The thing I’ve always loved about instrumental music—be it post-rock, jazz fusion, electronic, math rock, classical, you name it—is its ability to transport you. So much is left to the imagination; songs are like blank canvases—you can paint your own pictures, work out your own interpretations. Without vocals to narrate the music, you’re left with left with little more that your own preconceived notions of style and genre to guide you. Nothing is overt; it’s all implied innuendo and that’s what I find the most liberating.
Over the course of two EPs, Atlanta’s Sorry No Ferrari have built their reputation as skilled sonic shredders, fusing together elements of indie, math and post-rock to create complex instrumental jams. But while their music has been technically impressive, it has also sometimes meandered aimlessly in search of a distinct melodic focus.
Their debut full-length, however, is an altogether different beast. Ternary attacks in sharp bursts with songs that are continuously branching out, morphing, evolving. It’s a chaotic thrill ride, but it’s so well-constructed, the transitions so seamless, that it never feels cluttered or convoluted. The music is distinctly mathy—full of turn-on-a-dime dynamics and constantly shifting time signatures—but this time around the four-piece has placed a much greater emphasis on melody and theme. They’ve been able to do this in part by adopting a much more ambitious prog rock aesthetic, inserting unexpected interludes, extending passages and incorporating more ambient textures. The result has been songs that are not just more organized and tightly-knit, but much more adventurous and nuanced as well.
Playing out like the soundtrack to some epic sci-fi chase sequence, Ternary slams you headlong through some futuristic cityscape, veering perilously through side streets and back alleyways in a desperate race to reach the heart of a labyrinthine metropolis. The album moves at a breathtaking pace; there are surprises at every turn, and the occasional detour or dead end forces you to double back and discover a new path. And just when exhaustion sets in and the feeling of claustrophobia begins to overwhelm you, you’re spit out, dizzy and bleary-eyed, into a vast open space, where everything becomes calm and serene. Given its frantic pace, Ternary can often seem like a tumultuous whirlwind, and it’s these points of tranquility and quiet reflection that lend it a much needed sense of space and thematic cohesion.
Dense and difficult, this is not a record for the casual listener; it demands patience and careful attention before its myriad mysteries can be revealed. But for those that take the time to partake in the journey and absorb the brunt force of its manifold ideas, the rewards are many. Simply put, Ternary is a fantastic effort and easily one of the best local records of the year.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Latest Disgrace Says....
"The word ‘epic’ has become so ingrained in our vernacular that too often it gets tossed off casually without much consideration or frame of reference. We all caught up in the moment and spout off at the mouth, but, really, if there were that much epicness going on out there, the state of music in 2k10 would be a lot more exciting that it really is. With that said, there just is no better way to describe Sorry No Ferrari’s new full-length effort, Ternary. A virtual maelstrom of paroxysmal guitars, propulsive bass and inventive drums, the band’s mathy blend of instrumental post and prog rock is relentless, unleashing layer upon layer of intricate, convulsive music that is jarring yet thrilling."
You can read the whole article over at www.latestdisgrace.com
You can read the whole article over at www.latestdisgrace.com
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ohmpark.com Mp3 preview of "Ternary"
Sorry No Ferrari’s first full-length record, Ternary, hits stores this month, and it is a cornucopia of mathy, proggy, instrumental jams. Mammoth feats of technical prowess are combined with sharp songwriting, resulting in one of the better records to come out of Atlanta this year. You can snag a copy at their release show October 23rd at the Drunken Unicorn with From Exile and Hello Ocho, and you can stream the entire thing now at Stickfigure. Here’s an mp3 to preview:
Ashar
View the full post over at Ohmpark.com.
Dry Ink Magazine talks to Chad about the new release
It’s Not What You Think
An instrumental conversation with Chad Shivers from Sorry No Ferrari
By Tom Cheshire Published October 10, 2010
Dry Ink speaks with Chad Shivers from Sorry No Ferrari and no, they didn’t get their name from Magnum PI. It messed me up, too… if I was a bettin’ man, damn! Either way, he had fun and we had fun. Four on the floor and we’re out. Tight white shorts, Marietta Tube Tops and wearing something that is red hot.
Dry Ink: How long has Sorry No Ferrari been in business? When did you start the band?
Chad Shivers: Drew and I started the band in August 2004. Brett joined in 2005, J.B. in 2008, and we just recently added a fifth member, Nick. It’s hard to believe it’s been over six years.
DI: Please introduce everyone in the band, by that I mean, names and their roles.
CS: Jonathan “J.B.” Balsamo plays drums, Brett Kelly guitar, Drew Mobley bass, Nick Pantano keys/guitar/percussion, and I play baritone guitar.
DI: How did the name come about?
CS: That’s a little embarrassing, but here it goes. Before school I used to watch reruns of Saved By The Bell. In one episode Zack wants to go on a ski trip, but Belding wants to meet his father to talk about his failing grades first. Fearing his father won’t let him attend, he hires an actor, also a waiter at The Max, to play his father to meet Belding, and Belding to meet his father. While meeting Mr. Morris, the actor suggests that Zack is doing so well in school he should buy him a car. Zack asks “A Ferrari?” and both the actor and Mr. Morris reply, “Sorry, no Ferrari.” I really liked how it sounded and now, six years later, we still haven’t come up with a better name.
DI: Do you think the folks at Lamborghini ever get jealous?
CS: Without a doubt. Their marketing people are probably trying to coax some poor indie band into using their brand as we speak.
DI: You have 2 records under your belt. Any plans to put out another?
CS: Funny you should ask, Tom. Our first full length record Ternary will be out October 23rd on Stickfigure Records. We’ll be playing our CD release at the Drunken Unicorn that date with From Exile and Hello Ocho and cover includes a free CD. It’s taken a long time to make, and we’re very proud of it.
DI: Will you tour to support it and where to?
CS: Yes, but unfortunately it won’t be until sometime next year. We will most likely tour the east coast and midwest. In the meantime we are trying to do as many regional shows as possible to promote the album. We’re all very anxious to get back out on the road, as it’s been quite a while.
DI: Have you ever thought about being sponsored by Ferrari and touring in a Ferrari with a trailer on the back? It would be uncomfortable but would attract some attention I am sure.
CS: We have not been active in pursuing a sponsorship, no. In fact, Brett and I are a little concerned Ferrari will summons us for trademark violation and have our matching Ferrari tattoos lasered off.
DI: Did you ever think about calling yourselves “Sorry No Fiero?”
CS: Never.
DI: You are an instrumental band. Do you ever have the urge to throw a lyric in or even do some screams or grunts? I can hear it because some of the songs are abrasive.
CS: When we first started I sang but it was so sparse we decided to just keep it instrumental. We have since discussed adding some singing, maybe some group vocals, and we’re not necessarily opposed to adding a singer. They would just have to be the right fit for us.
DI: Who are your influences as a band?
CS: All of us come from such different backgrounds so there are many. I’d say anything progressive, really whether it be metal or pop music. Some bands that we all listen to include Yes, Minus the Bear, Mastodon, Anathallo, and Mew, just to name a few. Brett and I are also classical guitarists, which has had a profound impact on our playing and style.
DI:And what have you been listening to lately? I am always intrigued by what artists and musicians listen to.
CS: I have been on a big surf kick this year. There have been a few surf shows in ATL recently like Man…or Astro-man?, the Madiera, and Daikaiju that were truly inspiring.
DI: What do you do to support your music? Do you have a day job?
CS: Brett, Nick, and I are all guitar instructors, actually. I really enjoy what I do and couldn’t imagine doing much else.
DI: Have you ever thought about having a song called “Tom Selleck” or maybe try to have him in a video? I know, now I’m getting plain silly.
CS: No. Why, have you? Maybe we could collaborate on a storyboard and see if we can’t make it happen.
DI: I understand you have been moonlighting as one of the “Bicycle Eaters” playing with Jeffrey Butzer. How has that been going and how is it different than SNF?
CS: First, let me say that other members of SNF have some great projects as well. J.B. is in Light Pupil Dilate and Brett plays drums for Tealights. As far as the Bicycle Eaters, that has been going very well and I’m really honored that Jeff has let me play music with him. It’s quite a bit different in that Jeffrey writes everything and we add our textures later, whereas in Sorry no Ferrari, we all write together. Finding aural space is somewhat of a challenge because he generally takes care of melody with his right hand, chords with his left, and Paul plays the bass lines. Usually, I just try to write counter melodies. It also let’s me experiment with some surf-like guitar.
DI: What is next for Sorry No Ferrari? Short term then long term goals, etc.
CS: We have a lot of cool stuff coming up. We plan on doing a set for indieATL which is a video podcast, an interview with Album 88 (WRAS 88.5), an in-store performance at Criminal, playing KSU’s Owl Radio (online), and hopefully playing in Athens in November with our good friends Helmsman. Long term we plan to tour in early 2011, write some new material, and record within the next year or so.
DI: How can the kids find your music?
CS: They can check out our myspace page at myspace.com/sorrynoferrari. Our album will be available at stickfigurerecords.com, neighborhood record stores such as Criminal, and for download from iTunes.
DI: And when will you be playing in Atlanta so we can come check you out?
CS: Please come to our CD release show at the Drunken Unicorn October 23rd with From Exile and Hello Ocho.
DI: Thank you so much for your time, speed on.
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