Album Notes

SEQUENCE PULSE are an instrumental band formed in Yokohama, Japan in 1999. Their latest release, "Play Both Ends Against The Middle" on the acclaimed Catune label finds the band developing and maturing a sound which has grown organically over the course of two albums and an EP including 2005's "Railroad To Heaven" which featured in The Silent Ballet magazine's top releases of the year.

On the thirteen tracks featured on "Play Both Ends Against The Middle", Sequence Pulse have augmented their core sounds of twin acoustic and electric guitars with synthesizers, programmed rhythm patterns and occasional vocals. This experimentation has found expression in the delicate "Hush" (tr4), "Am I Reflected On You?" (tr8) and "I Am Your Garden" (tr13) and the intense rock sound of "Balance" (tr1), "Play Both Ends Against The Middle" (tr13), "Parallel" (tr5) and "Land Of Promise" (tr6).

"Play Both Ends" is notable in that it features several guest contributions including the vocals of Seattle-based Jen Wood, best known for her work with The Postal Service. The collaboration has its origins on Wood's Japanese tour in February 2004 where she shared the stage with Sequence Pulse. Working via email and FTP, her recording was done by Casey Alexander who also contributed back up vocals. Combined, these provide a beautiful harmonic backdrop to this record. "Am I Reflected On You?" also features the vocals of Takamoto from Tokyo indie pop band Come Back My Daughters. The record was mastered by Roger Seibel of SAE Mastering in Phoenix, Arizona.

"Play Both Ends Against The Middle" is Sequence Pulse's most ambitious and fully realized work to date.

"Peaceful, serene, and enchanting" - The Silent Ballet