“New Magnetic Wonder”: Apples in Stereo Album Preview
By DJ M on October 30th, 2006
In Miscellaneous Music
I recently obtained an advance copy of New Magnetic Wonder, APPLES IN STEREO'S first new album in five years. I can thankfully report that it shows the band in as fine a form as ever. It contains 14 “proper” songs and 12 mini-musical segue-ways. Band honcho Robert Schneider refers to these tiny tunes as “link tracks.” Hmmm. Wonder where he got that idea from? According to the press release, “This is perfect music for Jeff Lynne and Brian Wilson to make-out to.”
On this album, Apples mainstay Robert Schneider is joined by musicians Eric Allen, bass, and John Hill, guitar. Hilarie Sidney plays drums on the album, although after its recording she left the band. The new drummer is John Dufilho. Nearly 20 other musicians participate in various and sundry other music making on the album. Engineer Bryce Goggin provides his well pedigreed production skills. The final, commercial version of the album will have some multi-media bonuses (including digital files for MIDI usage) which feature Schneider’s Non-Pythagoren scale.
I’ve noted the “proper” tracks below with an (*). It almost goes without saying that these full-fledged tracks are the best songs on the album. If you’ve liked Apples in Stereo’s previous beautiful and powerful studio sheen applied to perfect pop tunes, than you’ll definitely fall hard for “New Magnetic Wonder.” The only real comparisons are Big Star’s first album, ELO, Beach Boys, Beatles and Pavement. I saw Apples in Stereo in a small club about 4 years ago, and it remains one of the best rock shows I’ve seen. I’d love to see them perform this album’s songs live. Most of the best songs here are firmly planted in my brain; I can replay them at will like a loop on a Mellotron. Unfortunately for most of you, you’ll have to wait until Feb. 2007 to hear this remarkable power pop album.
*1. Can You Feel It?
*2. Skyway
3. Mellotron 1
*4. Energy
*5. Same Old Drag
6. Joanie Don't U Worry
*7. Sunndal Song**
8. Droplet
*9. Play Tough
*10. Sun is Out
11. Non-Pythagorean Composition 1
12. Hello Lola
*13. 7 Stars
14. Mellotron 2
*15. Sunday Sounds**
*16. Open Eyes
17. Crimson
18. Pre-Crimson
19. Vocoder Ba Ba
*20. Radiation
*21. Beautiful Machine Parts 1-2
*22. Beautiful Machine Parts 3-4
23. My Pretend
24. Non-Pythagorean Composition 3
**Composed by Hilarie Sidney
New Magnetic Wonder is released by YEP ROCK.
Another review of NEW MAGNETIC WONDER.
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