Search - Changing Modes :: Down and Out in Shangri-la

Changing Modes
Down and Out in Shangri-la
Genre: Alternative Rock

Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
1. Off the Radar
2. Shangri-la
3. No Fly Zone
4. Race the Wave
5. Ship
6. Blue Tomorrow
7. Blue Light
8. Gate/He Walks in Darkness
9. Vital Signs
10. Someone Anyone

After twelve months of production work with veteran industry engineer Ted Spencer (David Bowie, Shawn Colvin, Todd Rundgren, Meatloaf, Roberta Flack), the female-fronted New York City art rock band Changing Modes is releas... more »ing their third album, containing 10 diverse songs that are guaranteed to delight serious music addicts. Art rock at its best, Changing Modes laid down the explosive and brilliantly unpredictable tracks with high energy performance, resulting in an engrossing and exciting musical experience for the listener. Down and Out in Shangri-la, a spring-loaded forward-motion album, is like "Led Zeppelin, Dreden Dolls, Porcupine Tree, Stravinsky - all broken up, then re-assembled and painted by Pablo Picasso." Fusing their diverse musical influences, Changing Modes has created something different; something complex, angular, edgy and strangely accessible. The complexity of their music is sure to win the most discerning progressive music listeners, while their infectious hooks and skillful arrangements will appeal to a wider range of music fans. This album is the first to feature the outstanding, theatrical voice of Camille Atkinson. Her powerhouse vocals on Zeppelin-esque tracks like Shangri-la and Ship are reminiscent of Robert Plant and Janis Joplin, and capable of making listeners head-bang to the constantly shifting, irregular beats. Changing Modes' amazing drummer/vocalist, David Oromaner, and guitarist/bassist Yuzuru Sadashige, bring distinguished musicianship and impressive finesse to all the band's textured and demanding material. Wendy Griffiths, the principle songwriter (keyboardist/singer) of the band, concocted the recipes for these highly addictive, unpredictable musical structures. In songs like Blue Tomorrow (inspired by David Lynch's film "Inland Empire"), and Gate/He Walks in Darkness, she skilfully combines most unlikely musical ingredients (Rock, Dixieland, Rap, Classical) to create the most interesting, catchy music. You will also hear her unmistakable laser-sharp vocals on Blue Tomorrow, Someone Anyone, and No Fly Zone. Changing Modes has been compared to many bands (from The B52s to Radiohead) but really it stands in its own place. As New York Press put it "an experimental band of experimental bands," constantly pushing its limit. In fact, the band has already moved on to the next musical level since recording the album. Expect something new from Changing Modes with Down and Out in Shangri-La.

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CD Details

All Artists: Changing Modes
Title: Down and Out in Shangri-la
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: 1/8/2008
Genre: Alternative Rock
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 796873003278

Synopsis

Product Description

After twelve months of production work with veteran industry engineer Ted Spencer (David Bowie, Shawn Colvin, Todd Rundgren, Meatloaf, Roberta Flack), the female-fronted New York City art rock band Changing Modes is releasing their third album, containing 10 diverse songs that are guaranteed to delight serious music addicts. Art rock at its best, Changing Modes laid down the explosive and brilliantly unpredictable tracks with high energy performance, resulting in an engrossing and exciting musical experience for the listener. Down and Out in Shangri-la, a spring-loaded forward-motion album, is like "Led Zeppelin, Dreden Dolls, Porcupine Tree, Stravinsky - all broken up, then re-assembled and painted by Pablo Picasso." Fusing their diverse musical influences, Changing Modes has created something different; something complex, angular, edgy and strangely accessible. The complexity of their music is sure to win the most discerning progressive music listeners, while their infectious hooks and skillful arrangements will appeal to a wider range of music fans. This album is the first to feature the outstanding, theatrical voice of Camille Atkinson. Her powerhouse vocals on Zeppelin-esque tracks like Shangri-la and Ship are reminiscent of Robert Plant and Janis Joplin, and capable of making listeners head-bang to the constantly shifting, irregular beats. Changing Modes' amazing drummer/vocalist, David Oromaner, and guitarist/bassist Yuzuru Sadashige, bring distinguished musicianship and impressive finesse to all the band's textured and demanding material. Wendy Griffiths, the principle songwriter (keyboardist/singer) of the band, concocted the recipes for these highly addictive, unpredictable musical structures. In songs like Blue Tomorrow (inspired by David Lynch's film "Inland Empire"), and Gate/He Walks in Darkness, she skilfully combines most unlikely musical ingredients (Rock, Dixieland, Rap, Classical) to create the most interesting, catchy music. You will also hear her unmistakable laser-sharp vocals on Blue Tomorrow, Someone Anyone, and No Fly Zone. Changing Modes has been compared to many bands (from The B52s to Radiohead) but really it stands in its own place. As New York Press put it "an experimental band of experimental bands," constantly pushing its limit. In fact, the band has already moved on to the next musical level since recording the album. Expect something new from Changing Modes with Down and Out in Shangri-La.

CD Reviews

Spotlight on Changing Modes!

sarah | Los Angeles, CA United States | 10/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amie Street Album Spotlight: Changing Modes

by wyszynka

Down and Out in Shangri-la

If Shangri-lan Idol were holding auditions, or if the government of this quixotic country were in search of someone to write its national anthem, Changing Modes would be the number one pick for both.

Inspiring the title of the latest album put out by these psychedelic rockers from the Big Apple, Shangri-La (as bookworms out there know) is a fictional place in James Hilton's Lost Horizon. And quite like you might expect the citizens of this utopian metropolis to behave, the unique group of characters in Changing Modes melds wit, culture, talent and history into one beautiful stream of sound.

Started in the early nineties by Wendy Griffiths and Yuzuru Sadashige (both classically trained composers), Changing Modes has perfected style and sound over the years, bringing them to 2008's Down and Out. The band's third album, it incorporates the velvety vocals of pop favorites like Blondie and the intricate technique of musical alchemists like Frank Zappa.

Influences ranging from early composers to new wave newbies can be heard throughout this bewitching, twisting and fun album. "Ship" sets sail on a boat through time, with a racy vibe reminiscent of Heart's "Crazy On You." Row back a few more years to "Blue Light", and you'll find yourself smack-dab in the middle of a '70s disco.

Lead vocalist Camille Atkinson's clear, quirky voice (she's got a noticeable past in acting and cabaret) fits in to each decade and type of rock Changing Mode embodies.

If this is what it's like to be down and out in Shangri-la, I can't imagine how pleasant it must be to live well-off.

[...]"

Shangri la indeed!

clairemuriel | 03/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Retro and yet still today--(my favorite type of music!..). This fine CD has some good songs as well as some good

instrumentational parts that will keep the listener enthusiastic and curious for repeated listenings!

My favorite pieces (at least so far) are "Gate/He walks in darkness" and "Race the wave"--(which still gives me goosebumps

upon some repeated listenings.) This CD is overall an improvement from the last CM CD's in my view and the ending

of the second song, "Shangri-La" hits you hard with that notion!..;) As Austin Powers might say: "Check it out baby!!"

"

Changing Modes - Down and Out in Shangri-la

klima99 | 01/27/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I recently bought Changing Modes' latest album, "Down and Out in Shangri-La," and having been a fan for several years now, can safely say that this is their best yet!

While there's plenty of cool keyboards and catchy harmonies to keep old fans more than content, this album pushes the envelope into uncharted territory in many other areas.

The new singer, Camille Atkinson, is awesome. Her voice has an amazing range and you can hear that she's having a blast singing the lyrics while keeping pace to the quick-changing melodies. Then there's the level of musicianship, which, while always good, enters the level of virtuosos. As for the new songs, there's a lot to love. My personal favorites are "Race the Wave," "Blue Light," and "Someone Anyone." But honestly, don't be expecting to click on the 30-second samples and instantly fall in love with these songs. For starters, you'll miss the awesome funky groove that comes in during the second half of "Blue Light," and these songs just take a few listens before they really start to grow on you.

If I have any complaints about the album though, it's that at only 34 minutes, I wish it were longer. I also wish that the bass was a bit more prominent in the mix, but that's just my taste, which is admittedly a bit skewed. Anyone who also prides themselves on their slightly angular, yet, discerning taste in music, will love this album. I highly recommend it.

"