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Press Photos
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Need to download print quality (high resolution) photos of
Benzos? |
“Radiohead are still
the
undisputed leaders of rock
quintets that weave
anthemic guitar rock with
chilly, electronic
programming, but New
York's Benzos, one of the
most innovative bands
coming out of The Big
Apple today, could
eventually grab the
baton....”
- Urb Magazine
“With a dramatic swell
that
hints at Jeff Buckley
fronting a visceral emo/jazz
outfit, Benzos creates
a fascinating synthesis
of urban electronic cool
and suburban indie heat.”
- Amplifier
Magazine
“Benzos shimmer sweet
drum-split and shoegazer misery”
- The Village
Voice
“Benzos are
astounding….
The music is complex,
multi-textured and brave,
mixing electronic and with
rock in a glorious way that
few bands do well, yet so
many try to do and fail.”
- Sentimentalist
“…Benzos produces a
musical high that is much
better than anything you will
find your mom’s medicine cabinet.”
- New York Metro
“Side effects may
include...Elation. Chills.
Dancing. Welcome to the
rocktronica world of Benzos.”
- Boston Metro
“Under the expansive
sound,
populated by delay pedals
and echo chambers -- pure
Meddle-era Floyd -- the
band lays a buzzing,
energetic drum ‘n’ bass
rhythm track, part human
and part machine.” --
popmatters
“The potential of this
band is limitless….”
--
melodynelson.com.
“…muddy, smoky,
chunky,
dirty, sexy, brash, jolting,
arresting, fighter jets over
Iceland music. Music to
evolve a revolution to.”
- jenyk.com
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Benzos
“Branches” Benzos’ second album, Coming August 7, 2007 |
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Benzos
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What happens when you take everything you know about music theory and throw it out the window? For Benzos, Stinky Records’ New York-based, genre-bending quartet, it is not mere experimentation — it is their raison d’etre. Hence, it is no surprise that their sophomore album, "Branches", seamlessly blends the ambience and rhythm of early underground dance and experimental electronic music with lush, rock-based guitars and soaring vocals. On "Branches", Benzos’ Christian Celaya (guitar/synth/vocals), Brian Joyce (guitar/vocals), Eiko Peck (bass) and Steve Bryant (drums/sampling) capture the melodic allure of Doves, the sprawling dynamics of Explosions In The Sky and the minimalistic yet intense complexity of Aphex Twin, to develop a unique blend of ambient, emotionally resonant guitar and synth instrumentation, “mashed up” with tight, bottom-heavy, intensely funky rhythm section grooves. Recorded in the Summer of 2006 with Anthony “Woody” Ranere (Lake Trout) and Steve Wright, "Branches" marks a return to Christian and Brian’s early influences of rave and house music and culture (and all the trouble you can imagine they got into), as well as a deepening emphasis on the hip hop and drum and bass sound that Eiko and Steve have long cultivated. The result of the band members’ experimentation with different moods and textures in their songwriting is a sound that melds each of their respective styles into a cohesive unit that is greater than the sum of its parts. Having undergone early changes in personnel and instrumentation, Benzos have overcome these obstacles by honing their creative vision to incorporate a heavily improvisational element, which they refer to as “live remixing” and which has become a hallmark of the band’s live shows. From the drum and bass overtones of “Hurt Everybody” to the infectious melodies of “Phase 2” to the dynamic vehemence of “Crooked Hands,” "Branches" engrosses you with transcendent emotions and complex, highly danceable rhythms that leave you wanting more.
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