Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Story Site Is Up, With Music Clips...
www.maybetheywillsingforustomorrow.com
this site gives you the story behind our new record... taking music written for a live situation and turning it into an actual record, etc. etc...
Hope you enjoy it.
Thank you for listening.
Peace,
Hammock
Posted By Hammock Music at 7:05 PM
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Album Available at Darla, New Songs, New Story Site
Hi, friends. Just some quick news...
If you would like to purchase a copy of our new record, "Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow", Darla has made it available via mail order only as of (April 14) at www.darla.com (on May 6, the record will be at all the usual retail and digital outlets, like Amazon and Itunes. Amazon is far too expensive for our tastes, but that's another topic). We now have CDs ourselves and are offering them for sale at www.hammockmusic.com/store if you would like to order it there.
We've changed the look of the MySpace page and have loaded in two full songs from the new record: City in the Dust on My Window and Mono No Aware. Hope you like them.
As we've mentioned before, we're launching a brand-new hammockmusic.com page on May 6. But we're creating a story page for the new album at www.maybetheywillsingforustomorrow.com to hold us over until then. So that may set a record for the longest domain ever, but hey, there will be some stuff there that you might find interesting including a nice bit of prose from our friend Chuck Dodson telling the story of this record, some photographs, and more. So please check it out.
As always, thank you for listening. And thank you for all of the kind messages we've been getting lately.
Peace,
Hammock
Posted By Hammock Music at 8:24 AM
3 Comments:
-
said...
- Just ordered mine - woo hoo! New Hammock is a balm for my soul....and my daughter's too, apparently. She is seven months old and loves to fall asleep listening to Hammock. Thanks for the musical goodness!
- said...
- the album is stunning.
well worth the wait.
I'll offer more thoughts later...but wow...you guys really outdid yourself on this one.
(Brent Diaz) - said...
- Kudos to the Hammock store for prompt delivery - three days ain't bad! I got to sit on my back porch last night enjoying the new album while taking in the sights and sounds of springtime in Denver, a cold beer, and a smoke. A perfectly relaxing evening if you ask me. Thanks for another wonderful album, Hammock.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Echoes, artwork, release date, etc...
Hi, everyone.
We've been invited to do a live performance for the syndicated Public Radio International program Echoes as part of their "Living Room" Concert series. The performance/interview will be taped on May 6th and then broadcast sometime after. Over 130 radio stations carry Echoes, so chances are that no matter where you live in the US, you'll be able to hear it on the night it airs. For all of our friends who don't have Echoes in their listening area and for any who miss the actual radio broadcast, you'll be able to stream the show online at www.echoes.org. We'll make sure to send you the exact details as they come. Echoes has been especially supportive of Hammock since we launched the project in 2005. Were excited to follow some artists that we really love like Album Leaf, Air, Harold Budd, Michael Hedges, Jeff Pearce, Robert Rich, Will Ackerman, and Yo-Yo Ma, who have all done Echoes Living Room performances.
We have an official "available" date for Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow: May 5, 2008, and it will most likely appear digitally a week or so before that. And if you happen to be attending our performance with Stars of the Lid in DC on May 4, we'll have CDs available at the show.
In our last newsletter we announced that Jonsi and Alex had finished the artwork, and we wanted to share some of it with you. You can see two of the six panels that make up the CD package. Go to our myspace page and look under blog. Click on the links/images at the end of the blog to download a high res copy of the artwork. Hope you like what you see!
That's it for now. Thank you for listening.
Peace,
Hammock
Posted By Hammock Music at 9:34 AM
6 Comments:
- Wes M. said...
- More great news! Yours truly will certainly be tuned in.
Did you hear what Ulrich Schnauss said about you guys on Echoes? Check it out here. Here's the RealMedia clip. Ulrich is one of my heroes and it was cool to hear him hold you guys and your music in high regard. - said...
- echoes is not affiliated with NPR, it's PRI.
-
Hammock Music said...
- Thank for the information, anonymous. Correction made.
- said...
- I'm sad there is no Echoes in Dallas. :(
- said...
- Thanks for the update Marc!
Cant wait to hear it!
Wow what a compliment from Ulrich!! I didnt even know he knew about Hammock!! Wooo - Nicholas Nature said...
- Can't wait for the new release!!!!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
More info, live shows, new record, etc...
Hi, friends. Just wanted to share a little more information with you on the new record and tell you about some other plans.
This is really early notice on this one, but we wanted to go ahead and let you all know that Hammock will be opening for Stars of the Lid on Sunday, May 4 in Washington DC at IOTA Club.
This is the first Stars of the Lid tour of North American tour in six years, and they've been a huge inspiration to us, so we're really excited to be performing with them. We'll be playing a short set of all new music from the upcoming record, "Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow."
Also, Auburn Lull, our label mates on Darla Records, recently extended us an invitation to perform together for a few dates this year, which we look forward to doing whenever possible (check out Auburn Lull's new album if you get a chance). We're planning an album-release performance in Nashville in early summer, and there will be more news to come on this in the next few weeks.
Jonsi and Alex sent along the final artwork for the record recently and it's beautiful! The setup and manufacture of this package is much more involved this time around and there are a few other factors that look to be pushing our release into mid/late April. But the music and art masters have all been delivered and things are really starting to move forward now. We're happy to announce that we'll again be working with Darla Records on this release. The song titles follow below:
1. Gold Star Mothers
2. City in the Dust on My Window
3. This Kind of Life Keeps Breaking Your Heart
4. Mono No Aware
5. Three Sisters
6. Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow
7. Elm
8. Razorback Drug Town
9. Eighty-Four Thousand Hymns
10. We Will Say Goodbye to Everyone
11. All of Your Children Are Addicts
We'll be launching a brand-new website alongside the new record. It will have a brighter look and a more user-friendly navigation and lots of exclusive content like songs from the new record, video, a blog/diary, and more.
As always, thank you for listening, and
Peace,
Hammock
Posted By Hammock Music at 7:38 AM
10 Comments:
- said...
- Awesome!!
Cant wait guys! - said...
- Oh wowwwwwwwwww! I can't wait. I really hope the album comes out soon! I have been so patient! Take care ya'll!
- Wes M. said...
- Great news all around but...arghhh - I just moved from the DC area to Colorado...hoping that you guys and Auburn Lull can swing by the Rockies.
I can't wait to see the new website and hear clips from the new album.
By the way, the new Auburn Lull is stunningly beautiful indeed. - Brent said...
- Great news, guys....so, hmm....which is closer to Toronto...d.c. or nashville?
Or, will the auburn lull tour take you even closer? detroit? buffalo? TORONTO??????
congrats, Hammock. - MTWY said...
- please don't take away the art section (both words and photos) from the new website. =]
- said...
- oh, I'm so there. turns out living in Baltimore DOES have its advantages
- Jer (Common Child) said...
- Thanks for the update Marc... I love the song titles as always, including perhaps a subconscious reference to my new favorite purveyors of Japanese shoegaze? The drug allusions make me even more curious than I already would have been to hear what you guys have come up with this time around. Sounds like it might be pretty intense. I think I can manage to wait another month or 2 for the album... maybe I'll just have to strap myself into a straitjacket to minimize the frothing convulsions that are bound to wrack my body pretty soon.
I so wish I could be on the East coast for the bound-to-be-epic D.C. gig, but alas my spring travels will have me in the Southwest around that date. But I'm thrilled that touring is even an option on the table at this point! I never pictured that being a possibility. I guess once you've touched based with a big-leaguer like Jonsi, all bets are off. ; )
Thanks again Marc, and a hearty pat on the back to all my fellow Byrd watchers who wait for months and years for these moments of giddy pre-release anticipation!!
Jeremy - Brent said...
- May 13 is the release date on Darla (search for "Hammock" to see the pre-release description)
- Hammock Music said...
- It's been moved up to May 5th...
spaced out,
Marc - said...
- Thanks for the update Marc!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
new record
Hi, friends, and happy new year!
Hammock has made a new record called "Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow". As some of you might remember, Hammock performed live for the first time ever in Hot Springs last summer for the US debut art exhibition of Riceboy Sleeps. Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow is a studio recording of the sound installation that we wrote and performed for that event. Actually, studio performance is a better way to put it (more on that below). The title of the record comes from a Riceboy Sleeps painting that we love. Theres still a lot of work going on behind the scenes, but we hope to have it out sometime in March.
Were really happy to announce that the front and back cover artwork will be created by Riceboy Sleeps (Jonsi Birgisson, lead singer/guitarist of Sigur Ros and Alex Somers of Parachutes). The six-panel, cardstock CD package will also include contributions by Chuck Dodson (words) and Thomas Petillo (photographs of the band, a first for us).
Being so connected to this music means its difficult for us to describe it, but we feel like this might be our most personal and focused record to date. Its definitely our most ambient release so far, it contains no beats. The guitar parts for these eleven new pieces were recorded live in the studio with very little use of a click track. We recorded these songs exactly as we performed them, so hopefully theres a spontaneity and vulnerability to the music that shines through. The string parts were added in later by our friend Matt Slocum. Working this way was a new experience for us, and we feel like this approach gives this record its own unique personality.
An even bigger challenge than making the recording itself was writing the music. All of these songs had to be written keeping in mind that we would be reproducing it onstage using nothing more than two guitars. The question was, Given the limitations, could we write music that was moving and interesting? Those limitations were really self-imposed, and thats the philosophy behind this record. Some of the visual artists that we admire the most will deliberately limit themselves to working within one particular medium, and we took a similar approach for this recording.
We hope you like the music, and as always, thank you for listening. We will be performing live in 2008, and there will be more news to come on that in the coming months. Hope to see some of you in person this year.
Peace,
Hammock
Posted By Hammock Music at 11:25 AM
18 Comments:
- aquaraven said...
- I basically yelped out loud for joy when I read this. This is really incredible news, guys!! I'm so happy you were able to collaborate with the talent from Riceboy Sleeps. I'm beyond excited to hear and see this new album!!
- said...
- Woohoo!!
Marc you just made my day!
I am so happy i can't begin to..just awesome!!
March cant come soon enough! - Peter C. said...
- Wow! This is great news! I'm excited about this experimental release. And that's amazing that Riceboy Sleeps are also involved.
- said...
- AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for it!!! I'm really happy for you guys!!!
(Brent Diaz) - Jer (Common Child) said...
- Marc! Andrew! My fellow Hammock lovers! All the people and animals of the world, rejoice!! A new Hammock album is on the way!! The lead singer of the incomparable Sigur Ros is involved!!! What a truly kenotic event!!! 2008 will undoubtedly be the greatest year of musical releases in the entire 21st century!!!! Hammock, Sigur Ros, Sun Kil Moon, Nada Surf, Death Cab, the soundtrack to "Once"!!!! How could I possibly bring myself to write a sentence that didn't end in multiple exclamation points!!!!!
Stranded under endless sky!
Jeremy! - Jer (Common Child) said...
- Marc! Andrew! My fellow Hammock lovers! All the people and animals of the world, rejoice!! A new Hammock album is on the way!! The lead singer of the incomparable Sigur Ros is involved!!! What a truly kenotic event!!! 2008 will undoubtedly be the greatest year of musical releases in the entire 21st century!!!! Hammock, Sigur Ros, Sun Kil Moon, Nada Surf, Death Cab, the soundtrack to "Once"!!!! How could I possibly bring myself to write a sentence that didn't end in multiple exclamation points!!!!!
Stranded under endless sky!
Jeremy! - Wes M. said...
- Great news, Marc. Quick question: Is this album being released independently by Hammock or will this release go through your label?
Also, since you noted the songs are beatless, does this album sound more like the Sleepover Series then? That was some great stuff. Either way, I know it will be ear candy.
We're waiting patiently for you in Denver. ;) - Nicholas Nature said...
- Well that is music to my ears! Can't wait for the release!! Also good to see you guys on ilike.com! If you are on personally as a listener let us know! Love to see what your listening........... At the same time it does sound invasive to type that last part.
Today all is well Hammock friends!
Nicky - josh said...
- I'm super excited to hear the new stuff. I've always enjoyed the stuff you guys create. Are you going to any festivals like Cornerstone? It'd be rad to see a show.
- said...
- Man. The wait is killing me!
- said...
- Man. The wait is killing me!
- Brent Diaz said...
- Looks like Darla IS releasing this disc. There is a very brief blurb about it on the site (I think I saw it on a section talking about upcoming discs for darla).
and yes, I can't wait, too! - said...
- Yea Darla is releasing it.
Which is good their a great label.
Sorry about the double post. I messed up. - Nicholas Nature said...
- I'm dying for a release date!!! Help!
- Wes said...
- Looks like you can pre-order the new release on the Darla website (go to www.darla.com and enter in "hammock" in the search box at the top, then scroll down a bit). Mine's pre-ordered but they don't have a release date on the website yet. Hopefully, March is still doable?
The artwork - I dig it. - said...
- can't see the artwork, but did I read a rumour saying that hammock is opening for stars of the lid in washington, dc on may 4???? (brent)
- Hammock Music said...
- yeah, we asked james at darla to take down the artwork--we don't want it to be seen until we get closer to the release date. yes, we are opening for stars of the lid on may 4th in washington dc...
lost in space,
marc - said...
- Unbelievable, your music is the soundtrack to my life starting at age 1.. Actual nostalgia sickness when I listen to any of your cds but soo beautiful. I cannot wait for this release. don't stop..
Thursday, November 15, 2007
News pt. 1...
The exciting news that I referred to recently is that Hammock will be releasing TWO records in 2008, the first of which will be the sound installation that we wrote and performed to celebrate the Riceboy Sleeps exhibition in Hot Springs. So for all of you who missed the show, you'll be able to hear it for yourself. We hope to release this in late February or so, and it will be titled after a Riceboy Sleeps painting that Andrew and I saw at the exhibition and loved. There are still tons of details to iron out over the next few weeks, but I wanted to let you in on the story so far. We definitely have something great developing with this particular record. We'll share this news with you shortly. More to come...
lost in space,
marc
Posted By Hammock Music at 6:27 AM
18 Comments:
- said...
- YES!!
And February isn't too long away!!!!
Plus another release later in the year!!
And the (shh) tour to toronto too, right?
No, sincerely, I am very happy for the success you guys are having, and I really look forward to hearing the disc. We'll be in the middle of winter here, so I imagine it will be the perfect soundtrack to those cold, snowy, icy nights....(Brent) - Wes Marlan said...
- Thanks for the great news, Marc. I'm so stoked! I'm very much looking forward to hearing the new stuff.
If you can come by Denver on tour, I'll buy you and Andrew a beer or two. I think the last time you were here, you were on tour with Grammatrain. I accidentally missed the show and I've never forgiven myself for that. - said...
- Awesome news! I cant wait. Woohoo
- Jer (Common Child) said...
- WAHOO!!! 2 albums in one year from Hammock, plus new discs scheduled from Sigur Ros, Nada Surf, and the incomparable Mark Kozelek (i.e. Sun Kil Moon) means that 2008 will be one for the ages! Can't wait to hear about Hammock disc #2...
Also, I'd like to adamantly 2nd the motion to play a Denver concert, I can assure you that both I (from Steamboat Springs) and my friend Robert (from Grand Junction) will be there with bells on. No seriously, we will have bells on. It's just how we roll.
Oh, I also wanted to say that I followed (I think it was) Marc's recommendation and bought the new Japancakes... WOW. I just completely love it. My tastes in music are definitely starting to veer away from vocally-based bands and toward groups like Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, and Japancakes. Anyone care to recommend anything further along those lines?
Anyway, thanks for making our collective day/week/month/year with the update Marc!
Jeremy - Jer (Common Child) said...
- WAHOO!!! 2 albums in one year from Hammock, plus new discs scheduled from Sigur Ros, Nada Surf, and the incomparable Mark Kozelek (i.e. Sun Kil Moon) means that 2008 will be one for the ages! Can't wait to hear about Hammock disc #2...
Also, I'd like to adamantly 2nd the motion that Hammock should play a concert in Denver... I can assure you that both I (from Steamboat Springs) and my friend Robert (from Grand Junction) would be at the front of the line with bells on. No seriously, we will have bells on. It's just how we roll.
Oh, I also wanted to say that I followed (I think it was) Marc's recommendation and bought the new Japancakes... WOW. I just completely love it. My tastes in music are definitely starting to veer away from vocally-based bands and toward (post-rock? shoegazer? ambient?) groups like Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, and Japancakes. Anyone care to recommend where I should dabble next along those lines?
Anyway, thanks for making our collective day/week/month/year with the update Marc!
Jeremy - said...
- I'll put in the third vote for a Hammock show in Denver. There, now they have to come! I am quite certain y'all would pack out any of the local theaters like the Bluebird, Gothic, or Ogden, and definitely the smaller clubs like the Hi-Dive, Lion's Lair, or Walnut Room. And I'm also certain that your many rabid fans would provide lodging and a few home-cooked meals, so what are you waiting for?!?!
- said...
- CAN'T WAIT!
- said...
- I just heard a Hammock track tonight on "Dirty Sexy Money" on ABC. I would have recognized those beautiful ambient tones anywhere. When I get a track on TV I'll dance in the streets. You old pros rock! Keep on truckin.
Nicky - Peter said...
- I'm going to FOURTH the Denver show idea. I live in Colorado Springs and have long been a fan of your work, Marc. I'll come to the show and buy dinner for anyone who's hungry.
- said...
- Man 2008 is gonna rock!! New Hammock material and possible tour.
And now i find out that My Bloody Valentine is reuniting for a tour and a new album is coming soon!! Holy cow!!! - said...
- But, is there a possible tour? I just thought the great news was the two Hammock 2008 releases...
- Jer (Common Child) said...
- I somehow doubt that Hammock would have the financial leverage to do a tour, but it's always fun to wildly speculate! I'm checking back daily to see what pt.2 might be, so don't let us dangle for too long, Marc... ; )
- said...
- Well you never know. News pt. 2 is still to be announced. lol
- Nolan said...
- any chances of a 'best of 2007' list coming about, soon?
*wink wink* - said...
- Ooh I agree Nolan! Good question!
- Hunter said...
- Very exciting news, indeed! :) Looking forward to hearing the releases.
Marc, I was listing to "Stains of Time" off of Delicate Fade, and the little guitar riff at the very end of the song... is it the same one that is used in "Birds Flying in Sequence?" ;) Heard the similarity, and I thought I'd just ask the source. :) - Hammock Music said...
- hunter
a lot of our melodies are similar... i hear what you're saying, although i have to say that the performance on "Birds" is more musical and mature. thanks!!
lost in space,
marc - Brent said...
- Any updates on the release, Hammock? Is it still up for a Feb release? (one month away!)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
exciting news...
we'll be sharing some exciting news with everyone very soon...
lost in space,
Marc
Posted By Hammock Music at 7:39 AM
13 Comments:
- Peter C. said...
- Three things I'd like the news to be:
1. New Sleepover Series entry
2. New Hammock LP
3. A TOUR! (with a stop in Minneapolis of course). - said...
- Ditto.
Only with a stop in or near Saint Augustine, Florida. - Brent said...
- a toronto (or buffalo, ny) concert?
promoting a new release (even an ep)?
some cool collaboration with some other artist? :)
anyway, looking forward to hearing/reading whatever it is. - said...
- No matter what it is, I'd be excited to hear it.
- Nolan said...
- i keep checking back here awaiting the news!
- TheEarthIsNotAColdDeadPlace said...
- Dear Hammock & Hammock fans,
These are some great ideas!! Here are four more eminently viable theories as to what the news might be:
1. Marc & Christy are expecting a bouncing baby boy/girl.
2. Marc has been chosen over Danny Elfman and James Newton Howard to compose the score for the upcoming cinematic follow-up to March of the Penguins, entitled Voyage of the Orca Whales, produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Alfonso Cuaron.
3. Hammock will be the opening act for Sigur Ros on their upcoming world tour.
3a. Sigur Ros will be the co-headliners on Hammock's upcoming world tour.
4. The January 2008 release of the much-anticipated triple-disc Common Children album, including one disc of impeccably hand-selected tracks from CC's illustrious discography (with me as the carefully elected curator), a second disc of 11 brand-new CC tracks, and a third disc featuring a totally re-imagined performance of the "Delicate Fade" album in its entirety, live from the Arctic Circle.
Just some suggestions...
A realistic fan,
Jeremy - Hammock Music said...
- whoa, easy does it...
we haven't discovered the cure for cancer or anything like that...
keep ya posted,
marc - said...
- stop teasing us, marc! :)
- said...
- Jeremy,
You're number 4 is classic... Pure Gold... Texas Tea.
That would be awesome though.
cody - said...
- "2. Marc has been chosen over Danny Elfman and James Newton Howard to compose the score for the upcoming cinematic follow-up to March of the Penguins, entitled Voyage of the Orca Whales, produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Alfonso Cuaron."
LOL. That was hilarious. Seriously what ever the news will be I'm excited to hear it. I'm fully behind whatever Marc and Andrew do. - Brent said...
- I tried rereading that last email that Marc did with the silent ballet....trying to figure out if there were any clues in it...but there was so much exciting possibilities mentioned in the interview that I gave up trying...haha...
I'd be happy with a tour that hits close to my home, or a new release of any kind.... - said...
- please tour!
- said...
- The latest release surpasses anything I have ever heard in this genre.Phenomenal.Hopefully the artists who have inspired you, will take note and be inspired.
Mac
Franklin TN
exciting news...
we'll be sharing some exciting news with everyone very soon...
lost in space,
Marc
Posted By Hammock Music at 7:39 AM
1. Maybe They Will
Sing For Us Tomorrow
or iTunes
1. Raising Your Voice...
Trying to Stop an Echo
Trying to Stop an Echo
or iTunes
2. The Sleep Over Series Volume 1
The Sleepover Series Vol. 1 is a record of beatless, ambient, atmospheric soundscapes. It's called Sleepover because it is extremely dreamy and contemplative, consisting mostly of ambient guitar with a few keyboards thrown in. Hammock has one track on the record, but the rest was written, recorded and performed by Marc Byrd.
NEW $10.00
Purchase Now<<
The Sleepover Series Vol. 1 is a record of beatless, ambient, atmospheric soundscapes. It's called Sleepover because it is extremely dreamy and contemplative, consisting mostly of ambient guitar with a few keyboards thrown in. Hammock has one track on the record, but the rest was written, recorded and performed by Marc Byrd.
NEW $10.00
Purchase Now<<
3. Stranded Under Endless Sky: EP
Only $4.99
or iTunes
4. Kenotic - Debut
Only $9.99
or iTunes
>>TWO ALBUMS FOR One PRICE
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Story Site Is Up, With Music Clips...
Album Available at Darla, New Songs, New Story Sit...
Echoes, artwork, release date, etc...
More info, live shows, new record, etc...
new record
News pt. 1...
exciting news...
exciting news...
Madeleine L'Engle R.I.P.
A couple of new videos: Raising Your Voice....Try...
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>>Reviews
Chosen by Echoes listeners as a Top 25 release of 2006, named by Echoes as Top 25 Essential CD of 2006, and Echoes CD of the Month for January, 2007
Pick of the week for Filter Magazine and cited as a Top 10 release for 2006
"Raising Your Voice... Trying to Stop an Echo" is a massive artistic statement. A Gravity¹s Rainbow of ambient chamber rock, it defies the iTunization of the world. You want to hear the whole thing, slipping it on, cranking up the volume and riding it into an infinite sunset. A dream guitar masterpiece" --John Diliberto, Host, Echoes
Named #2 in Silent Ballet's Top 50 Instrumental Releases of 2006. "Hammock follows up its debut album with another collection of utterly indescribable and magnificent songs...This is music that seeps deeply into the pores and goes straight for the heart...Brilliant only begins to scratch the surface..." --The Silent Ballet
9/10. This longing, melodic, melancholic, and thoughtful texture that seems to tug at one¹s heartstrings from start to finishÅ It¹s the type of music that hits you in the gut immediately, Nothing about this album is less than Grade A+ material. It's an album that forces one to reflect on both the highs and lows in one¹s life.² ÂPop Matters
Throughout the eighteen tracks there is a glorious stillness to be found, even when the drums turn the album into a shoegazing masterpiece, the guitars throwing lazy shapes (and the occasional shadow) across the tunes Opening track 'I Can Almost See You' is as beautiful as anything you have heard this year, an album that is best appreciated when heard in its entirety, although it can be neatly summarised by listening to 'Floating Away In Every Direction', the title speaks volumes and the music perfectly matches the sentiments, but don¹t take my word for it, go and get your own copy and be transported. ÂSimon Lewis, Terrascope
Waves of glimmering Cocteau Twins-like guitar traverse over barren landscapes, twinkling like nearby constellations. It is at once distant and extremely joyous, a life affirming, yet somehow Zen-like expression of mood and of depthÅ It's a lot to take in, and each minute is profoundly emotive and heartbreaking. Hammock may require patience, but those who possess it will be rewarded in spades.² ÂJeff Terich, Treble Magazine
Hammock's brand of musical expression is honest, patient, meticulous and acknowledging of the warm-blooded nature of its listeners. It stirs the soul like little other music that's out there in this day in age.² ÂLuke Daniel Rush, Sound the Sirens
"The Hammock sound is unique; harsh yet beautiful, and curiously satisfying while still leaving one wanting more. Raising Your Voice is a work of genius by a duo who are pathfinders in guitar based drone ambience. It's essential listening for anyone interested in ambient music." --Dene Bebbington, Melliflua
"Hammock's sad, epic music bathes the listener in multi-tracked electric guitars swimming in a sea of reverb and gentle distortion, sometimes alone, sometimes with piano, cello and/or a steady rock backbeat. It's a somber, fuzzy sound but crucially a melodic one too, with an appeal to both electronic ambient and indie rock listeners." --Ambient Music Guide
"Just when you thought this amazing band could not attain the splendid heights of their previous efforts, they go ahead and release a jaw dropping disc of pure sonic BLISS at the end of 2006! Not since the golden days of Brian Eno has an artist created devastatingly beautiful atmospheres that transport you in a dreamlike state beyond the stars..." --Dark Symphonies "5/5. Gorgeous. Stunning. Sublime! Deserves no distractions or interuptions from barking dogs, people talking and general noise pollution. A candidate for best ethereal rock record of the year." --Kenyon Hopkin, Advance Copy
Pick of the week for Filter Magazine and cited as a Top 10 release for 2006
"Raising Your Voice... Trying to Stop an Echo" is a massive artistic statement. A Gravity¹s Rainbow of ambient chamber rock, it defies the iTunization of the world. You want to hear the whole thing, slipping it on, cranking up the volume and riding it into an infinite sunset. A dream guitar masterpiece" --John Diliberto, Host, Echoes
Named #2 in Silent Ballet's Top 50 Instrumental Releases of 2006. "Hammock follows up its debut album with another collection of utterly indescribable and magnificent songs...This is music that seeps deeply into the pores and goes straight for the heart...Brilliant only begins to scratch the surface..." --The Silent Ballet
9/10. This longing, melodic, melancholic, and thoughtful texture that seems to tug at one¹s heartstrings from start to finishÅ It¹s the type of music that hits you in the gut immediately, Nothing about this album is less than Grade A+ material. It's an album that forces one to reflect on both the highs and lows in one¹s life.² ÂPop Matters
Throughout the eighteen tracks there is a glorious stillness to be found, even when the drums turn the album into a shoegazing masterpiece, the guitars throwing lazy shapes (and the occasional shadow) across the tunes Opening track 'I Can Almost See You' is as beautiful as anything you have heard this year, an album that is best appreciated when heard in its entirety, although it can be neatly summarised by listening to 'Floating Away In Every Direction', the title speaks volumes and the music perfectly matches the sentiments, but don¹t take my word for it, go and get your own copy and be transported. ÂSimon Lewis, Terrascope
Waves of glimmering Cocteau Twins-like guitar traverse over barren landscapes, twinkling like nearby constellations. It is at once distant and extremely joyous, a life affirming, yet somehow Zen-like expression of mood and of depthÅ It's a lot to take in, and each minute is profoundly emotive and heartbreaking. Hammock may require patience, but those who possess it will be rewarded in spades.² ÂJeff Terich, Treble Magazine
Hammock's brand of musical expression is honest, patient, meticulous and acknowledging of the warm-blooded nature of its listeners. It stirs the soul like little other music that's out there in this day in age.² ÂLuke Daniel Rush, Sound the Sirens
"The Hammock sound is unique; harsh yet beautiful, and curiously satisfying while still leaving one wanting more. Raising Your Voice is a work of genius by a duo who are pathfinders in guitar based drone ambience. It's essential listening for anyone interested in ambient music." --Dene Bebbington, Melliflua
"Hammock's sad, epic music bathes the listener in multi-tracked electric guitars swimming in a sea of reverb and gentle distortion, sometimes alone, sometimes with piano, cello and/or a steady rock backbeat. It's a somber, fuzzy sound but crucially a melodic one too, with an appeal to both electronic ambient and indie rock listeners." --Ambient Music Guide
"Just when you thought this amazing band could not attain the splendid heights of their previous efforts, they go ahead and release a jaw dropping disc of pure sonic BLISS at the end of 2006! Not since the golden days of Brian Eno has an artist created devastatingly beautiful atmospheres that transport you in a dreamlike state beyond the stars..." --Dark Symphonies "5/5. Gorgeous. Stunning. Sublime! Deserves no distractions or interuptions from barking dogs, people talking and general noise pollution. A candidate for best ethereal rock record of the year." --Kenyon Hopkin, Advance Copy
"We will say goodbye to everyone" and "This kind of life keeps breaking your heart" are two of the best ambient pieces I've ever heard. Amazing.
No fillers anywhere on the disc...which isn't a surprise since I've never heard a Hammock filler. Kudos to Marc and Andrew for yet another masterpiece.
I love the new album! I admit that it took a little time to grow on me since it initially seemed to lack the melodic backbone of K and RYV...TTSAE. But every time I hear it I become more fond of its pristine and often staggering beauty. And have you guys checked out the 7.4 (I think) review at Pitchfork? This is the 2nd time now that PF, the illustrious and notoriously brutal dissector of all sorts of obscure albums, has given a pretty-much-rave review of a Hammock album. I love it! What a great piece of publicity. I hope that with PF's help, as well as Jonsi's collaboration, this album makes you guys a nice chunk of change, Marc and Andrew, and gives you the leverage to make plenty more albums in the future...
One more thing... I just discovered a wonderful little band that you may all already know about (I know Marc does) called Stars of the Lid... bought their album "And Their Refinement of the Decline" at the Electric Fetus as I passed thru Duluth, MN, and WOW! Only listened to 1 disc so far (I like to pleasure-delay), but what a knockout.
Oh, and I'm heading to Bonnaroo to see (among many, many other) Sigur Ros, who will be playing their new stuff! New album releases 6/23 and features many gleefully naked adults running through pastoral settings... order online thru their site for only $12 including shipping!
Oh, and one more thing (so much to get caught up on!), I finally after many years of anticipation saw a live performance by the eminent songwriter of our time... of course I mean Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon, who's touring SKM's new album, "April." Saw him in Minneapolis and man oh man was he as good as ever. Just such a brilliant songwriter and one of my favorite voices as well. Even played my favorite Kozelek song of all time, "Sun Kil Moon"! If any of you haven't yet acquainted yourselves with the Koz, you have an incredible amount to look forward to... 15 years' worth of emotionally dense songs that will just absolutely floor you.
And My Morning Jacket releases their new album tomorrow! Holy cow what a monumental month this is turning out to be in my musical journey!! : )
later on everyone,
Jeremy Wingert, aka "Jer"
outofthefierceparade79@yahoo.com
I don't have the new album yet, but soon! I just have a question about one of the song titles on the new album.
I have been learning Japanese for about 1. 5 years now, so I'm still a beginner, but the song 'Mono No Aware' looks to me to be Japanese in structure. Is this true?
If so, a translation of it would be something like "The Sorrow of Things".
I listened to the track on your MySpace site and it would certainly fit the mood.
Beautiful music guys!
Thanks for doing what you do.
My email is scumtim@mac.com
yes, my understanding is that mono no aware means "the sadness of things." thanks for the kind words.
marc
sorry it's taken a while to comment. if you want to see the a clip of us opening for stars of the lid in DC go to hammockmusic.com and click on media and then go to movies. I'm glad you discovered them. They're brilliant.
City in the Dust on My Window has a personal meaning as well as a general definition. The general definition is that things are constantly changing. Change involves decay as well as rebirth. The dust on my window contains particles of the city. The city (us and everything) are in a constant state of flux. Appearing and then disappearing. That's a very quick description. As for my personal definition--only a few close people to me know about this one. Hope this gives you an idea of what we were thinking when we came up with the title.
thanks,
marc
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