Browse by Artist: SOUNDCARRIERS, THE

Artist:	SOUNDCARRIERS, THE
Title:	Harmonium
Label:	MELODIC (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	MELO 059CD

This is the debut album from Nottingham-based The Soundcarriers. The word "psychedelic" is bandied around pretty freely, but The Soundcarriers are the real deal. This is psychedelic in the less well-trodden way: jazz-influenced, free-thinking and utterly spaced-out. Harmonium was recorded over a long period of time and self-produced by the band in their own studio using entirely analog equipment, "because it reacts like an instrument would to being played, so there's that element of chance and some evidence of human interaction." The unorthodox techniques of David Axelrod and Phil Spector were a constant source of inspiration, and the band employed their full arsenal of equipment, from harps and organs to flutes, recorders, stylophones and chimes. The result is an incredibly lush debut that's quite unlike anything else that's around at the moment: the closest reference point from the past being the much-loved The Free Design. Indeed, Chris Dedrick from the band has spoken out in appreciation of The Soundcarriers in the sleeve notes for the vinyl version of this record: "Maybe The Free Design planted the seed for the magic garden of intricate group harmonies that blended this softer sound. The Soundcarriers use that and much more to enter that world. At the root is some richly vulnerable optimism. It takes a weird inner strength to pit flutes and quiet voices against drums and electronics and the rest of the world. No need to compare and make odious references. Best to listen in a kind of vacuum -- let sound happen. The Soundcarriers do that in unlimited wavelengths." Most of the members of The Soundcarriers have played hypnotic, groove-based instrumentals since childhood -- the culmination of their shared love of Can, Pink Floyd, rare groove, soundtracks, library music, acid-folk and jazz. Surprisingly authentic, true psych, with a touch of UK dream-pop and a Stereolab-ish sense of harmony.

Artist:	SOUNDCARRIERS, THE
Title:	Celeste
Label:	MELODIC (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	MELO 070CD

This is the second album by Nottingham's The Soundcarriers. 2009's Harmonium (MELO 059CD/LP) found a lush and spiked musical template; music so inspired and languid, one's thoughts were drawn to Broadcast and Stereolab and like-minded cosmic travellers. Exactly where The Soundcarriers were really "coming from" was long in debate: Nottingham? The West Coast? Saturn? The sound moves between all three locales. It doesn't really matter where you land, the atmosphere is always perfect. In Celeste, we find a tighter, more focused group. The same authentic analog warmth pervades, but with the addition of new sounds, playful blips and bleeps suggesting an extended musical canvas. The influence of jazz and Kosmiche music becomes apparent, as the muscular "Last Broadcast" floats from the turntable. What a groove! The bass work of Can's Holger Czukay is instantly brought to mind, but soon we find ourselves in unexplored space-rock terrain. A denser sound pervades, that feels far removed from the lysergic whoosh of Harmonium. Any thoughts of a tighter sound are mischievously dashed with the arrival of "Rolling On" -- a spirited, bouncy shuffle so infectious, one is moved to remove all footwear and dance vigorously. The song provides familiar Soundcarriers' warmth, blessed with vocal harmonies that echo the magic of Trish Keenan or even Karen Carpenter. Was it not the popular music press who once invented the thorny term "retro-futurism?" The Soundcarriers aren't retro or futurist. Where they succeed is in tight ensemble playing that really swings. A spirited quartet for the future certainly, but one that holds true to tried-and-trusted lessons from the best phases of music history.

Artist:	SOUNDCARRIERS, THE
Title:	Celeste
Label:	MELODIC (UK)
Format:	2LP
Price:	$20.00
Catalog #:	MELO 070LP

Limited edition gatefold heavyweight double vinyl version. This is the second album by Nottingham's The Soundcarriers. 2009's Harmonium (MELO 059CD/LP) found a lush and spiked musical template; music so inspired and languid, one's thoughts were drawn to Broadcast and Stereolab and like-minded cosmic travellers. Exactly where The Soundcarriers were really "coming from" was long in debate: Nottingham? The West Coast? Saturn? The sound moves between all three locales. It doesn't really matter where you land, the atmosphere is always perfect. In Celeste, we find a tighter, more focused group. The same authentic analog warmth pervades, but with the addition of new sounds, playful blips and bleeps suggesting an extended musical canvas. The influence of jazz and Kosmiche music becomes apparent, as the muscular "Last Broadcast" floats from the turntable. What a groove! The bass work of Can's Holger Czukay is instantly brought to mind, but soon we find ourselves in unexplored space-rock terrain. A denser sound pervades, that feels far removed from the lysergic whoosh of Harmonium. Any thoughts of a tighter sound are mischievously dashed with the arrival of "Rolling On" -- a spirited, bouncy shuffle so infectious, one is moved to remove all footwear and dance vigorously. The song provides familiar Soundcarriers' warmth, blessed with vocal harmonies that echo the magic of Trish Keenan or even Karen Carpenter. Was it not the popular music press who once invented the thorny term "retro-futurism?" The Soundcarriers aren't retro or futurist. Where they succeed is in tight ensemble playing that really swings. A spirited quartet for the future certainly, but one that holds true to tried-and-trusted lessons from the best phases of music history. Includes a free download coupon.

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