The Favourite Game

Though this 5-piece Canadian band describes their style as “Space Rock”, I find them prog-esque enough to be deserving of a post in this forum, and (I hope) a listen to from the list. According to the MP3.com site, this band has been making music for some time, yet the band members are quite young and - I think - with a little support, have much potential to evolve and mature in both style and composition.

Overall, the band’s style is atmospheric, with languid, hypnotic vocals and instrumentation stripped of bludgeoning complexity. The band has songs available to listen to or download at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/87/seeking_dawn.html.

One of my favorites available there is "Pinstriped Racketeer", a choppy, at times deliberately hesitant acoustic guitar tune. The song is quite dream-like with breathy, sensual vocals, that - true to the title - is reminiscent of a 30’s era radio crooner. The only percussion I am able to hear is some type of hand held effects-percussion instrument (though, what it is I don't know). If the beauty of the song is its simplicity, the downfall is its length. Running at 1:20 min, the band would have done well to add an instrumental bridge or extended outro, not only for the purpose of prolonging the “dream”, but to add some structural variation.

"Telepeople" is a rockier, cynical guitar/synth/drums tune with the usual but comfortable chord progressions. Nice, but again, too short.

"Sam the Robot" is a melancholy electronic tune composed for the movie short of the same title, an equally affecting movie (recommended, and available for viewing at the SEeKing Dawn official site: http://www.seekingdawn.com .)

Also, just for fun is "Sam the Robot: end titles (alternate)." This is listed as a game sound track, and it sounds very much like one (completely electronic), with quirky singsong vocals dispersed at irregular intervals. It completely cracked me up.

The track I recommend most is their newest, "The Changeling." This has by far the most proggy feel and conversely, the most chance (IMO) for commercial appeal, both in composition and song length. Again, the vocals have an ethereal, narcotic seductiveness (Joshua Richardson - can you tell I like the vocal talent here?). Instrumentally, it is a beautiful performance with high-end synth/guitar, building and arpeggiating near the end. Structurally, it is the most cohesive piece with a haunting and simple guitar and vocal intro, building in its complexity and resolves well with a mild and melodic outro. If you have an inclination to give this band one listen, please make it this one. - Progressive Ears

If Radiohead did the soundtrack for the Haunted House Ride it would sound like “Friends” by SEeKing Dawn—a warm, rich, melodic trance of a rock song.

“Friends” cuts in with no introduction; only a guitar rhythm and vocals laying everything in the open from beat one. A slow, delayed beat kicks in less than a minute into the song, dragging the lethargic lyricist along with it. The haunting background makes one wonder if “Friends “ are a good thing or something to fear. Ending with the chilling, “ahhhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh,” high to low, female falsettos that echo throughout, we get our answer.

“Friends” clocks in under three minutes, and with so much going on, it not only leaves the listener wanting more, it creates an irreparable chasm in their musical soul. Like a good drug, it ends much too quickly, without the chords seeping into our inner being, as no doubt a four or five minute version of the song would.

Though brief, “Friends” is a trip worth taking. Light up, sit back, and give it a spin. - Gods of Music

The intro drumwork, resembles that of: Led Zeppelin's "Levee Breaks" or that song by Green Day "Brain Stew". I kept expecting the singer to say, "...On my own, here we go."

This song takes off, like a rocket. It's a live recording and that speaks for itself, explaining the drop-outs of the drum work as all instruments collide and the 'p' puffing from the vocal mic.

The song is so cool, that I could, actually care less about the recording quality. The singer has a voice similar to that of Green Day or Billy from Smashing Pumpkins. Ranging from raw to seasoned, surprisingly, for a punkish band, the tremolo trail-offs are impressive and cast light on an individualism, I've only heard a few times...in this vein of music.

It's an edgy, little ditty; structured very well with layered guitars a solid drum line and that voice. Be careful, this song will sneak up on you. I must see a live show.
- Gods of Music

A wash of jangly guitars, some paddy synths, and a mellow singer with a distinctive voice.

What else do you need?

Some vocal weirdness (meaning some "off" notes and such) come along here and there, but overall this track is atmospheric and cool. The strings at the end are particularly nice; I would have enjoyed a little more of that orchestral bit at the end - perhaps even ending the song with it rather than bringing back the guitars would have worked better for me.

There might be just a little too much guitar; the parts get a little muddled at times. But overall, the counterpoint and harmony between the parts adds some nice little sonic treats.

This isn't a bad effort. It's pretty original, and interesting textures abound. A little more attention to some of the finer details would make this considerably more powerful.
- Gods of Music