Punknews.org LogoPunknews.org

Sign In | create an account

 
The Player Piano - Satellite (Cover Artwork)

The Player Piano

Satellite (2007)
Sunset Alliance / Friends of M

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: nightowl
(
others by this writer | submit your own
)


Published on May 9th 2008


The whole `90s pop-punk/beard-punk resurgence as of late is a really awesome thing. Being a huge fan of bands like Hot Water Music and Jawbreaker, it's cool to see a community of younger bands take a liking to that scene, rise up and form new bands. But in the same breath, why have other genres NOT had the same afterglow?

I'm speaking more specifically about mathy stop/start jazz-rock. Not only is it my favorite genre (not even technically having its own name) but it's never had a proper community. Lucky enough, some bands fell in love with Mock Orange, American Football and Boys Life as much as I did and continue to make that sort of music in the wake of flavor-of-the-week lo-fi or other current trends.

Even more specifically, I'm speaking of the recent Japanese release of the Player Piano's 2002 effort, Satellite. These five boys from Utah created some of the most capable music rivaling American Football or Boys Life, even to this day.Although mostly instrumental, some of my favorite tracks are the ones with sporadic vocals near the middle or end of the songs, summoning up even more emotion than called for with their twinkling guitar back-and-forths.

This new Japanese re-release includes two unreleased tracks that weren't on the American version, so even if you somehow caught wind of this band when they were still around, there's more.

Even though this band is not currently active, just knowing that this existed and someone in Japan still likes it enough to re-press it makes me giddy as a school girl and confident in what the future may bring for this under-appreciated genre.



People who liked this also liked:
First to Leave - Forging a FutureCastevet - I Know What a Lion IsLittle Compass - DiscoverSinaloa - Oceans of IslandsMy Heart to Joy - Seasons in VerseReverse the Curse - PathsCastevet - Summer FencesPolvo - Today's Active LifestylesJoie de Vivre - The North EndFences - The Ultimate Puke EP

Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.
    rkl (May 11, 2008)

    player piano is my favorite vonnegut novel. unfortunately, this isnt my favorite band.

    paris_in_flames (May 10, 2008)

    balls guys. I'm stupid. Didn't read the last part.

    paris_in_flames (May 10, 2008)

    This band is still around? no way

    crazyjoedevola (May 9, 2008)

    I'll just say Look Mexico for a current band doing this style. I really love it too.

    Features

    Exclusive Streams

    Newest Reviews

    Punknews.org Team

    Managing Editor

    Adam White

    News Editors

    Kira Wisniewski
    Brittany Strummer
    Andrew Waterfield
    Katy Hardy
    Matthew Baldwin
    Armando Olivas
    John Flynn

    Video Editor

    Chris Moran

    Social Media Editor

    Justin August

    Copy Editor

    Amelia Cline

    Reviews Editor

    Joe Pelone

    Interviews Editor

    Richard Verducci

    Publisher

    Aubin Paul

    ISSN 1710-5366



    © Copyright 1999-2012 Punknews.org



    Other Places to Go

    Punknews.org Flickr Pool