i need another place, will there be peace?
i need another world, this one is nearly gone.
still have too many dreams, never seen the light.
i need another world, a place where i can go.

during chaotic times like these, when a mind can feel so overwhelmed by anything in its way… the lead track from antony & the johnsons new ep another world stands out as absolutely stunning in all its simplistic glory.  with a bright light and soft touch of piano keys, a calmness casts a shadow through the sound and allows antony’s sincere lyrics to powerfully shine. it seems difficult not to let in the melancholy meaning of everything that life keeps overcoming but somehow within the tears, a sense of optimism appears.

“I wanted to mark this moment very clearly in my life.
I love and feel so anchored by the natural world,
which gave birth to me, which supplies and supports my life,
this experience of color and light and aching beauty.
But the world is changing so fast now.
Another World
is a song for the present but also a song for the future.
What have I lost? And what is to come?”

~*~

on october 4, 2008, after the jump and the musebox will be presenting our very own canadian showcase in celebration of pop montreal’s seventh anniversary.

l i s t e n

the ark :: dr dog
rat bastard :: invasions
on earth :: the disraelis
body of years :: mother mother
what we wanted :: black diamond bay
carousel :: the mark inside
trash can :: delta spirit

Des Moines, Iowa’s American heavy metal mask-wearing band Slipknot released in August 2008, their fourth studio album All Hope is Gone on Roadrunner Records. It is the first experimental album by the band to ever peak at number one on the Billboard music charts. Throughout the year, Slipknot were touring all over Australia, Japan, USA, Europe and the UK with Machine Head and Children of Bodom opening up for fans at their concerts.

Since 1995, the band has consisted of the same original line-up with a total of nine members including Sid Wilson, Joey Jordison, Paul Gray, Chris Fehn, Jim Root, Craig Jones, Shawn Crahan, Mick Thomson, and Corey Taylor. Their intense energy and extreme performance style features a typical set-up of lead, rhythm, and bass guitars, two percussionists in addition to the primary drummer, and the mixing of electronics blending samplers and turntables into chaotic energy. Every single one of the slipknot albums challenges this type of sound, turning influences from death, black, heavy and nu metal sounds into an explosive and musically sonic creation. Like a carnival’s rollercoaster, Slipknot music may not be safe for the faint of heart, but it’s definitely right for those looking to chase a dangerous thrill.

“The way that Bob made his paintings, and the way he paints in particular, is pretty similar to the way that our band makes a record. Bob Ross starts his paintings with simple little smudges and blotches, making ‘happy trees’ or ‘cute little bridges,’ and he seems to be having ‘such fun’ doing it. But when it’s finished, and his blotches take form, we see that his paintings are actually intricate landscapes – layer on top of layer of what are seemingly a bunch of fun, whimsical drawings are actually quite complicated. Continuing this dichotomy, it seems like all of the happy, lovely places he paints always have a bit of sad loneliness and isolation to them too, and some of the songs on our new album can definitely relate to that duality.”

~*~

due on october 7, 2008, raleigh, nc’s annuals‘ second album such fun will be released through sony’s imprint canvasback music. with cover art created by pbs’ favorite painter bob ross and the clean co-production by front man adam baker with a little help from jacquire king (modest mouse and tom waits), the annuals showcase a stunningly beautiful and grand landscape that feels sonically aligned.

confessor [such fun, 2008]
complete, or completing [be he me, 2006]

sunday september 7, 2008 is the rock and roll brunch at the east river bar, 96 s. 6th st between bedford & berry in brooklyn, ny. doors open at 3pm. the show is presented by miss kelly irene, dj colleen crumbcake & sponsored by popshop! djs & block magazine!

l i s t e n

bare bones :: kinetic
rum for you :: buke & gass
birdcage :: the art of shooting
so long marianne (leonard cohen) :: ravens & chimes

from brooklyn, ny but now living in denver, co, motel motel have recently released their full length debut album new denver. known for their energetic live shows and elements of a lil bit of country and rock n’ roll, motel motel combine tales of drunken confidence, gritty class and cocaine blues, maintaining it with a taste of elegance.

wait til i get home
before you walk out my life

coffee [old york ep, 2006]
pedal steel [new denver, 2008]

.i’ll always remember.

waking up at sunrise, going outside to the shore and relaxing to the breeze of the calm waves. listening to my headphones alone to these sounds and feeling that moment as more than perfect.

seashell by seabear [ghost that carried us away, 2007]

summer skin by death cab for cutie [plans, 2005]

middle distance runner by sea wolf [leaves in the river, 2007]

angels by black mountain [in the future, 2008]

the mutineer by the loose salute [tuned to love, 2007]

~*~

photography by czuczy