New Album Review (take that pitchfork!)
by Paul Zimmerman
First Coast News
Gainesville's psychedelic pop masters, Morningbell, have returned yet again. This time the band has done something really cool for their third album, Through the Belly of the Sea; they've gone interactive! Yes, it's true...you are now part of the album. Scary thought as that may be it actually makes Through the Belly of the Sea a lot of fun.
What Morningbell have done is taken their pop and made it so that you can partake in the fun by playing a game as you listen to the album. Imagine taking all those Choose Your Own Adventure books you read as a kid and putting them to music and you have the gist of what Through the Belly of the Sea is like. You determine the order of the album by choosing your path throughout the liner notes. The result is a completely customized listening experience that probably sounds like it would be a jumbled mess but thankfully it is not. The album works both as a Choose Your Own Adventure book or a stand alone album, so even if you feel like being un-motivated and un-interactive you can still enjoy Through the Belly of the Sea.
Interactivity aside, the album is an enjoyable listen. It's a bit different than their past efforts in that they seemed to have toned down some of the quirkiness that made this band so special. Now, that's not to say that this album is not good because it is good, it's just more mature, more developed, and far mellower than I would have ever expected. Don't let this toning down fool you though. The band is still most definitely psychedelic. In fact so much of Through the Belly of the Sea sounds like Pink Floyd on hallucinogens it's almost illegal. It's trippy goodness that's as adventurous as the Flaming Lips-ish and as spacey as NASA.
From the opener, "The Speed of God," to the closing notes of "Epilogue," Through the Belly of the Sea is a tale of sea faring fun and psychedelic wispiness. It's well thought out, well played, and multicolored pop that gives Of Montreal a run for their money. Easily one of Florida's best kept secrets, Morningbell quietly continues to get better and better. Whether it's rock n' roll, indie pop sea shanties, or psychedelic pop, Morningbell rise up to the challenge and do so with stellar results. Through the Belly of the Sea is an interactive treat that's fun to listen to and fun to partake in. Let's hope that our intrepid adventures undersea continue with album number four!
First Coast News
Gainesville's psychedelic pop masters, Morningbell, have returned yet again. This time the band has done something really cool for their third album, Through the Belly of the Sea; they've gone interactive! Yes, it's true...you are now part of the album. Scary thought as that may be it actually makes Through the Belly of the Sea a lot of fun.
What Morningbell have done is taken their pop and made it so that you can partake in the fun by playing a game as you listen to the album. Imagine taking all those Choose Your Own Adventure books you read as a kid and putting them to music and you have the gist of what Through the Belly of the Sea is like. You determine the order of the album by choosing your path throughout the liner notes. The result is a completely customized listening experience that probably sounds like it would be a jumbled mess but thankfully it is not. The album works both as a Choose Your Own Adventure book or a stand alone album, so even if you feel like being un-motivated and un-interactive you can still enjoy Through the Belly of the Sea.
Interactivity aside, the album is an enjoyable listen. It's a bit different than their past efforts in that they seemed to have toned down some of the quirkiness that made this band so special. Now, that's not to say that this album is not good because it is good, it's just more mature, more developed, and far mellower than I would have ever expected. Don't let this toning down fool you though. The band is still most definitely psychedelic. In fact so much of Through the Belly of the Sea sounds like Pink Floyd on hallucinogens it's almost illegal. It's trippy goodness that's as adventurous as the Flaming Lips-ish and as spacey as NASA.
From the opener, "The Speed of God," to the closing notes of "Epilogue," Through the Belly of the Sea is a tale of sea faring fun and psychedelic wispiness. It's well thought out, well played, and multicolored pop that gives Of Montreal a run for their money. Easily one of Florida's best kept secrets, Morningbell quietly continues to get better and better. Whether it's rock n' roll, indie pop sea shanties, or psychedelic pop, Morningbell rise up to the challenge and do so with stellar results. Through the Belly of the Sea is an interactive treat that's fun to listen to and fun to partake in. Let's hope that our intrepid adventures undersea continue with album number four!