no one is awake.
It's Tuesday, and I wouldn't dream of breaking tradition and leaving you without a Tuesday Spotlight. And on this, my ninety-seventh post (what are you getting NOIA for her 100th?), I'm revealing the not-so-secret secret behind the blog's name. Sure, I've mentioned it before, but never in such a grandiose manner. Today's Spotlight is monumental for these reasons, because it's a two-per-album Spotlight, as well because it will be an . . . (drumroll) . . .
ALL BOLD SPOTLIGHT!!!
While Aloha was born in 1997 in Bowling Green, OH, it was 2003 and 2004 that brought the boys to what they're doing today. Aloha's demo tape was enough to merit a record deal with Polyvinyl, and that's nothing to shake a stick at. Neither were the debut EP and CD that followed. But upon the departure of multi-instrumentalist Eric Koltnow, came the music-writing union of "frontman" Tony Cavallario and newcomer T.J. Lipple who began writing what would become Here Comes Everyone. That was arguably their best work to date, and it was recently followed up with the exquisite Some Echoes.
For a progressive indie pop band to have four must-have albums in their discography of four albums is nothing short of miraculous. Aloha's chemistry is everything it should be and their live show proves that beyond the shadow of a doubt. With rhythms that hide behind soothing melodies before culminating and bouncing effortlessly on the vibraphones and drum kit which is tapped and thumped on in an expertly experimental fashion while retaining it's rock sensibilities.
You have Cale Parks to thank for a majority of the quintessential drumming. His work has warranted his positions playing with Cex, Joan of Arc, and even Chin Up Chin Up, Pit Er Pat, Owen, and The Love of Everything. He's even spent time recording solo material. Cale's solo album, Illuminated Manuscript, is to be released in Japan this month, and will be released stateside (rumor has it through Polyvinyl) in the Fall. Listen to some of his work on his MySpace page.
I greatly anticipate seeing Aloha the next time they're in Cleveland (as I do every time). Their tightly-knit live show allows for new songs to be woven into the mix, but their confidence only builds with new material. So while any Aloha show is worth your time and money, I recommend seeing them towards the middle or end of a tour. When they play new songs with the enthusiasm and sublimity as I've seen them play Here Comes Everyone material they are not to be missed.
Aloha are easily one of my favorite bands. They are of the caliber such that I cannot comprehend someone disliking them. And to think, it all started here in Ohio.
EDIT: I feel guilty not spending 3000 words on the amazing songs that make up Sugar and even That's Your Fire. In listening to them to decide which songs to post, I was baffled that I ever listen to anything else. Obviously, the selection process was difficult.
Aloha's "The Sound Between"
from The Great Communicators, The Interpreters, The Nonbelievers EP
Aloha's "Ferocious Love"
& "A Hundred Stories"
from That's Your Fire
Aloha's "Let Your Head Hang Low"
& "Protest Song"
from Sugar
Aloha's "Summer Away"
& "Water Your Hands" [Blog Title Origin]
from Here Comes Everyone
Aloha's "Brace Your Face"
& "Your Eyes"
from Some Echoes
BONUS: Aloha's May 19, 2006 performance on WOXY's Lounge Acts featuring five Some Echoes songs.
Did you know?: This is the second consecutive Spotlight to include Cale Parks, and third collectively. Suffice it to say, I'm anticipating his solo album greatly.
Suffice it also to say that I'm going to go buy Dave Chappelle's Block Party.
ALL BOLD SPOTLIGHT!!!
While Aloha was born in 1997 in Bowling Green, OH, it was 2003 and 2004 that brought the boys to what they're doing today. Aloha's demo tape was enough to merit a record deal with Polyvinyl, and that's nothing to shake a stick at. Neither were the debut EP and CD that followed. But upon the departure of multi-instrumentalist Eric Koltnow, came the music-writing union of "frontman" Tony Cavallario and newcomer T.J. Lipple who began writing what would become Here Comes Everyone. That was arguably their best work to date, and it was recently followed up with the exquisite Some Echoes.
For a progressive indie pop band to have four must-have albums in their discography of four albums is nothing short of miraculous. Aloha's chemistry is everything it should be and their live show proves that beyond the shadow of a doubt. With rhythms that hide behind soothing melodies before culminating and bouncing effortlessly on the vibraphones and drum kit which is tapped and thumped on in an expertly experimental fashion while retaining it's rock sensibilities.
You have Cale Parks to thank for a majority of the quintessential drumming. His work has warranted his positions playing with Cex, Joan of Arc, and even Chin Up Chin Up, Pit Er Pat, Owen, and The Love of Everything. He's even spent time recording solo material. Cale's solo album, Illuminated Manuscript, is to be released in Japan this month, and will be released stateside (rumor has it through Polyvinyl) in the Fall. Listen to some of his work on his MySpace page.
I greatly anticipate seeing Aloha the next time they're in Cleveland (as I do every time). Their tightly-knit live show allows for new songs to be woven into the mix, but their confidence only builds with new material. So while any Aloha show is worth your time and money, I recommend seeing them towards the middle or end of a tour. When they play new songs with the enthusiasm and sublimity as I've seen them play Here Comes Everyone material they are not to be missed.
Aloha are easily one of my favorite bands. They are of the caliber such that I cannot comprehend someone disliking them. And to think, it all started here in Ohio.
EDIT: I feel guilty not spending 3000 words on the amazing songs that make up Sugar and even That's Your Fire. In listening to them to decide which songs to post, I was baffled that I ever listen to anything else. Obviously, the selection process was difficult.
Aloha's "The Sound Between"
from The Great Communicators, The Interpreters, The Nonbelievers EP
Aloha's "Ferocious Love"
& "A Hundred Stories"
from That's Your Fire
Aloha's "Let Your Head Hang Low"
& "Protest Song"
from Sugar
Aloha's "Summer Away"
& "Water Your Hands" [Blog Title Origin]
from Here Comes Everyone
Aloha's "Brace Your Face"
& "Your Eyes"
from Some Echoes
BONUS: Aloha's May 19, 2006 performance on WOXY's Lounge Acts featuring five Some Echoes songs.
Did you know?: This is the second consecutive Spotlight to include Cale Parks, and third collectively. Suffice it to say, I'm anticipating his solo album greatly.
Suffice it also to say that I'm going to go buy Dave Chappelle's Block Party.
Listen Well posted this around 5:38 PM
1 Comments:
Some very fine blogging, sir. Aloha is easily one of my favorites, too.
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