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It's immensely appropriate Bob Nanna of Braid and Hey Mercedes fame chose a band name as opposed to his birthname to act as the vehicle for his songs, because they aren't so much singer/songwriter territory as they are singer/songwriter-infused indie rock. The majority of In Formal Introduction plays off this well, and when it's not, the City On Film still does the singer/songwriter thing steadfastly tight (the first and last minute-or-so of opener "Anticlimactic," the billowy, lightly moving "Lost My Lights").

In Formal Introduction is the debut full-length for the outfit following a slew of 7 inches, split EPs, and compilation appearances (and preceding a few, too). It's backed up by solid, crisp and appropriate production, and Nanna's endearing inflection for eleven tracks. Despite the generally downtrodden tempo of the album, he seems to know how to tread melancholy with a soft touch, brushing more upon the pretty side of the emotion than the depressing, all of which can likely be attributed to Nanna's thickly-laden Elliott Smith influence. The trait itself is best heard in "Forgiveness," as Aubrey Pickering's cello weaves in and out of the verses as does a lightly galloping acoustic strum by Nanna. A bit of subtle folk sway is thrown about as well, underlying a track such as the re-recorded "I'd Rather Be Wine Drunk."

However, Nanna has more experience with rocking out, so when he does, as in "For Holly," which opens with a catchy, song-relying guitar riff, and vocals lightly keeping pace, it works pretty well. "For Holly" is more mid-tempo than anything, but in comparison to the rest of the album, it's a refreshingly rhythmic track and a nice break from the more subdued approach handled by Nanna.

Supporting Introduction is a classy layout with dark tones overshadowing some dinner party photographs, drinks consistently in hand. It's hard to explain, but it fits well with the album's general vibe and flow.

In Formal Introduction is a solid debut that manages to showcase the delicately narrative talents of Bob Nanna, as well as an intricately adept musical construction -- with the help of some friends, of course. Though the example of City On Film's prolificness is seen with one glance of the discography, it's nice to have a full set of the results in one place, and judging from such, it's likely greater things are on the horizon.

MP3s
Forgiveness
For Holly



People who liked this also liked:
Hey Mercedes - Everynight Fire WorksHey Mercedes - Loses ControlThe Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!At The Drive-In - Relationship Of CommandBraid - Frame & CanvasThe Fall Of Troy - DoppelgängerThe Lawrence Arms - The Greatest Story Ever ToldAgainst Me! - As The Eternal CowboyThursday - A City by the Light DividedBraid - Killing A Camera 2004 DVD



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    Posted by chorus_of_one on 2007-03-18 02:19:36
    My Score:

    fantastic record

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 26, 2005 at 12:06 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The City on Film: This shit is B Nanna's. I wish I made that up.

    Hey Mercedes > City On Film > Braid

    Braid was a bit rough at times but once in while it was alright. but back to COF. This cd is very well done. There is nothing extramly "catchy" yet nothing that you could ever really get sick of. Which leads to an infinate replay value.

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-07-14 18:22:43

    allison of the gnomes

    i was just messin cause someone said i was tryin to be seinfeld or something in a diff news post

    - jones

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 14, 2005 at 6:51 AM (EDT)

    I'm so glad that City On Film is actually doing something, I've had a few random mp3s for something like 3 years, but finally an album!

    I love Bob Nanna and I don't care what anyone says. Braid is pretty amazing and they were soooo good last year on their tour.

    Posted by Kenjamin on 2005-07-14 00:37:53

    I don't think Braid ever exceeded the territory of "good band" but in my opinion, "What a wonderful puddle" is one of the greatest songs I have ever heard.

    Posted by allison_le_gnome on 2005-07-14 00:20:06

    - i'm the next seinfeld!

    You did not just go there...

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 14, 2005 at 12:00 AM (EDT)

    artsy is an excuse for not being able to play an instrument correctly.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 11:21 PM (EDT)

    This whole "i'm not trying to be artsy but that's what everything about our image suggests" attitude is really wearing thin on me. "Artsy" is just another word for a shitty musician.

    -Not-To-Regret

    Posted by Anchors on 2005-07-13 19:33:51

    Oh, you posted it here too? Cute. You'll get some of the attention that nobody will pay you off the internet.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 6:10 PM (EDT)

    bob nanna does have the best name ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 5:19 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "The City On Film- A Formal Introduction"

    Review by Anchors

    Disposable cameras are a commodity mostly created for tourists and visitors. They may make their relatives pose in the picture, but what they're really after is getting a little bit of the City On Film.

    I'm sorry if my review doesn't have A Formal Introduction, but that's not much needed, seeing as I liked this album.

    The City On Film are a band, in case you didn't know. They make music. I liked this album.

    -Anchors

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 12:10 PM (EDT)

    Love the cover of Kiss The Bottle on the website...

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 11:03 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Bob Nanna is my messiah.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 9:16 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I love the album and seeing him play songs off of it live twice (once night acoustic and one night with the band) was great

    However, "Let's face it kids, Braid were boring" isn't something I can agree with at all.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 6:03 PM (EDT)

    "Supporting Introduction is a classy layout with dark tones overshadowing some dinner party photographs, drinks consistently in hand."

    Drinks were mos def flowing when these pictures were taken. So much in fact, that this one asshole kid threw up in the one area that no one was allowed in. That kid was a dick.

    Posted by benz on 2005-07-12 16:24:35
    My Score:

    "I know who Bob Nonna is you poopoo head.

    and quite frankly, i'm having Nanna it"

    hahah. score is for that comment and puns in general.

    -benz

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-07-12 14:27:34

    I know who Bob Nonna is you poopoo head.

    and quite frankly, i'm having Nanna it

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    - i'm the next seinfeld!

    Posted by sickboi on 2005-07-12 14:07:49

    I never got into the whole Bob Nanna-banana thing. I like the rock, not the cock.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 12:24 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Good stuff, did anyone expect anything less though, I know I didn't.

    Moo

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 10:56 AM (EDT)

    love the record, well done bob

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 10:06 AM (EDT)

    Haven't heard the full record yet but the MP3s are great.

    And at the risk of lighting a fire under thee holier than thou indie kids, The City On Film > Hey Mercedes > Braid.

    Let's face it kids, Braid were boring. But like a fine wine, Bob Nanna improves with age.

    Posted by Anchors on 2005-07-12 09:08:26

    This reminds me of Knapsack for some reason.

    Which says very, very good things for them.

    Posted by theundergroundscene on 2005-07-12 07:43:21

    i think i need to spend more time with this

    i haven't quite warmed up to it yet

    Posted by lou on 2005-07-12 04:22:29

    yea i really need this.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 3:51 AM (EDT)

    I think Jones was joking. Jones has actually been quite tolerable as of late.

    Posted by benz on 2005-07-12 02:04:00
    My Score:

    "what is this? jamisonparker wannabe band?"

    Do you know who Bob Nanna is?

    If I had to pick a similar artist it would be more along the lines of Pedro the Lion's better tracks.

    JamisonParker are about 5th generation copies of copies of copies of Braid.

    -benz

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-07-12 00:59:39

    what is this? jamisonparker wannabe band?

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    Posted by Marlon on 2005-07-12 00:23:24

    Good review. I agree with everything. The score to.

    Posted by maverick on 2005-07-12 00:23:19
    My Score:

    Amazing record that only gets better once you see the band live. One of my favorites of 2005 thus far.

    -Scott

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2005-07-12 00:21:15

    Nice, never heard of these bands though...

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