The Belated
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The Belated

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"The Belated:You Will All Fade Away"

This album really is a very good listening experience. It's emo rock with several epic moments. Very strong vocals treatments that sometimes reminds me a bit of good old Radiohead and Thom Yorke. Very catchy and addictive music. It's hard to pick a favourite track but I think it must the track "Sweet", intro with bittersweet vocals and then building itself up to a grand guitar inferno, this is power rock per excellence, WONDERFUL!!! This album has everything you should expect from a good rock album. Another wonderful track is clearly "On In A Million".
Do yourself a favour buy this album. - Nephilius Webzine: Joost Hegle


"The Belated - You Will All Fade Away"

Released in 2007, You Will All Fade Away is the promising debut from The Belated. The CD lists Michael Richardson (vocals, guitars), Jason Ulanet (bass, keys), and Ryan Sartin (drums, vocals) as the principal players at the time of the recording. Since then, the group recruited guitarist Drew Black to broaden the band’s sound and switched drummers with Nick Combs banging on the kit now. While the band hints that their music draws comparisons to Radiohead, Muse, and Jeff Buckley, The Belated should be heard and judged its own merits.

Ideally, the band excels when performing live at a venue where the sound mix is balanced and crystal clear. Unfortunately, the quality of sound is at the mercy of the venue’s acoustics, sound system, and capability of the person at the mixing board, often making for less than perfect conditions. Give The Belated props for their persistence. At two live shows over the past couple of months, Michael Richardson and company soldiered on through their sets without on-stage diva moments despite sound problems. Perhaps a grumble here, an irritated scowl there, but they retain an aura of showmanship and perform material without holding back. The Belated wants to put on a show where the audience can truly hear the song, feel the emotional impact, and participate in their rock and roll escapade.
Drew Black is an energetic wingman, wielding guitar and coaxing sound out of it relentlessly with the use of pedal effects, gyration, and sheer will. On the opposite side of the stage, Jason Ulanet alternates positions as a physically volcanic force. He quakes and unleashes rock-steady salvos on bass or sits and fires melodic notes on keyboards. Drummer Nick Combs packs a mighty wallop or restrained touch where needed, laying down a rhythm foundation that the group depends on. Centerstage, Richardson fully inhabits the role of a front man who slings high voltage vocals and guitar.

As a recording, the ten tracks on You Will All Fade Away demonstrate The Belated’s propensity for impassioned, sometimes overwrought vocals and go-for-broke guitar hooks. The first song, “Freedom in the Underworld,” is a prime example of an epic tune that emphasizes Richardson’s emotive voice, a galloping rhythm, and swelling guitars. Then, the song breaks pace with tumbling drum work and vaults toward a furious finish.
Ulanet’s keyboard work adds a distinct melodic element to The Belated’s sound on “Dream,” a melodramatic tune that still rocks and shows an angst-ridden side to the songwriting. Next, “Broken” offers a catchy guitar hook with crisp drumming that’s a touch heavy on cymbals. The lyrics get the idea across quickly, but don’t seem to evolve much once the song gets past the one-minute mark. That’s the minor hurdle with the record. At times, the lyrics or song structure don’t take us into unexpected places, but instead repeat and draw the song to an anticipated conclusion.

“Glory Angel” is a wicked romp that surges from a siren-like opening riff, Richardson’s raspy wails, choppy guitars, and go-for-broke drumming. Hard-driving songs like this show the band’s propensity for calculated rock cacophony. Richardson’s vocal range on “Sweet” soars from crooning falsetto to full-throated howl atop swirling guitars. If not convinced by now that The Belated is determined to deliver passion and sincerity with its music, then “Glorious” is persuasive with its bombastic array of vocals, crashing drums and cymbals, and simmering guitar.
“One in a Million” is the stand out single. A compelling keyboard hook converges with an urgent beat as Richardson’s rasp barely stays ahead of the snarling guitar work. Midpoint through the song, the piano hook returns as if to keep the momentum in check and finally relents to the song’s emotional and sonic outburst.

In a city brimming with irrefutable talent, The Belated stake their claim as a maturing band that asserts its place and deserves to be heard in the musical landscape. Their debut album brims with bravado, orchestrating rock songs and heavy-hearted ballads that intensify with moments of high drama when performed live. It sounds impressive enough that curiosity prompts the question––what else can they create to reach the next level as songwriters and musicians? With You Will Fade Away, the group has laid a solid foundation to stand on and reach higher.
- Present Magazine [Pete Dulin]


"You Will All Fade Away"

Michael Richardson, who leads The Belated, is the serious sort who takes his music deadly seriously. “Music is more than a soundtrack for a fashion statement, whether it’s the clothes or hair that is fashionable, or attitudes and personas,” he explains on the group’s website. “Music is more than a conversation that happens to have notes and rhythms. Our lives are fraught with doubt, insincerity, and half-truths, but music does not lie. Music transports us, and in doing so clarifies the things in our lives that we can’t see very well."

Richardson’s seriousness is especially showcased during “Dream” where he admits, “I may never sleep again” over insistent piano and acoustic guitars. “I may not dream tomorrow, I may not dream today, I may never dream again” he further confesses pessimistically.

Two of Richardson’s admitted influences are Jeff Buckley and Roy Orbison. And like these influences, Richard has the sort of voice that soars like a bird in flight over his musical backing. This instrumental backing is provided by Jason Ulanet on keyboards; Nick Combs, drums; and Drew Black on guitars and bass.

The Belated also count guitar bands like The Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, and Soundgarden as inspirations, and tracks like “Glory Angel” are particularly guitar-driven. This song’s minor key moments give it the drama one associates with Radiohead. But Richardson is a far more aggressive vocalist than Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. Nevertheless, it’s not hard to imagine Yorke pleading, “Don’t you take me to the sea, Glory Angel let me be.” It’s also hard not to think of Radiohead after hearing the electric guitar picking intro on “One in a Million."

The very next track, “Crying Shame,” also has its Radiohead-esque moments. It begins with a piano dirge intro, over bang-the-drum-slowly drums and space-y guitar sounds. Richardson sings it in a hushed, reverent tone. Oddly enough, an accordion part – at least I think that’s what it is – is also added. And while accordion is mostly reserved for polka and Mexican border music, this extra element actually works quite nicely. I’d like to think this was a happy accident. If it was planned, this group must be true genius.

There may be a spiritual undertone to what The Belated does. The angel motif shows up on “Glory Angel,” then there is “Glorious," which speaks about “holding out for a better day." It’s sung over strummed electric guitars, and Richardson measures his vocals carefully. But when he starts to sing about blue skies turning grey, you have to wonder if the man is just being ironic. Nevertheless, there is a majestic feel to this song that makes you feel good.

The CD title, You Will All Fade Away, does not fill the heart with optimism. But then again, The Bible speaks about the concept of “dust to dust,” and there’s little that is more hopeful than Holy Scripture. Let’s hope, however, that The Belated does not fade away. This is a talented band that creates memorable music.

- Indie-Music.com (Dan MacIntosh)


Discography

The Belated EP: 2006
You Will All Fade Away: 2007
Belief in the Process: 2009

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Bio

FORMED: 2005

“Music should transport us and clarify the things in our lives that we cannot see very well. It’s more than a soundtrack for a fashion statement, whether that pertains to clothes, hair, attitudes, or personas. Our lives are fraught with doubt, insincerity, and half-truths…music does not lie.”

Centering around the songwriting collaborative of Michael Richardson (guitar/vocals) and Jason Ulanet (bass/keys), The Belated passionately believe in the above statements. The band released their debut EP in June of 2006, and followed that up with their self-produced full-length "You Will All Fade Away" in April 2007. Exhibiting a sincere and passionate set of moody ethereal ballads, subversive indie rock cacophonies, and an unbridled epic sensibility, The Belated have become the culmination of their diverse influences, from Radiohead and Jeff Buckley to The Pixies and Archers of Loaf, Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden to Nick Cave and Roy Orbison, Muse to The Jam.

Ulanet, a radio veteran from New Jersey, relocated to Kansas City in 2003 to pursue an opportunity at a local modern rock radio station. Richardson arrived in KC the following year, and immediately began looking for individuals to fill out his musical vision. Having formed many bands over the years throughout the country, Richardson was searching for a virtuoso that could help focus the rawness of his epic/passionate songwriting style.

"I was poking around the radio station’s website, after hearing the afternoon DJ speak very highly of Radiohead, The Pixies, and Soundgarden. I could easily tell this guy knew a hell of a lot more about the inner mechanics and emotions of music than your average on-air personality. After reading that 3 of his favorite songs of all time (“Lover You Should Have Come Over”, “Exit Music”, and “Life on Mars?”) happened to be the pinnacle performances from MY top 3 favorite artists, I figured I should meet this guy and see if he was the real deal. I decided that he was...."

Along with drummer Ryan Sartin, The Belated quickly worked up a solid set of music, and has been honing their live show intensely ever since. In spring of 2006, the band entered Black Lodge Recording to start work on their debut CD. With 6 songs recorded by May, the band decided to release three of the songs (Sweet, Glorious, and One in a Million) as their demo/ep. In support of that EP, they performed 20+ shows over the next 5 months, and quickly earned a reputation as one of the best new live acts in the Kansas City area.

“I have a dream of musicians and artists truly and honestly supporting each other in a positive manner. I could never understand why bands at the grassroots level could tear each other apart and create such a sense of competition, when it’s obvious to me that you should do the opposite.”

In the fall of 2006, the band finished up their full-length debut with Chris Cosgrove at Low Key Studios. Mixing was completed in early 2007 and sent off to be Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper (TurtleTone).

"You Will All Fade Away" is a diverse collection of 10 well-crafted, timeless statements, each song bearing the distinctive tone The Belated brings, no matter what end of the stylistic spectrum the song inhabits.

"Songs need to paint a picture and evoke an emotion or image from the listener. Every note should serve a purpose, whether it’s to create or release tension, provide contrast, to cast other notes or chords in a different light, or simply project you into another orbit. If I don't see flashing lights, colors, and images in my mind, then I’m not properly expressing the emotion of that particular song."

“Music should transport us and clarify the things in our lives that we cannot see very well. It’s more than a soundtrack for a fashion statement, whether that pertains to clothes, hair, attitudes, or personas. Our lives are fraught with doubt, insincerity, and half-truths…music does not lie.”

Centering around the songwriting collaborative of Michael Richardson (guitar/vocals) and Jason Ulanet (bass/keys), The Belated passionately believe in the above statements. The band released their debut EP in June of 2006, and followed that up with their self-produced full-length "You Will All Fade Away" in April 2007. Exhibiting a sincere and passionate set of moody ethereal ballads, subversive indie rock cacophonies, and an unbridled epic sensibility, The Belated have become the culmination of their diverse influences, from Radiohead and Jeff Buckley to The Pixies and Archers of Loaf, Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden to Nick Cave and Roy Orbison, Muse to The Jam.

Ulanet, a radio veteran from New Jersey, relocated to Kansas City in 2003 to pursue an opportunity at a local modern rock radio station. Richardson arrived in KC the following year, and immediately began looking for individuals to fill out his musical vision. Having formed many bands over the years throughout the country, Richard