Album Notes

Melodic mojo. Ethereal bliss. SWAY is a sophisticated, sonically adventurous modern rock debut that's at once gorgeous, deep and fragile.

Driven by melody, embellished with sumptuous arrangements, and anchored by emotionally acute lyrics, SWAY is the moving solo CD debut by MICHAEL LORD, a remarkable new singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who draws quiet strength and inspiration from volatile relationships, intimate moments, and invisible scars.

The Apple iTunes Music Store declared, "Sumptuous arrangements in a fragile but rocking sonic embrace," featuring the track "Smile" as their iTunes Single of the Week an honor usually reserved for Major Label Artists.

Throughout his self-produced CD, Lord paints his delicate, heartfelt songs with lushly textured layers of sound. With soaring melodies always at the core, he creates engulfing soundscapes by recording instrument after instrument, and by dubbing his own three- and four-part harmonies. Most all of what you hear is him: guitars, piano, loops, percussion, and Lord's seductive vocals that rival anything you've heard.

"I'm endlessly inspired by what can be done with the piano," says Lord, a classically- trained pianist and drummer from the age of five until his teenage retro discovery of the British Invasion. Michael has since jammed in garage bands and major label groups, but it wasn't until he worked with producers like T-Bone Burnett and Eric Valentine (Queens Of The Stone Age, Lost Prophets, Taking Back Sunday, Maroon 5) that he began exploring new writing and performing techniques uncovering his own melodic voice and gift for powerful arrangements. His work has recently been featured in TV and film, including NBC's "Las Vegas," MTV's "Laguna Beach," "My Name Is Earl," ALIAS and "What About Brian."

SWAY features guest appearances from guitarist Yogi of The Wallflowers, Buck Cherry and Chris Cornell, master drummer Matt Laug (Alanis Morissette, Lifehouse, The New Radicals), and The Section Quartet, the premier rock 'n' roll string ensemble (Fiona Apple, Wilco, Christina Aguilera, Jon Brion, David Bowie, A Perfect Circle).

Come along for the ride. Just breathe it in and sway.