Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Joyful Noise releases Bell Ord Forrest by new signing I Love You TODAY!



"I’ve heard several great albums from the Joyful Noise family over the past two years, and Bell Ord Forrest is the unequivocal favorite. " - Andrew Fenstermaker, FensePost

Joyful Noise (home to Marmoset, Hermit Thrushes, and Hi Red Center) releases Bell Ord Forrest, by the art-damaged Kansas City duo, I Love You, today, October 27, 2009.

In an abandoned storefront in Kansas City, Missouri, the duo known as 'I Love You' pollute the airwaves with heady-polyrhythmic drone. Having exhibited their solvent circus at nearly 200 shows, I Love You spouts out anthems that cross the boundaries between sabotage and self-improvement. Their combination of noisy DIY punk with thumpin' dub bass is catchier than you think - conveying emotion and pop sensibility, but mostly madness.

11.04.09 - Minneapolis, MN - Milford Amusement Center
11.05.09 - Chicago, IL - Mortville
11.06.09 - St. Louis, MO - The Glass Pit
11.07.09 - Indianapolis, IN - Empty Bucket w/ Marmoset (Record Release Party)
11.08.09 - Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
11.10.09 - Lansing, MI - Mac's Bar
11.12.09 - Cleveland, OH - Bela Dubby
11.13.09 - Philadelphia, PA - TBA
11.14.09 - Boston, MA - Whitehaus
11.15.09 - New York, NY - Cakeshop
11.16.09 - Providence, RI - AS220
11.18.09 - Harrisonburg, VA - The Blue Nile
11.19.09 - Richmond, VA - The Triple
11.20.09 - Charlottesville, VA - Twisted Tea Bazaar
11.22.09 - Asheville, NC - Bobo Gallery

"[W]hat drummer Jeffrey Schlette and singer/guitarist Justin Randel do with Afrobeat mirrors what postpunk bands like Joy Division did with dub and glam: find the negative spaces and where the syncopation lands, while eschewing any hint of its tropical warmth." Lyam White - Alarm Press

This you should understand: 'I Love You' is merely the English translation of the band's “real” band name which is 'Yah Tibyah La Blu'. With their second album, Bell Ord Forrest, the doubly named band has regurgitated a sprawling yet remarkably focused work. These are twisted, slightly menacing, yet somehow danceable tunes of indulgence and self-destruction – inviting all sympathetic listeners to smash their way to bliss... Singer/guitarist Justin Randel sings, shouts, rants and croons with a manic paranoia that hasn't been seen since the last time David Byrne got really coked up before appearing on national TV.

While much of the enjoyment from Bell Ord Forrest is to be had while remaining motionless on a floor, this album does not lack the visceral, bodily experience so prevalent in I Love You's live performances. Electronic experimentations abound, though they would seem illogical and counter-intuitive to anyone who has ever considered going to a rave. However, to those versed in medicine-cabinet-rock, the electronic elements are completely sensible. Or at least, as sensible as anything can be on mescaline.

No comments: