Band: The Sun Pilots
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Current GPS Location: Somewhere
in Western Europe
Recorded: Sydney, Australia
Mixed: Berlin, Germany
Mastered: New York, New York
Singer: Raj Siva-Rajah
Guitarist: Bob Spencer
Bass player: Adel Banter
Drummer: Kay Kitting
Guitarist: Bob Spencer
Bass player: Adel Banter
Drummer: Kay Kitting
By: Michael Quintero Moore
For BACKLINE MAGAZINE
The Sun Pilots are musical disciples — and they
have the talent, drive, and an ever-growing international fan-base to
prove it. King of the Sugar Coated
Tongues (HoneyTrap Records 2012) is the Pilots’ latest attempt to spread
the gospel of truth and enlightenment against the zeitgeist of
post-9/11 thinking.
Recorded in their homeland of Australia; mixed in Germany; and mastered in the U.S. this epic 8-chapter musical journey had already taken on a global flavor well before it was released. It has been downloaded extensively around the globe at no cost. The only requirement (rather a strong request) is for the listener to share it with others. Damn good marketing.
Recorded in their homeland of Australia; mixed in Germany; and mastered in the U.S. this epic 8-chapter musical journey had already taken on a global flavor well before it was released. It has been downloaded extensively around the globe at no cost. The only requirement (rather a strong request) is for the listener to share it with others. Damn good marketing.
The Plot: While a bit surreal, we thought it was a refreshing approach to a played-out subject... Humanity’s willingness to relinquish their liberties and freedoms so they can feel safe and secure. Who do we relinquish them to? In this case, the King of the Sugar Coated Tongues. Score: 1
Production: Our team thought the album was well-recorded, mixed, and mastered. You can also tell it had a some top-notch and detail-oriented post-production "chefs" in the proverbial pot. Score: 1
Listening: The entire album is great, but after a spirited debate, it almost lost 1/tenth of a point. The reason, according to those on our team who claim to suffer from ADHD (real or perceived), was the album’s Prologue (3 minutes to Midnight). The first few bars (the most critical part of any song) did not induce every one's collective desire to endure the entire track; and we had to resist the urge to move on to the next. Our advice, however, is to stay the course. The pay-off is worth it. Just when you are ready to push the button, "3 minutes" will grab your attention, and keep it. Bear in mind, this album is meant for the more than just the ears. Each song tells a tale that is interdependent on the other. You can and will get through it without the aid of Adderall. Trust me. Score: 1
Listening: The entire album is great, but after a spirited debate, it almost lost 1/tenth of a point. The reason, according to those on our team who claim to suffer from ADHD (real or perceived), was the album’s Prologue (3 minutes to Midnight). The first few bars (the most critical part of any song) did not induce every one's collective desire to endure the entire track; and we had to resist the urge to move on to the next. Our advice, however, is to stay the course. The pay-off is worth it. Just when you are ready to push the button, "3 minutes" will grab your attention, and keep it. Bear in mind, this album is meant for the more than just the ears. Each song tells a tale that is interdependent on the other. You can and will get through it without the aid of Adderall. Trust me. Score: 1
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| The Sun Pilots |
Composition: The album is bi-polar as they come, and that's right up our alley. It's a refreshing break from the humdrum verse-verse-hook-bridge-verse...blah blah blah. Throughout the entire album, there are emotionally charged and strategically placed peaks and valleys…instrumental upsurges and declines… lyrics that make sense one minute then have you scratching your head the next...just enough to keep you listening and reaching for the lithium. Good times. Score: 1
Musicianship: Bassist, Adel Banter and drummer, Kay Kitting do excellent and tasteful jobs of keeping it “in the pocket”, and giving each song its foundation. Guitarist, Bob Spencer transitions effortlessly from melodious rhythms and relentless power chords to well thought-out arpeggios and brilliantly charted leads. Front man, Raj Siva-Rajah, is an excellent storyteller with a nice vocal range. He does more than sing the songs...he acts, and projects a lyrical narrative. This superbly written and performed studio project showcases each musician's individual talent and their combined genius.
Score: 1
Back Story
Since 2010, The Sun pilots have toured the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands,
Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Latvia and
Lithuania. North America is next on the cards, followed by a 5th Australian
tour. If their live performance is half as brilliant as their studio
performance, you should attend...wherever you are. By
the way, did I mention the download is free?
To learn more about The Sun Pilots and to download the album, click here
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