Tuesday, March 07, 2006

The Czars "I Am The Man"

The Czars' frontman John Grant knows melancholy like no other. The group's upcoming album "Goodbye" is an impressive collection of moody songwriting and electronic soul balladry that takes its cues from jazz, indie rock and synth pop. After it was released in the U.K. in 2004, the record will finally hit stores stateside next Tuesday on the Bella Union label.

The group got their start when Grant and bassist Chris Pearson met in Denver, CO and bonded over a love for Kraftwerk, Nina Simone and Tom Waits. They gathered four other musicians and put out their debut "Moodswing" in 1995 that led to a few other critically-acclaimed releases. The Czars also developed a gay & lesbian following after they scored the soundtrack to the film "I'd Rather Be Gone" that was an official selection of the 2001 San Fransisco Gay & Lesbian Movie Festival.

The song "I Am The Man" is one of my favorite songs from "Goodbye." It is one of those songs that grow on you after repeated play. The song makes you feel sad and happy at the same time with Grant's immaculate songwriting that packages his feelings of disappointment in a wrapper of hope and optimism. The result is pure sonic bliss that orchestrates a delicate symphony of emotions.

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