The Morning Life
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Hailing from New Orleans, The Morning Life (TML) released its first album, Old Hymns of a New Age, in July 2009 with a brand of music once lost in the constantly evolving world of rock. The band’s name refers to the early morning hours that are said to produce the purest of rock n’ roll; this is indeed a testament to what has been created on this album.
With vocalist Bobby Hoerner; guitarists Jack Miele and David Philastre; and drummer Woody Dantagnan, (after recording they added bassist, Graham Robinson) a reflection of a rawness shaped in the early nineties ascends, along with a taste of classic Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd and a newer lick of Radiohead and Stone Temple Pilots. The album engages the listener through various realms of music, while at the same time rises to a unique collection of songs that set TML on their own. Tracks flow together into a unified story of sound, setting a mood and an atmosphere. If you’re not a lyric person, you can still close your eyes to hear and feel an exploration through TML’s fine musicianship.
The album begins with Holy Water, a dark track uplifted by intense vocals and guitar with an end leading right into the next track, Die Lullabye, a tune reminiscent of Pink Floyd: slow, haunting and subtly depressing.
Intermittent instrumental tracks embed the album, delicately linking each song together. For example, Wake, a 1:32 minute finger-picking melody, transitions smoothly into Heaven Hail. These two are perfectly married to support the album’s whole connection and if I had a lighter and a friend I would sway dutifully to both. Track seven, Dublin, a more explosive tune compared to the rest, wakes the listener from a tranquil journey then is followed by a haunting duo of Moment’s Gone and So Far Gone, which gradually evolves back to something more subdued.
Eleven Plus, track nine, offers a bouncy tone to the mix and Bella, another interlude, which foreplays Terribly Vacant (my personal favorite), reminds me kindly of the era of Radiohead’s album, “The Bends.” TML’s comes full circle by wrapping the collection with another calmingly eerie melody, Everlasting.
Overall, this album embraces a quality that some of today’s popular music lacks- an experience that immerses the listener through a diverse, yet related chain of songs. It’s a lot of what I hope for while discovering a new band of today: a breath of a fresh air that slyly transports me back to yesterday.
The album itself is cleverly bonded to hinder that familiar temptation of fast forwarding from one song to the next. I can only imagine how it would sound on vinyl! Aw, enhancing the rawness, the pureness that The Morning Life explores…wouldn’t that be nice? Vinyl.
Since that isn’t an option, settle for modern technology and visit www.themorninglife.com for a gander and a listen.
- Dolce
Good old rock & roll… ah how sweet it is! With nicely textured musical licks and melodies that float vibrantly arousing the senses at every turn, The Morning Life is an energetic journey into real music!
Reminiscent of the old school rock and roll era when music was real, musicians worked on their craft endlessly and an album consisted of more than one or two hits, these cats are generous with their songwriting from track to track consistently. What a refreshing vibe…
With influences ranging from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel and Radiohead it’s clear that these cats know from good music and have the chops to represent it well. Have a listen and see what hard working musicians can create when music is your life…
Taking their name from a reference to the wee hours when rock n’ roll is created, played and lived, The Morning Life is a quintet from New Orleans, LA playing an honest, ethereal brand of music. The July 2009 release of their debut album “Old Hymns of a New Age” and their live shows have garnered glowing reviews from members of G. Love & Special Sauce, The Subdudes, Marc Broussard, Cowboy Mouth, and The Vettes.
Rock on with The Morning Life…
Label: Independent
Genre: Rock
Standout Tracks: Holy Water, Eleven Plus
Website: www.themorninglife.com
Catsask Profile: www.catsask.com/The_Morning_Life
Sonicbids Profile: www.sonicbids.com/TheMorningLife2
- Duss Rodgers
Discography
Old Hymns of a New Age, Bootleg: Series 1, Bootleg: Series 2 Live at Southport Hall, Bootleg: Series 3
Photos
Bio
Taking their name from a reference to the wee hours when rock n’ roll is created, played and lived, The Morning Life is a quintet from New Orleans, LA playing an honest, ethereal brand of music. The combination of talents that live within the band reveal a delicate balance of power and atmosphere. The July 2009 release of their debut album “Old Hymns of a New Age” and live shows have garnered glowing reviews from members of G. Love & Special Sauce, The Subdudes, Marc Broussard, Cowboy Mouth, and The Vettes. Bobby Hoerner (vocals), Jack Miele (guitar), David Philastre (guitar) and Woody Dantagnan (drums) recorded the “Hymns” album with Miele producing and recording in his New Orleans based studio, Fudge Recording Studio, where he has done records with such artists as Ani Difranco, Mars Volta, Stanton Moore (Galactic), Better Than Ezra, Dr. John, and Steel Pulse. The recent addition of bassist Graham Robinson, following the completion of the album solidified the chemistry. Taking from the traditions of artists such as Brian Eno, Radiohead, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, much of what The Morning Life has to offer is both sweet and raw. This is a band that knows about musicianship and is sure to rise to preeminence in today’s ever changing music market.
Links
