EXTRA BLUE KIND: The Tide And The Undertow

Extra Blue Kind

The Tide And The Undertow

© 2005 Opulent Records (783707149202)

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Extra Blue Kind melds pop sensibilities, the best of modern rock with the right amount of memorable hooks and pure unadulterated energy to create a unique and irresistible sound.

tracks

1 Make Yourself Useless
2 You Came Crashing
3 Nono
4 Out Of My Hands
5 Art Of The Disconnect
6 Lipstick
7 Trails Turn
8 Our Only Appeal
9 Atmosphere
10 Holiday
11 Keep Me Around
12 Pinch, Blink, Stay Alive
13 Sugar

notes

Call it the curse of the uncategorizable. Or call it indie pop-rock genius.

Indianapolis’ Extra Blue Kind aren’t going to make it easy for you. They’re not going to fit neatly into that little niche genre, thereby facilitating ready categorization. The vocabulary of words you’ll need to describe their sound is going to be fresh, varied, thoughtful. Or hell, you can just forget about trying to explain the music and just enjoy it.

Explains singer-songwriter-frontman P. David Hazel, “I always tell people that I have no idea how to write an Extra Blue Kind song, and I have no idea how to describe it to people, either. Extra Blue Kind has always been kind of eclectic. It’s like a mixtape of stuff.” For proof of this, you need look no further than EBK’s debut release, The Tide and the Undertow (Opulent Records).

To help meld together their eclectic elements, EBK enlisted the help of their musical hero, Vess Ruhtenburg (Zero Boys, United States 3), on Tide. What resulted is a brilliant debut from start to finish, shimmering with EBK’s crisp, upbeat arrangements, Ruhtenburg’s stylized approach to recording, and their shared musical philosophy.

Hazel’s voice, first and foremost, is flexible and dreamy, rich and beseeching. The backing vocals and harmonies are beautiful, high notes mixing perfectly with Hazel’s wide range. And the songs are well crafted, the power-pop–leaning guitars pointed and neat, smooth and straightforward; the drums and bass adding just the right undercurrent of groove and desire.

Though Hazel’s the creative vision behind EBK, the other members play above-the-title roles the songwriting process. “Sometimes one of us will bring a song and everyone will contribute,” Hazel says. “Sometimes we’ll get a case of beer and write an album’s worth of songs in one night. We approach every song in a different way.”

Behind Hazel (vocals, guitar), then, you’ve got Randee Eimer (drums, programming), Trevor Walthen (guitar, vocals) and Jeremy Blount (bass, vocals). Live, the four read each other so well, crashing out the melodic tunes with such a singular mind, you’d never guess they hadn’t been together for years. But such is Hazel’s leadership, his creative vision.

May 2006 found the band in New York City, recording an EP with Junior Sanchez and Ray Martin (Gorillaz, Bloc Party, Madonna) and showcasing for labels large and small. Through the summer months, though, the band members are back to doing what they do best: Logging the miles on the rental van and playing their hearts out, night after night.

Fresh and invigorating, ear-pleasing and challenging, yet comfortable, like that best friend you never knew you had—that’s Extra Blue Kind for you.


Extra Blue Kind is currently on tour in support of “The Tide and the Undertow.” (Opulent Records)

Music Video For Pinch, Blink, Stay Alive recently featured on Much Music's The Wedge January/06! Video created by 14 year old Fernanda Frick of Santiago, Chile.

For more information please visit http://www.extrabluekind.com or http://www.opulentrecords.com.

Check out their music videos at www.myVidero.com/ebk

reviews

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  • This music plays over and over in my head...especially Pinch,Blink,stay Alive.
    author: originaldebra

    This music plays over and over in my head...especially Pinch,Blink, Stay Alive. A very good listen psychedelic guitar and all. This coming from someone who listens exclusively to old school punk. One of the best new cds I've heard all year. I haven't been able to find it in the stores around here, and I live in L.A.!Better than the crap that's out there right now. I wish more groups were like this.

  • I don't care wht the other reviewers say- this is punk music-simple harmonies, s
    author: originaldebra

    I hope that this doesn't scare off mainstream listeners, but this music is reminiscent of early punk music: simple chords and lyrics...give it a closer listen. It's great stuff! It's nice to hear music that goes back to the roots, reenterpreted into some very decent sounds! Some of you listeners might want to check out some of the old school music while you're at it!

  • Excellent band - live and in the studio
    author: Terry

    This cd is one of the better ones I've bought in 2006. I saw EBK a few times in Indpls in the past month and am hooked - so I had to buy the cd from CDBaby. I expect big things from Extra Blue Kind.

  • Wow!!
    author: Steven Thomas

    Amazing! Absolutely amazing. I found this CD through a web link, and it was love at first listen. Great work!

  • The unexpected, unmitigated joy of discovery
    author: by Laura Hamlett

    You are now unbelievably addicted to Extra Blue Kind's sexy closing track "Sugar." There are bands that you love, and you look forward to their new releases, and that's OK. There are bands that you've heard of—"buzz bands," if you will—and you look forward to their CDs, as well. With each of these, there is a built-in expectation, and an assumed appreciation. Then there are those releases you really don't know much about, discs by bands like Indianapolis' Extra Blue Kind. You've heard their name before—but that's about it. You couldn't say what type of music they played, who they were, what they were like. Then their CD arrived; you spun it, and found it pleasing—indie rock, maybe a bit derivative in spots, some standout tracks and others which sounded different, lesser than—enough to attend their show, which you enjoyed. The next day, you spun it again, wanting to refamiliarize yourself with the tracks you'd just seen live...and holy shit. This is one damn good CD. You've now spun it more times than you can count, and each time, you find new things to love. Whereas "Out of My Hands" was your immediate favorite (and still rocks, make no mistake), you are now unbelievably addicted to sexy closing track "Sugar." And now you want to tell everyone; that is, after all, why you started a magazine, is it not? The band's called Extra Blue Kind; the disc (their full-length debut) The Tide and the Undertow. Catch 'em on tour, and make sure you pick up this disc. It's glorious, positively shimmering.

  • It's Addictive!
    author: Kickapoo Lake

    It's addictive. It hooks and reels you in. One of the best debut albums I've heard from any band. You just can't get enough of it.

  • Order in Bulk
    author: Tyler Anderson

    This CD is simply amazing! I first saw them perform some songs from the CD on G4tv and I ordered this CD the first chance i got. Catchy sound without dumbing down this cd proves that Pop-ish sounds can have great deep meanings.

  • can we say kick ass??
    author: Jen

    SERIOUSLY a fantastic CD. There is not a single song on this disc that I don't like...and there is only ONE other CD in my collection, including mixes that I've made mySELF that I play from start to finish without hitting the skip button on my discman. Some of it's perfectly slow while some of it makes you want to rock so hard your head aches when you're done. LOVE this CD. Everyone should buy it!

  • yep
    author: Ralee!

    simply fabulous.

  • Smart pop for modern lovers.
    author: Amplifier Magazine

    Lo-fi, sinewy, and stripped to the bone, Midwestern indie outfit Extra Blue Kind emerge as cerebrel, hungry and melodicaly mesmerizing on their debut long-player. The band pumps out a witty four-to-the-bar rocker "Make Yourself Useless", a furiously funky diatribe "You Came Crashing", gloom and doom art pop, "Art Of The Disconnect", distraught disco "Our Only Appeal", and ndeo-pshychedelic garage folk "Sugar". Singer P. David Handy's even tempered vocal phrasing tether his mates' yen for experimentation with a healthy dose of Velvet Underground/Cure detachment. "Yoko Nono" makes and offer even Mrs. Lennon can't refuse. Smart pop for modern lovers. `Tom Semioli - Amplifier Magazine

  • First listen New and Exciting Next listen Hooked
    author: Mike P Chicago

    The first time I heard this Cd it was a new different type of sound.The next listen I realized it was a masterpiece.Everyone I turn on to this cd digs it big time! Can't wait for the next one!

  • Whens the next CD coming out?
    author: Ian

    My friend introduced me to EBK out of the, well, out of the blue one day and upon listening to Make Yourself Useless on the website, I ordered the CD within a day. It was worth every dollar. I really enjoy the CD and its a new form of music I dont normally listen too. Every track is solid, especially Keep Me Around, my favorite song on the CD. I am eagerly awaiting the next CD by you guys! Keep it up!

  • Make sure that you get a copy of this great CD!
    author: Mark Lush, Midwestbands.com

    If you are an Indie enthusiast, Extra Blue Kind should be high on your list of bands/artists that you want to hear very soon! Make sure that you get a copy of this great CD! To me, Extra Blue Kind is a band that is at the forefront of the Indie Wave striving to take over the airwaves of America! Do your part, and give these guys a listen! I’m almost certain that you will be hooked if you try them!

  • author: Lindsay

    I am just very impressed with the album. I have played it repeatedly since I bought it and its one of those that gets better with every listen. It replaced "get behind me satan" in my car player, which is saying something. Congrats EBK and I'll say it again, book a show in Athens, your music would be well received down here.

  • Amazing
    author: DanelleNicole

    I love every song on this album. I can't pick a favorite! I have listened to it every day since I received it. It really is wonderful.

  • A Great New CD to Pick Up

    I'm really happy to recieve this CD. It contains a lot of great songs that will keep you listening. My personal favorites are Make Yourself Useless, Out of My Hands and Keep Me Around, but I enjoyed listening to this whole CD many times through. I think it's a definite buy for any fans of the band or genre.

  • Album that won't leave your cd player
    author: Meta

    If you put this record in your player, it will never leave it. It will nest there and raise little ones. Yummy, yummy sonic goodness. One of the best albums released all year. "Holiday" warms my heart and then rips it out and eats it with a side a brocolli. I love it. Keep up the good work.

  • Nice job fellas!
    author: Zack

    I picked up "Tide" a couple of days ago and felt the need to find your site and let you know what a great album it is. It really is a stellar recording. And, honestly, I don't listen to a whole lot of indie rock/pop (I don't like naming genres, hope you don't mind that label, its only for descriptive purposes). The songs are brilliant from a writing perspective. The performance is solid. As a total album I think its one on the top 2 or 3 new albums I heard this year. In case you're interested, my favorite songs are: "You Came Crashing" (my personal favorite) "Art of Disconnect" "Atmosphere" (haunting) "Keep Me Around" By the way, don't forget about us down here in Bloomington. Get down here and play a show. I know the music scene kinda sucks down here for original music (I'm still not sure when that happened) but nothing beats a live performance from you all. Nice job, kudos, etc. zac.

  • A treasure and a gift.
    author: Eric N

    What do you give the person who has everything? Two more EBK cds. The Tide and the Undertow is so good, it will be an appreciated possesion no matter how many copies he or she has. A truly great work; one that will be treasured by lovers of good music.

  • The Tide and the Undertow is amazing
    author: emrys22

    i live in alabama and i saw them preform a few songs on aots(attack of the show, G4 tv) and i spent days tracking this album down on the net, and it was worht it

  • amazing.
    author: Eric

    wow. this cd is amazing... probably the best cd i've gotten in a VERY long time. i love "holiday".

  • Soundtrack of my life
    author: Breel

    I ordered my copy just when I heard that EBK got their debut out. This one is far from being an independent production. The songs are catching and intense, the lyrics are for the deep-thinking folks among us and the production itself is crystal clear and clever. People... this may become the soundtrack of your lives. At least I've added it to mine. These guys are gonna be huge! Hope to see EBK perform in Germany someday.

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