Ted the Block

Bio:

Download "Thinkinging..." by Ted the Block at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tedtheblock

Member Since:

January 08, 2005

Members:

Winston Goertz-Giffen

Influences:

Pants, The Not's, La Dee Da, Anteater Eats Ant, The Aimless Never Miss, Brother Machine, Tall Grass, The Potwashers, RH Laskey, John Wayne Crucifix, Songs For Moms, Miguel, TJ George, Saything, Kreamy 'lectric Santa, Tennis?, Jerry Toews, the Rum Diary, Weighing Moses, Fauxpseudofakefake, No Doctors, Turkey? Turkay!, Roy Ruth, The Archibalds, The Cars the Doors, the Bugfuckers, The Sleepover Disaster, Good City Lie Still, Built for the Sea

Sounds Like:

Ted the Block Thinkinging... Produced by Winston Goertz-Giffen Straight from the hands, feet and mouth of Oakland-based genius Winston Goertz-Giffen comes Thinkinging... It’s obvious that a lot of time, effort and passion went into the making of this album; from the hand-carved wooden case in which the CD arrives to the layers of complex instrumentation that decorate the music, all signs indicate an undeniable talent. The album makes use of acoustic and electric guitars, bells, keys, horns, whirring devices, strings and, most importantly, percussion. Easily the most noteworthy element of Thinkinging... is its incredible juggernaut of a beat. Ranging from the pop and snap of a junkyard ensemble to the booming crash of tribal warfare, Ted the Block’s backbone lies in the brilliant composition of the drums (not totally surprising, considering his role as drummer for Bay Area band The Aimless Never Miss). This in combination with the occasionally delicate melodies and full-blown ensemble parts create an album that provides consistent excitement. Goertz-Giffen’s vocals (which he also showcases as singer of another Bay Area act, Saything) follow the trend as well – sometimes scary, often sweet, rarely vulnerable, raspy and just enough straight-up pop to never get boring. His sonic signature sparks comparisons to Ben Kweller in its sweetness, Okay in its love-rasp and even moments of Built to Spill in its airy hauntingness. An album adorned with such clever complexity is difficult to find; it is clear within moments of any given song that this was constructed by a refreshingly creative, vastly talented musician, with big ideas that don’t fall short of complete and total satisfaction. (Self-released) www.myspace.com/tedtheblock -Evan “The Bug” Williamson

Record Label:

firstoneto3