ARTIST: Norfolk & Western
TITLE: The Unsung Colony
LABEL: Hush Records
GENRE: Indie
BITRATE: 196kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 47m total
RELEASE DATE: 2006-10-24
RIP DATE: 2006-10-12
Track List
----------
1. The Longest Stare 5:29
2. The Shortest Stare 3:35
3. Barrels On Fire 5:19
4. How To Reel In 2:38
5. The New Rise Of Labor 4:20
6. Rehearsing La Dolce Vita 1:03
7. Arrangements Made 6:57
8. Drifter 3:47
9. Banish All Rock 4:01
10. Atget Waltz 3:50
11. From The Interests Of Few 4:49
12. The Longest Stare (Reprise) 1:28
Release Notes:
http://www.norfolkandwestern.org/
http://www.myspace.com/norfolkandwestern
http://www.hushrecords.com/
Norfolk & Western started as a recording project early on in this century by
Adam Selzer , who also plays guitar and bass for M. Ward. Adam is also
responsible for recording all the N&W titles in his Portland, Oregon studio,
Type Foundry Recording, where he has produced numerous records from many artists
since 1998.
The first Norfolk record, Centralia, consisted of folk, atmospheric, and rock
songs wherein Adam played most of the instruments himself but was duly aided by
friends including Amanda Lawrence (viola), M. Ward (piano, guitar) and David
Welch (bass). Soon thereafter, Rachel Blumberg (currently drumming for M. Ward,
former Decemberists drummer) joined the band and became a pivotal element to the
following record, Winter Farewell. Rachel sang, played drums, piano, vibraphone,
and many other instruments. Many of the record's songs were written in true
collaborative form. She became a paramount addition to the live show, which
included David Welch on bass, Zak Riles on banjo and lap steel, and Tony Moreno
who supplied the atmospheric sounds with contraptions he hid behind an old
1940's radio cabinet. Winter Farewell itself was more eclectic and experimental
than its predicesor. It was moody and dark all the while maintaining the band's
folk roots.
After this release, Norfolk embarked on a few west coast tours, and a three week
European tour supporting Sparklehorse. While the first two recordings on the
Film Guerrero label, the next record, Dusk in Cold Parlours, was released on
their current label Hush Records. This batch of songs was more focused and
included increasingly elaborate arrangements than the previous albums. The
collaboration within band became more apparent on Dusk, which included many
"full band" songs as well as more sparse, solitary endeavors.
After the release, Adam & Rachel toured as a duo throughout the U.S. with The
Decemberists. A year long hiatus ensued, then Norfolk toured for a few months
with M. Ward in Europe and the U.S. Upon their return home, they went back into
the studio to record their more pop oriented e.p. A Gilded Age which was
released in the spring of 2006. Dave Depper had become the regular bass player
whose musical prowess and McCartney-esque bass style dramatically changed the
sound of the band. Shortly thereafter, Peter Broderick became the
multi-instrumentalist (violin, banjo, musical saw, accordion, mandolin,
theremin) the band came to rely on. This quartet constituted the touring act
when they supported DeVotchka on a nationwide tour last summer.
Since then, they recorded a full length for an October 24, 2006 release entitled
The Unsung Colony. The record incorporates the touring line-up as well as
collaborations with Cory Gray (trumpet, piano), Amanda Lawrence (viola), and
Tony Moreno (guitar). The band sometimes plays live with all the aforementioned
players. This septet is indicative of the sound on their most recent release. It
is epic in scope with ambitious arrangements. The band will be embarking on a
nationwide tour in November '06 to support their new release, The Unsung Colony.