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Mind Sirens: Recordings 1989-1993 CD - $12: click here to purchase or for more information.
Free MP3 Download: Rollercoaster mp3 (3102 kb)
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From The Big Take-Over
Mind Sirens Recordings 1989-1993 Hypno-Vista
This is a compilation of early demos and singles from a very good North Carolina band which is still together. It's interesting to hear their progression: tracks 1-7 from 1989 document a raw loose band featuring Brian Butler's strong echoed vocals and fuzzy guitar, Bill McCormick's energetic drumming, and Jeff Spillers' nimble bass. In 1990 (tracks 9-12), the band's sound takes an about face with Spillers' departure, becoming more compressed, with lurching, wall-of-sound guitar, and Butler's voice buried in the mix. But gradually, from 1991-1993, the guitars become crisper and prettier, the rhythm section more dynamic, and Butler's voice takes center stage again. Tracks 17-20 from this later period, especially "Mr. Clean's Dream" and "Graveyard" show the trio (Butler and McCormick being the lone constants) at their most confident and mature. A nice document of an overlooked band; now Hypno-Vista needs to re-release their lone LP, 1994's Decatur Cherry Smash. (P.O. Box 564, Chapel Hill, NC 27514; hypnovistarecords@hotmail.com) - Mark Suppanz
From The Independent:
"Recordings (1989-1993)" Mind Sirens (Hypno-Vista Records)
B Y C H R I S T O E N E S
Chapel Hill's Mind Sirens are captured in various stages on this compilation of early singles (recorded for vital former local label Jettison Records) and previously unreleased demos and tapes. The group, as it appears in these recordings, often succeeded where other late '80s/early '90s Southern pop bands failed by tempering the gothic, sometimes dark overtones of their songs within an otherwise bright pop framework. Sadly, they were only successful in releasing one full-length album, 1995's Decatur Cherry Smash, so this collection comes as a welcome document of the band's early years.
Alongside principal songwriter Brian Butler, the membership-in-flux for these cuts includes original drummer Bill McCormick of Evil Weiner and various bassists--Jeff Spillers, Paige Ivey, Chris Eubank and Mike Barker, respectively. The band chugs on even now, with the occasional live appearance as a four-piece.
Starting things with a bang, or maybe a jang(le), "Circle of Sleep," from WXYC's Demolisten comp, is a shot of Butler's trademark sound: beautifully distorted guitar lines and stretched out, often soulful vocals a la a young Michael Stipe, as in "It takes a while, but soon enough we all get to sleeeeeeeep." There's vivid imagery in "Into the Sea," morbid humor in "Cat," and a huge guitar sound in the anthem, "Can See This Time." There are some less-than-essential numbers here, but no real clunkers. Great non-hits like "Roller Coaster" feature Butler shredding his guitar strings, rhythm section rumbling mightily with him, and the chilling "Graveyard" haunts from beginning to end.
There is a large, knotted Mind Sirens limb dangling from the Triangle rock family tree (bonus: check out the ode to Zen Frisbee, "New Jack Song"). These recordings give you a chance to experience those seedlings as they first sprouted.
From The Spectator Mind Sirens "I will always envy your mastery of the weapons of your trade, and garner inspirations from the sonic hum of your soaring artillery," writes Zen Frisbee's Kevin Dixon of this late, great Triangle combo. Singles, rarities and compilation tracks chronicle the trio's heyday, when Todd Goss' Jettison label was championing guitarist Brian Butler's songwriting prowess. That prowess included such noise-pop artifacts as the yearning, chiming "Rollercoaster" and the darkly dissonant Zen Frisbee tribute, "New Jack Song." Also of note: "Well," a sinewy, jangly, Dinosaur Jr.–esque gem (one of six tracks here that originally comprised the band's '89 demo cassette), and the buoyant "Mr. Clean's Dream," an unreleased '92 number. The booklet reproduces the sleeve art for all the Sirens' 45s, too -- quite a nice trip down memory lane, at that. -- Fred Mills
From The Independent:
For the first time, Carrboro hotspot Orange County Social Club (OCSC) is hosting a live music event. Local musicians Ron Liberti (The Ghost of Rock) and Groves Willer (Shark Quest, Evil Weiner) started their own record label, Hypno-Vista Records, which so far released a wonderful EP by duo Work Clothes as well as a single by TGOR, which features graphic artist Liberti’s memorable sleeve art. Besides being a Hypno-Vista showcase, the event celebrates the release of a disc by longtime local alternative legends Mind Sirens, whose tunes have been described by a local rock pundit as “mind-blowingly great in a weird, quavery Southern-psych-gothic kind of way.” Since the late 80’s, vocalist/visionary Brian Butler has cut a wide path (overgrown and at times hard to follow, but a path nonetheless) through the local music scene. The album, a cool artifact of the Chapel Hill indie-rock scene, features the groups early, hard-to-find singles (on Jettison Records) along with some previously unreleased recordings. This Sunday, July 28th, starting at 5pm, TGOR, Cantwell, Gomez and Jordan, Work Clothes, and Mind Sirens will set up in the OCSC parking lot (behind the club) and perform for your listening pleasure. Call 933-0669 for details. – Angie Carlson
From http://www.trianglerock.com
Sunday, July 28 Mind Sirens, Cantwell, Gomez, Jordan, The Ghost of Rock, Work Clothes Orange County Social Club, Carrboro
Local show of the week. This is a big party shindig thing for Hypno-Vista Records, which is the brainchild of Ron Liberti & Groves Willer. As you can see by the lineup, they've locked in a big chunk of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro/Chatham talent pool--these are four great bands, at least three of which are probably way too loud to be playing in that little converted former office space next to Acme. So get there early (starts at 8:00), dig into the catered spread from The Barbeque Joint (best BBQ in the tri-county area), and wait around for the noise complaints to start rolling in. Even if worse comes to worst, you'll still get to hear a beautiful set by the prudently quiet Work Clothes, who were brilliant last week & who get better every time I see them. – Ross Grady
From The Spectator:
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