-song taster (ha!) for his band Ghost Stories. But Aquarius thirsts, and once this Fruit Bats drumming, Rogue Wave-supporting artist behind Ghost Stories (helped along live by members of Blessed Light and Blue Sky Mile, among others) pours his intelligence and wit into a pop song, you can't help but take a big gulp. "Even a Vampire" starts with squeaking keyboards and chunking drums, and Lewis hauntingly tells a story of romantic desperation that borders on pathological, while "Isn't It Appropriate That Way" chugs with musical joy even if Lewis trembles with fear in its anxious lyrics. While Ghost Stories sound absolutely nothing like XTC, the elements of perfectly creative pop are here in similar ways, willing to be psychedelically abstract but driving at the same time. In other words, Aquarius, keep your head above water — the end is in sight.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
Judas was a patriot and a humanitarian, as well as being a Pisces. He hated the corruption of Rome, a nation that exploited the countries surrounding it. For those willing to take an uncomfortable stand in history, say, by moving from Seattle and leaving behind his band Mines and taking up residence in a Brooklyn studio-home, Chad Nelson's songs for Field Notes sound like something that could make pop culture history themselves. Shining most on the intricate and intimate mesmerizing parlor room pop of "Full Circle" and the 80's style post-punk dance rock of "Sister Says," Color of Sunshine is proper solo journeying, inflected with pastels at dusk. Don't know what they make of this sort of thing in Brooklyn, but in backyards here it's a perfect sound track for Pisces to watch leaves fall in the plastic pool.

Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Aries are aggressive. But because they don't show bruises, they look pretty no matter how hard they're playing. For Purple Blaze, Christopher Paul Richards, AKA Ris Paul Ric may not be still making music as angular and avuncular as his original band, Q AND NOT U. In fact, he's crafting early Shins-style acid-afternoon raindrop-pop (the splendid, gently-ranting title track) with light psychedelic-Michael Jackson bedroom folk-funk ("Run Up Wild On Me"). Touring with Dan Caldas of Black Eyes, many have been able to come out and feel his soft Armageddon vibe this fall; and now they can play his sensual miniatures at home, pretending that Syd Barrett is Prince of the Air.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Hot-headed, the builder, the producer: Taurus needs music this month to inspire her through the seasonal paralysis. Theo Prince's punchy, occasionally trashy-sounding gutter-pop band The Weapons has an EP called Formula For A Fight, which, while not blazingly original, is sturdy Saturday afternoon getting drunk punk ("40 oz.," "Jawbreaker"). Reminding me of seeing Love As Laughter at the Velvet Elvis in the late 90s, this Northwest-crawling neo-pub band has already hit the High Dive, The Crocodile, and venues elsewhere. This five-song debut is a good way to see if you care to spend some time out with them some night, Taurus — as we know you're not going to want to stay home no matter how dark it gets...

Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
For Gemini, whose colors of green and red are perfect for the holidays, we present two perfect yuletide season albums, to match your dualistic moods. First, there's Los Straitjackets doing sparkling, driving, Surf and Tex-Mex-inspired Christmas instrumentals for Yep Roc, including a Tarantino-flick sounding "A Marshmallow World," with its big drum opening, and a "Feliz Navidad" in a car crash with "La Bamba." The Mexican wrestler-masked Los Straightjackets unwrap similar surprises throughout, which they'll be showing on the road (and in Seattle on 12/10) with the amazing-dancing' World Famous Pontani Sisters! Meanwhile, for those Geminis who choose spoken word over instrumental rock, V2 has released the soundtrack and DVD for "The Aristocrats," possibly the most offensively-hilarious movie ever made, in which a single vaudeville joke is repeated ad nauseam (for some, literally, particularly when things get scatological to the extremes). "92 Comedians, 1 Joke!" the cover says, and some of the former include George Carlin, Paul Reiser, Richard Jeni, Bob Saget (!), Andy Dick, Rita Rudner, Judy Gold, and many others doing outstanding versions of the same filthy classic set-up over and over. If you have the stomach for it, it will bust it right open. Was it all a hoax by Penn & Teller? Who knows, but Rita Rudner's variation ("The Cocksucking Motherfuckers") is worth admission alone. If you missed the movie in the theater, buy this in both film and album versions (one for the house, one for the car!).

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
Being a natural leader and organizer, Cancer, it's strange that you're attracted to full-on aggressive past-times, but Boot To Head Records from Portland, OR puts that kind of stuff out for you, so there are at least two Christmas presents you're going to want this year. The first is The Clergy's transcendental gutter-punk, perfectly captured on their All Who Fly album, a strange mixture of remarkable emotional vulnerability and overt spirituality (the latter which may put many off). Christie Simonatti's voice is better than ever, with as much passion as she had on their early 90's indie tapes, but the band is more capable of subtle interludes now, and Kevin Collins' classically shrieking guitar mingles perfectly with Jim Swanson's sonorous bass-lines. The other Boot to Head release, The Stivs' Sweet Heartache and the Satisfaction is fairly pedestrian garage punk, although a near bombastic Stooges feel on a few songs sometimes takes the rudimentary rock into more transgressive territory. While Jack Endino does a fine job producing, they could just get a little scarier, and leave the Squad 5-0 cum Black Halo cliches behind. Mix tape keeper: "The Satisfaction."

Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Leo is an effortless charmer, destined for long relationships, and a happy family life. Hush Records' new shining star is Toothfairy, a sweet and tender collection of hooligan midi journal entries, with character-rich vocals talk-singing slices of life full of delightful humor ("I Was Kicked Out of The Band," which quotes "I Melt With You" and "Stephanie, My First Crush") through layers of exquisite keyboard melodies, blips, and hand-claps. The on-the-one bedroom funk of "Buzz Cut" will be hitting indie play lists from coast to coast, if that isn't happening already. Toothfairy's Chad Crouch (who actually is Toothfairy) used to be in Blanket Music, which was praised by Magnet and Pitchfork, and while admitting a Postal Service influence, I find his observations and experiments less chilly and more inviting — just like you, dear Leo.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
You're a practical person, Virgo, and not given to utopian schemes. Thus we recommend thejohnbenders new four song EP, The Single Sided Conversation in which good old emo-core fuses with modern crunch rock, delivered by four men who obviously want to help and change the world (playing Tsunami Benefits, etc.). The worshipful vocals ("sweet forsaken one") and spiraling, spindly guitar-lines of opener "Overpass" make the inevitably ferocious shouted chorus seem appropriate, as if drama is occurring, not just drama queens being shrill from one moment to another. The band recorded this debut with Kane Hodder producer Tony Dallas Reed in Port Orchard's Temple Sound, and the almost rock opera vastness of the results are impressive. Funny, just as this sort of thing seems played out, some bands use it to evolve rock itself.

Libra (September 23 - October 23)
You are sexually attractive, personally magnetic, entertaining, and affluent, Libra, so what if you have to occasionally knock off someone or you get a little depressed in the lonely wee hours? Just like Frank Sinatra, who recorded his rawest, most artful work after his big band years and before his 60's cinematic aspirations, with such elegantly despairing songs as "Angel Eyes" and "It Was Just One Of Those Things." Those two classics are just one of many great black-and-white early television performances captured on Frank Sinatra Show with Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, one of the best DVD reissues from MVD. Dark, grainy, filled with forced humor and strangely avant-garde choreography, the world of Sinatra never seemed more stark or inviting.

Scorpio (October 24 - November 21)
You're a twisted freak, Scorpio, but at least your sociopathic nature makes for fun and games. Life with you is never dull, but try to keep it light and frothy this dark month. Listen to Scissors For Lefty's Bruno, a scraggly collection of homemade disco and singer-songwriter spoken word with tinkles and beats, delivered with truly fantastic and diverse vocals, showing why this band has been able to share stages with everyone from Grandaddy to Black Heart Procession. "Ghetto Ways" is delightful dance floor illegal rave, "Softly The Sea Swallows the Sun" has a great slattern feeling with juicy shuffles, and "More Than The Summer" is for perfect winter heavy rotation with its breathy rap and Donovan style chorus. Put the knife away, Scorpio, and chill with some slacker progressive mini-mall trip-hump.

astropop.gif

See what's in the stars -- and the record stores -- for you for December 2005, including reviews for Toothfairy, Rocky Votolato, Scissors for Lefty, Field Notes, and Ghost Stories.

Misadventures in Radiology

jenncassie — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:00:00 +0000

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007Y095A/wwwthreeimagi-20

andrewmorgan05apr.jpg

Elliott Smith fans take note: while nobody could ever replace Elliott, Andrew Morgan will surely bend your Smith-missing ears in a positive direction. As Morgan’s friend and mentor, Elliott obviously had his influence, but Morgan takes Smith’s sweet melancholy and adds the cinematic effect of orch-pop to create an album that’s emotional, improvisational, and ambitious.

Morgan’s musical sound incorporates so many instruments, you wonder if there were any that weren’t played on this album. In addition to the customary piano/guitar/percussion mix found in most bands, Morgan’s album credits musicians on cello, viola, French horn, harp, tympani (I had to grab my dictionary for that one), sleigh bells of all things, and many more. This cornucopia of instrumentation results in a sometimes playful sound similar to The Shins.

The title song on the album is the catchiest of the bunch. If there were a single to be had on here, this one would probably be it. Misadventures... doesn’t really scream “radio hits”, however. Although an incredibly accomplished and polished album, it will probably carry the same curse that Smith shouldered of being a bit too woeful and downbeat to propel him into commercial fame. Songs like “Joanne, You’ll Be Happy Soon” and “Plight of an Exile” especially carry that whisper of Smith, the latter sporting lyrics like "…a life in fullest bloom, that from me, was wrenched so soon..." That being said, having a radio hit doesn’t exactly speak to being a talented musician. The dramatic yet delicate melodies Morgan creates aren’t often heard on the airwaves… which is why they're all the more appreciated. If Morgan is looking to make moving, emotive music for a loyal fan base, he will no doubt succeed.

Misadventures in Radiology, released on April 5 on Sonic Boom Recording, was embraced in the UK back in 2004, before it made its mark in the US. This seems fitting, as Morgan himself is a self-confessed Beatles and Brit Pop mega-fan. UNCUT magazine even named this release on its esteemed Best New Albums of 2004 list. Morgan self-produced the album, and it was re-mastered for the US by Doug Van Sloun (Bright Eyes, The Faint). With talent like this behind him, and another album coming soon this year, Morgan should be ready for greatness.

In addition to the customary piano/guitar/percussion mix found in most bands, Morgan’s album credits musicians on cello, viola, French horn, harp, tympani (I had to grab my dictionary for that one), sleigh bells of all things, and many more.

Top 50 Northwest Releases of 2004: the Imaginary Readers' Poll Results

three imaginary girls — Mon, 03 Jan 2005 08:00:00 +0000

{50-41} * {40-31} * {30-21} * {20-11} * {10-1}

#10 IQU — Sun Q
(Sonic Boom Recordings)

{official website} * {buy it}

#9 The Turn Ons — East
(Childstar)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#8 Luke Temple — Luke Temple
(Mill Pond Records)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#7 Ms. Led — These Things We Say
(Fish the Cat)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#6 Helio Sequence — Love and Distance
(Sub Pop)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#5 Smoosh — She Like Electric
(Pattern 25)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig interview}

#4 Modest Mouse — Good News for People Who Love Bad News
(Epic)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#3 Dolour — Old New Friends
(Made in Mexico)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#2 Visqueen — Sunset on Dateland
(Blue Disguise)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#1 United State of Electronica — U.S.E.
(Mannheim Worldwide)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

The top 10 Northwest releases of 2004, as voted on by our imaginary readers (that means YOU!).

Top 50 Northwest Releases of 2004: the Imaginary Readers' Poll Results {40-31}

three imaginary girls — Mon, 03 Jan 2005 08:00:00 +0000

#40 Cantona — 3x4
(self-released)

{official website}

#39 S — Puking and Crying
(Suicide Squeeze Records)

{official website} * {buy it}

#38 The Girls — The Girls
(Dirtnap)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#37 The Jeunes — 4 Song EP
(self-released)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#36 Daniel G. Harmann — The Lake Effect
(Post436 Records)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#35 Graig Markel — Tall Tales on Tape
(Sonic Boom Recordings)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#34 Mark Lanegan — Bubblegum
(Beggars Banquet)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

#33 A.C. Newman — The Slow Wonder
(Matador Records)

{official website} * {buy it}

#32 Blood Brothers — Crimes
(V2)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig photos}

#31 Tegan and Sara — So Jealous
(Vapor Records)

{official website} * {buy it} * {tig interview

The top Northwest releases of 2004 as voted on by you, our readers (see winners #40-31 here).

Tall Tales on Tape

imaginary stella — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 07:00:00 +0000

http://sonicboomrecordings.com/

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It's tough to classify Graig Markel's Tall Tales on Tape. The fourth full-length release by this Seattle-based musician is an engagingly beautiful but quirky album, full of jagged indie-rock guitars, soaring solos, pianos and Wurlitzers. Tall Tales on Tape is a feel-good yet dark album; it's power rock and sexy soul; it's sensual, brooding, and enticing.

Released on Sonic Boom Recordings, Tall Tales on Tape weaves stories into your psyche. Markel {who is a mainstay in the Seattle scene} worked on other local projects, including New Sweet Breath and Tagging Satellites before going solo several years ago. His voice is fragile and monotonous, yet surprisingly emotional, and his storytelling is beautiful. The lyrics for each song may not be stretch beyond a few sentences, but the choice words emit visceral, visual pictures. "It's late night. We'll hang five. Throw my keys out the window, you're very tired" read more than half of the entire lyrics to "Wings" — but the words tell more in those few lines than many intricately woven lyrics can.

Highlights include the moody "Seasons in the Shroud," the gorgeous "Wings" and "Water to the Flames." And in the closing track, the lilting "Your Favorite Colors," Markel swoops into falsetto as he breathes, "I'm a loaded poet and you're a ballerina in flames..." who wouldn't swoon?

Ultimately what it comes down: this is a great makeout record. Now go find a kissing partner!

The lyrics for each song may not be stretch beyond a few sentences, but the choice words emit visceral, visual pictures.

United State of Electronica

Becca J. — Tue, 04 May 2004 07:00:00 +0000

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007R8EF4/wwwthreeimagi-20

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United State of Electronica wants you to have fun. Not just any kind of fun, but fun with a capital F. And you probably should capitalize the U and the N too, because this band will not rest until you are having FUN.

If you've seen U.S.E. live, you know what I’m talking about. It’s just about impossible to stand still at a show. The energy this band brings to every venue they play is definitely noteworthy. How does that manic spazziness translate onto CD? Amazingly well it turns out. The album is non-stop party-in-a-jewel-box from start to finish.

Appropriately, the self-titled album starts out with "It is On!" And indeed it is. This up-tempo number will have you shouting along in your cubicle. Actually, you’ll probably want to shout along with just about every song &151; be it "We love it!" (Emerald City), "Golden Gardens!" (Vamos a la Playa) or "It’s always the right time!" (Open Your Eyes), there are plenty of audience participation numbers here, and not by accident I’m sure. "Takin’ It All the Way" asks the listener to "come and join the party with USE," and that invitation is awfully hard to resist from a song so cute.

Standout tracks are the aforementioned "Open Your Eyes," a guitar-heavy rocker, and "Emerald City," a sparkling ode to our fair city. I also love "Climb the Walls (Umbrella of Love)" &151; it’s a bit more mellow, but it still has the energy U.S.E. is known for. And since even the most hardcore party people need a break, the band cools it down a bit with "Night Shift," a slow jam featuring rapping from drummer Jon E. Rock. Originally not one of my favorite tunes, it grew on me once I realized it is the PERFECT song for roller-skating with that cutie from junior-high. There are also a few short instrumental bits that lead from one song to the next so you never have that annoying abrupt silence between songs. And isn’t that what it’s about &151; keeping the party going?

Also keeping the party going is the top-notch musicianship on this album. In this age of technology, a toddler could make dance music; that doesn’t mean it’s any good (don’t believe me? Try listening to Radio Disney some time.). Luckily, the band knows what they’re doing. First and foremost, a dance band needs a kick-ass rhythm section or no one’s gonna be shakin’ their booty. Jon E. Rock and Derek Chan (bass) get down on it with tight drumming and impeccable bass styling. Guitarists Peter Sali and Jason Holstrom help elevate the music from unoriginal electronica to dynamic rocktronica, and vocalists Amanda Okonek and Carly Nicklaus add sassy harmonies that give the music a feminine edge. Noah Star Weaver rounds out the band with major keyboard power, not to mention a vocoder.

There are enough reasons to feel bad in life, but you can’t dwell on it all the time. Throw this disc on and have a blast. As U.S.E. would say, "Who doesn’t want to have fun now? Who doesn’t want to feel good?" Exactly. Now go have fun.

First and foremost, a dance band needs a kick-ass rhythm section or no one’s gonna be shakin’ their booty. Jon E. Rock and Derek Chan (bass) get down on it with tight drumming and impeccable bass styling.