Illustrated Man - Welcome to Your Life
Review by Steven Spencer - Amiestreet.com
From the time you open the Eco-friendly packaging on Illustrated Man's sophomore offering, “Welcome to Your Life,” you know that you are in for a different listening experience. “Life” is a conceptual CD that takes you on a trip from the beginnings of life to the end. Oddly, life doesn't end in the strictest sense. IM intimate that life is a circle, and eith er metaphorically or philosophically, most of us believe that to be true.
Like a trip through amniotic fluid, “I Am” is the birth sequence for “Life” and in the 21 seconds that it takes to finish and seamlessly blend into “I Am Not” you know that life starts with a bang! So what if your life was a movie? Would they have started the production just after you were born? “I Am Not” attempts to paint this picture. It is impossible to remember what life was like right after we were born. The assumption is that life at this stage is pretty easy going; eating and sleeping mostly. So it is no surprise to find the easy going “I Am 2” in track position 3. It makes sense for it to be there.
“Begin to Unlearn,” “Old Enough” and “Washington High” take us through the school years. There is no mistaking the bitter tone in John Wall's voice, as “Begin to Unlearn” begins. The things you learn before going to school take on a new perspective as you start mingling with other kids, teachers and trying to figure out your place in the social pecking order. There are so many things associated with school years in our lives; some positive and some negative. This is a journey with as many questions as answers.
Then suddenly, you are out of school and working, “Living Someone's Dream.” Many times during our lives we have done what we thought we were supposed to do, conformed to the wishes and hopes of our parents, girl-friends or wives, only to find out later that we are allowing them to fulfill their life's hopes and dreams vicariously through our own. We miss, or perhaps are unsure of, what our own goals and ambitions are. “Life” takes us there. We are going through the motions-living.
While we live, we forget how much sand is falling through the hour glass. “High School Reunion,” “June Bug” and “Wrinkles” take us on a trip to realization. As the clock ticks down, “Snowfall,” “An Imagination” and “No Longer King” bring an assessment of our lives, the acceptance of age and our approaching death. It's all happened so fast-but as we age we know that each year seems to pass quicker than the last.
“I Am Too” starts where we began, with the exception of the heart monitor beeping and then ending. The fade-in starts life anew. “Welcome to Your Life” is a breathtaking listening experience, full of wonderful music, lyrically complex imagery and true attention to detail. On “Music For Your Own Personal Drama,” IM proved that they had the talent to write wonderful melodies and lyrics, and with “Life” they took that to the ultimate extreme. On May 17th, 2009, Illustrated Man won three New Mexico Music Awards: Best Pop Cd - Welcome to Your Life, Best Production Alternative Rock - I Am Not and Best Production Electronica - Old Enough. Illustrated Man's band-mates, Seth Launer (guitar), Dereld Padilla (guitar) and John Wall (vocal) have every reason to be very proud of this CD. One can only imagine how Illustrated Man can possibly top this.
-im
Illustrated Man finds it home at Wall of Sound Studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Gavin Castleton is currently on tour with Taking Back Sunday, he and his trio will be gracing the 508 stage this FRIDAY.
w/ Baretta May (members from One For Hope and more..)
& Zack Freeman
..
Monster Cruefest VOTING BEGINS SEPT6, WE NEED U ARMY OF PAIN PLEASE HELP TRAVELER IN PAIN REPRESENT THE GREAT ROCKING STATE OF NEW MEXICO IN MONSTER ENERGY'S CRUEFEST 2 BATTLE OF THE CRUEFEST TITANS BEGINNING SEPT 6TH. FOR VOTING INFO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK http://cruefest2.monsterenergy.com fOR MORE INFO, VISIT www.travelerinpain.com or www.myspace.com/travelerinpain Starting Sunday Sept 6th, you can vote for us in the National competition of the Cruefest2 Winning bands, in which we hope to proudly represent New Mexico through your love and Support, as always. Beginning Next Sat night at midnight go to http://cruefest2.monsterenergy.com and let the games begin...
Thank you all for a wonderful summer of Pain 10!!! This ten years of Pain, summer of Pain is finally over, as summer winds down and leaves turn brown. We want to personally thank each and every one of you for all your support and encouragement at the shows, in the Cruefest Voting, at Cruefest, on the radio and for ten and a half years of rocking with us. We were anticipating co-headlining the Atomic City Jam next weekend but others failed to keep their word to the promotional team of Juan and Annie, so the event was cancelled. So, After 7 straight weeks at it, we finally get a bittersweet weekend off. Although we won't be playing live, we will be getting the opportunity to share the ideas James, Tom, Todd and I have been writing and hopefully bounce enough ideas for a soon to be released DVD/CD with three new tunes, the live at 94rock tunes, the cruefest set and some bonus live footage with all your beautiful voices and faces in it!!! Additionally, and more importantly, Starting next Sunday Sept 6th, you can vote for us in the National competition of the Cruefest2 Winning bands, in which we hope to proudly represent New Mexico through your love and Support, as always. Beginning Next Sat night at midnight go to http://cruefest2.monsterenergy.com or check out our website www.travelerinpain.com and www.myspace.com/travelerinpain for more info and let the games begin...
Music Mogul training starts Sept. 22, 6-9 pm in Troy and takes a cutting-edge look at the nuts and bolts of breaking into, and surviving in the music industry, from how to make money from publishing, to contracts, music for film/tv, networking and more.
For more info, visit the DMEA profile or our official web site at
We just started the official SToB on Facebook page so please join it! http://www.facebook.com/shaolintempleofboom Sign up for SToB email list and get 3 FREE songs not available anywhere else!
Thanks so much bro I'm glad you like the songs dude! The project I'm currently doing is a solo project :) congrats on your new album! How much is it , and where can I buy one !
TANKS FO DA AD "SPANKY" NOW BOOKING TOP BANDS FOR TV APPEARANCE Are you ready to do the W.V. if so, send your contact info to this page now.
Over 200 bands have been on the W.V, an you can join them by performing on our TV show. We are including a list of open dates for you to choose from. The slots are filling up fast, so please act promptly.
We are now booking 13 more headliner bands and 25 solo/duo unplugged performers for the remaining shows in 2009. If you are interested in booking your acts as backup. Please send us your contact info to this page. Please act promptly because our slots book fast. Our next booking week is in mid December for the 1st half of 2010. If you have any questions please call the K.C. at (505) 553-1565 K.C. Guest (Producer) UPDATES AS OF 07/30 6PM #150 08/19 Pending #152 09/02 Pending #154 09/16
Online Now!
