Album Notes

Maria and Ayal of 27 are influential players in Boston, having introduced innovations in noise to the hard rock and melodic rock scenes surrounding their previous bands. Maria's Dirt Merchants signed to Sony Epic Records, releasing their debut Scarified in 1995 and recording a follow-up that never saw daylight thanks to the age-old "A&R guy skedaddles, leaving pet band reeling in his wake" scenario. Ayal has played in an array of heavier noise bands, one of which, Spore, attained some renown via releases on the Taang! label. The two formed 27 in 1998 with Thos Niles drumming. Neil Coulon took his place in 2001 and adds other musical elements such as clarinet and piano to the mix. 27 are adept at creating songs that are quite measured, even hypnotic, in their beauty. They skillfully manipulate song dynamics to evoke rushes of feeling, even while experimenting with various musical styles that somehow all manage to maintain 27's individualistic sound. Samples are subtly utilized and add to the rich tapestry of hush and roar. Listeners should find something hugely fulfilling here. Here's what others of a literary bent have said of 27: "27 combines elements of slowcore, psych-folk and Neil Young style fuzz for a moody, gloomy mix that sounds like either a less languorous Cowboy Junkies or a less tart Mazzy Star." - Metroland, Albany NY "There is an anxious balance of gritty, lazy guitar lines with subtle, swelling dynamics that create the feeling this is what Pink Floyd would sound like if they recorded in a bedroom with Aimee Mann on vocals" - Outburn, Los Angeles CA "27 bleed through a lush, intricately built system of Slint and Seam influenced equations, arriving at a dark and brooding sound that Cat Power and Helium lovers should adore." - Seattle Weekly