Holly HoX!
09/24/09, 12:35 PM
Weatherbox - The Cosmic Drama
Record Label: Doghouse
Release Date: September 8, 2009
First off, it needs to be mentioned that lead vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Brian Warren is Weatherbox and Weatherbox is Brian Warren. That being said, The Cosmic Drama is a journey through the tangled, foggy mind of Warren: a deep space, introspective, time-traveling indie rock fantasy. Every note, every word, every melody oozes with Warren’s quirky charm. And so the journey begins.
After the release of Weatherbox’s debut full-length, 2007’s American Art, Warren soon became the lone member and writer, both musically and lyrically, of Weatherbox. Most of the core members decided to pursue their own musical endeavors or leave for college. From that point on, Weatherbox’s music became a place for Warren to let his self-searching philosophies take hold. What is left is an atmospheric sophomore epic of one man’s search through the cosmos to find meaning in it all.
Before the music starts, there are a few things that need be said about the structure of this album. It is interesting foremost in its nostalgic approach to record making, something that has essentially been lost since vinyl fizzled out. Warren originally released the first mastered copy of The Cosmic Drama back in July on cassette tape. (Yes, cassette tape, ever heard of such a thing?) Then, instead of releasing it on CD and iTunes, Warren opted to release the albums digitally on Sept. 8 and on vinyl Sept. 22.
The true beauty of vinyl is being able to organize albums using ‘Side A’ and ‘Side B’ to tell different stories or to display different sounds. The Cosmic Drama is unique in that it utilizes this technique, separating, for the most part, ‘Side A’ and ‘Side B’ of the album to two distinct sounds, with ‘Side A’ comprised mostly of acoustic tracks and ‘Side B’ with the entire band. And unlike American Art, the songs on the album don’t get mashed together, each possessing its own distinct style and build.
The opening track, “That M.A.N.N.” speaks and breathes life to the albums title with its robotic, deep-space opening and atmospheric finish. The slow, creeping build in “King Friend (The Showing of the Instruments)” shows just how good a songwriter Warren is both lyrically and musically. The slow acoustic strums leading into the gigantic swaying rocker is the first real glimpse of the raw power that Weatherbox fans have come to expect. “They’re Ready for Us to Come Home” finds Warren self-reflecting on the purpose of his own work, acoustically strumming as he repeats, “My art is not that good art.”
The only real roadblocks on Side A could be the short, filler tunes: “This Space Intentionally Left Blank” and “…And You Will Know Me By The Trail Of Dead.” But the shuttering guitar work on the pulsating “Mindthings to W.A.S.T.E.” and the whimsically airy acoustic riffs on “YouTube The Clouds (Anything That Flies)” make you realize the filler songs were actually the glue holding ‘Side A’ together.
“Two Satchels of Light” kicks off Side B with Warren chanting, “Here I go/ Where’d I go.” The song shows the kind of crisp riffage and pop-punk sensibilities found on the band’s debut album. The next track, “I Haven’t Kissed a Guy in Lightyears,” is one of the strongest tracks on the album, featuring both Weatherbox’s signature dueling guitar work and bizarre, yet catchy lyrics.
The slow building “Ask My Flashlight” finds Warren at his most personal as he sings, “I swear to take care of what’s in front of me.” “Contactus, The Little Green Man,” is booming and bursting with a soaring chorus and equally impressive guitar work. Warren displays his airy sideswiping guitars and slamming vocals as he belts, “Now, not currently hating myself / Not currently living unwell / Not currently burning in Hell.”
“Don’t Say Nice Things” may feature some of the most straightforward lyrics on the album, but it doesn’t deter from the strong message and meaning behind them as Warren croons, “And you should not say nice things if you don’t mean them / And you should not say mean things at all.” The final track, “No Hands (Anything That Flies)” secures “The Cosmic Drama” as Warren’s opus – a whirling, colorful flight, capped off with Warren slowly strumming to the final words of the album, “No hands to hold on to of my family / They are all glass / No hands to hold on to of my family, in the desert.”
If you need a reason to check this album out it can simply be because it is a complete, well-executed sophomore release that is far above par for most indie rock bands out there. Few bands know or realize the importance of making full, complete albums, not singles. Let’s just say Weatherbox got that memo, and perfected it.
Record Label: Doghouse
Release Date: September 8, 2009
First off, it needs to be mentioned that lead vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Brian Warren is Weatherbox and Weatherbox is Brian Warren. That being said, The Cosmic Drama is a journey through the tangled, foggy mind of Warren: a deep space, introspective, time-traveling indie rock fantasy. Every note, every word, every melody oozes with Warren’s quirky charm. And so the journey begins.
After the release of Weatherbox’s debut full-length, 2007’s American Art, Warren soon became the lone member and writer, both musically and lyrically, of Weatherbox. Most of the core members decided to pursue their own musical endeavors or leave for college. From that point on, Weatherbox’s music became a place for Warren to let his self-searching philosophies take hold. What is left is an atmospheric sophomore epic of one man’s search through the cosmos to find meaning in it all.
Before the music starts, there are a few things that need be said about the structure of this album. It is interesting foremost in its nostalgic approach to record making, something that has essentially been lost since vinyl fizzled out. Warren originally released the first mastered copy of The Cosmic Drama back in July on cassette tape. (Yes, cassette tape, ever heard of such a thing?) Then, instead of releasing it on CD and iTunes, Warren opted to release the albums digitally on Sept. 8 and on vinyl Sept. 22.
The true beauty of vinyl is being able to organize albums using ‘Side A’ and ‘Side B’ to tell different stories or to display different sounds. The Cosmic Drama is unique in that it utilizes this technique, separating, for the most part, ‘Side A’ and ‘Side B’ of the album to two distinct sounds, with ‘Side A’ comprised mostly of acoustic tracks and ‘Side B’ with the entire band. And unlike American Art, the songs on the album don’t get mashed together, each possessing its own distinct style and build.
The opening track, “That M.A.N.N.” speaks and breathes life to the albums title with its robotic, deep-space opening and atmospheric finish. The slow, creeping build in “King Friend (The Showing of the Instruments)” shows just how good a songwriter Warren is both lyrically and musically. The slow acoustic strums leading into the gigantic swaying rocker is the first real glimpse of the raw power that Weatherbox fans have come to expect. “They’re Ready for Us to Come Home” finds Warren self-reflecting on the purpose of his own work, acoustically strumming as he repeats, “My art is not that good art.”
The only real roadblocks on Side A could be the short, filler tunes: “This Space Intentionally Left Blank” and “…And You Will Know Me By The Trail Of Dead.” But the shuttering guitar work on the pulsating “Mindthings to W.A.S.T.E.” and the whimsically airy acoustic riffs on “YouTube The Clouds (Anything That Flies)” make you realize the filler songs were actually the glue holding ‘Side A’ together.
“Two Satchels of Light” kicks off Side B with Warren chanting, “Here I go/ Where’d I go.” The song shows the kind of crisp riffage and pop-punk sensibilities found on the band’s debut album. The next track, “I Haven’t Kissed a Guy in Lightyears,” is one of the strongest tracks on the album, featuring both Weatherbox’s signature dueling guitar work and bizarre, yet catchy lyrics.
The slow building “Ask My Flashlight” finds Warren at his most personal as he sings, “I swear to take care of what’s in front of me.” “Contactus, The Little Green Man,” is booming and bursting with a soaring chorus and equally impressive guitar work. Warren displays his airy sideswiping guitars and slamming vocals as he belts, “Now, not currently hating myself / Not currently living unwell / Not currently burning in Hell.”
“Don’t Say Nice Things” may feature some of the most straightforward lyrics on the album, but it doesn’t deter from the strong message and meaning behind them as Warren croons, “And you should not say nice things if you don’t mean them / And you should not say mean things at all.” The final track, “No Hands (Anything That Flies)” secures “The Cosmic Drama” as Warren’s opus – a whirling, colorful flight, capped off with Warren slowly strumming to the final words of the album, “No hands to hold on to of my family / They are all glass / No hands to hold on to of my family, in the desert.”
If you need a reason to check this album out it can simply be because it is a complete, well-executed sophomore release that is far above par for most indie rock bands out there. Few bands know or realize the importance of making full, complete albums, not singles. Let’s just say Weatherbox got that memo, and perfected it.