Album Notes

After twelve months of production work with veteran industry engineer Ted Spencer (David Bowie, Shawn Colvin, Todd Rundgren, Meatloaf, Roberta Flack), the female-fronted New York City art rock band Changing Modes is releasing their third album, containing 10 diverse songs that are guaranteed to delight serious music addicts. Art rock at its best, Changing Modes laid down the explosive and brilliantly unpredictable tracks with high energy performance, resulting in an engrossing and exciting musical experience for the listener.

Down and Out in Shangri-la, a spring-loaded forward-motion album, is like "Led Zeppelin, Dresden Dolls, Porcupine Tree, Stravinsky - all broken up, then re-assembled and painted by Pablo Picasso." Fusing their diverse musical influences, Changing Modes has created something different; something complex, angular, edgy and strangely accessible. The complexity of their music is sure to win the most discerning progressive music listeners, while their infectious hooks and skillful arrangements will appeal to a wider range of music fans.

This album is the first to feature the outstanding, theatrical voice of Camille Atkinson. Her powerhouse vocals on Zeppelin-esque tracks like Shangri-la and Ship are reminiscent of Robert Plant and Janis Joplin, and capable of making listeners head-bang to the constantly shifting, irregular beats.

Changing Modes' amazing drummer/vocalist, David Oromaner, and guitarist/bassist Yuzuru Sadashige, bring distinguished musicianship and impressive finesse to all the band's textured and demanding material.

Wendy Griffiths, the principle songwriter (keyboardist/singer) of the band, concocted the recipes for these highly addictive, unpredictable musical structures. In songs like Blue Tomorrow (inspired by David Lynch's film "Inland Empire"), and Gate/He Walks in Darkness, she skilfully combines most unlikely musical ingredients (Rock, Dixieland, Rap, Classical) to create the most interesting, catchy music. You will also hear her unmistakable laser-sharp vocals on Blue Tomorrow, Someone Anyone, and No Fly Zone.

Changing Modes has been compared to many bands (from The B52s to Radiohead) but really it stands in its own place. As New York Press put it "an experimental band of experimental bands," constantly pushing its limit. In fact, the band has already moved on to the next musical level since recording the album. Expect something new from Changing Modes with Down and Out in Shangri-La.