July 25, 2005

The Observatory To Launch Second Album With Concert

By PC

The Observatory are releasing their second album, Blank Walls, on September 2, with a concert on the same day at the Esplanade Recital Studio.

The production of Blank Walls was carried out over an intensive period of four months, by the band members themselves, who are currently in the final stages of mixing and mastering their album at Duper in Norway with producer Jørgen Træen. Local sound artist and designer, Yuen Chee Wai, contributed the idea for this album's design and concept.

The release of The Observatory's sophomore album Blank Walls, which promises to elaborate on the band's philosophy of perpetual change, marks the maturity of a group in their attempt to venture beyond current trends and radio playability. Blank Walls is the product of a year of extensive musical experimentation, recording, arranging and creating music amongst six musicians, of whom the latest member to join is drummer Adam Shah -- son of acclaimed guitarist/producer Shah Tahir -- who adds a new intensity to the band's second album and plays an indispensable role in the rhythm section.

The strongest desire expressed by the band was to produce a second album that does not mirror the first. Instead of creating an album of songs sharing a similar stylistic vein, Blank Walls is deliberately loose, eschewing particular themes or genres. The result is a diverse, experimental palette of words, sonic layering, and musical contrasts. The subject matter spans equally varied themes from anger to disenchantment, from the quaint and humorous to self-mockery or plain indignation. The tension, both musical and lyric-wise, seems more palpable now than before.

The Singapore band's relentless pursuit of non-formulaic music lies at the root of their belief that music should always be a transforming experience. The new material evidently reflects their previous experimentation with song form but this time, taken to greater depths of musical and lyrical tension.

Details

Title: The Observatory presents Blank Walls
Date: September 2, 2005
Time: 9:30pm
Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Tickets: $20 (excluding SISTIC fee) at all SISTIC outlets and website: www.sistic.com.sg