The band's third full album is a firecracker, showing their at once passionate and sly approach to music -- take in everything, put it back out, and give it its own particular sheen and spin -- is in no danger of letting up. Knowing fans of the quartet have spoken on how it's clear that the bandmembers listen to everything from old soul to hip-hop and techno and back again, and there's no argument here based on the evidence of this disc. Travis Morrison's unusual vocals make a brilliant calling card for the band, high, a touch quavery, but never out of control, slipping into the mix like another instrument. Though the comparisons to fellow D.C. musical figure Craig Wedren are understandable, Morrison's voice isn't as piercing, with a warm, light undertow that's quite affecting. When he hits his best moments, like the downright anthemic but never breast-beating "What Do You Want Me to Say?," it's a wonder more people aren't talking about the guy. The rest of the band turn the indie rock stereotype on its head, avoiding aimless shambling jangle or emo's straightjacketing stereotype in favor of an unsettled mix that embraces sampling's jump-cut techniques and shifting rhythms where prominence is equally given to guitar, keyboards, and beat. It can be late-night jazzy mood-out or sudden thrash, but the quartet handles all approaches with aplomb and creative arrangements to boot. Drummer Joe Easley may be the band's secret weapon, able to keep the pace and swing just enough, though bassist Eric Axelson is by no means a slouch himself -- the dub-touched "Spider in the Snow" is a great showcase for both. The fact that "You Are Invited" is conceivably the world's greatest synth-pop/electro/guitar chime/post-punk song about trying to get to the right party -- and is emotional without being overwrought -- gives a sense as to this album's considerable strengths.
I am dreadfully negligent of you, my poor Mog. I think this website is the tits, I really do, and one day I will have my very own internet connection that ISN'T dial-up. Boy, I'll really be vomiting out the prose then. Until that unpredictable day, I'd like to share an mp3 of one of my favorite songs of all time: "The City" by The Dismemberment Plan.There's a few elements I believe are crucial ...
More >
I'm still M.I.A. on here because I'm a two job hustla. I want it to end... right now. And it will... soon. But meanwhile, there's one particular band that's been keeping me going. My love for The Plan has never been stronger. Why oh why was I so friggen young when they were together? I cry myself to sleep at night knowing I might never see them live. If you haven't heard them WHAT THE EF...
More >
ok, something CRAZY is going on with MOG today. is this some sort of crazy preview of things to come, or is this how it's going to stay, and we are now in the future version of MOG already?my brain can't hack it....and what is this on the front page of mog about how my "do you like prince?" thing is the post of the day? is it really, or is it just showing me my most recent post? because i di...
More >
I'm still M.I.A. on here because I'm a two job hustla. I want it to end... right now. And it will... soon. But meanwhile, there's one particular band that's been keeping me going. My love for The Plan has never been stronger. Why oh why was I so friggen young when they were together? I cry myself to sleep at night knowing I might never see them live. If you haven't heard them WHAT THE EF...
More >
I am dreadfully negligent of you, my poor Mog. I think this website is the tits, I really do, and one day I will have my very own internet connection that ISN'T dial-up. Boy, I'll really be vomiting out the prose then. Until that unpredictable day, I'd like to share an mp3 of one of my favorite songs of all time: "The City" by The Dismemberment Plan.There's a few elements I believe are crucial ...
More >
Every six months or so, I masochistically pick up a couple issues of Spider-Man, skim them and bang my head into the wall while remembering the Spidey glory days -- long, long before "One More Day."But I may actually have to buy Amazing Spider-Man #573, out Oct. 15, which will guest-star Comedy Central superhero Stephen Colbert. The conservative-mocking comic is apparently running for President...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 A Life of Possibilities |
|
|
| 2 Memory Machine |
|
|
| 3 What Do You Want Me to Say? |
|
|
| 4 Spider in the Snow |
|
|
| 5 The Jitters |
|
|
| 6 I Love a Magician |
|
|
| 7 You Are Invited |
|
|
| 8 Gyroscope |
|
|
| 9 The City |
|
|
| 10 Girl O'Clock |
|
|
| 11 8˝ Minutes |
|
|
| 12 Back and Forth |
|
|
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Emergency & I")
