(EM)

A while back I wondered why modern songs have become so short in duration. Barely hitting the three minute mark, many of the new releases I've come to love seem like a fleeting moment. There isn't time to fully enjoy the beauty of the lyrics or intricacies within the instrumental. Could it be the result of society's attention span shrinking? Or do musicians and their labels believe that six or even seven-minute tracks won't do as well as they did in the 60s and 70s?

With (EM)'s latest release I had a chance to fully appreciate each song for the first time in a while. Each track being over 3 minutes doesn't alienate or bore the listener their first listen; rather, the complexities found in each song draw you in. In some cases feeling like two songs in one, each track kept me at the edge of my seat with its brutally honest lyrics and unapologetic experimentation in terms of composition. It was overall a comforting listen that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes emo/grunge-esque indie rock. - Cut It Out Magazine

A new album release from (EM), short for Eddie Mead, is an insanely catchy, fuzztone, garage rock masterpiece complete with addicting melodies, tons of hooks both musically and vocally, and a fusion of genres.

The Dumbo album is packed with creative sounds and effects along with acoustic and electric guitar combinations that breathe a bit of a new life into indie-rock.

This is a record that is alive and breathing at all times. Songs are shining and boundless as they wail on and give a certain warm feeling.

Crossing a 90's underground rock sound, with a deep grunge feel, and never leaving pop behind, Dumbo is a huge record with so much fun to soak in it's almost engulfing.

You can hear the limitless factor on this album. The fact that this was created without walls or a precise format of "how to do things".

It is a free record and you can hear and feel that freedom in creation. That freedom in recording. I think this is part of why the album is so addicting and why you will relate to not only its words but its actual sounds.

There is an ambience to the record as well. Something that expands and contracts all the way through.

Bringing to mind bands like Modest Mouse at times, and Beach Boys others, there is a portrayal of eclectic influences running through the veins of this piece of work.

This is sort of an opus of a record in the way that it's a lot to soak in but damn is it fun to do.

You end up falling in love with the grit of the sound of the release quickly and it's quirky and bendy sounds scattered about.

Dumbo has its own atmosphere.

Check this album out and see if you can shake it off once it's over. - The Sounds Won't Stop

This album is impossible not to listen to from beginning to end, the hooks are strong and grip you even when you think you have escaped them. The lyrics in each single capture your attention within seconds and I feel any listener will be able to relate to them. The combination of sounds, instrumentals and vocals work so well together on this incredible album, it has something for everyone to enjoy.

It was hard for me to pick my favourite track from this album as each track has its own anthemic sound which makes it special. If I really had to pick one that has managed to stand out a little more from the other tracks it would be ‘massive gamble’, this single is full of energy and lyrics that make you stop and listen to every word, I found myself hooked within seconds and tapping along with the song.

This album was something completely different to what I usually enjoy listening to, but I could not help but love what I was hearing. It’s safe to say I’m a fan and look forward to hearing more music from Eddie in the future.

Great job!

9/10

By Ollie Cooper - That Blogger Music

Where introspective garage punk meets poetic lyricism is where you'll find the Alternative artist and singer-songwriter (EM), especially with help from his latest thought-provoking single, "Opening Night: Short Story." From the cold woods of Wisconsin, (EM) has been honing his craft for two decades, writing music and learning his way around the past and present production techniques. Using his lyricism as an emotional outlet, (EM) is eager to pull in fans through his conceptual storylines and a sonic hybrid sounds of lo-fi garage rock, shoegaze-sludge pop, and hints of folk and psychedelia.

Recently releasing his intro track "Opening Night: Short Story" off of his album 'Dumbo,' (EM) brings us into a conceptual, emotional, and compelling storyline through his dreamy and poetic lyricism. Not to mention the hard-hitting and textured instrumentation, we love the song's organic and natural feel as (EM) blasts through with a message that lingers our minds for hours on end.

"Opening Night: Short Story" begins with crisp drum breaks, distorted and layered electric guitars, and a warm acoustic guitar to brighten the song's atmosphere. As (EM) starts singing in a low, reflective, and dreamy voice, he captures us into the heavy scenery he's depicting with each in-depth lyric.

We love the grunge, and mellow-punk feel that (EM) has delivered with this piece, which is perfectly complemented by lyrics like "I worked so long to lose it all, I tried too hard, forgot to love myself." Reaching the end of this exhilarating track, we adore each heavy sonic element accompanied by (EM)'s vulnerable and relatable lyricism.

Catch (EM)'s heated release "Opening Night: Short Story" on all streaming platforms, and check out the entire album 'Dumbo,' as (EM) serenades us with each introspective lyric and ground-breaking melody.

Listen to "Opening Night: Short Story" here. - BuzzMusic

New album from lo-fi/indie/attic-punk act (EM) out of Appleton, WI. This came out at the tail-end of last year. Good stuff to jam while you're stuck inside and going a little crazy because outside of those four walls it's a subzero winter wasteland and there's a never-ending pandemic and you're trying to keep yourself grounded, but all you want to do is drink a bottle of whiskey and scream from the rooftop on a Tuesday afternoon.

Rating: 8.8/10 - Cabin Corner

A new double single from (EM) brings us a bright and lively brand of garage rock that feels influenced by classic rock and even indie-rock from the late 90's at times with a killer fuzztone feel to everything giving it all this certain sheen while vocals have such memorable melodies and guitars take on such an orchestrated tonality.



The first of the two is called "newbooksamepage" and it's incredibly honest and upfront which is one of the most addictive parts about this whole thing. It's all so right in your face. There are a few layers to pick apart but for the most part this is a way to get things off of his chest.



The whole thing has a live performance approach to it and the energies are feeding off of each other the entire time which also makes it unique right alongside the augmented and experimental guitar sections that pop up between the bright and catchy pop guitar parts.



Vocals are harmonizing 2 or 3 parts at a time and it gives things a robust feel and with everything together, it has a beautiful sonic presence honestly.



You get that classic rock feeling at times and you can relate to the words half the time.



"Olwil" is the second one and the intro riff is wild! Its bendy punk rock with a hyper energy musically while vocals keep to that melodic fuzztone which all together is sort of the staple sound of the whole project.



These songs are outside the box, done with nothing but pure heart, and explore elements that most don't.



Plus the riffs are just great all over this thing.



This is for experimental rockers and classic rockers out there for sure. It doesn't get as pure as this.



That says something.



With the release of such a killer set of songs, we wanted to touch bass with the band to find out where this all really came from.



Here's what happened.



TSWS: Okay so let's start with the new double single release. This record has a youthful garage rock style to it. Where did this record come from?



All of the music, except the bass and vocals, were recorded last year. In fact, all ten songs of my next album were recorded in 2021. Now I’m in the process of writing/compiling lyrics for them, so I can record vocals and finally release it.



Although the music is upbeat (and from a different time/place), the lyrics come from a dark period of homelessness I experienced last winter, as well as various aggressions. My lyrics have always been a pouring out of difficult and painful emotions, no matter how vague. This single’s first track, however, has some light in its lyrics.



TSWS: I'm hearing some great styles on this release. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?



Guided By Voices, Television, Rites of Spring, Bob Dylan, The Replacements, My Bloody Valentine, Big Star, Dinosaur Jr., Mission of Burma, Nick Drake, The Cure, and Cloud Nothings are amongst my seemingly endless list of influences. For that reason, I’ll quit the list there.



TSWS: So how did this all begin for you guys?



(EM) is actually a solo project of mine. Everything is self-written, recorded, produced, and released by yours truly. I chose the moniker over a decade ago to upload some amateur demos, but it wasn’t until late 2018 that I began using the name (EM) officially to release music. I’ve led quite a few bands over the years, and am currently a member of a collaborative musical group named NITE DINO.



TSWS: What's next for you as a band?



I hope to finish my next record soon, as it has been a long work in progress. I’m very proud of its content - it is quite dear to me - and I think that is part of the reason I had to take a break from working on it to focus on other musical endeavors.



Next is also doing my own PR work to spread the word of this and upcoming releases. It is a tough task to take on alone, but I am trying my best to reach out to everyone that might be interested in the music of (EM).



TSWS: What inspires you to write a song?



My songwriting style varies. There will be months of lyrical writer’s block during which I am able to record a ton of music. Then it switches, and my mind fills with words while musical ideas fade. After these periods, I usually compile the many words/lyrics I have written and choose which songs they will fit with properly.



This isn’t always the case, and lately I’ve been approaching recording as a one-night process. I will record the musical tracks in one take off the top of my head, then scratch down words to fit with it. This is how most of NITE DINO’s material is made.



TSWS: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?



I like to spend time listening to vinyl records from my collection, reading (I have stacks of books I’ve acquired and have yet to open), and journaling. Sometimes portions or whole journal entries may become lyrics in future songs. I am also a dedicated collector of VHS tapes. At this point, my collection numbers in the hundreds.



TSWS: Who are you all listening to right now?



Guided By Voices (of course), really anything from Speedy Wunderground, including Black Country, New Road, black midi, Squid, etc. Bob Dylan is a mainstay, and I think his most recent album stands up to some of his other greatest releases. The Weather Station’s album ‘Ignorance’ is fantastic. I am a big fan of Angel Olsen too. Oh, and Cloud Nothings never fail.



TSWS: Are you guys doing live performances?



(EM) has yet to play live. I am slowly working on putting a live band together that can transfer the sound and many layers in my recordings into an appropriately similar sound on stage.



TSWS: This release seems like a big undertaking. What kind of advice might you have for other up and coming bands out there?



My advice would be to continue working hard; practice, write, record, and play live as much as you can. The more you do, the better your music becomes, and you will find an audience that appreciates it. Promotion is an important part of the game, no matter how much of a pain it may seem to be. Social media can be a game-changer, so keep up-to-date with your profiles on various sites.



Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy yourself and marvel at the fact that you are creating something unique. You will inspire yourself this way.



TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?



I have a great appreciation and admiration for anyone and everyone who has given my music a chance over the years, even if they merely listened to a single song. The support I’ve received so far is something I’m eternally grateful of, and I hope (EM) fans enjoy both my brand new music and the many tunes to come. Thank you! - The Sounds Won't Stop