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anticipation · 08-12-2009, 06:43 AM

"The Imaginary EP" by By the End of Tonight

Track listing:

Let Me Introduce Myself
When It Rains I Think Of You
A Buffalo In Yellowstone
The Birthday Jam
Waiting For An Island
If That Diamond Ring Don't Sing...

Let me preface this post with a confession; I've never in my entire life listened to electronica or any type of electronic based album, and aside from dam funk I really have no interest whatsoever in a genre that's been heralded on mb by some of the members I respect the most. I do, however, like to think I have an open mind when it comes to music outside of my comfort zone. As I began listening to "The Imaginary EP" I was surprised to learn that even though BTEOT is primarily a math rock band, their members have vastly different tastes in music. This album is almost exclusively electronica, and I have to say that I think it's one if the most beautiful albums I've heard this summer.

Before breaking up, BTEOT decided that each member should release an individual EP that shows what they like playing the most. I think that's an awesome idea, and what came out of this was four completely different albums, some good and some bad. I'll be sure to review the others after this, so make sure you follow along. This is the last of the four part series, and it's the work of their original guitarist Josh Smith.

"The Imaginary EP" starts out with the aptly named Let Me Introduce Myself. It starts slow, but it's painfully beautiful. The soft electric piano chords and dreamy little bell effects paint a gorgeous soundscape. The heavy guitar clashes with its lo-fi, almost hollow sound and gives this short track some character. Next is When It Rains I Think Of You, another awesome tune with catchy little synth hooks and weird drum samples. The biblical quote about rain from a baptist preacher is perfect over the intricate melody. I've always loved vocal clips in songs, probably because nearly every screamo band has done it at one time or another, and this clip is perfect in terms of pace and delivery.

A Buffalo In Yellowstone sounds watery, like if you were in a cave and you heard the dripping of stalactites funky harmony. The Birthday Jam reminds me of Del Tha Funkee Homosapien's beats, if you've ever listened to Deltron 3030 you'll know what I'm talking about. It's kinda dark and futuristc in a way that at first listen it might not hit you full force, but after you hear it enough it eventually gets stuck in your head. Waiting For An Island is one of my personal faves, as Smith finally breaks out the axe and injects some heavy soul riffs into his electric dabblings. I never minded it when Tera Melos would throw in little electronic or house loops in their music, but I wasn't ever really pysched on it. Smiths stuff is perfect for someone like me, someone who is a beatjunkie and who also likes power guitar type stuff at the same time. Mixing the two sounds great and makes me want to find more stuff like this. Last is If That Diamind Ring Don't Sing..., a song rife with sirens and spacey samples. Explosions make an appearance alongside phaser beams and upbeat techno. I love how Smith communicates such powerful emotion through electric and synth instruments, and I'm sad that he only made one album like this.

So, to sum up. I really enjoyed this album, despite it being something completely different than what I was expecting. I'm now interested in seeing what electrionica has to offer thanks to this album, and I recommend all of you check it out.

08-12-2009, 06:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
anticipation Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,561	"The Imaginary EP" by By the End of Tonight Track listing: Let Me Introduce Myself When It Rains I Think Of You A Buffalo In Yellowstone The Birthday Jam Waiting For An Island If That Diamond Ring Don't Sing... Let me preface this post with a confession; I've never in my entire life listened to electronica or any type of electronic based album, and aside from dam funk I really have no interest whatsoever in a genre that's been heralded on mb by some of the members I respect the most. I do, however, like to think I have an open mind when it comes to music outside of my comfort zone. As I began listening to "The Imaginary EP" I was surprised to learn that even though BTEOT is primarily a math rock band, their members have vastly different tastes in music. This album is almost exclusively electronica, and I have to say that I think it's one if the most beautiful albums I've heard this summer. Before breaking up, BTEOT decided that each member should release an individual EP that shows what they like playing the most. I think that's an awesome idea, and what came out of this was four completely different albums, some good and some bad. I'll be sure to review the others after this, so make sure you follow along. This is the last of the four part series, and it's the work of their original guitarist Josh Smith. "The Imaginary EP" starts out with the aptly named Let Me Introduce Myself. It starts slow, but it's painfully beautiful. The soft electric piano chords and dreamy little bell effects paint a gorgeous soundscape. The heavy guitar clashes with its lo-fi, almost hollow sound and gives this short track some character. Next is When It Rains I Think Of You, another awesome tune with catchy little synth hooks and weird drum samples. The biblical quote about rain from a baptist preacher is perfect over the intricate melody. I've always loved vocal clips in songs, probably because nearly every screamo band has done it at one time or another, and this clip is perfect in terms of pace and delivery. A Buffalo In Yellowstone sounds watery, like if you were in a cave and you heard the dripping of stalactites funky harmony. The Birthday Jam reminds me of Del Tha Funkee Homosapien's beats, if you've ever listened to Deltron 3030 you'll know what I'm talking about. It's kinda dark and futuristc in a way that at first listen it might not hit you full force, but after you hear it enough it eventually gets stuck in your head. Waiting For An Island is one of my personal faves, as Smith finally breaks out the axe and injects some heavy soul riffs into his electric dabblings. I never minded it when Tera Melos would throw in little electronic or house loops in their music, but I wasn't ever really pysched on it. Smiths stuff is perfect for someone like me, someone who is a beatjunkie and who also likes power guitar type stuff at the same time. Mixing the two sounds great and makes me want to find more stuff like this. Last is If That Diamind Ring Don't Sing..., a song rife with sirens and spacey samples. Explosions make an appearance alongside phaser beams and upbeat techno. I love how Smith communicates such powerful emotion through electric and synth instruments, and I'm sad that he only made one album like this. So, to sum up. I really enjoyed this album, despite it being something completely different than what I was expecting. I'm now interested in seeing what electrionica has to offer thanks to this album, and I recommend all of you check it out. Last edited by anticipation; 08-12-2009 at 11:33 AM.