Music
Press
Review by John D. Luerssen
Brooklyn-based duo the Swivel Chairs deliver a delightful indie pop album with A Late Day For Regrets. Bearing an eerie sonic resemblance to Portastatic, multi-instrumentalists Jeremy Grites and Jason Brown drizzle horns, keyboards, and strings atop tracks like the lilting "Here's to Letting Go," and the soft, moody "After All" with super results. Bolstered by jangly confidence on "It's Alright," loose power on "Disappointed," and keen pop sense on "First Night," the Swivel Chairs rarely find time to disappoint. The slumbering, slowcore ode "Empirical" is the exception, mucking up an otherwise great album, but with countrified dazzlers like "The Wednesday Guy" and "Time Enough" waiting in the wings, there's more than enough for discerning fans of the style to cherish here. - All Music Guide
SWIVEL CHAIRS- THE SLOW TRANSMISSION- TRANSIT OF VENUS- With a fairly new label that has already released two fine records in The Shimmers and Trolleyvox, Brooklyn’s Swivel Chairs are in darn good company. This amazingly talented duo , who also have a host of friends contributing, consists of Jason Brown and Jeremy Grites and this is their boldest and best statement yet. THE SLOW TRANSMISSIION is full of the kind of indie rock that was made in the late 80’s/early 90’s when the two word, “indie” and “rock” really meant something and when the words were joined together meant even more to those of us looking for something new once punk rock had finally been laid to rest. The slow, pensive “Here Out of Reach” opens things up with tender lyrics and some swelling strings while the strummy “Easy Now” reminded me of New Zealand’s The Clean with its laidback vibe. “All at Once” begins with some jarring guitars in the Archers of Loaf vein (I know A.O.L. is a favorite of these guys) and the lovely “Sun Goes Down” channels The Byrds as does the equally terrific “Calloused Hands.” In this day and age when bands are able to get noticed more quickly (thank you my space, etc. ) Swivel Chairs deserve their own slice of the pie and with the quality of songwriting on THE SLOW TRANSMISSION, it oughta be a damn big slice. www.transitofvenusmusic.com www.swivelchairsmusic.com - Dagger Zine - Tim Hinely
Discography
2003 - A Late Day For Regrets (Paisley Pop)
2004 - Sidetrack Stars (FDR) - Split album with Audible
2007 - The Slow Transmission (Transit Of Venus)
Photos
Bio
The Slow Transmission is an album born of a friendship and musical partnership that has lasted more than a decade. Over that time, the Swivel Chairs song-writing duo of Jeremy Grites and Jason Brown have polished their craft through numerous self-released cassettes; CD-R albums; compilation tracks; several split albums and EPs with bands like Audible (Polyvinyl) and Matty Charles & the Valentines; and the acclaimed 2004 indie-pop album �A Late Day For Regrets� on Portland OR�s Paisley Pop label.
The Slow Transmission is the first fruit of a two year creative burst that saw the musical partners write and record nearly 40 songs. The album is packed with a memorable collection of songs that range stylistically from retro guitar-pop to alt-country, new wave and folk-rock. The album's cohesion comes from the sharply crafted hooks that stick with the listener long after the album is done and the genuine emotions that come out in their lyrics.
Album opener 'Here Out Of Reach' takes a simple repeating guitar figure and builds on it with acoustic guitars, cello and vocal harmonies to tell a tale disappointment and rejection. The propulsive drums and guitar of 'Afterthought' combine with Jason Brown's declamatory lead vocals and Jeremy's harmony-heavy backing vocals on the chorus to convey the frustration of being taken for granted by the one you love. Whether its the elegaic 'December Ghosts,' the country-folk 'Calloused Hands' or the layered guitar intricacy of the instrumental 'Clockwise' the album keeps delivering from beginning to end.
Basic tracks for The Slow Transmission were recorded in Brooklyn and the album was completed and mixed in Philadelphia. It features contributions from long-time friends like Ed Hogarty (Audible, Leftys Deceiver, Bigger Lovers) on guitar; Eve Miller (Rachaels, Matt Pond PA) on cello: Mary Garito (Audible) and Beth Filla (Trolleyvox) on harmony vocals; Mike Brenner (Slo-Mo, Marah,The Low Road) on pedal steel; Greg Potter (Blank Pages) on guitar and backing vocals and Andrew Hall (The Moonlighters) on upright bass.
Links
