posted by Alex on October 30, 2010
I popped my new CD, Perch Patchwork by Maps & Atlases, into my car CD player. A wave of emotions flowed through my body as I listened to the strange mix of whimsical drum patterns, what seemed like a whole symphony of violins, cellos, and flutes, odd and spastic guitar riffs, and a soulful voice that made me melt. At first, I was almost positive that this singer was Cee Lo Green from the band Gnarls Barkley. No kidding, he sounds just like him! I rushed home to read about the band and look at pictures of the singer. Well, it definitely wasn’t Cee Lo; he looks nothing like him and the music is clearly different, but after you listen, I’m telling you, you will initially think the same thing.
Maps & Atlases is a Chicago-based band formed in the fall of 2004. They have released three records and their latest, Perch Patchwork, was released late June of this year. I have to be completely honest and say when I listened to their second album, You And Me And The Mountain, I was far from impressed. They were trying too hard to be avant-garde and just sounded like noise. But their two songs off the new album, “Solid Ground” and “The Charm,” stole my heart. They have to be the catchiest, most energetic songs ever.
“Solid Ground” goes down in the books as one of my all-time favorite songs. Its two minutes and 48 seconds are filled with beautiful lead and back-up vocals; listen carefully for the high chime of a flute. What stands out the most in “The Charm” is the crazy percussion section and drum solos. I would love to see how they come together live. Catch their tour during the entire month of November. Although I took some time to warm up to them, Maps & Atlases are truly a one-of-a-kind band.
Maps & Atlases – Solid Ground (Downloaded 666 times)
Maps & Atlases – The Charm (Downloaded 358 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Catchy • Clever Lyrics • Orchestral • Upbeat
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