The people in the back row of the "We Are the World" video.
Influences
Lionel Richie's moustache, Greek food on tour, Volcano Worshiper's Hour, Rufus T. Firefly, The Electric Mayhem.
Sounds Like
"The Octopus Walks Across the Coral" was featured on MTV's The Real World Sydney in the "Nice Guys Finish Last" episode.
"The Pink Floyd-ish harmonic dreaminess, Carribean-styled spacey experimentation, and swiftly moving country-tinged foot-tappers make for a record that's fine as an eclectic indie-rock mishmash.." The Onion | September 2007
"It takes a special kind of band to turn nostalgia for the choose-your own-adventure books into a skip-around-tracks concept album, but this Florida psychedelic-rock band has done just that." The Washington Post | June 2007
"Morningbell is on to something with Through the Belly of the Sea... [the album] sits at a rarified, if not necessarily sought-after, level of indie rock ironic nostalgia" Pitchfork Media | May 2007
"Morningbell’s latest is just as damn cool as those awesome little books were back in the ‘80’s... Impressive…Most Impressive!” Smother Magazine | April 2007
"Despite the playfulness of the concept this isn’t a novelty record - there is a depth to the writing and performances, the melodies are like spent air bubbles that burst in your ears whispering the secrets of the depths." Americana-UK | May 2007
"'Through the Belly of the Sea' [is] not just an album to be appreciated by Morningbell fans or listeners of a certain taste. Anyone who enjoys the art of music itself would be remiss not to give it a listen.
The Gainesville Sun
"“Intriguing and entertaining…definitely a pleasure to listen to.”
Slug Magazine
Throughout the 2000s, Morningbell has developed their own brand of
melodic, psychedelic rock, rooting themselves as a well established
tradition in the Florida Music Scene. The band has toured the Eastern
US and earned themselves a set at Bonnaroo 2008 (named "Best Festival"
by Rolling Stone) where they shared the stage with Bela Fleck, Broken
Social Scene, and Solomon Burke. The Band has also performed with
Starlight Mints (Barsuk), Robert Sledge (Ben Folds Five Bassist), Man
Man, Holopaw (Subpop), MAE (Columbia), and Kevin Martin (ex-Candlebox)
The band's most recent album, "Through the Belly of the Sea," (released on Orange Records of Gainesville in 2007) has garnered international acclaim and has been featured in MTV's The Real World Sydney, The Onion, Blender Magazine, Pitchforkmedia.com, and the Washington Post.
All 3 of the band's full length albums have been ranked in the top 10 albums of their release years (by Gainesvillebands.com and the Gainesville Sun).
Morningbell's music stands up best behind their captivating live
performances. Armed with an arsenal of low budge lighting effects,
Morningbell not only causes the stage to erupt with sound, but with
their trademarked 100 dollar light show as well.
Through the Belly of the Sea
Possibly the world's first choose your own adventure album, the band's 3rd full length, was released in June 2007 to much critical acclaim. It was ranked in the The Gainesville Sun's top 5 records of 2007.
Thank you guys so much, you really put on a fantastic show. The album is unreal and it truly was a pleasure to meet and play with you guys. Best of luck and have a great Summer! Cheers,
Oh man, you guys are sharing a stage with Solomon Burke. That's who Tweedy wrote "The Thanks I Get" for. If you meet him, you'll be meeting someone else who met Jeff Tweedy.
CONGRATULATIONS ON BONAROO!!! That's an awesome festival. You guys are gonna kick ass...You should check out Sigur Ros while you're there if you get the chance...
Congratulations guys, you are on your way! Let me know when you know the exact date or if you need help finding a full time student. Do they have to be full time?
great stuff - enjoyed your tracks immensely- especially in the dark on a few beanbags...strummed along on a couple..melow moment under a northern grey english sky