As much as I like the subject of music, I love the stories behind it as well. That's why I like doing this countdown. It's not a "best cd ever" list, it's my favorites. And they are not reviews, they are stories. And at the end of this post, I am going to ask for a story from you.
Like most of my music, I heard of Envy on the Coast from one of a few go-to sources. This time, it was my brothers. I was out in California one summer and they told me to check out this band and I got of put them on the back burner. Later that fall, Saosin was coming to Atlanta and I checked the line-up and EOTC was opening for them. I decided to check them out.
It was kind of convenient, cuz Alternative Press had put out a back-to-school cd that featured bands that were getting popular in the scene at that time. EOTC was on there with an acoustic version of the song "Tell Them She's Not Scared" and I was impressed with the vocal delivery.
So I downloaded the cd, Lucy Gray. I wouldn't say I loved it immediately, but I did like it. It comes out strong with the first two tracks, "Sugar Skulls" and "Artist and Repertoire," and then begins to vary it up.
What I love is the tracks have meaning. The album version of "Tell Them She's Not Scared" is about a family member that was dealing with cancer and "The Gift of Paralysis" talks was said to be about a friend who had been paralyzed in a swimming accident and how he still viewed life. It featured a nice guest appearance from Anthony Green and featured the mantra "throwing punches at ocean waves" and the line "these bones are mere accessories." Another stand out is "Mirrors" with an amazing piano intro that turns into a rocker. Trivia: back when myspace was cool, I used it to go with a Joker theme that was pretty awesome if I do say so myself.
However, the ultimate stand out tracks are the combination of "Starving Your Friends" and "Lapse," the acoustic break toward the end. "Lapse" contains the lyrics that I often quote and if I ever get brave enough will get tattooed.
I never saw them open for Saosin, but I did see them open for Taking Back Sunday last June at an AMAZING concert that solidified them being in my top ten. Jme was there too and I'm pretty sure this is the band that we share as a favorite. I am also thankful she was there because she was able to snap this pic of me with the lead singer Ryan Hunter:
So that's my story for today's first post into the 20s. My question to you. Do you have a cool story about how you "discovered" a band that ended up becoming one of your favorites? It doesn't have to a band in like your top 3 or anything, just one of your favorites.While you leave some great stories, enjoy these tracks from "Lucy Gray"
I discovered several amazing bands and artists from going to concerts and seeing the opening acts. In the fall of 2003 I was in my first year of university and I went to a club show in downtown Toronto - by the harbour front at a venue called Kool Haus. I was there to see a guy named Sam Roberts (Montreal, Quebec singer) and the opening band was Guster. My friend and I enjoyed them so much that when we heard they were doing their own show in T.O. the following April we got tickets for that.
ReplyDeleteA Canadian singer Danny Michel was the opener for Guster and I loved him from the first song he played. (I've seen him several times since - and going to see him again in October).
I also discovered another new favourite of mine, Mother Mother by going to see a Canadian artist Matthew Good play in December.
I've had a lot of luck with opening bands actually. I never understand the people who pay all that money, but then show up just in time for the main attraction. I always show up for the opener.
ooh..I don't have this cd.. :) But I do love me some Envy on the Coast because of your recommendation so yeah.
ReplyDeleteOh I love lots of stories as to why I like certain bands. Honestly there are only a few bands that I like that don't have some kind of story attached to how I got into them. One band that kind of fits this mold is Led Zeppelin. I was dating my first boyfriend at the time and he was really into classic rock and while I loved it too- I wasn't really aware of specific bands/albums. So he had a LZ box set and one day, while in his room we just laid on a bed and listened to the entire thing. And since then? Love Led Zeppelin. The song "What Is and What Should Never Be" just hits me every time I hear it. And "Tangerine"? Reminds me of summer love. Every time I hear LZ I think of him even though he turned out to be a lying asshole. It doesn't matter. He holds a special place because of that summer and introducing me to Led Zeppelin.
That and I think Jimmy Page is hot. Robert Plant was good back in the day but now he creeps me out. Jimmy? Still hot. I would still do him.
I remember when you showed me that picture before!
ReplyDeleteI'd type out some stories of meeting bands and whatnot, but you know them all, or I'll just tell you on Friday! haha *Hopefully*
i know you know this already, but i love them.
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