I have been listening to The Lonely Forest for a while now and their EPs have always left me wanting more. To be honest, I was a little nervous when Tony left and the God is Dead project was sidelined for Nuclear Winter. With the release of the new album, my concerns have been alleviated and my wants have been fulfilled.

The debut is a concept album: “a space rock odyssey into an alternate dimension, [which] showcases the raw sound of the piano, bass and drums layered with synthesizers and melodic vocals” (source). Not only that, but it is the story of a lonely hero who leaves the Earth as it is being destroyed. The narrative throughout the album is compelling and captivating. For those of you who appreciate the call to social justice, you will eat this up; for those of you who place emphasis in other areas, you should eat this up. Regardless of where you are politically, you should find the issues raised worthy of listening to and pondering.

Questioning God and the search for truth are common themes throughout. While not part of the main story, Hangman sheds light on our hero’s life and struggle (and is one of my favorite songs). Leader Holding His Eyes deals with the frustration that our hero fosters with the leaders of his time:

All we had is gone, tell me Lord what have we become?
When water, earth and sky are sacrificed
By leaders ruling blind…

This frustration continues throughout. Another one of my favorite tracks is Lessons in Miscommunication Part II, which is a mellow and powerful reprise of Part I and Leader Holding, is where hope is lost:

Angels weep at this gaping hole
Spilling blood till our lungs are full
Corrupt kings and governments fall
And we can’t deny…

That we could have made, made a choice
To consciously love those who had no voice

Hope seems to be found again as our hero ends this part of the journey and heads for new skies through Cygnus.

What are we to do with this wonderful creation? Well you will have to decide. There is definitely a call to make the world a better place. There is the search for God and who He is. Lots of good things to think about. But really, we are left in anticipation. How can things be different for us? You should read the story, listen to the lyrics (they are here for your convenience). What does it make you think about?

Oh right, there is music too! What is a good story without some amazing music to carry it along? Like I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I was a little worried about how things would sound without Tony’s electric guitar, but the trio of John, Eric, and Braydn knew how to balance things perfectly. The driving keys that John Van Deusen provides makes sure that the melody is never lost. The crisp… or distorted as the case may be… bass lines from Eric Sturgeon keep things moving along. The abilities of Braydn Krueger on drums are extensive; he is able to surprise you in every song with something you didn’t expect, completing the trio. And of course there is John’s voice. If you haven’t heard it, you are missing out. There are a few songs on the album that I didn’t think I would like because John yells… that is generally not my style. I dig it live, because hey, it’s a rock show, but on a studio album? But who screams in key? He compliments his outbursts by moving right into melody, the contrast is quite striking and interesting. Part of me still misses the sound from Regicide, but the other part of me knows this sound is extremely well done, creative, and original. In the past two weeks I have played this album over and over and I truly cannot get tired of it.

Now that I have you lusting for this masterpiece of a rock opera, you want to know where you can pick one up, right? Well I have great news, there are a number of ways AND the CD can be yours for only $10! In early August you will be able to buy it online here, it will also be available at a few local music stores (check out Easy Street Records right now!), AND you have multiple chances to pick one up at a live CD release show.

August 4th, 7:30pm (doors at 7:00p) @ the Vera Project at the Seattle Center. The cost is $6.

August 10th, 8:00pm @ the Retrodoxy in Mount Vernon. The cost is $5.

August 11th, 4:00pm @ The Crocodile Cafe in Seattle with (are you ready for this?) The Pale Pacific! The cost is $10.

How about that for options? What is the bottom line (cause, wow, this is becoming a REALLY long post)? This is a great cd that is well worth checking out. This is a great introduction to The Lonely Forest. So get on that!

Calling all Seattleites! Tomorrow night (Thursday, June 28th) at the High Dive (location) at 9:30pm for a mere $6 you can come to a rockin’ show put on by my fav, The Lonely Forest. This is a CD release show for Lacey Brown whom I have never heard before, but listening to a few tracks on her MySpace it sounds like she has a pretty good sound (I could easily hear her music being played on Grey’s Anatomy).

The Lonely Forest is on right at 9:30 so get there a bit early for the show! Josh Ottum is next at 10:30 and then Lacey Brown at 11:30.

For $6 you can’t go wrong! What else are you going to do on a Thursday night? Oh, this is a 21+ show, so no youngins! I hope to see you there! If you see me, say hi! Check out the various MySpace pages (or check out my Lonely Forest blog page or their Virb page) to listen to a few tracks from the artists, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

I’m serious. I had better see you there.

Here is one for you Seattle music lovers. Coming up on June 15th (a Friday) The Vera Project is holding a battle of the bands; the winner of the block star contest gets (among other things) a slot to play at the mainstage for capital hill’s block party!

High stakes abound for this show, with a spot on the main-stage at the Capitol Hill Block Party on the line. A crack team of judges from throughout the Seattle music scene has selected the best entrants for the card, who will duke it out in eight rounds of fun. This year The Vera Project has dropped the gloves and agreed to some ultimate fighting rules, so anything goes…musically that is. The best in thoughtful hip-hop (Grynch), will battle against the best in humorous hip-hop (Optimus Rhyme) just to get the chance to be judged against one of the greatest power-pop bands the town has seen (Speaker Speaker). The underage crowd will be pulling hard for Vera faves The Lonely Forest, and The Sutures. Meanwhile the rockers will be in corner of the ripping Iceage Cobra and Skullbot, pouring salt on their wounds and giving inspiring pep-talks. After the battle, we’ll turn to the judges for their scores and a winner’s hand will be hoisted high into the air. May the strongest competitor take home the spoils.

Mark your calendar! June 15th, 7:30 pm. $5. @ The Vera Project: the corner of Warren Ave N and Republican in the old Snoqualmie Room.

The main reason you should go? The Lonely Forest. ‘Nuff said. Yes, the set will be short, but it will be awesome and if you go cheer them on they will get to play at the block party which would be about the time of their CD release for Nuclear Winter. To check about a bunch of their stuff check out the following places: my Lonely Forest blog page, The Lonely Forest @ MySpace, The Lonely Forest @ Virb (with lots of music from Nuclear Winter).

Hope to see you there! Should be lots of good music to check out!

Cross posted here.

Check out some of the intensity and destruction at Snodfest! The show was a lot of fun, as usual. Pics and video clips can be found at my blog post: Snodfest. Stop by and say hi!

Late Tuesday’s going away part was an amazing night of music, I couldn’t have asked for a better lineup of bands and wonderful musicians. It was a great way for us to tell them “thank you” for sharing their music with us.

All of the pictures from the night (including The Lonely Forest) have been posted at my blog: A Late Tuesday Going Away Party. Some video clips have also been posted at my Late Tuesday Going Away Party YouTube group. Stop by and enjoy!

I never know when to post show information. Too soon and everyone will forget, too late and calendars will be filled up. So here is my best shot at getting the word out. So don’t forget!

The date is fastly approaching: The lovely ladies of Late Tuesday will be performing their final show together on Groundhog’s Day, February 2nd in Bellingham, WA at Bakerview Auditorium (location). The show costs $7 and can be purchased at Christ the King Community Church, Village books, online at Upfest ($1 extra for the delivery), or at the show (but you might want to get them ahead of time!). Show is at 7:00pm and get their early!

This show is going to be amazing for numerous reasons. First and primary is of course that this is the last time Dana, Tara, and Jocelyn will be playing together (well, except for any reunion tours of course!). After 7 years, 4 full length albums, a Christmas EP, and numerous delightful live performances, they have decided to break up for various reasons. Anyone who has enjoyed their music should be there to show your support! Because this is their farewell show, they have invited some amazing bands that they have played with over the years to share the night. This has me pretty excited because two of the four bands are two of my favorite bands, one is another incredible band that is coming out of retirement for the day, and one I have heard is also pretty talented.

You ready for this line-up? Late Tuesday (MySpace, My Late Tuesday blog page), The Pale Pacific (MySpace, My Pale Pacific blog posts), Mindhead (MySpace), The Lonely Forest (MySpace, My Lonely Forest blog page), and Corbin Watkins (MySapce). Can you say epic? This is going to be an incredible night of music that will be hard to beat. I just hope the show is really long! Plan on being there, how can you not?

Cross posted at Random Acts of Verbiage.

I was finally able to post some pictures and video clips from The Lonely Forest show at Seattle’s University Theater over at my blog post (with the so clever title): The Lonely Forest at the Historic University Theater. Stop by and check it out. The videos have also been added to the Lonely Forest Video Clips page here and at my Lonely Forest YouTube playlist.

If you live in Seattle, you had better be coming to the Lonely Forest show coming up next Wednesday, December 13th at the Historic University Theater! This will be a great show with Mon Frere (MySpace), Key Note Speaker (MySpace), and Boom Chickin. It only costs $8 at the door or online. Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8:00. Here is where the theater is.

Really, you have no reason not to be there. You like good music. You like to rock. ‘Nuff said. See you there.

There is an article in this week’s the Stranger about the Lonely Forest:

I always love me some sassy keyboards and screaming guitars, but in today’s growing sea of predictability, it’s refreshing to hear a band like the Lonely Forest, a group of young men from Anacortes who create dynamic piano-laden pop that sounds both genuine and badass.

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Check out the column here.

In some sad news from The Lonely Forest’s MySpace Blog: Lead guitar player Tony Ruland will be heading back to school and so will not be with the band any longer. This is sad news as Tony was a talented rocker and great guy… well he still is those things… just not with the band. You will be missed Tony! Good luck with school and your future!