MODERNAGE: The Receiver EP

Modernage

The Receiver EP

© 2005 Modernage (837101077040)

The long awaited Debut EP from Miami's premier indie rock band.

try this

albums you will love

genres you will love

By Location

Recommended if you like ...

notes

Modernage, the indie-rock quintet whose poignant music has captured audiences in Miami and New York, has released their debut: 'The Receiver EP.' Its six songs explore the emotional landscape of love, loss, death and politics. The developing and recording of 'The Receiver EP' proved to span the life of the band itself while becoming a testament of sorts to the ever evolving process and defining of a band.

The 'Receiver' sessions began in late 2003 when the band entered Miami's Hit Factory to work with producer Javier Valverde. At the time, the band was struggling to develop their sound while dealing with several lineup changes. "Things were quite different," says guitarist Xavier Alexander. In stark contrast to the compact energetic performances Modernage is now known for, the sessions included two ballads that clocked in just under seven minutes. The four-piece had recently recruited drummer Sean Perscky and had yet to develop the proper chemistry. Singer Mario Giancarlo comments, "We tried to rush things that shouldn't be rushed." The sessions went nowhere.

The band regrouped and released 'Modernage: Live at Churchill's.' The eight song demo, distributed locally in and around Miami, served as a practice run. With all their material now available to the public, the band began work on the songs that would later comprise 'The Receiver EP.' The new songs marked a departure from their grittier live sound and the band took a different approach to writing material. "Headlights and Four Eleven were written while they were being recorded," explains Perscky. In fact, on the latter, neither Giancarlo nor Alexander heard Perscky's drums until after they were recorded. The tracks introduced what would become Modernage's signature motifs: driving bass lines, tight energetic drums, sharp cutting guitars, and Giancarlo's forceful balladry. These songs were meant for the dance floor.

Modernage, with new bassist Roberto Moriel, began to test the new material. The increasing popularity and local support of the emerging indie scene in Miami ensured venues for the band to showcase their sound. These included crowded shows at Poplife, Spiderpussy, the District and Revolver. Anxious to develop a fan base outside of their local scene, the band headed to New York to play shows at Rothko, Trash and Tiswas. Upon return to Miami, Garcia Freundt was recruited to play keyboards. The band was offered the opportunity to open for established national acts such as The Stills and The Walkmen. Now experienced and confident, Modernage proved they could hold their own.

The time had come for Modernage to turn their attention to the overdue record. When Giancarlo and Moriel offered the demo track "Bella," Alexander admits he wasn't thrilled. "It was an acoustic sing-a-long," the guitarist states. The song went through a Chameleons-like reworking with thumping drums, distinct guitar work, and an earnest delivery by Giancarlo. It became the heart of the record. The lyrics of "Receiver," the larger-than-life title track, were inspired by a nightmare while the gothic overtones reach back to Modernage's original sound. "The Shore," written with original bassist Pascal Cabrol, was the gem of the ill-fated Valverde sessions. This fast paced requiem introduces an arresting guitar riff which descends into a frenzy comparable to that of the protagonist's mental state. The closer, "No Answer," is a flag waving anthem that sounds like the Clash and Blondie got together at a protest rally. Having recorded the bulk of the new material with Richard Lopez at SAE studios, Modernage took the record to Fashionista guitarist and producer Howard Melnick for the finishing touches.

With 'The Receiver EP,' Modernage have created a document of where they have come from and set the path for where they are going. The music propels itself forward with the urgency of a voice that demands to be heard. Track by track, the listener becomes a witness to the fog of uncertainty, the heartache of regret, the melancholy of vanity, the isolation of self-doubt, the despair of betrayal, and the rallying cry of the defeated. "And this is just the beginning," declares Giancarlo.

-Roman Cutliff August 2005

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • very good
    author: Diego

    the cd was very good i loved every song and just keeps up the great work guys

  • Very good; Enjoyed the sound; Would like to purchase more music from Modernage
    author: Sabino

    Music was great but the quality of the CD recording was not the best. Overall, I think it was a good CD and would buy more of this group.

  • (This is the original version of the review without manipulation by the editor o
    author: Abel Folger of the New Times

    In their two years of growth and exploration, Miami alt-rockers Modernage have set out to thrive amid the city's notorious schmaltz and glitz. With an influence list including Joy Division, Fugazi, and Gang of Four, Modernage strives to be more than just another entry into the post-punk annals, churning out midtempo, danceable numbers at times reminiscent of Spanish new-wave darlings Hombres G and cued by the less pretentious moments of the Cure. Receiver's cleaner production reveals how far the band's come from its Modernage: Live at Churchill's eight-track demo. Singer Mario Giancarlo initially succeeds with a deadpan delivery that, on subsequent listening, opens into a broad range of emotions and inflections. His pace is dictated by the charged energy of the rhythm section: Bassist Roberto Moriel and drummer Sean Perscky set a grooving metronome of thick bass lines and four-on-the-floor drumming. Juxtaposed with Giancarlo's vocals on the EP's title track as well as its closer, "No Answer," their rhythm changes show Modernage's minimalist, building approach as the driving force for great songs. Topping the tightness are guitarist Xavier Alexander and keys whiz Garcia Freundt; the guitar work ranges from muted hues and happy-go-lucky riffs, peppered with keyboards throughout. "Bella" finds the band in serious sync, coming off like Blondie sniffing the Stone Roses -- with all the sexiness that entails. "Headlights" and "The Shore" further the romance with ethereal vocals and shoegaze bopping. Modernage has matured in a relatively short time, and this EP is indicative of a band that's not afraid to continue developing. While many might pair the band with Interpol, it's more in tune with the work of Argentine masters Soda Stereo and Spain's Los Ilegales (not to be confused with the shitty '90s boy band). Hopefully, a full-length is not too far off into the future.

  • Modernage has matured in a relatively short time, and this EP is indicative of a
    author: Abel Folger of the Miami New Times

    Modernage's basic sound is hardly original. With influences that include Joy Division, Fugazi, and Gang of Four, the group shares a postpunk-meets-disco template that has been the style du jour for indie rockers over the past three years. At times the band is reminiscent of Spanish New Wave darlings Hombres G cued by the less pretentious moments of The Cure. Sure, it's been done before, but rarely as good as it has here. Receiver conveys an authority that is surprising considering the band's ever-shifting focus. If nothing else, Receiver demonstrates how far Modernage has come since its eight-song demo, Modernage: Live at Churchill's. On Receiver singer Mario Giancarlo initially succeeds with a deadpan delivery that reveals on subsequent listening a broad range of emotions and inflections. Bassist Roberto Moriel and drummer Sean Perscky set a grooving metronome of thick bass lines and four-on-the-floor drumming. The songs are spare and at times show only a flicker of a concept. But on the tempo-blurring title track and the closer, "No Answer," Moriel and Perscky prove they are among Miami's most nimble rhythm section. Complementing them are guitarist Xavier Alexander and key whiz Garcia Freundt. The guitar work on Receiver is muted yet effective -- a series of textures and happy-go-lucky riffs. It leaves plenty of space for Freundt's excellent keyboard work, which is peppered throughout. "Bella" is a standout and sounds like the end product of a three-day coke binge between Blondie and the Stone Roses, with all the sexiness and slime that ensues. Meanwhile, "Headlights" and "The Shore" further the romance with ethereal lyrics and shoegazer bopping. Modernage has matured in a relatively short time, and this EP is indicative of a band not afraid to continue developing itself. Although many might liken the group to Interpol, Modernage is more in tune with the work of Argentine masters Soda Stereo and Spain's Los Ilegales (not to be confused with the shitty Nineties boy band). One hopes a full-length isn't too far off into the future.

  • author: bets

    Welcome back to the Class of '83: tease out a little Joy Division, the best of Flock of Seagulls, some Psychedelic Furs, and add a tiny bit of the Clash and Franz Ferdinand. This is the type of music that never should have died, and it's good to see a band like Modernage have grabbed the standard and are running with it.

  • The sounds of the District.
    author: Yazmin

    This cd represents all the feelings and great moments i have had when i've gone back to visit Miami. If i had to decide which band is the sound of Indie rock in the Miami Scene i would have to say Modernage is a collection of all the sounds, rythms, and beats that pump Miami up with a certain lyrical flair.

  • The sounds of the District.
    author: Yazmin

    This cd represents all the feelings and great moments i have had when i've gone back to visit Miami. If i had to decide which band is the sound of Indie rock in the Miami Scene i would have to say Modernage is a collection of all the sounds, rythms, and beats that pump Miami up with a certain lyrical flair.

  • With the Receiver EP, modernage has woven a fast paced, energetic and emotional
    author: M. Naranjo

    With the Receiver EP, modernage has woven a fast paced, energetic and emotional tapestry, touching on themes both socially relevant and provocative. The music itself is sharp and direct, candid and sincere, demanding your attention from start to finish, leaving you to wonder what just hit you. These songs seemingly come out of nowhere to capture your heart and suck you into its depths. Between the frenzied guitar work and the moody, melancholic vocals the stage is set for such inspired songs that leave you wanting more. The Receiver EP is a thing of beauty that boasts great things to come from Modernage.

email

Please log in to email this artist.