DESPERATE MEASURES NEW CD, SPEAKING IN TONGUES, HITS NUMBER 20 ON CD BABY'S "TOP SELLERS NOW" CHART IN ITS FIRST MONTH OF RELEASE!
In a culture too frequently characterized by disposable art and cloned artists, this CD is a breath of fresh air. No trend driven, focus group tested, digitally sanitized dreck served up by game-show poseurs or corporate shills here. Rather, this album wears like vintage jeans and snakeskin boots -- a classic without the tailfins.
Whether it makes sense to you that these guys are not household names depends on your particular take on modern tastes and sensibilities. Fresh melodies, smart, textured lyrics and inventive vocal harmonies build on a foundation characterized by jazzy grooves, bolder, stripped down instrumentals and a soulful, "live" performance ambience. Don't be deceived by how easily the smooth little suckers go down; these sugar babies pack a surprisingly powerful kick.
To appreciate the study in contrasts that defines their music, you need look no further than the two brothers who comprise Desperate Measures. Bill Sunkel: high energy, passionate, spontaneous, musicologist, bluesman. Rob Sunkel: cerebral, meticulous, introspective, artisan, jazzman. Together: intellectual, emotional, obsessive, songsmiths, rockers. Once again, Bill and Rob are joined on this CD by brilliant South Florida guitarist Tony Spatarella, who, as always, brings exciting additional colors to the DM palette.
Speaking in Tongues showcases both the range and the depth of Desperate Measures, from pop culture absurdism to pre-apocalyptic fatalism, and reveals influences ranging from The Fab Four to Carl Sagan. But on this CD, there is a new confidence, a sharper angle of attack. Listen carefully. There are melodies you have never before heard, but will always remember. There are words that offer up novel takes on familiar people, places and events. If there is a soundtrack of our lives, these songs surely deserve a place in it.
For additional backstory on DM, or to check out more of their music, click on the links for their first two CDs, Two Can Play and True Confessions, each on the left side of this page. To hear more music by Tony Spatarella, go to www.cdbaby.com/tonyspatarella and www.cdbaby.com/changes.
Oh, one more thing! DM's website, with loads of photos, sound clips, news, information and more is now on-line! Just click on the "Desperate Measures" link to the left, or go to www.DesperateMeasuresCD.com. And make sure you leave a message for the guys in the Guestbook! Enjoy!
EVERYTHING BREAKS
Everything breaks, eventually
Hard as you stand, you'll fall to the sea
As the wind and the waves come incessantly
Everything breaks, eventually
The bigger they are, the harder they fall
Once there were shadows, now there's nothing here at all
I watched them raise our hopes a hundred stories tall
And never believed
I couldn't conceive
I'd see the day
That they would come to be
Laid to waste
But, honey, take it on faith
Everything breaks
Everything breaks, eventually
The fool is the kind who's too blind to see
Building shrines to his own immortality
Everything breaks, eventually
Last night an asteroid passed close overhead
One hundred meters wide, or so the morning papers said
While I lay dreaming in my sweet unknowing bed
And for all your strength
And for all your speed
How can you talk about
A life that you lead?
We're just caught in the wake
And, baby, make no mistake
Everything breaks
Doesn't really matter
In what truth you believe
Doesn't really matter
Where the dim lights will lead
Doesn't really matter
What the tarot cards show
I've been around enough to know
There's only one way it can go
Everything breaks, eventually
You weather the storm perpetually
And then a kiss brings you to your knees
Everything breaks, eventually
(Copyright 2006 Bill Sunkel & Rob Sunkel)
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