Release Change! Today on La Société Expéditionnaire!
"There should be a pat means of conveying why the Black Swans matter. Something like: “Dylan’s oblique, carpented melodies sung in Fred Neil’s voice while Leonard Cohen plays fiddle. A” - Stylus Magazine
"Described as “their most melodic and emotionally diverse music yet,” Change! tips its hat at Charles Simic, the Left Banke, and Fred Neil, it is their most melodic and emotionally diverse music yet while dealing in “reconciliation and reconstruction of the spirit and self.” - Harp Magazine
"Listening to Change! is a humbling experience, not because of its molasses crawl or the dour magnification of human emotion, but by almost moving in reverse even the most mundane things we take for granted become grand and thrilling. Is it too early to call DeCicca one of America’s finest songwriters?" - Done Waiting
"The first significant departure, and one of the best songs on the disc, is "Shake." Here, the band's subtle, emotionally-intense delivery catches fire, as big, crashing guitar chords break through the hum and piano notes twinkle jazz-like in the spaces between stark, funereal drums. It's only taken up a notch from the usual, made a little more rock, a little more Neil Young, but that's enough to make "Shake" standout. A couple of tracks later, "Fruitless Ways" introduces a reverberating, surf guitar whose wavery notes interlard sharp swoops of violin. It's just different enough to catch your interest and increase the intensity. And finally, there's "Blue Moon #9," a gorgeous, wordlessly sung cut that sounds like Panda Bear wandering barefoot in Appalachia, or maybe heaven. One of the two." - Dusted Magazine
*** Watch the making of The Black Swans limited-edition vinyl record covers HERE ***
This video features members of Arc North Workshop in the process of painting album jackets for Change! by The Black Swans. Arc North is a sheltered art workshop, a branch of Franklin County Board of MRDD. They provide services for 300 adults with developmental challenges and recognize their talents by offering an environment that reinforces their confidence and self expression.
The limited edition vinyl version (LSE 007.5) features original, one of a kind artwork by workshop members who applied their expression to 500 blank album jackets.
The original album cover painting, Untitled, is by Debbie Porchetti, a member of Arc North Workshop.
Here, beside you, is the slow-burning new album by The Black Swans, Change!.
With nods to Charles Simic, the Left Banke, and Fred Neil, it is their most melodic and emotionally diverse music yet.
Whereas their debut, Who Will Walk in the Darkness with You? (2004), dove deep into the pond of existential doubt, and their self-released follow-up EP, Sex Brain (2006) examined the tragi-comic throes of intimacy, Change! deals in reconciliation and reconstruction of the spirit and self.
Heavy shit, it also includes the sounds of apple eating (“Purple Heart”) and word-less David Lynch style doo-wop (“Blue Moon #9”).
You see my bones
My coat is shed
Peel away the past
The epidermal dead
(from “Coats”)
It was recorded in the guitar player’s living room, mixed in the drummer’s basement, and mastered by Rob LoVerde (Springsteen and Dylan vinyl) at Sony Studios. As in the past, The Black Swans feature the broken broodings of songwriter/singer/guitarist, Jerry DeCicca and the classical, Appalachian swoop of Noel Sayre’s violin. To fund the finishing touches, DeCicca took a job for 3 months as an afternoon DJ at a strip club.
It is important to note the album cover painting, Untitled, by Debbie Porchetti, a member of Arc North Workshop. Arc North is a sheltered art workshop, a branch of Franklin County Board of MRDD. They provide services for 300 adults with developmental challenges and recognize their talents by offering an environment that reinforces their confidence and self expression. The limited edition vinyl version (LSE 007.5) features original, one of a kind artwork by workshop members who applied their expression to 500 blank album jackets.
Too, DeCicca recently co-produced the first new recordings in 30 years by former Monument recording artist Larry Jon Wilson (featured in the documentary Heartworn Highways). This new material will be released in the UK in early 2008 via 1965 Records / Sony.
Raw, pretty, and contrary, Change! is an earful.
Players:
Jerry DeCicca (acoustic guitar, vocals, electric guitar on “Purple Heart” ), Canaan Faulkner (bass, backing vocals),
Chris Forbes (electric guitar, tenor guitar, backing vocals), Keith Hanlon (drums, percussion), Noel Sayre (violin, viola),
Amy Alwood (backing vocals), Joe Peppercorn (piano)
Stream all of Change! here!
Change! Tracklist:
New Face
Hope Island
Coats
Only be With You
Shake
Purple Heart
Fruitless Ways
Blue Moon #9
3 Broken Words
Slide on Down
Change
3 Chord Song
The Black Swans Live!
Nov 9 2007 TBA Columbus, OH
Nov 14 2007 JD gives Bob Dylan lecture at Ohio State Columbus, Ohio
Nov 16 2007 Unitarian Church Chapel Philadelphia, Pennsylvania w/ Lewis & Clarke
Nov 17 2007 Hampshire College Amherst, MA w/ Strand of Oaks & Brown Bird
Nov 18 2007 Cake Shop Brooklyn, New York w/ Michael Hurley
For more information, visit:
www.myspace.com/theblackswans
www.la-soc.com
