| Gramercy Arms |
| The Seasons of Love |
Gramercy Arms — The Seasons of Love
■ Ostrý, multi–vrstvený písňový rock, který vyvolává autentické emoce. Zahloubaný, radostný, kontemplativní, chladný a triumfální. Revolving indie pop/rock collective of NYC artists vaguely led by ex–Dambuilders lead singer Dave Derby.
■ Derby has stated that one of the main inspirations for the album was “old friendships” as well as “reconnecting with people [he] hadn’t seen in awhile like Tanya Donnely, or finally actually meeting and working with Erin Moran”. I think that the vibe and theme of community and love really comes through in their songs.
■ Expanding from the sunny, unapologetically pop approach of the debut, The Seasons of Love widens the musical palette as well as the range of collaboration by featuring Lloyd Cole and Joan Wasser (Joan As Police Woman), Tanya Donelly (Belly, Throwing Muses), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Kendall Meade (Sparklehorse), Claudia Gonson (Magnetic Fields), Doug Gillard (Guided By Voices), Erin Moran (A Girl Called Eddy), Renee LoBue (Elk City), Kay Hanley (Letters To Cleo) and others. The album was recorded by Dave Derby and Ray Ketchem, mixed by acclaimed engineer Thom Monahan and mastered by Eric Broyhill.
Formed: 2008 in NY
Location: New York
Album release: July 20, 2014
Record Label: Reveal Records
Duration: 35:28
Tracks:
01 Always In Love 2:29
02 Beautiful Disguise 4:16
03 Winter Light 2:37
04 The Night is Your Only Friend 4:40
05 Novemberlong 3:10
06 Playing With Fire 4:04
07 Yours Untruly 08 The Season of Love 3:30
09 Say the Word 3:10
10 Thin 3:59
CREDITS:
* Paul Ahlstrand Flute, Horn Arrangements, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor)
* Scott Aruda Trumpet
* Carl Baggaley Organ, Piano
* Eric Broyhill Mastering
* Matthew Caws Vocals (Background)
* Claudia Chopek Violin
* Lloyd Cole Vocals
* Will Cole Composer, Guitar
* Dave Derby Bass, Composer, Gr. Member, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer, Vocal Engineer, Vocals
* Tanya Donelly Vocals, Vocals (Background)
* Sean Eden Group Member, Guitar
* Michael Eisenstein Vocal Engineer
* Steve Flynn Engineer, Horn Engineer, Vocal Engineer
* Jeff Galindo Trombone
* Doug Gillard Guitar
* Claudia Gonson Vocals (Background)
* Efrain John Gonzalez Photography
* Kay Hanley Vocals (Background)
* Peter Hess Sax (Tenor)
* Ray Ketchem Additional Production, Engineer, Organ, Tambourine
* Renee LoBue Vocals (Background)
* Gedeon Luke Vocals (Background)
* Jon Lupfer Horn Producer, Vocal Producer
* Hilken Mancini Vocals, Vocals (Background)
* Kevin March Drums, Group Member
* Joe McGinty Piano, String Arrangements, String Engineer
* Kendall Meade Vocals, Vocals (Background)
* Thom Monahan Additional Production, Mixing
* Erin Moran Vocals, Vocals (Background)
* Justin Mullens Trumpet
* Eleanor Norton Cello
* Rainy Orteca Group Member, Guitar (Bass)
* Annaliesa Place Viola
* Connie Renda Vocals (Background)
* Tom Rose A&R
* Martin Rowsell Art Direction, Design
* Geoff Sanoff Piano Engineer, Vocal Engineer
* Steve Silverstein Engineer, String Engineer
* Sandy Smallens Vocals
* Mary Jo Stilp Violin
* Marc Swersky Composer
* Joan Wasser Piano, Vocals
* Verena Wiesendanger Vocals
REVIEW
By Hilary Saunders | July 22, 2014 | 1:28pm | Score: 7.7
■ Gramercy Arms is not stagnant. Rather, the band is a revolving New York–based collective of musicians and artists led by songwriter/producer Dave Derby. In addition to the inconsistent lineup of the group, guests from bands including Nada Surf, Sparklehorse, The Magnetic Fields, Guided By Voices, Joan As Police Woman, Throwing Muses and more all contributed to The Seasons of Love, which took an extensive five years to complete.
The Seasons of Love is Derby’s second full–length record as the Arms’ ringleader. Although not at all sonically akin to the similarly titled song from Rent, Gramercy Arms’ sophomore release does share some New York City inspirations with the Tony award–winning musical. Derby has often described the city itself as one of the band members, and the sounds and successes of the 1970s and ‘80s run through the album’s core.
And yet, The Seasons of Love channels the bright power pop evocative of the ‘90s — the kind of bouncy, horn–and–string–laden tunes that almost force you to feel happy listening to it. It’s impossible to fight the catchiness, as opener “Always In Love” gets stuck in your head even when you don’t want it to, and you can’t help but clap along with the tambourine and marimba in “Winterlight.” “The Night is Your Only Friend” is particularly Springsteen–esque, with Derby’s uncanny vocal impression paired with lyrical storytelling and horn solos weaving in and out of lightly distorted guitar riffs.
■ Even though Side B mellows out, revealing a bit of melancholy in songs like “Playing With Fire” and “Yours Untruly,” the simple rhymes and stories flow easily throughout The Seasons of Love. A perennially happy record, the most impressive element is that The Seasons of Love still sounds like a complete, unified record with all of its diverse influences and contributors. :: http://www.pastemagazine.com/
Also:
Scott Baxter | Monday, 21 July, 2014 | Score: 8
■ http://www.americana-uk.com/cd-reviews/item/gramercy-arms-the-seasons-of-love
By JIM FUSILLI | Updated Aug. 19, 2014 6:55 p.m. ET |
■ http://www.wsj.com/articles/music-review-the-seasons-of-love-1408486259
KSSU THE BLOG, College Radio. By djjazzyjazz
■ http://kssunews.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/album-review-the-seasons-of-love-by-gramercy-arms/
By SIMON HOLLAND on 30 JUNE, 2014
■ http://www.folkradio.co.uk/2014/06/gramercy-arms-the-seasons-of-love/
Website: http://www.gramercyarms.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gramercyarms
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1060743522
____________________________________________________________
| Gramercy Arms |
| The Seasons of Love |
Gramercy Arms — The Seasons of Love
■ Ostrý, multi–vrstvený písňový rock, který vyvolává autentické emoce. Zahloubaný, radostný, kontemplativní, chladný a triumfální. Revolving indie pop/rock collective of NYC artists vaguely led by ex–Dambuilders lead singer Dave Derby.
■ Derby has stated that one of the main inspirations for the album was “old friendships” as well as “reconnecting with people [he] hadn’t seen in awhile like Tanya Donnely, or finally actually meeting and working with Erin Moran”. I think that the vibe and theme of community and love really comes through in their songs.
■ Expanding from the sunny, unapologetically pop approach of the debut, The Seasons of Love widens the musical palette as well as the range of collaboration by featuring Lloyd Cole and Joan Wasser (Joan As Police Woman), Tanya Donelly (Belly, Throwing Muses), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Kendall Meade (Sparklehorse), Claudia Gonson (Magnetic Fields), Doug Gillard (Guided By Voices), Erin Moran (A Girl Called Eddy), Renee LoBue (Elk City), Kay Hanley (Letters To Cleo) and others. The album was recorded by Dave Derby and Ray Ketchem, mixed by acclaimed engineer Thom Monahan and mastered by Eric Broyhill.
Formed: 2008 in NY
Location: New York
Album release: July 20, 2014
Record Label: Reveal Records
Duration: 35:28
Tracks:
01 Always In Love 2:29
02 Beautiful Disguise 4:16
03 Winter Light 2:37
04 The Night is Your Only Friend 4:40
05 Novemberlong 3:10
06 Playing With Fire 4:04
07 Yours Untruly 08 The Season of Love 3:30
09 Say the Word 3:10
10 Thin 3:59
CREDITS:
* Paul Ahlstrand Flute, Horn Arrangements, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor)
* Scott Aruda Trumpet
* Carl Baggaley Organ, Piano
* Eric Broyhill Mastering
* Matthew Caws Vocals (Background)
* Claudia Chopek Violin
* Lloyd Cole Vocals
* Will Cole Composer, Guitar
* Dave Derby Bass, Composer, Gr. Member, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer, Vocal Engineer, Vocals
* Tanya Donelly Vocals, Vocals (Background)
* Sean Eden Group Member, Guitar
* Michael Eisenstein Vocal Engineer
* Steve Flynn Engineer, Horn Engineer, Vocal Engineer
* Jeff Galindo Trombone
* Doug Gillard Guitar
* Claudia Gonson Vocals (Background)
* Efrain John Gonzalez Photography
* Kay Hanley Vocals (Background)
* Peter Hess Sax (Tenor)
* Ray Ketchem Additional Production, Engineer, Organ, Tambourine
* Renee LoBue Vocals (Background)
* Gedeon Luke Vocals (Background)
* Jon Lupfer Horn Producer, Vocal Producer
* Hilken Mancini Vocals, Vocals (Background)
* Kevin March Drums, Group Member
* Joe McGinty Piano, String Arrangements, String Engineer
* Kendall Meade Vocals, Vocals (Background)
* Thom Monahan Additional Production, Mixing
* Erin Moran Vocals, Vocals (Background)
* Justin Mullens Trumpet
* Eleanor Norton Cello
* Rainy Orteca Group Member, Guitar (Bass)
* Annaliesa Place Viola
* Connie Renda Vocals (Background)
* Tom Rose A&R
* Martin Rowsell Art Direction, Design
* Geoff Sanoff Piano Engineer, Vocal Engineer
* Steve Silverstein Engineer, String Engineer
* Sandy Smallens Vocals
* Mary Jo Stilp Violin
* Marc Swersky Composer
* Joan Wasser Piano, Vocals
* Verena Wiesendanger Vocals
REVIEW
By Hilary Saunders | July 22, 2014 | 1:28pm | Score: 7.7
■ Gramercy Arms is not stagnant. Rather, the band is a revolving New York–based collective of musicians and artists led by songwriter/producer Dave Derby. In addition to the inconsistent lineup of the group, guests from bands including Nada Surf, Sparklehorse, The Magnetic Fields, Guided By Voices, Joan As Police Woman, Throwing Muses and more all contributed to The Seasons of Love, which took an extensive five years to complete.
The Seasons of Love is Derby’s second full–length record as the Arms’ ringleader. Although not at all sonically akin to the similarly titled song from Rent, Gramercy Arms’ sophomore release does share some New York City inspirations with the Tony award–winning musical. Derby has often described the city itself as one of the band members, and the sounds and successes of the 1970s and ‘80s run through the album’s core.
And yet, The Seasons of Love channels the bright power pop evocative of the ‘90s — the kind of bouncy, horn–and–string–laden tunes that almost force you to feel happy listening to it. It’s impossible to fight the catchiness, as opener “Always In Love” gets stuck in your head even when you don’t want it to, and you can’t help but clap along with the tambourine and marimba in “Winterlight.” “The Night is Your Only Friend” is particularly Springsteen–esque, with Derby’s uncanny vocal impression paired with lyrical storytelling and horn solos weaving in and out of lightly distorted guitar riffs.
■ Even though Side B mellows out, revealing a bit of melancholy in songs like “Playing With Fire” and “Yours Untruly,” the simple rhymes and stories flow easily throughout The Seasons of Love. A perennially happy record, the most impressive element is that The Seasons of Love still sounds like a complete, unified record with all of its diverse influences and contributors. :: http://www.pastemagazine.com/
Also:
Scott Baxter | Monday, 21 July, 2014 | Score: 8
■ http://www.americana-uk.com/cd-reviews/item/gramercy-arms-the-seasons-of-love
By JIM FUSILLI | Updated Aug. 19, 2014 6:55 p.m. ET |
■ http://www.wsj.com/articles/music-review-the-seasons-of-love-1408486259
KSSU THE BLOG, College Radio. By djjazzyjazz
■ http://kssunews.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/album-review-the-seasons-of-love-by-gramercy-arms/
By SIMON HOLLAND on 30 JUNE, 2014
■ http://www.folkradio.co.uk/2014/06/gramercy-arms-the-seasons-of-love/
Website: http://www.gramercyarms.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gramercyarms
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1060743522
____________________________________________________________