ARTIST: The Honorary Title
TITLE: Scream & Light Up The Sky
LABEL: Reprise/Doghouse
GENRE: Alt. Rock
BITRATE: 196kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 47m total
RELEASE DATE: 2007-08-28
RIP DATE: 2007-08-28
Track List
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1. Thin Layer 4:12
2. Stay Away 4:10
3. Untouched And Intact 3:05
4. Stuck At Sea 4:18
5. Far More 4:34
6. Radiate 3:00
7. Along The Way 5:08
8. Apologize 3:13
9. The City's Summer 2:53
10. Only One Week 4:09
11. Wait Until I'm Gone 5:07
12. Even If 3:36
Release Notes:
Scream And Light Up The Sky, the major-label debut from The Honorary Title, is a
beautifully ragged collection of subtle indie pop with hints of Americana,
Britpop and punk. Produced by Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliot Smith), the charismatic
Jarrod GorbelÆs intimate, heartfelt and yet sarcastic musings indeed light up
the musical sky.
___
BrooklynÆs The Honorary Title began as a moniker for Jarrod GorbelÆs solo folk
musings but in the last few years it has evolved into a full-fledged quartet
about to release its second album and major label debut, Scream and Light Up the
Skyù a beautifully ragged collection of subtle indie pop with hints of
Americana, Britpop, and punk.
Back in 2003, The Honorary Title was Gorbel and multi-instrumentalist Aaron
Kamstra, who plugged away on the New York City club circuit before signing to
indie label Doghouse Records. In 2004, Gorbel and Kamstra released their debut
Anything Else But the Truth, which combined the unbridled passion of GorbelÆs
vocals with pop hooks and keenly observed, poetic lyrics. Produced by Roger
Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Guster), it earned accolades from Rolling Stone (ôa
soaring, heart-rending debut,ö) Spin (which praised GorbelÆs ôwinning humor and
killer pipes,ö) GQ and many others. Nominated in August 2004 for the prestigious
Shortlist Music Prize (alongside Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, TV on The Radio
and many more), the albumÆs popularity kept the duo (plus a rotating series of
drummers) on the road for three years. During that time they made an appearance
at the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival in September 2004 and toured
with such diverse bands as Lucero, Switchfoot, The Format, Minus the Bear and AC
Newman. During this time, KamstraÆs long-time friend Jonathan Wiley joined to
play guitar and keyboard, and they later recruited ex-Format drummer Adam Boyd.
With a solid line-up and years of playing together under their belts, itÆs no
surprise that Scream and Light Up the Sky has a bigger sound than its
predecessor. ôAnything Else But The Truth focused more on me as a
singer-songwriter,ö Gorbel says. ôYou can hear it in the sparse production and
acoustic guitar.ö The addition of Boyd and Wiley has made a significant impact
this time around. ôAdam's drumming style introduced a more powerful rock sound,
and JonÆs electric guitar added another level of atmosphere and texture.ö This
is heavily displayed in the albumÆs first single, ôStuck at Sea.ö ôThey are also
both singers in their own right,ö he continues, ôand their higher ranges allowed
for an array of harmonies that really tied in that indie-pop influence and
brought the songs to life.ö
Gorbel began writing songs for Scream and Light Up the Sky while on the road.
The entire band completed them while cooped up in their Brooklyn rehearsal space
last year. Lyrically Gorbel says the new album is personal and intimate, as was
the last, with songs that describe his perspective on how relationships linger,
break down, and begin anew. ôI try to separate from myself, as well, and tell
other peopleÆs stories through the lyrics,ö he says, citing ôStay Awayö which is
ôabout the romantic dynamic between two individuals when one person has more
emotionally invested than the other,ö and ôÆEven IfÆ about two siblings who lose
their father to mental illnessö as examples. He also pulled from his own
childhood. ôÆRadiateÆ is loosely based on my own family relocating from an urban
area to the suburbs and the sacrifice that comes with raising children.ö
To help bottle the lightning The Honorary Title create on stage, the band turned
to producer Rob Schnapf, who is known for his work with Beck and the late Elliot
Smith. ôRobÆs guidance on the arrangements really helped shape the record into
something more focused and concise,ö says Gorbel.
ôOur intention with Scream and Light Up the Sky was to communicate pessimism and
the darkest of emotions,ö he says, ôbut at the same time not take ourselves too
seriously.