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WINDOWS '78 The Window Seat (Submerged) Droning melodies, layered guitars and leisurely chord changes litter Windows '78's debut record, making it, on the surface, pretty typical space rock. However, there are a number of poppy moments that help this disc transcend the pack. "A Couple Of Lines" is ripe with "ba-ba-bas" and beguiling vocals, and the slow starter "Roll Your Eyes" features loud, feedback-fueled verses. Despite those memorable flourishes, this record still feels like a first-time effort. If the Vancouver act follow this up with stronger songs and, specifically, more daring guitar work, Windows '78 could become Canada's premier space act. Bryan Borzykowski - Chart Attack
Windows '78
Album Title: The Window Seat
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Rating:
Genre: Rock
Vancouver’s Windows ’78 have got a chilling, distant sound, sort of like the Editors or Interpol with vocals provided by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. None of the previous comparisons should come as a surprise when one takes the time to listen to the lyrics with which the four-piece layered their debut record. The band has got an admitted preoccupation with space and their music shows it. Not merely about lyrics and vocals, the musical arrangements on The Window Seat are experimental and well thought-out. Windows ’78 isn’t afraid to venture for extended periods without a voice to be heard, and it only helps to add to the gaping, airy feel they’ve created. Of course, the monotone vocals provided by Mark Rogers don’t hinder either.
Writer: Jaclyn Arndt - Soulshine
In case modern progressive rock has lost its ability to satisfy your inner geekÂ_--and the only way to fight exam time depression is to feed the nerd--maybe it's time for you to succumb to the awesome powers of space rock and welcome Windows '78 into your life. The band's latest album, The Window Seat, is an extremely mellow disc with lyrics discussing robots, technology, and a little bit of psychology.__"There's a number of different elements going on [in the album]," explains Nathanson, the band's drummer. "There's the space rock element and the element of technology. There are also some songs that touch on interpersonal relationships--songs about human interaction, or sometimes the lack thereof. The concept, while it is specific to technology and space, has some other elements that get worked in there."__Nathanson understands the connection existing between humans and technology. He sees the influence of technology on the songs as inevitable.__"Because our lives are so entwined now with modern technology, it is so hard not to be influenced by it," says Nathanson. "In the writing of the songs we couldn't help but have that influence, because we deal with technology every day."__Besides the conceptual influence of technology upon Windows '78, the band took advantage of technology in production while recording The Window Seat with engineer Caleb Stull, a member of the band Parlour Steps. Nathanson fondly recounts his experiences with Stull in the studio.__"Caleb is a terrific engineer with great ears," he says proudly. "Some of the things that he heard we did not. [His ideas] flushed out the sound in a really positive way. I can say unequivocally I've waited 15 years for an engineer to make my drums sing the way that they do on this record."__Nathanson does not mind giving publicity to Stull. In fact, he believes strongly in advocating for other artists and workers in the industry.__"A lot of bands don't like to promote other bands," claims Nathanson. "We have no problem with that. We all have a common goal of entertaining people, and at the same time entertaining and working with each other."__In addition to singing the praises of his peers from Calgary, Nathanson also discloses his love for one of Canada's most beloved rock acts.__"Personally, I'm a fan of Rush," he admits, admiring the group for their ability to work together and keep up to date with their music. "Lots of people like to put them down, but those guys are so hip to what's going on musically."__Admittedly, Windows '78 doesn't sound anything like Rush, but if your Rush-loving, Canadian inner geek is begging to be set free, then space rock may be your wave of the future. - The Gaunlet
Trippy space-rockers?Sing about robots on Mars?What’s cooler than that?
(Haiku review) - Edmonton Vue
It is said that those who can't, teach. In the world of music, those who can't, write.
At least that's the case most of the time. There are a few exceptions. There's acclaimed Spin magazine writer and Guided By Voices member Jim Greer, there's (obviously) me, and there's a wonderfully talented Georgia Straight music writer named John Lucas.
John also makes his musical mark playing guitar not only in beloved local underground heroes, Hinterland, he - along with brothers Mark and Craig Rogers (Who doesn't love a band with siblings in it?), and drummer Michael Nathanson - is also a member of a very buzz-worthy project called Windows '78.
But Windows '78 is a little more than some one-off, side-project. One need listen no further than their fantastic debut, The Window Seat, to realize this. Think of a less grandiose (in a good way) Joshua Tree, or perhaps a more grandiose Tragically Hip. It's garage rock clearly aimed at the big-brained, shoe-gazing crowd, but accessible enough to reach fans outside the "sweaters and library cards" scene. It's nothing too crazy or too experimental, it's just good songs, strong performances, and great, great lyrics 'cause hey, sometimes those who can write, rock.
Check out Windows '78 when they take the stage Saturday at the Lamplighter Pub.
- 24
Spacy and atmospheric contemporary rock with a progressive Pink Floyd meets Joy Division vibe dominates this Vancouver four-piece's confidently dreamy album with such stand-out moments as "You Wonder Why", "Pathfinder", and "House of Commons". (Submerged Records)
Paul Myers - TV Week (April 8-14 issue)
(review by Dr. Evil's brother!!!) - TV Weekly
A new successor to the mantle of melancholy modern rock, Windows 78 will appeal to fans of Red House Painters, Projektor, and Elliot Smith with this fine debut. Like those purveyors of sad songs, Windows 78 is able to tease rays of hope out from shady corners. If you like tunes that take their time, meanderinto dark alleys, then wash over you with sweet shoegazer-like guitar, this could be your favourite new band. But even a profanity is vocalised with what seems like calm detachment, and lyrics like “You could send me some friends” might appear a tad too close to mope-rock. However, a closer listen reveals that robotic entities on Mars may be narrating a few of these tracks, so though it ain’t Hawkwind, it’s pretty clear that space is the place for this Vancouverfoursome. Canada might just be too small for sonically ambitious Windows 78.
- Saskatoon Review
Is shoegazer rock making a comeback? If it is, it's with a dash of progressive-rock. Vancouver's The Window Seat sound is somewhere between Spiritualized without the eclecticism and Pink Floyd without Roger Waters' misery or Dave Gilmour's sighing grandeur. - Vancouver Province
Discography
the window seat (LP) - April 2006
Photos
Bio
Formed in December of 2002, Windows ’78 has since played successful shows with the Album Leaf, Calla, Mono, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, and Hood. They released their deput LP, "The Window Seat", in 2006 receiving critical acclaim and radio airplay from across Canada and hundreds of full album downloads and purchases worldwide.
It seems inevitable that THE WINDOW SEAT, the debut album from Vancouver’s Windows ’78, will be labelled as “space rock”. The disc’s ten songs showcase the band’s ability to craft a rich, evocative sound that weaves together melodic guitar lines, subtly deployed electronic loops, and masterful drumming. At the album’s heart is a trilogy of songs—“Opportunity”, “Spirit”, and “Pathfinder”—that tell the stories of robotic rovers exploring Mars. These songs can be appreciated purely on the level of scientific speculation: If the rovers had thoughts and feelings of their own, what would they tell us about themselves and their experiences? At the same time, the trilogy poses a few metaphorical questions: Are the robots us? Do the incalculable reaches of space and the barren dunes of Mars represent the psychological landscapes of solitary humans? Maybe these songs aren’t really about outer space after all…
“Through media and modern technology, people have become more complacent, and more accepting of isolation,” says singer/lyricist Mark Rogers. “This is an album about cities, small spaces and loneliness.”
Joining Mark on the journey are his cousin and fellow ex-Softcore member Craig Rogers; guitarist John Lucas (also a member of Hinterland); and drummer Michael Nathanson, who has played with more bands than even he can remember, including a stint with Craig in Evil Roy Slade. Producer Caleb Stull helped the four musicians shape the sound of THE WINDOW SEAT, which ranges from the opening ambiance of “PAL” to the blistering feedback of “Roll Your Eyes”, from the loop-driven pulse of “Pathfinder” to the harmony-laced grandeur of “You Wonder Why”.
“It was important to us that the album be one that the listener wants to listen to, from start to finish,” Craig notes. “There are certain elements that were intentionally used to tie the album together. The use of dynamics, EBow, violin, certain keyboard sounds, and loops help to unify the songs and make them feel like they belong together. The songs all have a unique feel to them, but still work together as a whole.”
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