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Life in Bed
Passed and Presents
(Polar)
The first thing you notice about this Pittsburgh indie quartet’s second LP (to go with an EP, all three on drummer Sean Finn’s Polar) is their preternaturally tight rhythm section. As precise and busy as a math-rock band, their pinpoint accuracy and percussive nervousness is rarely seen in such a upfront melodic group, let alone one this low-flame slow-boil in its textures. Together with tightly plucked guitars (occasionally far away-sounding, like ’80s For Against and The Chameleons’ Reg Smithies’ parts), they forge a sound that’s hastening at its base but restrained and full of clarity at its shell. Factor in Bill Merante’s nicely throaty vocals (think Elbow’s Guy Garvey!), and singalong songs such as "Far From You" and "Under the Lights," and you grow more impressed. Highly ear-catching, catchy, and artfully engaging, Life is Bed is anything but naptime. (lifeinbed.net)
Jack Rabid
- The Big Takeover
Who? Veteran Steel City musicians put their own twist on a tasty Whitman's Sampler of early-'90s indie and alt-rock: shiny, intricate guitar tangles collide with driving power-chord riffage in a catchy loud-to-soft dynamic, and meet oft-mathematic, chattering rhythms as frontman Bill Merante's whiney laments strike a familiar yet refreshing chord.
Their latest: Passed and Presents, out March 25 via Polar Recordings
Recommended if you like... Sunny Day Real Estate, Sparta, Minus the Bear - Spin.com
Pittsburgh's Life in Bed has been much disturbed over the last couple of years. Guitarist and founding member Craig Svitek left the band in 2006, in the midst of recording Passed and Presents. Both he and his replacement, ex-Voice in the Wire guitarist Stephen McMillan, ultimately featured on the set. Bassist/synth player Christopher James stayed through the recording, but promptly departed upon its completion. As Life in Bed's line-up began shifting, so too did their sound. Many of the songs now emphasize the interplay between the band's two guitarists, with Jake's bass deftly weaving between them. Eschewing dramatic aural shifts between verses and choruses, the band have smoothed down the explosive edges of their music, highlighting instead the shadowed musical atmospheres. And those atmospheres are neatly divided between dark and light, with the first half of the set given over to the former, the second half to the latter. Moody, Spanish flavored guitars haunts both "Idealism Is a Concept" and "Under the Lights", the latter has a quiet intensity that pushes towards emo, the former shimmers with a Cure-esque aura. "Far From You" delves even deeper into post-punk gloom, while the more jittery "The Good Life" and dramatic "First Chapter are filled with the angular rhythms that peppered that age. In contrast, the up-tempo "Well Informed, Yet Misdirected" is awash in an optimistic brightness, while "Another Round" bounces happily around the grooves. The breezy "1000 Reasons" is bathed in sunlight and a whiling away the day feel, an aura that also seeps across the more introspective "Ordinary Day". The set closing "Author" slips between dark and light, its musical thunderstorms giving way to brightening skies, providing a link back to the beginning of the set. The gentle instrumental Smile" also acts as a hinge between the set's two atmospheric halves, its lilting guitar lines chasing away the previous songs' shadows. The production beautifully emphasizes the set's atmospheres, with the thoughtful sequencing further enhancing the albums' disparate moods. Add suitably obscure lyrics to keep one pondering, and you'll want to stay in bed with Bed for hours to come. - allmusic.com
"If Life in Bed's goal is to combine the intricacies of indie guitar rock with the accessibility of pop, Two Point Perspective proves the band reaching it" - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh City Paper
Discography
"Passed and Presents" (2007) polar recordings; Moor Works, Japan (2008)
"Exercises for Translation" EP (2005) polar recordings
"Two Point Perspective" (2003) polar recordings
"WRCT 88.3fm - Advanced Calculus" compilation (2003) 'throwback'
"Copper Press presents" CP19 'weight of an atom'
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Bio
Taking the name, Life in Bed off of the magnetic poetry adorning a refrigerator, the group seeks to combine their love of 80's pop icons, The Smiths and The Cure with the more aggressive sounds of the 90's indie guitar explosion while maintaining a fresh approach to highlighting what made these sounds great.
Life in Bed was formed in late 2001 in Pittsburgh by ex-members of Manifold Splendor. The band’s first full length release, Two Point Perspective was released in 2003 on drummer Sean Finn’s Polar Recordings imprint. The release met with positive reviews and the band began regional touring.
2005 brought the release of a 5 song EP. Recorded at H-hour studios by Jason Kirker (Modey Lemon, Pikadori), Exercises for Translation expanded Life in Bed's continued emphasis on melody and dynamic guitar interplay while emphasizing a more mature, focused sound.
Founding member and guitarist, Craig Svitek left the band in March of 2006 and has been replaced with long time Life in Bed supporter and ex- Voice in the Wire guitarist, Steve McMillen.
Life in Bed continues to tour regionally and 2007 sees the release of their second full length record, Passed and Presents. Passed & Presents was also recently licensed to Japanese indie, Moor Works for release in Japan in March of 2008.
July 2008 marked the departure of bassist, Thomas Cipollone. Ex-Zao bassist, Shawn Koschik has been recruited to take Thomas's place and has been a welcome addition to the Life in Bed roster!
Life in Bed has shared the stage with such great bands as Aloha, We Are Scientists, Oxford Collapse, Engine Down, Minus the Bear, The Life And Times, Channels, Pilot to Gunner, The Promise Ring, Hey Mercedes, Matt Pond PA, Rahim, Antelope, Rainer Maria, Race For Titles, Appleseed Cast, Trans Am, Don Caballero, The Forms, Cities, Chin Up Chin Up, Aspera, The Six Parts Seven, Maritime, Decibully, Owen, Asobi Seksu, Travis Morrison, Troubled Hubble, The Detachment Kit, New London Fire, Headlights, Adam Franklin of Swervedriver, Bear Hands, Mussels, The Twilight Sad.
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