The States
Multiply Not Divide
© 2005 The States (094922525215)
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A melodic assault: as catchy as a fly in honey, as brawny as a gorilla on steroids, and as beautiful as fireflies in the summer night. These indie rockers have outgrown their genre.
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Multiply Not Divide, the first full length recording from Brooklyn based trio The States, captures the band's driving energy while highlighting their trademark atmospheric sound and sweeping melodies. The self produced CD was recorded over a four day period at Carriage House Studios in CT and mastered by Dave Kutch (Outkast, Sarah McLachlan, My Morning Jacket). The band recently appeared at SXSW and wrapped up a residency at The Delancey in New York. Northeast tour dates will continue throughout 2006.
The band formed in 2002 when vocalist and guitarist Chris Snyder and bassist Previn Warren met through a mutual friend while attending Harvard. The lineup was rounded out when NY drummer Joe Stroll answered the band's Craiglist ad.
California native Chris Snyder's interest in music started at the age of four when he saw Itzhak Perlman on Sesame Street. That Christmas he got a violin and continued to play the instrument for the next 16 years. His dad gave him his first guitar when he was 14 (though he wanted a bass). He's lent his vocal talents to several movie scores including The Crow, The Santa Clause, Anastasia and The Cable Guy.
Previn Warren (also from CA) was born into music, being named after the legendary conductor Andre Previn. Though trained as a pianist since age 6, he tired of classical music's "practice regimens and rules." He picked up bass during high school and has been playing in rock bands ever since.
Joe Stroll taught himself how to play drums by listening to John Bonham, Dave Grohl and Jimmy Chamberlin. Though he had only been a drummer for a year when he joined The States, he managed to convince the band that he had 13 years of experience based on the strength of his playing.
After winning Buzzplay.com's national "Best Unsigned Band Competition" in 2004, out of a field of several hundred bands, the group was flown to Hollywood to record a 3-song demo. The band capped off the trip with a sold-out gig at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles. Since then, they have recorded two self-produced EPs (as well as "Multiply Not Divide") and have developed a loyal following with their powerful live shows.
reviews
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One word...AMAZING!
author: MelodyThe States is a breath of fresh air in a sometimes stale musical world. Each track on Multiply Not Divide is a fantastic gift to the listener.
using great musical influences to cultivate their own goodness
author: MultopThe album displays maturity and a wide variety of musical depth. Yes, they like early U2 and it's evident in the States' music but the music here is their own. It is a well directed and controlled frenzy of raw musical goodness that is not only savory, but nutritious.
Excellent
author: TimGreat CD, reminds me a lot of early U2 and/or Interpol. Great band, can't wait to hear them live sometime in the future.
It rocks out!
author: GrahamThis is a brilliant album, some killer tracks, plenty of energy, just the right production. Bang on the money!
AWESOME!
author: SaraHey, Thanks for giving me this link to hear your cd. I absolutley love it. Love your music. Its amazing, really.
I can't stop listening...this CD is suhweeeeet!!
author: JenniI was very happy to find this CD from this great group of musicians! The music is polished with a spontaneous sound and feel. I look forward very much to future releases and I have been telling my other music-loving friends to listen.
As always .....!
author: Arvid.... indie music saves the day!! The album is just great. Maybe because it lacks the pretentious stunts of mainstream bands. These guys have the down-to-earth quality (they found me on myspace and took their time to show me their music!) that makes you know right away their music will be meanful. Enjoy!
One of the best albums in 2005!
author: Torbjorn SandvikThis album is just splended! Indierock at it's best!! Definately Oone of my favourites for 2005! Hope this record reaches out to a broader audience..!
This is "Good Music"
author: William AllenI've listened to jazz and classical music all my life, giving rock just a passing glance. But as Duke Ellington said, there are only two kinds of music, good and bad. And "Multiply Not Divide" is now a permanent disc in my listening bag. These guys bring the taste, musical judgement, and imagination that I've always associated with great jazz and serious music and apply them to a compelling electric rock creation. Take a break from the same old stuff and listen to what's coming next!
A stellar album.
author: S.A. KohI recently bought this album on a friend's recommendation and have been blown away by it. Every track is riveting, from the raucous "100 Years War" to the haunting "So Near" and the cosmic "Rocket Science." In each composition, the trio displays a remarkable virtuosity, exhibiting instrumental restraint and flawless execution. Do yourself a favor and buy "Multiply Not Divide." This work is not only, as the reviewer above claims, "exactly what rock and roll should [be]," but is a bold and novel musical statement forged by three extremely gifted, visionary musicians.
The States have created an album that defines what rock and roll should be.
author: Kevin BlighWhen you are a rock trio hailing from Brooklyn, one thing is certain: You have to be good or you will simply be dubbed "Just another rock trio from Brooklyn." The New York scene produces bands that try their best to make a name for themselves, yet sometimes the music just isn’t there. So what does it take to transcend the conforming sounds that so many bands adhere to just to get by? Just ask The States ; they will tell you. Better yet, listen to their album Multiply not Divide and it will become abundantly clear to you what a trio rock band should sound like. With the backing of a progressively electric sound, The States concern themselves with rising musically above other bands and ensuring that their sound is different. Not different in the sense that it is awkward or cacophonous, rather, different in the sense that it is good music! The States is comprised of Chris Snyder (guitar and vocals), Previn Warren (bass guitar) and Joe Stroll (drums). 100 Years War is a great introduction into the album and sheds a bright light on what musically The States are all about. You can quickly pick up on the electric guitar of Snyder taking the forefront of the track along with his strong vocals. Warren's bass and the drums of Stroll simply add to the emphatic sound that this track starts the album off to. The album picks up its pace when the album rolls into the next track Ghost . The beginning of the track is fast paced and then is met nicely with a slowed down and melodramatic sound that fades right into more fast paced sounds. So Near is the best track on the album. This track is where The States substantiates that they are a band worth listening to. While most of the album relies on electric sounds and heavy musical sounds throughout, this track nicely breaks from the rest of the album and slows things down. While some rock bands seem to have a problem in creating a slow song due to the misconception that you have to lose all individuality when writing a slow song, The States have found the perfect mix in taking what you do well and trying something new in creating an impressively powerful and musically emotional song in So Near . The title track of this album, Multiply not Divide , is a musically complete song with The States rocking out wide ranges of musical sounds, tempos, beats all working their way into a strong lyrical performance. The track ends with an awesome instrumental closing that can be classified as being exactly what rock and roll should Track listing: 1. 100 Years War 2. Ghost 3. Bad Magnets 4. Diplomats 5. So Near 6. Right as Rain 7. Inquisition 8. Puzzle 9. Multiply not Divide 10. Rocket Science 11. Parade Multiply not Divide is an impressive Indie Rock album that is sure to gain fans for The States as it makes its way into the CD players of people who are looking to listen to good music. The music that The States produces is impressive in the sense that it is exactly what should be done if a rock trio wants to gain praise and fans for the music that they produce. While the music attempts to create an electric rock feel that at times shows emotion rather than sheer lyrical and music force, The States have created an album that is one that should be enjoyed by rock and roll fans of all genres, of all ages, and of all types. Multiply not Divide was recorded at Carriage House Studios in Stamford, Connecticut. The States are managed by Robert Mainwaring. For more information about The States, check out their website at www.thestatesonline.com.