| Influences | BIOGRAPHY
“Writing about Music is like dancing about architecture”
This quote by Elvis Costello is spot on. But, MASI is about to release its second album called “how long is now” and wants to talk about it – and rightly so.
In 2005 MASI first hit the music scene with the highly acclaimed debut “2nd Shape”. With the first single “Take Your Time” MASI received some well-earned attention and positive critics. Not only Ken Lewis, mixer and multiplatinium producer, who was responsible for the mix of the album, “love(s) the textures and rhythms MASI comes up with”. So, it wasn’t a surprise that “Take your Time” was played on Swiss Radios and TV-stations, as well as in Belgium and in France. In this manner people learned that there was MASI and they saw that it was good. And good it was – on the radio and even more so live. After several concerts in Switzerland (including the Paleo-festival and a live Couleur-3 Radio show), Belgium and France MASI took its time to compile new material for the second album, which will be released in autumn 2008.
Full of creativity and with a new line-up MASI recorded 12 brand new songs, all to be found on “How long is Now”. The whole album was mixed and produced by MASI, i.e. Marcel Marti (vocals, guitar, bass and electronics) and René Flückiger (drums). While the 12 album songs have the same rocking energy and depth that characterize the tracks on the previous album, they have gained in terms of song writing and accessibility. In other words, “How Long is Now” is not only a worthy follower to the remarkable debut; it shows that MASI has grown musically as well as lyrically.
Despite this clear step forward, stylistically “How Long Is Now” is well in the line of its forerunner. The adaptation of tasty electronic samples is still a major component on “How Long is Now”, but their embedding within the arrangements is more subtle and leaves more space for musical expression and melodies. “Running Hands”, a catchy and yet sophisticated mid-tempo song and the first single to be released, exemplifies this statement. While electronic and organic drums fuse together, mellow guitars, beautiful piano chords and a vibrant filling bass line create a unique soundscape, above which MASIs melancholic voice evolves and captivates the listener. Similarly, “Pour Marlene” generates a soft and dreamy atmosphere where repetitive drums patterns combine with a multitude of sounds, created to let the vocals take the lead. Songs like “Feels Like It” and “Fly Away”, on the other hand, are in line with the fast paced rock songs ”Second Shape” made such an impression with. Energetic drums, a wall of guitar and a racing bass illustrate that, above all, MASI knows how to rock. What is more, they demonstrate the extent to which the vocals have evolved and how powerful a voice MASI has. Equally dynamic are Songs like “Coming Over You”, with an irresistible off-beat feel to it, “A Moment Yet To Come” or “Now is When”. These are all powerful songs that each stand out due to their unique coloring and the fact that they simply make it impossible to stay standing still.
Thus, with “How Long is Now” MASI impressively demonstrates what ”2nd Shape” already anticipated. There are Swiss Bands that truly sound international and distinctive, while making sound accessible that differs from one-dimensional mainstream music. “How Long is Now” combines sounds from the past with sounds from the present, electronic elements with rocking energy, and big melodies with complex arrangements.
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