MELODIC ENERGY COMMISSION was formed many centuries ago to investigate and experiment with the energy caused by melodies, portrayed through sound patterns often classified as music.
Their original sound patterns were inscribed into clay cylinders and later, vinyl platters then distributed throughout the galaxies. Eventually, the investigations expanded to rhythmic and atonal pattern interpretation. So, more recordings have been created during these investigations and began appearing around planet earth.
On their recent plastic discs the Commissioners have placed advanced communications, disguised as songs and elaborate soundscapes.

•  Interesting, very colorful.

BRAVE by NUMBERS captures the essence of intense, powerful, inspiring music. The heartfelt singing and thundering guitar of ROBB HILL are blended with outstanding rhythmic bass from ANDREW HAY, and the heart pounding drums from one of the best in the business. BRAVE BY NUMBERS brings alternative rock to the table unlike most. The passion of the music and lyrics is felt with every strum of the guitar and pounding fury of the drums. BRAVE BY NUMBERS continue to create music that has a raw, energetic edge that pushes for more than is usually found in today's radio-friendly poppy songs. Brave By Numbers also has plenty of mellow, sensual songs as well. Your foot will be tapping and you'll be singing along to their upbeat songs. Check out upcoming shows & news at WWW.BRAVEBYNUMBERS.COM

"When I was a kid I remember my mother saying it's OK to be a non-conformist. I thought that was somewhere between a capitalist and a communist..."

ARCTIC - the band and/or solo project of Marcus Martin - is all about duality. His childhood in Yellowknife, a small gold mining town in the Arctic region of Canada's Northwest Territories, was a stark contrast to his experiences in a private UK boarding school. He grew up in the land of lakes, trees, rocks and ice with true wilderness spirit and is equally at home sharing his ARCTIC adventures in any big city, where there are more people on one street than in his whole hometown.

Coming from the Tom Morello school of guitar texture, he has learned to challenge the listener by layering unique sounds usually found only in the electric guitar world. As a loop-based acoustic artist he tours with an 80 lb. effects pedalboard - not traveling light compared to most acoustic singer-songwriters.

His live set is where this duality takes flight, as he constructs each song before the audience, piece by piece. Influenced by both 70's progressive rock and conventional songwriters of the day, ARCTIC bridges a world of opposites together. He layers haunting melodies on top of his arrangements, improvising like a jazz artist, intertwining vocals and guitar into a chilled and airy soundscape.

"I think it's hard not to be an environmentalist, growing up on the land."

His environmental message is not watered down and mixed into his music: they are separate entities. His music is an introduction; it is the common ground between him and the listener. As many will attest, he does his best to meet everyone after his show to say hi. You never know where the conversation will go, but people always want to know more about the ARCTIC - both the region and the band.

Marcus is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

•  Compliment

Tim and Dave , close childhood friends, grew up in Victoria and then moved to Vancouver to pursue music. To make ends meet we began to work in the film industry as lighting technicians. I also picked up some minor acting roles.We got to work with the likes of Robin Williams, Robert de Niro, Al Pacino, and even my favorites Ringo Starr and Jack Nicholson. During this time I gained the experience of lighting rock videos (one of which went to number one on Much Music). Anyway, because of this we were able to buy recording gear and teach ourselves the art of recording music. In the process of recording we were robbed of most of our recording equipment. We worked to replace the gear and eventually produced this C D, Never Leave it Too Late, by Mojo Filter. Can you dig it?


1 Sparks in the Ashes (modern blues rock with some groovy tempo changes at the end)


2 Sunset Blvd (LA Rock)


3 Remember That Girl (Rock n Roll)


4 Sleepless Nights (Fast Rocker)


5 News of the Day (Heavy re-write interpretation of a "Day in the Life", by the Beatles


6 How Can Love Be Wrong (Garage rock punk)


7 If Not For You (funky clean guitars with dual vocal harmony)


8 Do You Feel Like Talking (funk rock)


9 You're On Drugs (rockin boppin comedy number with sax)


10 Too Much (Clean and jazzy but it still rocks)


11 War Song (I want You) (Heavy war rock with a nice rippin guitar solo at the end)


12 The Universe (Ballad with a big ending)

We now have written over 100 songs. a lot of our new material is even more centered on the vocals and harmonies. We are currently producing a video for Sunset Blvd. We started this while in Los Angeles, shooting scenes along Sunset Boulevard. Completing the principal photography in Vancouver on 35 mm film. We are now collecting our nickels to develop the film and edit the video.

Thanks for listening, Tim Heller (Vocals and Guitar)
Dave Innes (Vocals and Bass)
These are some of the influences filtered through the
MojoFilter
Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Black Sabbath, Sly Stone, Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop, Ramones, Talking Heads, Cars, Devo, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Alex Harvey, STP, CCR, Ray Charles,, Marilyn Manson, Weezer and Britney Spears (just kidding).

Saturday, February 23, 2008
Album Review: Antiqcool Review by 17 Seconds

Album Review: Antiqcool -'Songs Of Hope And Despair' (Sicknote Records)

This is Antiqcool's second release, the follow-up to 2007's Digging For Gold. Who Antiqcool are is a mystery, neither the sleeve nor their MySpace suggest as to whether it is a one-man project or a band, the sleeves mention Pete but that is all. It is hard to know where they are based, though I'm guessing the north of England.

And what of the music? The sticker on front of the CD reads 'THe Police arrest Fleetwood Mac defended by Crosby, Stills and Nash in Simon and Garfunkel's Crowded House.' This is quite an accurate description; there are no kriss-krossing guitars here, nor apocalyptic beats or howling demonic exhortions to burn in hell.

Still reading? Good. This thirteen track collection of songs is a gorgeous, initiallly slight but more and more enticing and addictive with each listen. This is truly independent music, not because it has guitars on it, or isn't on a major label, but is genuinely music that exists for its own sake, out of time, and all the better for it. I've played it several times since it arrived in the post several days ago, and not only do I enjoy it more with every listen, but Mrs. 17 Seconds is also enjoying it too.

If there is one thing that detracts from this album for me, it's that while the album is pretty sublime, the record appears to have been produced so carefully that you start to miss the absence of a few rough edges that might actually add even more to this record.

No matter. I've been enjoying listening to this, and I think come the summer it will be on the stereo even more frequently.

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Antiqcool CD Review

http://bristolrock.co.uk/ By Moose

Two full length CD's to review here, 2007's Digging For Gold, and the brand new release Songs Of Hope And Despair.
Last years collection of 14 songs is chock full of simple chilled out grooves, jazzy guitar refrains and multi-tracked vocals - the sort of thing that would be perfect while lazing by a pool with a jug of Pimms just trying to forget about work/debt/war (delete as appropriate…..). There's a distinct 60's feel to the vocals on occasions, reminding me from time to time of early period Pink Floyd, or perhaps very early Genesis - but with the dramatic keyboards and pounding drums removed.

The guitars drift into Dave Gilmore territory on more than one occasion, while there are a couple of tracks on which Andy Summers-esq arpeggio type runs pop out as well - and that's before the Police-like reggae of Getting On Back To You kicks in. The material has a very personal feel, with themes generally having a very uplifting quality to them, if perhaps lacking a little in the "excitement" department.

Songs Of Hope And Despair shifts the focus slightly to the vocals, with a more pronounced harmony to most of the lead parts. There's definitely a Beach Boys influence in there somewhere - especially on Vows Were Made Of Glass, with a couple of the backing vocal arrangements reminding me of Good Vibrations, but again minus the excitement or energy the boys from the West Coast of the USA managed to produce. The Mamas & The Papas increasingly popped into my head too - you know, California Dreaming?? Pearl has a slightly more modern pop feel to it, while I'm Getting Love also departs slightly from the nearly horizontal laid back stuff that makes up the majority of the 13 songs on offer.

At the end of an extended listen I'm left kinda feeling that the main Antiqcool man Pete could do with a couple of not quite like minded muso's to collaborate with - someone that could inject a touch of variation to the material, and perhaps a shift of gear or two now and again. Don't get me wrong, there's some quality writing going on here, and the performance and recording can't be faulted either. It just all feels a bit too self indulgent, which I know probably sounds more of a criticism than I'm really intending.
If songs to chill out to are your bag, check out either of these CD's. If you need your music to get your heart racing, as I generally do, then look elsewhere……..

Moose.

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Saturday, January 26, 2008

Review by Paul from Leeds Music Scene

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61472460

..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..> ..> ANTIQCOOL

For any artist/band to produce two full albums in two years, is a credit
to their work ethic, include the quality of each album and you become
aware of the passion and belief of the artists involved.

The band in question is Antiqcool, their first CD "Digging For Gold"
combines smooth and slick guitar-work, with consistent vocals. The
influences of Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills and Nash shine
throughout, while the band still retain an originality within their music.

The recently released second album "Songs Of Hope And Despair"
gives a feeling for this reviewer of the late sixties and summer of love
harmonies. With the emphasis taken away from the guitar, and handed
more to the vocals, this brings a "feel" of a Simon and Garfunkel /
The Beach Boys experience, which can never be a bad thing.

The strength of their lyrics is shown throughout the CD, especially
on the track "I Can See Where You're Coming From" which would
be relevant in any decade.

Both albums are an ideal antidote to the stressful world we try to
survive in, let the harmonious tracks drift you to a better and more
welcoming oasis.

In a take, take world, it makes a refreshing change to see an up and
coming band not losing site of reality, with 100% of artist profits,
generated by the sale of "Digging For Gold" and "Songs of Hope and Despair"
to be donated to the
Great Ormonds Street Childrens Hospital Charity.

Their CDs are inspired by the people and places of the north east, the
north east should be proud of this band and their music.

Antiqcool
Album:Songs Of Hope And Despair
Label:Sicknote
Website: http://www.antiqcool.co.uk
The profits from both this album and the band's previous release are going to Great Ormond
Street Hospital Children's Charity, but don't let that be the only reason you go for

"Songs Of Hope And Despair".

You might also want to consider the 60s west coast folk
sensibilities, the almost Simon
and Garfunklesque vocals. This is the second album
from Antiqcool in as many years, some 27 songs in total and
not a duffer in hearing distance.
Modern Americana with a California flavour.
It's a bit of summer sun to blow away the chills
of winter. Forty years out of time and as fresh as yesterday.

Review by Neil at Fatea Records

http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/

Featured Artist 2/2008

ANTIQCOOL
For this month, we're taking it down a notch and enjoying some
sweet, smooth sounds courtesy of ANTIQCOOL. Kiddies, I can pretty much
guarantee your parents will not only like you listening to this
music, but they will try to swipe your albums. It's something to
bond over, and no one will scream at you to turn it down; in
fact, listening to them on my computer generally gets me
requests to turn it up! This group hails from the
United Kingdom, and whoever it was that told them to write
about what they know did a great thing. All of their songs are
meaningful and intelligent, and they all come straight from
the heart.

Also a credit to the group is the fact that they have released
two albums in two years: the first being Digging for Gold; the
second being their brand-spanking-new, just-released
Songs of Hope and Despair. It is a credit to both their aesthetic
and their work ethic that they have done this with absolutely no
sacrifice to quality and meaning in their music. If I was a mother
to any single one of them, I would be exceptionally proud. The
music realm is a very cutthroat business, and you have to admire
those in it who not only make it, but make it on merit and hard
work like ANTIQCOOL has!

As for their sound, it is very reminiscent of the Beatles and Beach
Boys, with a slight jazz and reggae along with the classic rock. This
group is an aural holiday to the realm of vintage. Just like their
name, they are the best of the antique and modern, beautifully
blended with a twist and cool! Retro is in, and this group is
definitely partaking in full-on musical retro-joy with charmingly
(and deceptively) simple melodies that sooth the savage beast
and calm the soul. If you're having a lousy day, if you feel a
little blue, if you're running ragged... take a minute and listen
to ANTIQCOOL! Your nerves will soothe, your heart will stop
racing, and pretty soon you'll find a smile on your face and
peace in your mind. This is a great band to listen to to prevent
road rage, and a wonderful group to meditate to.

Your humble web-mistress' faves? "The Storm" with it's deep
baseline, rock-n-roll top riffs, and Fleetwood Mac sound is at
the top of my list! Following close behind that are
"Brothers Are Made This Way", "Beautiful Mind", and
"Oh Mary" from Digging for Gold, and "My Avatar" and
"Englishman Out in the Midday Sun" from their new
release Songs of Hope and Despair. While we've yet to
see if ANTIQCOOL will be the next British Invasion, they
are well on their way to a shining star of a career!

Review by Mousie

http://www.angelfire.com/indie/mousie/spooky/deathsong.html

Links for ANTIQCOOL:

Digging For Gold on CDBaby.com
Songs of Hope and Despair on CDBaby.com
ANTIQCOOL on GarageBand.com
ANTIQCOOL on Podshow.com
ANTIQCOOL's MySpace Blog
ANTIQCOOL on MySpace
Don't forget to look for their CD Digging for Gold on iTunes!

..>

Monday, February 25, 2008

..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..> ..> Antiqcool

Review by Demo's Reviewed

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=177407807&blogID=361230828

With the fantastic album 'Songs of Hope and Despair' this jazzy rock band could
be on to something here, and manage to produce an album that not
only has a high level of quality throughout, but puts across several different
sounds, styles and songs.

'Englishman Out In The Midday Sun' sits comfortably in the Beatles
deep groove of easy going, feel good music, whereas
'Vows Were Made Of Glass' comes across in a slightly catchier vein, with
a clever opening and an enjoyable feel.

With 'Just Another Groove On A Forty Five', however, the album has
its first stand-out track. This is majestic, and the quality of the track
cannot be ignored.

There are some rockier tracks to compliment the more opo inspired
gems elsewhere here, with 'Pearl' and 'Got To Make That Call' showing
promise, and with 'I'm Getting Love' they possess a funky, stylish number.
Their repertoire is quite vast.

However, all previous tracks are trumped by the album's end track.
'My Avatar' is fantastic, boasting hypnotic drumming and a simply
fantastic vibe. It's a great way to end the album.

Their MySpace page features tracks that underline their talent, so
it's well worth checking out for yourself. If you can get your hands
on this album, go for it.

Antiqcool - Drifting Through My Mind

Review by ONE LONELY HORN

http://onelonelyhorn.blogspot.com/

Placing a prominent sticker on the front of your new
release that lists the bands that have influenced the
recording does you no favours at all. It practically invites
the listener to spend their time spotting the references
rather than actually listening to the music. A particular
shame in the case of Antiqcool for Songs Of Hope And
Despair is anything but a lazy re-tread of already familiar
sounds.

The driving force behind Antiqcool is singer, song writer and
guitarist Pete Smith - further details are hard to come by -
but, as the album is inspired by the people and places of the
North East it seems entirely possible that he hails from that
particular neck of the woods.

The opening track - 'Englishman Out In The Midday Sun' sets the tone with
ethereal vocals layered upon lyrical guitar lines that put me in mind of the Isley's
Summer Breeze, and this relaxed, chilled out feel is maintained throughout.
Herein lies one of potential problems that Antiqcool face in their quest to be
noticed. Their airy, breathily light music just sort of drifts through your
consciousness on a first listen and, in the frantic, instant world in which we live,
runs the real risk of being ignored.

It is only on second, third and subsequent listenings that the strength of Pete
Smith's writing becomes evident. There is a lyrical strength here that is worth
exploring. And, if sometimes the imagery is a little naïve ('I was a pearl in the
middle of an empty shell, found me a home in the bosom of a girl who casts a
spell'), this is more than balanced by a fair share of honesty and tenderness
('Going home, now I'm feeling alone, Got Some pictures in my head to call my
own'). Add to this a strong melodic talent and the vision to experiment with
chord structure and texture and you have much to admire and like.

Songs Of Hope And Despair is not yet the finished article. The production
does not always hang together as well as it could - and neither, more
worryingly do some the songs. This is best illustrated by 'Just Another Groove
On A Forty Five' - perhaps my favourite song and yet the most frustrating. It
has an inviting guitar intro, a strong opening verse, a powerfully understated
hook and a pleasantly melodic guitar outro, but too frequently meanders away
from the road it set out upon and, at over 6 minutes is too long.

The more I have played this album, the more delights I have found on it and the
more I have enjoyed it. If Antiqcool could find a sympathetic hand to lend a
little more focus to their ideas then the future could look very bright indeed.

Message to Publishers

Publishers wishing to contact me regarding exploitation of ANTIQCOOL songs
please leave a message and I will get back to you .

Email :

Web : www.antiqcool.co.uk

Follow the links to hear ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://cdbaby.com/cd/antiqcool2

http://cdbaby.com/cd/antiqcool

Need music for your podcast or radio show? Many Antiqcool tracks are free to
download from the Podsafe Music Network PMN

http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/searchResults.php?SearchString=ANTIQCOOL

•  Blah, blah, blah...

So, what is this 21st Century blues?

This is how a bear looks on life. It is kind of a mixture of sushi made with a whole salmon and the view from the top of a tree. Sounds crazy? Well, come on, we are all allowed a little bit of lateral thinking, surely?

This is a very personal project. Just one guy putting his own thoughts into music in his own way and playing everything him self; whether that is a good idea or not is probably debatable, but it kept the musical differences to a minimum!

So why do it like this? Well, I have spent most of my life doing it for others. Creating soundscapes for this museum, writing music for that documentary, playing in this band, singing for that person. It has been creative, I'll give you that, but it hasn't been one hundred percent, undiluted, straight out of the forest bear. And this is.

So we have a song about global warming, we have one about losing your way, we have one about a broken relationship and yet another mourning a dying pet rat. And there are others. Certainly no one else would have written this particular collection of songs, and no one else would have written and performed them this way. By definition, therefore, this collection is as unique as it is eclectic.

Interestingly enough, in putting them up on myspace I have found a very large number of people who are not only very sympathetic with what I am doing, but busily doing it themselves too. With a very large range of abilities and success. I have surprised myself that I have enjoyed some absolutely dreadfully played music as much as I have enjoyed the most skillful. Why? Because it is played by people who really want to play. Who really want to say something. You know, these guys should get a chart all of their own and the pop stars can stay in their rehab clinics and fade away.

So, enjoy the 21st Century. I don't know how much of it either you or I will see, but it is happening anyway. We just have to deal with it.

•  21st Century Classic

Formed in 2003 by Max Arnason of BEAUTY OF DECAY who also started

S/N RATIO RECORDS and STUDIO the same year.

Currently a studio project only with the possibility of new live shows after the release of the third album in 2006 / 2007.

•  Excellent