End of the World 1969's latest six-song EP, Revenge, is a perfect soundtrack for jaded ex-activists, jilted lovers and disillusioned souls the world over. Sam Scott continues his explorations of anger, deceit and regret in both the medium of noisy blasts of driving guitar rock ("Revenge", "One of These Days") and in the gentlest of contemplations that pay homage to the best of atmospheric indie pop ("Stupid Boy", "Some Kind of Payback"). Once the band that didn't exist, the latest incarnation of End of the World 1969 features a range of guest musicians who help Sam's seemingly straightforward song structures take unexpected turns; melancholy melodies to become as infectious as the catchiest bubblegum pop; and the most dire of subject matter to somehow put a smile on even the most cynical listener's face.
Building on the momentum from their showcase at 2009's North by North East music festival, Sam is joined on various tracks by Caitlin Dacey (Vocals, Keyboards) and Justin Go (Guitar and Bass Guitar), Alain El Hofi (Drums), Pete Johnston (Bass), Seth Bernstein (Guitar), and brother Alexander Scott (Keyboards). Each musician brings their own influences, but the result is still vintage End of the World 1969.
The EP starts with the guitar driven attack of the title track, but cycles through various moods, including the all electronic track "Stupid Boy", two mellow ballads ("The Lake", and "Some Kind of Payback"), a second aggressive guitar assault half way in ("One of These Days"), and ending with the chimeric folk ballad, "War". Once again mastered by Juno Award-Winning sound engineer Steve Bellamy, "Revenge" has a lot to offer to both new listeners and established fans.
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CD Review From TO Snob (www.tosnob.net)
End of the World 1969 have come a long way over the last year. The group have moved from being, more or less, a solo project by Sam Scott to being a more fleshed out band. The new EP, Revenge, shows the strides that have been made.
As a record there are two distinct streams that the songs take. There are the high octane rockers, and there are the more subdued, methodical tracks.
The clever lyrics of the title track stand out almost as much as the breakneck pace of the rocker. Scott and company seem to channel Mould/Hart/Norton for the blistering guitar rocker "One of These Days".
The reflective "Some Kind of Payback" tells the tale of a protest gone awry. "Stupid Boy" boasts a Magnetic Fields-esque art pop vibe. Bella Clava's Caitlin Dacey joins Scott on many tracks, contributing backing vocals to the elegant "The Lake".
It all comes together to create the strongest work we've heard from End of the World 1969 to date.
Best tracks: "Some Kind of Payback", "The Lake"
8.0/10
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Full Album Credits
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1. Revenge
Caitlin Dacey - Voice
Alain El Hofi - Drums
Sam Scott - Voice, Guitars, Bass Guitar
Recorded by Sam Scott and Alain El Hofi
2. Stupid Boy
Caitlin Dacey - Electric Piano (incl. bells on chorus)
Sam Scott - Voices, Drum & Synth Automation, Shaker
Recorded by Sam Scott
3. Some Kind of Payback
Seth Bernstein - Electric Guitar
Caitlin Dacey - Organ
Alain El Hofi - Drums
Justin Go - Bass Guitar
Sam Scott - Voices, Acoustic Guitar, Accordion, Shaker
Recorded by Sam Scott, Alain El Hofi and Seth Bernstein
4. One of These Days
Caitlin Dacey - Voices
Justin Go - Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar
Sam Scott - Voice, Guitars, Fake Drums, Tambourine
Recorded by Sam Scott
5. The Lake
Caitlin Dacey - Voice
Justin Go - Bass Guitar
Alexander Scott - Piano, Organ, Strings, Rhodes
Sam Scott - Voice, Guitars, Fake Drums, Shaker
Recorded by Sam Scott and Alexander Scott
6. War
Caitlin Dacey - Piano
Alain El Hofi - Drums
Pete Johnston - Bass
Sam Scott - Voices, Accordion, Guitar, Snare Loop
Recorded by Sam Scott and Alain El Hofi
Songs written by Sam Scott
Mixed by Sam Scott
Mastered by Steve Bellamy
Many thanks to all the performers, to Steve for
his time, teaching, advice, and equipment loans,
and to Anne for love and support.
www.endoftheworld1969.com
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