THE MEETING PLACES' debut CD was recorded in Autumn, 2002 by Aaron Espinonza, the heralded musician [Earlimart] and producer [Elliot Smith, The Breeders, Folk Implosion]. While the album's elements and textures evoke the b... more »est of the early 1990s dream pop tradition (Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, and Ride), singer Chase Harris' inimitable vocal delivery leads the quartet into memorable, unfamiliar sonic territory. "Freeze Our Stares" launches the album with Scott McDonald's trademark thick, shimmered coatings of guitar resonance. Harris' cool, self-assured vocal melodies on "You Could Never Be the One" and "On Our Own" hint of vintage Jesus and Mary Chain. "See Through You" is a more casual, but no less poignant, excursion into more delicate melodic structures, recalling 'Souvlaki'-era Slowdive. Dean Yoshihara's nimble drumming propels the buoyant "Wide Awake" and ushers "Same Lies As Yesterday" through to its soaring chorus. "Take to the Sun" is a three-act epic suggesting Spiritualized ? leading with Harris' distant vocals, transitioning into Arthur Chan's bass-driven middle act, and ending with a noise-laden coda. 'Find Yourself Along The Way' escorts dream pop into its next phase ? songs written with flair and tunefulness, enchantingly dressed in an echoed veneer.« less
THE MEETING PLACES' debut CD was recorded in Autumn, 2002 by Aaron Espinonza, the heralded musician [Earlimart] and producer [Elliot Smith, The Breeders, Folk Implosion]. While the album's elements and textures evoke the best of the early 1990s dream pop tradition (Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, and Ride), singer Chase Harris' inimitable vocal delivery leads the quartet into memorable, unfamiliar sonic territory. "Freeze Our Stares" launches the album with Scott McDonald's trademark thick, shimmered coatings of guitar resonance. Harris' cool, self-assured vocal melodies on "You Could Never Be the One" and "On Our Own" hint of vintage Jesus and Mary Chain. "See Through You" is a more casual, but no less poignant, excursion into more delicate melodic structures, recalling 'Souvlaki'-era Slowdive. Dean Yoshihara's nimble drumming propels the buoyant "Wide Awake" and ushers "Same Lies As Yesterday" through to its soaring chorus. "Take to the Sun" is a three-act epic suggesting Spiritualized ? leading with Harris' distant vocals, transitioning into Arthur Chan's bass-driven middle act, and ending with a noise-laden coda. 'Find Yourself Along The Way' escorts dream pop into its next phase ? songs written with flair and tunefulness, enchantingly dressed in an echoed veneer.
"I feel very lucky to have discovered this band. The Meeting Places represent the very best of what dream pop should be and here they prove what it can be: sonically pleasing songs, drenched with guitar washes, that ultimately are tuneful moments of pop perfection. As a longtime fan of shoegazer music a casual mention of the Meeting Places in a review of another band gave me the opportunitity to find my favorite musical discovery of 2007. Every track on this CD works. If you enjoy Slowdive, Ride, Minipop, you will enjoy this CD. I also highly recommend the follow up Numbered Days."
Excellent dreamy mood music
Stephen Spencer | Sydney, Australia | 02/23/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Quite removed from modern trends and therfore for people who can look outside of what's fashionable, this is a fantastic piece of dreamy guitar dream pop. Reminiscent of lots of early 90's UK shoegazer pop, its got all the necessasry ingrediants - relaxed vocals, walls of guitar effects and all in all is a superb listen. Highly recommended."
Wondrous and Lovely
Stephen Spencer | 03/09/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this CD!! I saw the band play a week ago in L.A. If you are a shoegazer or dream pop fan, this is for you! The resplendent washes of background sound and feedback are pierced by beautiful guitar melodies. Arthur Chan's bass playing is superb, and his bass bridge on Same Lies As Yesterday leading as an interlude into the blending of the melody and harmony of the song is transformative. I'm not kiding. It brings tears to my eyes. On Our Own is just a wonderful melody. It makes me picture Olympus and Athena, Aphrodite or Hera gliding down to assist a human they love who's in peril. The point is, whatever's in your mind, this music will highlight it and bring it to a more metaphyscial level. It makes it more meaningful. All of the songs are good though, Freeze Our Stares, Wide Awake, Now I know You Could Never Be the One, etc. etc. Great CD. Buy it now!"
So good....top of the line ambient
S. Moseley | Viriginia | 10/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like music from Cocteau twins, Slowdive, brain eno, my bloody valentine and or any other ambient chill music that just makes you feel good, you need this album, almost every song is great. in general this has the feeling of a cohesive album instead of a collection of random songs. if i were ever to make a movie, I would deffinately use some of these tunes in the soundtrack, hahaha..."
Great Music and Lyrics
S. Moseley | 03/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like listening to and discovering new music then this band is a definitely worth checking out. I'm not a huge fan of shoegaze music however, I enjoy some songs done by `My Bloody Valentine'. This band produces intelligent lyrics and original sounds with great rhythm and they have become one of my favorite newest discoveries in music. This album is worth owning!"