Album Notes

The product of a classical pianist, a music-obsessed guitar guy and a left-handed poet-painter, Modus Operandi is unlike anything you've heard before. Mixing strong rock bases with classical progressions and tasteful electronica where appropriate, accented with the occasional primal scream or complete mood shift, the aural experience provided by Higher Shapes is not to be missed! Lyrics, too, have been given the attention they deserve; you won't find any "I love you, I want you back" type nonsense here, replaced by epic escapades involving a pastry machine or tasteful critiques of modern life.

Ben Hantoot and Eli Halpern both currently attend Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Neither has a clue what he's majoring in. David Pinsof attends the University of Iowa and plans to pursue an acting career. All three originate from Highland Park, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. Utilizing the latest in online conferencing technology, work continues on their second album.

So, give Higher Shapes a listen -- order now and receive one of the original production-run copies, sure to be valuable in years to come. If you'd like Ben and Eli to autograph your copy, purchase your copy direct from the Modus Operandi website (www.modusoperandiband.com) and send an email to ben@modusoperandiband.com.

Album art was done by WebFeats (www.webfeatsdesign.com), Ben's graphic design company. Mastering came courtesy of Chris Hudec (www.digitalsunspot.com). Photoraphy in the album art done at Phil Goldman's studio (www.photographicdesign.net). Equipment used includes a Power Mac G5 (with Logic Express and GarageBand 2), a Fender Squire Strat, a Boss BR864 digital sound board, an M-Audio Keystation 49e, a Studio Projects C1 condenser mic and a Studio Projects VTB1 mic preamp.

A breakdown of who did what in each song:

1. Take the Devil for a Walk
Vocals, Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot; Guitars - David Pinsof; Lyrics - Eli Halpern.

2. Higher Shapes
Vocals, Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot; Guitars - David Pinsof; Lyrics - Eli Halpern.

3. Crazy Delicious (Ode to a Pastry Machine)
Vocals, Lyrics - Eli Halpern; Guitars - David Pinsof; Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot

4. Sonata Rabidus
Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot

5. Modop
Vocals, Guitars - David Pinsof; Synths - Ben Hantoot, Eli Halpern; Keyboards - Ben Hantoot

6. Why, Venus?
Vocals, Lyrics - Eli Halpern; Guitars - David Pinsof; Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot

7. Rompecabezas
Vocals, Lyrics - Eli Halpern; Guitars - David Pinsof; Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot

8. Catnap
Vocals, Lyrics - Eli Halpern; Guitars - David Pinsof; Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot

9. Sky Graffiti
Vocals, Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot; Guitars - David Pinsof; Lyrics - Eli Halpern

10. Beef Jerky
Vocals, Synths - David Pinsof, Eli Halpern, Ben Hantoot; Whistling - Ben Hantoot; Guitars - David Pinsof; Keyboards - Ben Hantoot

11. Tunnels
Vocals, Guitars - David Pinsof; Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot; Lyrics - Eli Halpern

12. The White Stripes
Vocals, Lyrics - Eli Halpern, Ben Hantoot; Guitars - David Pinsof; Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot

13. Axis
Vocals, Synths/Keyboards - Ben Hantoot; Guitars - David Pinsof; Lyrics - Eli Halpern