TUGBOAT ANNIE: The Space Around You

Tugboat Annie

The Space Around You

© 2000 Big Top Records (703164001424)

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Indelible pop hooks and heartfelt lyrics are the trademarks of this Boston by-way-of-Buffalo quartet. They've played with Weezer, Sunny Day Real Estate, the Goo Goo Dolls, and many others. Featured on HBO's "Reverb". One listen and you'll be hooked!

tracks

1 stop
2 the wishing song
3 tell me
4 love
5 helen of troy
6 explanations
7 more
8 off the ground
9 away
10 don't stop holding out your hands

notes

Architectural Rock

On a relaxing sunny day, bassist Jon Sulkow struggles to find the right words to describe Tugboat Annie's music. "You guys play architectural rock," says a friend, pointing up at the buildings that surround them. "All the parts have a purpose." (see fig 1a.)

On Tugboat Annie's latest album, The Space Around You, the band proves this theory through ten songs filled with musical joints, girders, halls, and elevators - each part enabling the next and holding the others up. Jay Celeste's shimmering guitar links to a rhythm change, a melodic bass line or a perfectly placed snare, stepping up into a chorus where singer Michael Bethmann lets go and sends the ceilings higher.

Tugboat Annie's music is about energy and tension, desperation and hope. You can hear the Replacements, Husker Du, and The Pixies, yet you also detect hints of Oasis, The Verve, and Blur. Theirs is a big sound with big emotion behind it-- a sonic mirror for your life and mine...

A Brief History

Jon Sulkow (bass) and Mike Bethmann (vocals, guitar) got together at the U of Buffalo dorms and started writing songs. At first there was a lot of banging on walls and cans of beer, acoustic guitars and practice amps. Later they made it electric, adding a drummer and a guitarist, charging onto the Buffalo music scene.

After playing shows throughout the northeast, they released their first full length, Superfriends, on Sonic Bubblegum/Cargo Records in 1995. Their fan base grew in the US and even overseas, where their music was played on John Peel's famous BBC show in London.

The band moved to Boston, and now Jason Celeste played guitar and Mike and Jon got shivers (the good kind) up their spines. They signed with Big Top Records in 1997 and released Wake Up and Disappear, which earned them "Best Rock Band" from Boston Magazine and "One of the Best Up and Coming Rock Acts of '97" by the Boston Phoenix. Their appearance on HBO's "Reverb" and "Best of Reverb" gave the band further recognition.

They toured the country, and, feeling all alone, wrote Separation Songs, a 6-song EP that illustrated the band's evolution in songwriting. It showcases their ability to craft catchy pop songs with the keen sense of restraint, while marked by shimmering layers of guitars and Mike Bethmann's emotional rasp.
The Space Around You is the bands newest album, recorded by Matthew Ellard primarily at Ft Apache Studios in Cambridge, MA. It is undoubtedly the band's best recording effort to date, adding slick production to their signature sound of indelible pop hooks and heartfelt lyrics. This album is their first to include drummer Joshua Dalsimer, who previously played in The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Island/Def-Jam) and Enormous (A&M).

Their irresistibly catchy single "The Wishing Song" is sure to turn heads when it's introduced to the radio world this fall.

reviews

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  • Amazing
    author: Musicfan

    Every track on this album is excellent, however the standout tracks, are "Stop", "The wishing song" and "Helen of troy". This aint gonna be leaving the C.D player for a long time!!!!

  • Like everyone's saying...wow
    author: Ian Beck

    The Space Around You is one of those albums that I can't really pick a favorite song, and whenever I make a playlist I toss in the whole album. Universally excellent. Every single person I have had listen to this album has loved it.

  • Woo!
    author: Mel

    Gorgeous songs and catchy rhythms!! I love it!!

  • A band that does something right
    author: Timothy

    Finally a band that knows how to make good CD's. One of the first CD's I've purchased from CD Baby and it's much better than any big name bands.

  • author: CD Baby

    Indelible pop hooks and heartfelt lyrics. They've played with Weezer, Sunny Day Real Estate, the Goo Goo Dolls, and many others. Featured on HBO's "Reverb".

  • Catchy and Fun
    author: Carolyn

    One of the best finds I've made so far on cdbaby. I've listened to it almost non-stop since it arrived on my doorstep.

  • Awesomeness!!
    author: Brenna

    I fell in love with this cd as soon as I put it on! I'm so amazed because I love all the songs and that's rare.

  • Excellent - a great find
    author: Louise

    Stumbled across this while searching CDBaby - a great find! Every track is excellent! Not a weak one in there. Can't understand why these guys are not better known. Why is "The Wishing Song" not at the top of every radio play list - it certainly ought to be.

  • Can't get enough of this...
    author: Greg Hyde

    Linked from my band's page, San Dimas, and I liked the clips, so I bought the album... I just can't imagine taking it out of my CD player now. It's one of the most honest, well thought-out, impact-laden rock albums I've ever heard. It's brilliant. I absolutely fell in love with these songs. I would HIGHLY recommend this album to anyone. Keep up the great work, guys. --Greg, sandimasrlz@aol.com

  • I can't stop listening to it!! Every song is great!
    author: Tim Erk

    This album was a link off my band's site, Scaredy Cat, so I thought I'd check it out. One listen to the sound clips, and I had to get it. It is absolutely my favorite album lately. When I'm not listening to it, the songs are in my head. Great job guys! Just ordered Seperation Songs. I can't wait to get it! Everyone needs to get this album!!!

  • Unbelievable CD, Unbelievable Band!!!!
    author: B-

    I saw most of these songs live before I listened to the cd. I bought the cd because the live performance was great!!! The cd is terrific!!! Exactly what I need to hold me over until they come back to my area! I love "The Wishing Song" and "Helen of Troy". This is a must for any cd collection!!!!

  • Hold on tight!! This CD is what rock and roll is all about!!
    author: Glenn

    Power Pop Rock to the extreme. Tugboat Annie has redefined what true rock and roll is all about. 10 songs and not a dog in the bunch. Lyrics that ring true, harmonies that will have you singing along, and guitars that will hook you and never let you go. "The Wishing Song" and "More" will have you on your feet with choruses that are better than anything corporate radio could ever dream of playing. And it never lets up!!! This is not one of the best albums of 2000--it is a modern classic. Do not walk, RUN to add this masterpiece to your collection!!

  • WOW so great I loved it
    author: Hilary

    I loved this CD so much. I wonder why they aren't more popular by now. All my friends and I blast it in the car and sing along. It's so great.

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