stream record here http://www.sonicboomrecordings.com/conner/
Conner: Hello Graphic Missile: Review
*Sixeyes Score: 8.5 out of 10
Review by David Reis
Conner are four young guys from Lawrence, Kansas - Bryce Boley (drums), Phil Bonahoom (bass), James Duft (guitar/vocals) and Tom Wagner (guitar). Soon they received, justly, comparisons to The Strokes, The Clash and Built to Spill. Their debut album, Hello Graphic Missile (Sonic Boom Recordings) is astounding, a clever but substantial collection of uncommonly catchy songs that displays the capacity of Conner's fine-tuned rock. 13 songs, 40 minutes of rock n..roll kiss that knocks you unconscious to the ground with bouncy bass lines, brushed drums, mind-blowing guitar riffs and a lilting, rough voice. Few bands are this open-eyed to the chance that music can be both strangely tricky and easily remembered. In addition, making any record that sounds different from anything else is a triumph in itself. A triumph of intense, eerie, and compelling songs. Tempting, isn't it?
Luscious "Cold Feelings" and irresistible "Independent Women", course together subtly, all texture, mood, and shade... These songs are great - genuine, rugged, melodically stormy and full of rock flesh and blood. I find that they get better with each listen. If you like these two songs, you'll like the lot, for sure. As a whole, the group has created an album charged not only with catchy rock songs but with the breath of an almost forgotten indie honesty. Highly Recommended.
I dont know where all these craptacularly similar bands are coming from, or what they hope to achieve by cranking out yet more of the same bland, monotonous tunes, although according to the press release that came with Hello Graphic Missile, theyre quite the opposite: [With] funk bass lines, hard hitting disco/dance drum riffs and complex rock guitar In today's musical cookie cutter world, Conner somehow pull off a sound that feels both uniquely cutting edge and classically familiar Huh? Wha? Seriously, who in their right mind would find that description palatable much less intriguing? Sorry dudes, but Ill bet even Brandon Flowers thinks your songs are lame. I cant think of anything worse, but hey, if shoddy, boring disco-rock brings you the admiration of 12-year-old hos, well, then I guess thats pretty neat for you.
We were being and knowing That two were one, and we were three In twelve sided cosmos, drifting by I wasn’t seeing I was feeling And wasn’t being, doing, two were one And when I looked to it Nothing but the corner of my eye Then we were three, and being Being and doing I hadn’t known that two were one We were that same one, and being When I know, I feel I see that two were one We were three and being Drifted through twelve sides And we were being Knowing that two were one And falling there on clouds like stars We were three and known We were one, I don’t know I was being, doing, but I knew That two were one And clouds flow down Drifting, we know, and see Doing, and knowing we were three And knowing two were one That two were one.
Hey tom, long time no talk eh? anyway just seeing how your doing. and if this is the "band" just pass a hello to him for me, thank you. Im Robert Braughts son....well hope all is well. ill catch up with you sooner or later
Great performance last night. Tough to say goodbye. I'm hoping there's a future for your songs James. I'd hate to think it was the last time I'll hear them live. I'm eager to see a new project, but moreso a Conner reunion tour... How's next week guys?
