THE FOR CARNATION
Fight Songs CD5
The lineup of talented musicians comprising The For Carnation reads like a Who's Who of Underground Rock... Wait, no, we're sorry, that would be the Mike Watt album. The For Carnation roster sounds like an All-Star Team of independent innovators... We beg your pardon, we confused this with the Backbeat soundtrack. The For Carnation brings together four of the rock world's most intense and creative instrumentalists... never mind, obviously a description like that could only apply to Xavier Cugat and whatever three guys he could stand next to (or Universal Congress Of).
We can't fool you. You are just too smart. The credentials are as follows -- leader/guitarist/vocalist Brian MacMahon is well known as founding member of Slint, as well as a former member of Squirrel Bait. Guitarist David Pajo is also a Slint alumnus. Bassist Doug McCombs' resume includes his work with Eleventh Dream Day and Tortoise. Drummer Johnny Machine is also a Tortoise contributor, as well as a former member of the Poster Children (and too many other bands to count properly).
If you are expecting the For Carnation to sound exactly like any of the above, you will be sorely disappointed (or perhaps pleased, if you hated all those bands before). If you are expecting something that reminds you (slightly) of Slint or Tortoise, well, you're not totally fucked in the head (only slightly) but you'll have to judge the For Carnation on its own merits.
This is a record filled with more tension, precision and understated drama than 18 minutes can hold (which is precisely why you are allowed to play it more than once). Some have remarked that this record would serve as excellent soundtrack music to a film -- the problem being that few films are as visually arresting as Fight Songs is aurally captivating.
From: Brian McMahan To: Matador Staff Re: Marshmallows Date: December 18, 1995
Yes, it's that time again! Please be advised that YOU are currently in the process of putting out the second For Carnation/Matador release, a six-song, 32-minute CD/LP entitled Marshmallows, street date March 12! I am writing YOU personally to ensure that everything goes smoothly on this project, and to let you know that we're counting on YOU to make this record a big success!
But how can you "work" a record when you don't know who's behind it?! On our first release, Fight Songs, the line-up was David Pajo, Johnny "Machine" Herndon, Doug McCombs (all of Tortoise) and myself, with a little help from Andrew Bonacci and the London Symphony Orchestra -- not!! Well, this time around we've got an even more all-star crew on board, including Doug, Johnny, John Weiss (Rodan), Tim Ruth (Evergreen) and my own little brother, Michael (listen close and you might even catch the strains of Gordon Jenkins and his orchestra)! Production on the upcoming release began in June with recording sessions spanning the globe, taking us and our engineers Grant Barger and Brad Wood on-location to Louisville, Kentucky, Chicago, Illinois and Austin, Texas! Check for advance CDs in the upcoming two to three weeks and hear what we've been up to lately!
The For Carnation is currently gearing up for its first ever nationwide tour, beginning in late January with the all-Louisville line-up of Tim Furnish, Todd Cook, Kip McCabe, Michael McMahan and myself. This landmark event promises to send the crowds running straight to their local record stores/telephones in search of copies of the highly coveted Fight Songs EP, so be ready! There's a beautiful full-color 17"x23" poster to promote the concert series, complementing the wide array of brand new color and black-and-white photos on file!
So that's it! If you have any questions, by all means, don't be shy! Remember: communication is the key to our success!
Happy Holidays!
Brian McMahan
