专辑简介

Drawing from a poignant blend of classic rock, power pop and modern indie influences, Chicago natives The Get make ebullient vocal melodies, mellifluous harmonies and smart, succinct song arrangements the hallmark of their effervescent debut album "Escape the Scorn." Released in 2009 as part of Chicago institution Spade Kitty Records' (Paper Airplane Pilots, Trakan, Red Plastic Buddha, Roxy Swain) brand new boutique distribution imprint, the thirteen tracks feature the songwriting stylings of Chicago native James Berthiaume. Berthiaume wears his influences on his sleeve in plaintive fashion: the power chords of Cheap Trick, Badfinger, Big Star and Weezer; the well-placed vocal harmonies of The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac; the acoustic backbone omnipresent in countless 60s and 70s groups of which Berthiaume was well-weened on, such as The Monkees and The Byrds...these are all here in spades. However, where most groups fall short of capturing their own audience with a distinctive re-imagining of these elements, "Escape the Scorn" triumphantly pulls together all of these various influences to formulate a completely refreshing, yet ultimately simple and classic, debut effort. As crucial as Berthiaume's songs and leadership are to the band, the somewhat unique history of the band was also key to the album's completion. Formed initially in 2004, the group is almost unlike any other in terms of participation. More a collective of seasoned musicians than a group, The Get is at times comprised of anywhere from 2-8 people, almost all of whom play in at least one other group primarily. The group has fielded no less than 15 different lineups over five years, with members coming and going and coming, usually based on availability. Despite the nearly constant upheaval, the songs and group ultimately survive by owing to a consistent tone and feel despite the chameleon antics of the parent group. The most constant member has been songwriter/vocalist Laura Lopardo, whose contribution to the disc in terms of both her voice and her well-seasoned sense of arrangement and songwriting is unmistakable. Matt Walters (Trakan, Red Plastic Buddha, Roxy Swain, Hop on Pop) has been with the group at nearly every turn, mostly as the band's lead guitarist, at times as its bassist, and at times as both. Paul DeNovi has been the band's regular bass player for most of its existence, occasionally lending his brass talents as well. Producer and drummer Noah Samuels (Heather Perry and the ______'s, Trakan, Ghost Pilot) fills both roles admirably. However, equally important and essential to Escape the Scorn to all these mentioned are also the contributions of so many other former members, liaisons, colleagues and siblings, each of whom put their own unique stamp on the finished product. The band appears live regularly and is plotting a midwestern tour for the fall of 2009 and early 2010. And perhaps most importantly, despite the diverse array of musicians, arrangements, lineups and compositions, all of the tracks on Escape the Scorn were ultimately built on a strong foundation of acoustic guitar, which speaks to its influences as much as its intentions. For it's the songwriting that counts in singer/songwriter music, and "Escape the Scorn" acheives much in showcasing exactly what it sets out to: powerful arrangements and impressive musicianship that complements classically written pop/rock melodies.