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The Channel:
Self-Titled
In a little over the half-hour timeslot of a typical television show, The Channel has created a whole new station. Its part MTV, part History Channel, part Food Network, part Lifetime but its all good, bordering on impeccable. How, exactly, does this conglomeration work? Personalized, The Channels second LP, is a swirling mix of ingredients from musics past and present. A family affair from Austin, Texas, the Pennington siblings and their bandmates stir in The Beach Boys plush harmonies, The Beatles aggressive pursuit of originality and a pinch of The Flaming Lips slow buildups and electronic vibe. Mastered by Jeff Saltzman (Stephen Malkmus, Robert Pollard, Death Cab for Cutie), the sound is layer upon layer of rich flavor mandolin, steel guitar, trumpet and fiddle are all added to the psychedelic rock mix. Each song flows into the other seamlessly; think a stretched-out medley from the end of Abbey Road. These ten tracks are familiar but fresh, smooth but surprising. At the same time, Personalized is a love story, or a post-love story. The liner notes contain no lyrics only a letter from Colby Pennington debating the benefits of depersonalizing himself from the she-monster to which he attributes the albums style. Shes in those swirling harmonies around your head, he writes. Addressing his former lady, he notes that The Channel has finally captured your essence, channeled you into a wave of sound. He adds that the band has done an effective job at making Depersonalization Background Music with this album, an experience he describes as seeing life through a hazy lens, distancing oneself from people and conversations in order to allow the tank to remain intact. This may explain the first track, Depersonalized, a brief, computerized monologue that ends with heavy footsteps approaching and climbing into a car. Perhaps this is Pennington trying to objectify his situation, but ultimately giving up on trying to maintain this cold viewpoint. Appropriately, next song is the title track, where the band officially launches into its perky, muscular sound. You know I dont like being personalized/everyones always asking what they should know, Pennington complains over the oohing sympathies of his brothers and sisters that fill out every song on the album. The band also takes leaps Inhibition, for example, is given a country twang with an off-key but somehow fitting string section. Throughout the album, listeners will be astounded by The Channels confidence and the dead-on correctness of almost every decision this group has made. One exception may be the fine but not fantastic cover of Will Oldhams Black. But, when the one less-than-perfect part isnt even the bands work, it only adds to the wonder that is the rest of this album. Turn off the TV and tune in to The Channel.
This album can be purchased at C-Side Records About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
