Soundtrack Album Download
72 musicians is not a film about music.
It’s a film about musicians. It doesn’t have any of the standard identification or background info about the names of the bands. It doesn’t have their history, the labels they’re on, or even the names of the songs you’ll hear. For most people (and especially for people who like films about music), it might be kind of annoying. But the film has a bigger story to tell; and it is a story that gets better if the viewer is willing to decide for themselves what they think of the music — without influence from marketing or critical commentary.
“But what if someone sees the film and really likes some of the music?”
“Or what if someone is a big fan of one of these bands and wants to see them in the film? How will they find out about it?”
Well, that’s what the soundtrack is for.
So, here it is. Twelve songs. All recorded in one take, on the same stage, by the same equipment, by the same guy (Duane Trower). And while there is a lot more music to come in the film itself, I really believe this 12-song “album” is worthy of your attention on its own merits.
Here’s why:
There are very, very few bands (or artists of any medium, for that matter) that would allow themselves to be preserved for judgement in such a raw, naked state. ONE TAKE. No overdubs. In front of a paying audience. And with no control over the front of house mix, or the recorded mix that you’re listening to now. I don’t care who you are, that takes commitment to your artistic vision. And balls. This kind of exposure would fucking wilt most bands.
And yet what you hear immediately in these songs is a passion that’s been processed right out of most commercial recordings. Savor it.
That’s what dreams sound like.
On the top right corner of this page you can download the album. It’s free. Please share it. E-mail this post to your friends. Hit “Share” on the player above and send the music into your Facebook news feed. If you use Twitter, post it there, too. And I’m not just saying that to get people excited about the film. These bands and I are in this together. And they have fans all over the world that may not know these songs exist.
I spoke with Brandon from The Architects last night as he drove from Houston to Dallas on the Warped Tour. He sounded exhausted. I saw Al from The Life and Times in LA a couple weeks ago, and he sounded exhausted. But damn, were they happy. Help ‘em out. Spread the word. Pick the song you like best, and share the hell of it. Then go buy the original.
Here’s the album info, and some links to the original recordings:
1. Que Sera, Sera — The Life And Times — BUY at Amazon
2. Scatter Baby Spiders — Ad Astra Per Aspera — BUY at Amazon
3. Fuego — Olympic Size — Find the limited edition album You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone at Kansas City, MO and Lawrence, KS record stores (hurry!)
4. My Life After Death, Parts I & II — Roman Numerals — BUY at Amazon
5. Don’t Call It A Ghetto — The Architects — BUY at Amazon
6. We’re Just Temporary Ma’am — White Whale — BUY at Amazon
7. Ice Machine — The Stella Link — BUY at Amazon
8. The Handless Man — In The Pines — BUY at Amazon
9. Pills — Sal Retta — (If someone knows of an album, please share. -bob)
10. Lesser Fates — Namelessnumberheadman — BUY at Amazon
11. On Reflection — The Appleseed Cast — BUY at Amazon
12. What Happens On The Road Always Comes Home — Coalesce — BUY at Amazon
Wow! You mean all those bands played in front of an audience that paid them w/ no control over the soundman, no overdubs, and no control over the soundtrack? That does take balls. Or that’s just what everyother band in Kansas City does.
“There are very, very few bands (or artists of any medium, for that matter) that would allow themselves to be preserved for judgement in such a raw, naked state. ONE TAKE. No overdubs. In front of a paying audience. And with no control over the front of house mix, or the recorded mix that you’re listening to now. I don’t care who you are, that takes commitment to your artistic vision. And balls. This kind of exposure would fucking wilt most bands.”
Hmm…seems these are the only 72 musicians in existence that deems performing material that THEY wrote and rehearsed in “ONE TAKE,” worthy of “having balls.” What respectable Indie rock band uses live overdubs? What Indie rock band uses more than one take when playing live? What Indie rock band has ever had control over front of house mix while performing? Attempting to define these things in print in order to make your musical craft seem more justifiable has nothing to do with commitment and balls, but everything to do with plain and pure ego stroking. True commitment is allowing yourself to mentally get your ass kicked repeatedly in order to learn just one exercise on your instrument that will make you a better player and listener. Having balls is saying what’s on your mind, which might be extremely unpopular, to an audience that won’t put you on a pedestal for doing so. As a musician, what seems clear is the above quote has absolutely nothing to do with commitment, balls, or artistic vision, but everything to do with 72 musicians saying “we’re here, and they’re there…we matter, and they don’t.” And that is dangerous logic for longevity. This concept of gaining respect through power is a corrupt notion…which leads to dishonesty. You want to be respected?…be yourselves and stop trying to be something that has already been. Practice, practice, and then practice…or just quit and learn a trade.
Hey John and Matt… thanks for the comments. I think you’re missing my point here. My point is that these bands agreed to be in a film that recorded them AS IS, with no approval over whether or not they looked good, played well, stood in the right light, etc. They were confident enough in their ability and their performance to allow two HD cameras on stage with them for their entire show, without any limits or restrictions.
And none of them saw the footage or heard the recording until the film was finished. Most of them will see it for the first time this Sunday night.
Are you in a band that is good enough to agree to those terms?
(I hope you are… that’s the kind of music I like to listen to…)
Bob…yes, I know I would jump all over it…as these musicians did. The notes and originality are the important part…the lighting, the mix, looking right…having a calculated image, is not. Make no mistake, I am looking forward to seeing this film. As far as being in a band that is good enough…good is relative. Some people like the Eagles…I do not. Some people don’t understand The Mars Volta…I get it. As long as there is an honest commitment in doing whatever it is you do, there will always be an audience, me thinks.