We Were Promised Jetpacks, Bad Veins, New Cassettes
Thursday, April 12 2012
We Were Promised Jetpacks
When a band's debut album is both impressive and hugely successful, it's not often that their sophomore effort makes it seem almost average in comparison. But In The Pit Of The Stomach – We Were Promised Jetpacks’ grand, accomplished follow-up to 2009’s These Four Walls – is precisely this rare exception.
We Were Promised Jetpacks spent 2009 and 2010 touring tirelessly on their debut, including a run with Frightened Rabbit and shows supporting Passion Pit and Tokyo Police Club; the band’s second set of US appearances, their first headlining tour, sold out across the board; and they closed out 2010 supporting pop-punk legends Jimmy Eat World on a huge sold-out theater tour.
Armed with the confidence of all that touring, a batch of new, road-tested songs, and a muscular vision for a new record, the band decamped to Sigur Rós’s studio retreat in the frozen wilds of Iceland.
Explains singer Adam Thompson: “We recorded the debut album in 8 days with one short tour under our belts - this time around we spent a full three weeks in the studio recording with [live sound engineer] Andrew Bush and made an album that both captured the sound of our live show and that is strong start to finish.” Peter Katis (Frightened Rabbit, The National) was also on hand for additional mixing and production.
The result, In The Pit Of The Stomach, is a huge leap forward from their debut – full of prickly ambition and grand-scale vision, sure, but with no shortage of the hooks and personal engagement that have earned their debut – and, indeed, their powerful, wrenching live shows – such a wide and devoted following.
From the thundering first attack of lead-off track “Circles & Squares,” to the album’s first single, the dark, driving anthem “Medicine”, to slow-burning, triumphant “Sore Thumb” and the whip-smart, angular “Human Error” – In The Pit Of The Stomach is a fiery, atmospheric listen.
With their sophomore LP, We Were Promised Jetpacks have transcended even the very high expectations created by their beloved debut and subsequent tireless, much-buzzed touring; In The Pit Of The Stomach is, quite simply, a brilliant achievement from this young, exceptional group.
FatCat Records
Mp3s: http://wewerepromisedjetpacks.com/music
Bad Veins
Bad Veins are a rarity in today’s musical landscape: An act who didn’t set out to become critical darlings or the next “buzz” band, but managed to achieve both after only playing a handful of shows. However, despite the fact that Bad Veins’ music has been instantly embraced since their inception in late 2006, the duo of Benjamin Davis and Sebastien Schultz decided not to rush out the disc you’re currently holding in your hand. The result is Bad Veins, an album that’s unique but familiar, and not only lives up to the hype but surpasses it. Looking back, it’s hard to believe it all started out a little over two years ago in a non-descript attic in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The group was originally conceived by Davis as a solo project, yet after Bad Veins’ first gig he quickly realized he would need a collaborator—which is where drummer Schultz entered the picture. “I always loved watching Sebastien play in his old band because he is just such a dramatic drummer,” Davis reveals. “We hooked up one day and I showed him all the stuff I’d been working on. I muted the electronic percussion and let him play on top, and after the first practice these songs were way cooler than I ever imagined they could be,” he continues.
Bad Veins’ second gig was opening for Snowden, who were so impressed with the duo they instantly began singing their praises to anyone and everyone – especially in NYC. In no time, the band was performing at a showcase for the popular Manhattan-based web site Gothamist yet this was only their third show. From there, the palpable buzz surrounding the act spiraled out of control, eventually leading to five-figure grants, product endorsements and a deal with Dangerbird Records.
Mp3s: http://www.facebook.com/badveins
New Cassettes
New Cassettes is a five-piece band from Northampton, England who have been leaving audiences wanting more since 2005. The band released their debut single, You Won't Stop, on Fantastic Plastic with copies selling out within the first month and landing #11 on the indie charts in England.
They have gained critical acclaim from plays on Radio 1, BBC6 and XFM, and have been a MySpace featured artist as well as the Radio 1 front-page feature. Recently the band toured in support of The Strokes, played the Glastonbury Music Festival, was featured on the The Inbetweeners soundtrack and had a headlining tour in Japan.
Mp3s: http://www.newcassettes.com
When a band's debut album is both impressive and hugely successful, it's not often that their sophomore effort makes it seem almost average in comparison. But In The Pit Of The Stomach – We Were Promised Jetpacks’ grand, accomplished follow-up to 2009’s These Four Walls – is precisely this rare exception.
We Were Promised Jetpacks spent 2009 and 2010 touring tirelessly on their debut, including a run with Frightened Rabbit and shows supporting Passion Pit and Tokyo Police Club; the band’s second set of US appearances, their first headlining tour, sold out across the board; and they closed out 2010 supporting pop-punk legends Jimmy Eat World on a huge sold-out theater tour.
Armed with the confidence of all that touring, a batch of new, road-tested songs, and a muscular vision for a new record, the band decamped to Sigur Rós’s studio retreat in the frozen wilds of Iceland.
Explains singer Adam Thompson: “We recorded the debut album in 8 days with one short tour under our belts - this time around we spent a full three weeks in the studio recording with [live sound engineer] Andrew Bush and made an album that both captured the sound of our live show and that is strong start to finish.” Peter Katis (Frightened Rabbit, The National) was also on hand for additional mixing and production.
The result, In The Pit Of The Stomach, is a huge leap forward from their debut – full of prickly ambition and grand-scale vision, sure, but with no shortage of the hooks and personal engagement that have earned their debut – and, indeed, their powerful, wrenching live shows – such a wide and devoted following.
From the thundering first attack of lead-off track “Circles & Squares,” to the album’s first single, the dark, driving anthem “Medicine”, to slow-burning, triumphant “Sore Thumb” and the whip-smart, angular “Human Error” – In The Pit Of The Stomach is a fiery, atmospheric listen.
With their sophomore LP, We Were Promised Jetpacks have transcended even the very high expectations created by their beloved debut and subsequent tireless, much-buzzed touring; In The Pit Of The Stomach is, quite simply, a brilliant achievement from this young, exceptional group.
FatCat Records
Mp3s: http://wewerepromisedjetpacks.com/music
Bad Veins
Bad Veins are a rarity in today’s musical landscape: An act who didn’t set out to become critical darlings or the next “buzz” band, but managed to achieve both after only playing a handful of shows. However, despite the fact that Bad Veins’ music has been instantly embraced since their inception in late 2006, the duo of Benjamin Davis and Sebastien Schultz decided not to rush out the disc you’re currently holding in your hand. The result is Bad Veins, an album that’s unique but familiar, and not only lives up to the hype but surpasses it. Looking back, it’s hard to believe it all started out a little over two years ago in a non-descript attic in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The group was originally conceived by Davis as a solo project, yet after Bad Veins’ first gig he quickly realized he would need a collaborator—which is where drummer Schultz entered the picture. “I always loved watching Sebastien play in his old band because he is just such a dramatic drummer,” Davis reveals. “We hooked up one day and I showed him all the stuff I’d been working on. I muted the electronic percussion and let him play on top, and after the first practice these songs were way cooler than I ever imagined they could be,” he continues.
Bad Veins’ second gig was opening for Snowden, who were so impressed with the duo they instantly began singing their praises to anyone and everyone – especially in NYC. In no time, the band was performing at a showcase for the popular Manhattan-based web site Gothamist yet this was only their third show. From there, the palpable buzz surrounding the act spiraled out of control, eventually leading to five-figure grants, product endorsements and a deal with Dangerbird Records.
Mp3s: http://www.facebook.com/badveins
New Cassettes
New Cassettes is a five-piece band from Northampton, England who have been leaving audiences wanting more since 2005. The band released their debut single, You Won't Stop, on Fantastic Plastic with copies selling out within the first month and landing #11 on the indie charts in England.
They have gained critical acclaim from plays on Radio 1, BBC6 and XFM, and have been a MySpace featured artist as well as the Radio 1 front-page feature. Recently the band toured in support of The Strokes, played the Glastonbury Music Festival, was featured on the The Inbetweeners soundtrack and had a headlining tour in Japan.
Mp3s: http://www.newcassettes.com
























