New Idea Society - Somehow Disappearing

Somehow Disappearing (2010) was released on Shiny Shoes Records towards the end of last Summer and represents New Idea Society's third full length and fourth overall release (including one EP also released last year called Quiet Prism). I chose the debut release You Are Awake Or Asleep (2005) as one of my first albums to write about last year. New Idea Society is primarily Mike Law's creative avenue as he is responsible for vocals, guitar, and writing. Juxtaposing the debut release (or even the follow up album, The World Is Bright And Lonely) and this album really demonstrates the progress and growth Law and the group have taken, reaching their current state. The sound is indie rock, with an incorporation but not over-reliance on varying the instrumentation through keyboards/electronics. The core guitar, bass, drums, and vocals are still the bread 'n butter here, but finally here on this album the mix is just right. I find the songwriting more creative and willing to take more risks than on previous works. I think this has been made possible in part due to the excellent recording quality and production. There's a feel that things were just hitting right in the recording space, resulting in a tight and full sound.


New Idea Society - "Thorns"

What can you say about that low end, it makes its presence known at the onset in an almost thundering fashion and remains there throughout the duration of the song, providing a backbone. The keyboards, percussion, and vocals all kick in, for the first few versus, and the subsequent part features harmonized singing with guitar that sounds just perfect in relation to the keyboards within the song. This song is bass, bass, and more bass, freeing up the other instruments to pop in and out without disrupting the flow and progress of the song. The lyrics of the chorus are peculiarly powerful sounding to me, not sure why, but it is good.



New Idea Society - "Desolation Tongues"

I love how the song begins, a little more menacing than anything else on the album. The piano and percussion/drum combination keeping the breathtaking tempo is very well done. An almost suspense movie feel, while the chorus sections have a very serious and decisive tone. The percussive play on the ride cymbal is perhaps my favorite part, and in general I get the feeling that this was one of the "funner" songs to play as far as percussion goes. Echoing the vocals as opposed to layering was a nice touch, particularly with the word "echo" showing up in the lyrics. The closing is an instrumental part of the song, highlighted by the piano accenting. I felt a few songs didn't seem to end quite as well, but this one was right on the mark.

As I write this New Idea Society is touring Europe in support of this album. You can check out there tour progress at their facebook page. You can also find more information on the band at their webpage, newideasociety.com. The mp3 album is available through Amazon, and in cd format as well. Truly an album that is growing and growing on me, and I feel is likely the group's best produced when considering all aspects of the within.

New Idea Society - You Are Awake or Asleep

New Idea Society was a collaboration between Mike Law and Steve Brodsky when You Are Awake or Asleep was being recorded (released in 2005). Though its Law who remains and New Idea Society is really his project at this point, releasing another album The World is Bright and Lonely in 2007 without Brodsky (who has fronted Cave In and his own solo project). Law, was part of Eulcid, prior to beginning New Idea Society, which was a pretty good band in its own right. New Idea Society progresses through the post-punk/indie sound, but doesn't immediately resemble anything I've heard exactly. This album is interesting to me in how it comes across as a collection of songs with little cohesion in their sound, less fluid than the following album, but is enjoyable in its variety.


New Idea Society - "Create Your Own Emergency"

Simple yet catchy guitar is followed by electronic blip and vocals, harmonizing well. The keyboard elements are also fairly simple, but really brings life to the song. I really like the lyrics and whole premise of the song.

This tank that I am in.
How I am feeling. I am feeling.
Put a piranha in with me.
Emergency.

Hang a picture on the wall.
On a hook that is too small.
Sit on a chair underneath until it falls.
Create your own emergency.

Sometimes going away from what's safe and comforting leads a person to growth that would otherwise not happen. Facing one's own anxieties and throwing themselves into it, overcoming it, and truly experiencing different elements of life. This song stands out in its lightness, more upbeat than most of the songs on this album.


New Idea Society - "The Aching Bells"

Rare use of the harmonica starts things off. Acoustic guitar and a few different percussion sounds along with supporting keyboards. First instrumental part is covered by a little harmonica, then electric guitar comes in along with the harmonica during the second instrumental part, bridging right along. The backing/supporting vocals are powerful, not in loudness or anything of that nature, but rather accenting the lyrical passages, adding an almost church choirish element.

There really isn't a bad song on here, and the recording is solid enough, I'm sure the band may have liked to do a more formal job on it, but it doesn't detract. There's very little flash in this release, and they don't come off as trying too hard to be "poppy", which is good. One of my favorite moments within this album is the perfect pairing of "Storm In My Eyes" being followed by "Create Your Own Emergency". The former song is just so wonderfully slow paced, somber, and introspective, having it be followed by "Create Your Own Emergency" was an excellent choice as I noted above, the song really sticks out in its upbeat and catchy writing. I'm looking forward to reviewing the second album here, and also heard that Law and the other members that form the band now are prepping the third full length release in the coming months.