It's time! East Hundred, one of the gems of the Philly music scene, is just about to release their first full length album "Passenger" on Tuesday, January 13th. Highly anticipated after two EPs (one from '05 and one from '07), the band is ready to have fans hear their work on a more grand scale. East Hundred has been on the Philly scene now for a few years - four to be exact - winning fans over with their live shows (including one for the Girl About Town "Spring Fling" last March). Comprised of brothers Will and Brooke Blair, Dave Sunderland, Susan Gager, and frontwoman Beril Guceri, the band is now poised to conquer the rest of the world. They have a flair for writing impecable pop songs, they have a unique sound that blends hard and soft elements, and Beril's textured and hypnotic voice fits the music like a hand to a glove. No one instrument stands out in this band, it's a true collaboration, from songwriting to performing. The guitars, more atmospheric than driving, are the perfect foil for the keys and synth. The band incorporates some eclectic instruments into their sound, as in their strongest song - the opener "Slow Burning Crimes", where a toy piano enhances the chorus. Beril also uses a vintage harominca mic on "Plus Minus", which the band brings along to their live set in a mysterious wooden cabinet that houses lots of effects and a melodica.
Work began on "The Passenger" after Beril and Brooke decided to end their romantic relationship, and instead the couple took their relationship in a different direction, channeling emotions and experiences into these songs. The result is an album filled with tension and raw emotion, palpable and achingly beautiful but still very much a pop record with its optimistic tone. The songs started at Mad Dragon studios, but as the material evolved Brian McTear of Miner Street got involved and he worked with the band on five of the nine songs. McTear produced the songs as well as engineered them along with studio mate Amy Morrissey. McTear also did additional production to the Mad Dragon songs, thereby ensuring the band keep their sound cohesive and intact, all while capturing exactly what East Hundred does best - soar.
Track Listing:
01 Slow Burning Crimes
02 Plus Minus
03 Deadpan
04 Autopilot
05 Pony
06 Along The Way
07 Dear Blue
08 Sigh And Wave
09 Afterlove
East Hundred will be hosting their CD release party at Johnny Brenda's tonight, Friday January 9th, with Gildon Works and Jotto also on the bill. They will also be playing The Note (Bam Margera's new venue in West Chester) on February 19th.
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