Gravity's Rim
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Gravity's Rim is the fifth and final studio album by the American experimental music band Vampire Rodents, released on May 14, 1996 by Fifth Colvmn Records.
Music and Lyrics
Gravity's Rim returns to the pop format of the band's earlier albums as well as a more jazz oriented sound similar to Daniel Vahnke's Ether Bunny project. There are fewer guest vocalists compared to the previous album, with the focus shifting back to Vahnke's vocals and lyrics. Former collaborators contributed their vocals to the music, including Maria Azevedo, Boom chr Paige, Dave Creadeau, Mark Edwards and Jared Hendrickson. Spahn Ranch vocalist Athan Maroulis also contributed vocals to four songs.[2] Daniel was so pleased with Maria Azevedo's contributions that he considered starting a separate project with her band Battery.[3]
Release and Reception
Despite being listed on the back cover, the track "Smartass" was left off due to the label being ready to press the record before the mastering process had been completed.[4]
Allmusic critic Amy Hanson gave it three out of five stars, calling it "a triumph" and a "remarkable assimilation of sound, sonics, and scope"[1] Aiding & Abetting gave it a positive review, saying "Vahnke has managed to vary his beat work even more (perhaps inspired by his recent Ether Bunny project), making the songs even more intriguing."[5] Black Monday Magazine gave it a positive review as well, noting that "all the classic Rodentia elements are found: heavy beats, cellos, guitar, and it’s chock full of exotic sampling."[6]
Track listing
All music is composed by Daniel Vahnke
| No. | Title | Lyrics/Vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chain" | Athan Maroulis | 2:56 |
| 2. | "Prophet Clown" | Daniel Vahnke | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Beta" | Jared Hendrickson | 4:50 |
| 4. | "Underneath" | Daniel Vahnke | 3:16 |
| 5. | "Rain Wheel" | Maria Azevedo | 3:09 |
| 6. | "Gravity's Rim" | Daniel Vahnke | 3:32 |
| 7. | "Calibrations" | Athan Maroulis | 2:52 |
| 8. | "Ice Borers" | Daniel Vahnke | 2:13 |
| 9. | "Code" | Jared Hendrickson | 2:10 |
| 10. | "Parameter Seven" | Daniel Vahnke | 2:37 |
| 11. | "The Happy Box" | Maria Azevedo | 3:33 |
| 12. | "Obsidian" | Daniel Vahnke | 4:49 |
| 13. | "Patterns" | Athan Maroulis | 2:54 |
| 14. | "Sandtrap" | 2:12 | |
| 15. | "Porker" | Daniel Vahnke | 3:39 |
| 16. | "Core" | Athan Maroulis | 3:10 |
| 17. | "Creeper" | Daniel Vahnke | 2:42 |
| 18. | "Schlangenauge" | 2:16 | |
| 19. | "Albatross" | Daniel Vahnke | 3:08 |
| 20. | "Fossilized" | Daniel Vahnke | 2:12 |
| 21. | "A Perfect Lawn" | 1:44 | |
| 22. | "Goatweed" | Mark Edwards | 2:56 |
| 23. | "H.M.P." | 3:22 | |
| 24. | "Evasion" | Dave Creadeau & Boom chr Paige | 2:40 |
Personnel
Adapted from the Gravity's Rim liner notes.[7]
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Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1996 | Fifth Colvmn | CD | 9868-63224-2 |
References
- ^ a b Hanson, Amy. "Vampire Rodents: Gravity's Rim > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ Christie, Dixon (1996). "Interview with The Vampire Rodents". Digizine. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ Tar, Jason J.. Interview with Battery. Retrieved on August 26, 2010.
- ^ Congdon, Kevin A.; Tar, Jason J.. Interview with Daniel Vahnke of the Vampire Rodents. Retrieved on July 5, 2010.
- ^ "Vampire Rodents: Gravity's Rim". Aiding & Abetting. July 1996. Issue #114, cited August 26, 2010
- ^ Gair. "Vampire Rodents: Gravity's Rim". Black Monday Magazine, cited August 26, 2010
- ^ Gravity's Rim (booklet). Vampire Rodents. Washington, DC: Fifth Colvmn Records. 1996.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)