Epic Records Signs Indianapolis Pop Outfit Margot and The Nuclear So & Sos

The 8-piece is a circle of young friends who, in the spring of 2005, quietly released one of the most beloved indescribable records in recent memory, The Dust of Retreat. The band is currently working with producer, Brian Deck (Iron & Wine, Modest Mouse, Califone) on their second full-length record, Animal, which is slated for release in early 2008.

Most often described as a chamber-pop orchestra evocative of The Decemberists and Neutral Milk Hotel, the band has toured the country with The Elected, Rogue Wave, The Frames, South, The Fray, among others. This winter the band will hit the road on a string of headlining dates introducing some of their new material.

Tour dates are as follows:
Date City Venue
12/7 Lexington, KY The Dame
12/8 Cincinnati, OH Mad Hatter
12/9 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern
12/10 Washington, DC The Black Cat
12/11 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
12/12 Boston, MA Middle East
12/13 New York, NY Mercury Lounge

As Tall As Lions Announce Digital EP "Into The Flood" Out November 27th

As Tall As Lions are set to release a new digital EP entitled Into The Flood November 29th on Triple Crown/East West. The band recorded the EP with Mike Watts over a six day period in October at Vudu Studios in Long Island and are excited for their fans to get a taste of something new before they hibernate in early 2008 to record the follow up to 2006's self titled LP.

Into The Flood Track Listing:

1. 505

2. Into The Flood

3. We're The Ones That Keep You Warm At Nite

4. Breakers

5. Blacked Out

ALBUM REVIEW: Behold the Arctopus - Skullgrid

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Enough with this boring "Oh look at us, we utilize a vast array of musical instruments to create something truly breathtaking" jibberjabber. Let's get some vicious riffs and mind-boggling fretburning action up in this piece before everyone retires for the night in their suede smoking jackets and leather mocassins, shall we?

Ladies and gentlement who read this Rabbit Hole blog, I present to you tech-metal instrumentalists Behold the Arctopus's latest opus, Skullgrid. Yes, it is a fact that I had no idea this album even existed until tonight. Yes, it is a fact that the only reason I found out about it is because I assumed the assclowns at the local shop would put Battles in the Metal section, even though it obviously didn't belong there. After all, these ARE the same folks who have, despite my numerous indications that this practice is wrong, left dozens of copies of Cage's Hells Winter in the Metal section, despite, uh...Cage being a rapper... These are the facts. One more fact: This album is fantastic in all arenas (except bass and vocals, as they don't exist on this album).

I feel especially bad for saying this, but it seems the band has really taken a stranglehold on Mick Barr's guitar sound. Reading the liner notes, though, it appears there may be a reason for all this idolatry: Mick Barr plays on the record. Small world.

As I listen to the album, trying to find the best track, the sure money gets put on "You Are Number Six," an epic track running nearly 9 minutes and featuring dozens of starts, stops, zigs, and zags. It is a masterpiece. But when all is said and done, the band closes far better than they open, leaving you fully satisfied with the climax, "Transient Exuberance," which gives the listener five false endings before delivering the final knock-out blow.

It's nice to hear fingertapping mixed with real riffing. It seems like it's been ages.

Also, this is just ridiculous:

















P.S. I love "Oh look at us, we utilize a vast array of musical instruments to create something truly breathtaking" bands as much as, if not more than, my comrades here at Rabbit Hole.

Band to Watch - Percy Farm

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Percy Farm is a band without an eye-catching name, but thankfully this unimposing moniker provides a stark contrast to their energetic, creative music. Rather than rely on a gimmicky inside joke or semi-clever play on words to grab the attention of potential listeners, Percy Farm banks on their ability to write breathtaking songs that fit into a cohesive whole - that is, placing emphasis on the album over its singles - and achieve this via an eclectic array of instruments and styles. Their 2007 debut, The End's In the Beginning, blends sublime pop-rock sensibilities with dashes of post-rock, jazz and country to create a musical experience so unique and confident that it shames most offerings from more experienced bands. It's easily one of the year's best rock albums, and with it these talented musicians have quickly established themselves as an undeniable new force in today's music scene.

Album Review: Saybia-Eyes On The Highway

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I was familiar with Saybia before I received a copy of their 3rd LP, Eyes On The Highway, having previously covered the 2004 release, These Are The Days. I adored that album 3 years ago, but it did not quite prepare me for the masterpiece they would go on to record.

Simply put, Eyes On The Highway, is an amalgam of nearly every band I've come to love. Taking little pieces of bands like Ours, Gazpacho, Coldplay, Interpol, Jeff Buckley, heck even the amazing (and disgustingly obscure) Dikta. Since the band hails from Denmark, I'm guessing a lot of this is not pre meditated, making it all the more impressive. This ability to craft one unforgettable song after another, each one pulling more and more on your heart strings, just becomes uncanny after the course of 50 minutes.

The album flutters and churns around with loads of acoustic guitars, piano keys, and random bursts of strings or crashing waves. Never does a sound on the album feel out of place, and never do you feel disappointed. From the beautiful opener, "On Her Behalf, " to the ultra-catchy "Godspeed Into the Future" the album flows seamlessly, with tracks that would complete any mix. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention one of the best songs of the year, "The Odds." Lord, this band is breathtaking.

Far-Less Ready For Their Toast

A Toast To Bad Taste will be in stores on October 23, but it is available now for pre-order. Fans that pre-order the record via Interpunk.com will receive a free Far-Less t-shirt with their purchase, while supplies last. Visit < http://www.interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=151994 > for more details.

Fans can also take a sneak peek of A Toast To Bad Taste from October 16 to 18 on Myspace.com, as the entire album will be streaming for free.

Far-Less Fall 2007 Tour Dates:

10.13 Jacksonville, FL @ Murray Hill Theatre #
10.15 Orlando, FL @ Back Booth #
10.17 Baton Rouge, LA @ The Darkroom #
10.19 Birmingham, AL @ Cave 9 #
10.20 Douglasville, GA @ The 7 Venue #
10.21 Chattanooga, TN @ Café Miaroma #
10.22 Nashville, TN @ The Anchor #
10.23 Johnson City, TN @ The Hideaway #^
10.24 Greensboro, NC @ Greene Street #^
10.25 Raleigh, NC @ The Berkley Café #^
10.26 Blacksburg, VA @ Crossroads (INSTORE - 4pm)
10.26 Blacksburg, VA @ Attitudes #^
10.28 Roanoke, VA @ Roanoke Dance Theater #
11.01 Memphis, TN @ Dregs *
11.02 Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasants *
11.03 Kent, OH @ The Barn *
11.04 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *
11.06 East Stroudsburg, PA @ Penn Monster Factory *
11.07 Lemoyne, PA @ The Championship *
11.08 Harrisonburg, VA @ Guzmans *
11.09 Danville, VA @ Plan B *
11.10 Arden, NC @ Graffiti Music Hall *
11.11 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern *

# with The Glass Ocean, Secret And Whisper
* with He Is Legend, Telescreen, Josh Moore

Spiritualized Tour For First Time In 4 Years, New Album Next

Led by Jason Spaceman, the critically acclaimed, ever-evolving Spiritualized have announced plans for a string of November shows, their first in 4 years. The band have recently completed recording a brand new album, the eagerly-awaited follow up to 2003’s Amazing Grace, to be released in 2008.

Dates In Full:

November
Sunday 11th - San Francisco @ Bimbos
Monday 12th - Los Angeles @ Vista Theater
Tuesday 13th - Los Angeles @ Vista Theater
Friday 16th - New York @ The Apollo