Monday 2 April 2012

Emporium - 'The Umbrella Shop' and 'From Another Planet' - reviews round-up.



*** Singles of the Week ***

Sounding not unlike something that might soundtrack a TV documentary about '90s Brit-pop - St. Etienne would, of course, curate the thing - Emporium's rather gorgeous ability to craft perfectly-honed melodies is certainly not in doubt with this - it's bloody lush. "The Umbrella Shop" (26th Mar - 4.5 stars) is a little bit Pulp (early), a little bit Cherry Ghost with a slice of Cud and a topping of Super Furry Animals. And that's all good. Very good. (4.5 out of 5)

http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/review/6199/_Singles_Roundup_Featuring_Phantom_Limb_Emporium_Allo_Darlin_Tom_Williams_And_The_Boat_And_More_Singles_Review.html
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BAND FAILING TO SOUND LIKE SOMEONE ELSE

You have to bear in mind that
Emporium are a band who've been active for
fourteen years and they now sound like, well,
they sound like Emporium. For the object of
this particular exercise I can suggest that
sounds like Alan Parsons Project and The
Idle Race are in there, but 'Umbrella Shop'
is really the sound of Emporium in full,
shifting, tinkling, drifting, psyche guitar
studded mode.
IS IT ANY GOOD? It's lovely, Emporium are
lovely, you are lovely, buy the lovely record.
http://www.unpeeled.net/singles.html

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Emporium - ‘The Umbrella Shop’/ ‘She Won’t Come Out To Play’, Single

Beautifully sumptuous sounds, evocative, tender piano paints prettily sparkling motif, mellow bass, steely guitar, orchestral strings and brass, storyteller, choir boy, honeyed vocal whispers warmly illuminated night time tale, washed by gentle chorus, woven seamlessly together into atmospheric epic of gas lit London.

‘She Won’t Come Out To Play’, similarly fully orchestrated and chorused, swings between sunny optimism and melancholic, despondent undertow, maudlin vocal describing sad tale of girl who just can’t face the day.

Both pieces, not structured songs, more sung narrative than poetically lyrical, melodically meandering, descriptive instrumentation, drawing on Classical idioms, showcase and support the star voice and its tale, could be from a, as yet unwritten, Musical score.
http://www.mudkiss.com/chumkimarch12.htm

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Scottish band Emporium kept layered progressive psychedelic pop harmonies alive, releasing a a string of albums and a couple of singles that garnered them rave reviews form the cognoscenti. The trio was basically a studio band, although they did tour for a bit in 1998. The band dropped from the radar in 2007 only to surface again in 2011 with the new album Silver Brainwaves. This year year has brought two new tracks so far: Mindbender and The Umbrella Shop (which will be released a single).

The 17 track collection From Another Planet - The Best Of Emporium (1998-2011) on Whimsical Records serves as handy introduction for newbies. Long time fans can plug the holes in their collection with the rare remixes and one-offs. It's hard to pigeonhole their sound, bur think the poppy songs of Pink Floyd ca. 1970 mixed with Beach Boys orchestral inklings dipped in Zombies-alike Odessey and Oracle melancholy.

Lead singer Ewan McKenzie falsetto gives their songs a pastoral quality that will go down well while lounging on lazy Sunday afternoon (or any other day of the week). Best enjoyed with a bottle of good wine and a basket of tasty tidbits.

http://blogger.xs4all.nl/werksman/archive/2012/03/08/744109.aspx

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For some reason I started off by listening to the latest single release, “The Umbrella Shop”. Described in Scotland’s premier tabloid as “a psychedelic cross between The Small Faces and The Beach Boys”. And for a second I glanced at the calendar and clock to see if time had stopped somewhere in the 60′s.

Emporium produce a retro-pop sound of sweet harmonies and melodies sung over luscious piano, string and horn arrangements, that are almost impossible to find in today’s music which is primarily constructed by loops, samples and beats.

They seem to have captured the essence of world renowned pop music composer, Burt Bacharach’s timeless music pieces, which were characterized by unusual chord progressions, striking syncopated rhythmic patterns, irregular phrasing, frequent modulation, and odd, changing meters.
Throw-in a vocal style which ranges from 60′s bands like the “Beach Boys” or “The Turtles” through to latter day acts like “Soft Cell” or even “OMD”. Plus add some Brit synth-pop rhythms, et voilĂ , ladies and gentleman you have Emporium!

Album highlights include, the watercolored harmonies of “Mindbender”, the beat momentum of “Wasted” and the slower, ethereal lead vocal of “Dice Man”.

My personal favorite track is the haunting “Mind Games”, while other tracks of particular note are “Elevate” and “She Won’t Come Out To Play”.

Seventeen tracks, is a lot of music and I could write page after page describing it, but music needs to be listened to. Needless to say, if you’ve experienced the 60′s musical era you would need no introduction to this album at all, and only have to enjoy it’s nostalgic karma.

However, if you, like many of our younger readers, belong to the new beat generation, my best suggestion would be to get over to the “EMPORIUM” website straight away and savor the sounds of their timeless melodies, set within a genre long gone by, and all but lost to modern music. If not for the stoic and solitary efforts of Scottish band EMPORIUM.

http://jamsphere.com/newreleases/emporium-from-another-planet-the-best-of
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A 14 year anniversary? There seems to be no suggestion for a gift between tin at ten years and crystal at 15 years – perhaps that’s why the vocals gloriously meander around like a lost sheep inside the slightly proggy, psychedelic musical musings of ‘The Umbrella Shop’. Quite strange but not totally unendearing either. 6/10
http://www.tastyfanzine.org.uk/singles120mar12.htm#Emporium
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Hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland - Emporium have just released "From Another Planet - The Best Of Emporium (1998-2011)", a compilation of songs by the Scottish combo containing 17 tracks.

The band has gained a great reputation in the United Kingdom (also covered in world-famous publications such as the NME) because of their very unique sound formula: beat pop (think The Small Faces and Beach Boys) with a psychedelic twist and very interesting arrangements.

Since the very first opening notes, the listener is brought hand in hand into a journey through the songs - the tunes build a very peculiar and dreamy landscape with a very unique vibe that fascinates and intrigues greatly.

Although the band proclaims 60s influences, an 80s touch is also intelligible, while a more modern approach to melody is part of the picture too, infusing the music with great personality. A superb testimony of over 14 years of music!
http://hectorvex.blogspot.co.uk
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Edinburgh, Scotland-based whimsical pop trio Emporium, celebrate their 14 years of being together by releasing this compilation of seventeen-songs. They also added a new track into the mix, entitled The Umbrella Shop. [Check out the music video here.]

Their vintage-esque sound reminds me of a mix of a more-psychedelic version of The Sea and Cake, with hints of The Catherine Wheel, Pink Floyd and Depeche Mode.

I had the opportunity to interview Ewan yesterday, his answers were very refreshing and interesting to read. Always good to get to know the band a little more:

Briefly introduce yourself, and the band:
I’m Ewan, and currently I am ‘Emporium’. There was a fixed line-up at one time - in the early days. We played gigs for a while, but then the guitarist left to re-locate, and we continued as a duo for 5 years (with Brent Inglis on Bass), really as a recording outfit but also because we both enjoyed playing music so much, and the process of recording/production. We both really believed in the songs, and felt they deserved to be heard. We knew we had an original sound, and saw the potential to stand out from other artists .I’ve recently been recording completely on my own, I wanted to challenge myslef, so decided to make the next Emporium record effectively my first solo album.

In no particular order, list your top ten inspirations, even if they’re not musical:

The Countryside (especially in Scotland)
Universal spirituality (NOT religion!)
Animals
Old films (especially 70’s)
Watching the stars
Strange Chords which have no name
Harmonies
Paul and Linda McCartney’s RAM album (the greatest album ever released)
David Icke
Melody

What are your thoughts on the current status of the music industry?

Where the major labels are concerned - absolutely dismal. They’re not interested
in the art of songwriting anymore, it’s just a production line. They have ‘writing teams’ who can’t actually write proper melodies - they are incapable. It’s very ‘cliquey’ and the whole process is driven by money (obviously). They keep signing more of the same drivel, over and over again. Young singers are too easily influenced by other singers (their singing style) and have become copycats. Lack of originality in general. Style over substance in many cases.
And of course there are the TV talent shows and a particular mogul who has so much to answer for.
Technology and modern recording methods have also spoiled music production and have allowed people with no or minimal talent to make records.
It’s all like a dreadful cancer.
Creatively, Independent music is as healthy as ever, but in a sense has never been as so suffocated as it is now due to the dominance of Pop and RnB via the major platforms . So much fantastic music stays under the radar because the industry over-all is driven by money, power, style and politics.

I noticed on your site that you released your latest album “From Another Planet..” on Whimsical Records. What are your ties to the record label, if you wouldn’t mind explaining?

Started Whimsical in 1999 as a label for Emporium to release our music.
In 2005, following completion of the album ‘Silver Brainwaves’, I decided to develop the label by signing other acts, initially for singles deals. We also started a publishing business (Whimsical Songs) as well as a label servicing business (The Music Elevator) which comprises release co-ordination and promotion to media via subsidiary label Platform Records.
We’ve had some independent chart success in the UK and noticeable airplay and reviews with various bands and artists.

What’s the music scene like where you live in Scotland?

Pretty good, although Glasgow (Scotland’s biggest city) tends to dominate.
Scotland has always punched above it’s weight musically (within the UK) and there’s a rich creative pool of talent here. It’s frustrating too though, as traditionally acts have had to go to London to ‘make it’ via a major label. There are lots of independent labels here though and bands with ‘cult’ followings. Superb live venues and festivals - some of the best in the UK.
If Scotland gets independence (and I hope we do), then the music industry here will be forced to expand - have more of a ‘self contained’ business with improved infrastructure, then Scottish bands could make much more of an impression in Scotland initially (via tv/radio/charts) before venturing outside of their own country.

What would you hope people think about when they hear your music?

Evocative, planetary, beautiful, unexpected, dreamy, moving, uplifting, stirring, bizarre, intelligent, hypnotic, sumptuous and atmospheric.

Have you ever bought an album for its cover? Which one?

NEVER have, never would either.

What’s one place/venue in the world you’ve always wanted to play?

No-where in particular.

What’s your least favorite thing about being in a band?

The politics and closed mindedness of the industry which prevents the music
from reaching it’s full potential.

What’s your most favorite thing about being in a band?

Creating music and the escapism of it.

In your opinion, what’s the best way for a band to make $ these days?

Licensing their music (e.g to an advert, film or computer game).

If you could go back and change anything in your career, what would it be?

Wouldn’t change anything.

Do you feel like you sell more music online or at shows?

Haven’t recently played shows, so rely on online sales.

How do you feel about the new “facebook timeline”?

Don’t like it. They’ve gone and changed it for reasons which remain a mystery.
Makes it more difficult to navigate, and it’s particularly unpopular amongst musicians
I hear, for the purpose of e-commerce and building a fan-base.
Myspace destroyed their website for musicians a while back, and now Facebook. Maybe it’s deliberate? Who knows? If it aint broke, don’t fix it I say.

If you could interview any musical celebrity, alive or dead, who would it be?

Billy Mackenzie (the late lead singer of The Associates)

Who inspired you to sing?

No-one.

Any advice to up and coming bands?
Be as original sounding as possible - try not to be heavily influenced by any particular
band or singer. Don’t EXPECT to ‘make it’ or to earn much money, regardless of how talented you actually are - as there exist obstacles of politics and bias which can put a stop to you having a thriving career.
Be in a band because you love music and genuinely believe in what you are creating. If you don’t then there’s no point, unless of course you are part of a money making machine which has nothing or little to do with the art of music, but that’s all so far removed from where I’m coming from with Emporium, I can’t identify with it.
Bottom line: Make music for YOURSELF to enjoy listening to (music that you would ideally like to hear) - then if anyone else likes it, it’s a bonus!

Do you all play in the band for a living?

No, we’ve all had other jobs in addition. For me, currently it’s Music Publishing and Promotion.

I noticed that you guys have known each other for a really long time, how did you meet your band mates?

When we started out, through other bands and adverts in music shop noticeboards.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say “U.S.A.”?

Cheerleaders, that’s all. (No offence intended).

http://whisker-a-nogo.tumblr.com/post/21254678771/emporium
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This is like Teenage Fanclub, They Might Be Giants, and The Beach Boys, and a sprinkle of the Pet Shop Boys. I really like it. The music sort of reminds of children’s television shows, but morose. I don't know if its my aforementioned love of Scottish indie that makes me like it (although I don't think that it would work if Mumford and Sons had Scottish accents). This is good well crafted indie pop, and much better than the artwork makes it look. http://www.collective-zine.co.uk/reviews/?id=8473

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