GOSPEL: 2019 REUNION + NEW MUSIC/ALBUM?????

This Article is a pretty good history + update on the band Gospel.

Okay, so if you search this blog, you'll find more than reference and/or feature writings talking about this band.

But to summarize: they released a really cool progressive post-hardcore album in 2005 The Moon is a Dead World.

And I forget how long after, maybe 2 or 3 years later

edit: in reading what I wrote last year here, their break up, or at least 1 of them happened in 2010.

But "Tango" is amazing.


That article and their Facebook Page under "onetruegospel" they did a reunion show on September 20th at "St.Vitus" which I am presuming is in New York City. The band originates from Brooklyn anyway, but some members had moved away and are moving back.
Anyway, I'll just quote a couple key parts of that article:

I ask if that mean we’re finally getting the completed “Magic Volume of Dark Matter,” a never-recorded album-sized song that looms enormous in Gospel’s lore.

“Hopefully! We have other new songs we’ve been working on that we need to record,” says Miller. “Songs we wrote a few years ago when we were playing. ‘The Magic Volume’ is a huge undertaking, but we are hoping to get everything recorded.” 

But the band did mention several times that  they’re preparing to enter the studio again, most likely this Winter⎯

“It’s probably going to be called Absurd Challenge,” quips Dooling about the next album. “Because it is.” But Gospel seem more than up to the meeting the task, on their own terms. Praise be. 


So naturally I am verrry curious and optimistic to see what they do, when, however soon. I wonder if doing the reunion might escalate the process somewhat. 2020 or maybe 2021? I guess I am not going to assume anything, other than there is good reason to start following them and paying attention to their Social Media in the coming months/year(s).

The way that article reads, the stuff they may be doing could be amazing, but there also is the concern of the time gap. Cautiously optimistic I suppose, but I'm happy that anything new could be coming our way from Gospel.

Absurd Challenge sounds like a great title for an album from these guys.

It does sound like they will be taking their time to get the writing and recordings as best as they can, which may bode well.

Late of the Pier and Gospel

Late of the Pier earlier today came up on a topic on rateyourmusic.com's Message Boards, and how their style/genre is referred to as "New Rave" or "Nu Rave" which is a tag I've honestly never heard of.

But I guess it's a label and style most often used to describe bands from the mid-late 2000's from the UK largely. The most successful of these bands is the band Klaxons.

I guess I never would have thought of Late of the Pier or any of the artists in this entry about "Indietronica" aka "21st Century Electronic Rock" with "Rave" House or Techno music really.

It's at least 2 degrees of separation in terms of emphasis. Rave music from my experience was purely dance music and had no "Rock" in it really. Although there is "Dance Rock" I suppose, but that also almost sounds like an Oxymoron.

But, I guess this entry isn't purely about this tag, but just thinking about Late of the Pier and another band Gospel, who while are not much alike other than I suppose the progressive tag might fit with both and both were active in the mid-late 2000's.

But both released excellent debut albums, which were the only albums they ever made. And then both recorded 1 final tune that is among if not the best tracks they ever did.

Late of the Pier debut album Fantasy Black Channel released in 2008. Than in 2010 they released a track titled "Blueberry" which was really addictive.

edit: now reviewing, they also released a song titled "Best in Class" which in trying to jog my memory and listening to it, I kind of do remember it as well. And it's maybe almost as good as "Blueberry."

Gospel, released their debut album The Moon is a Dead World in 2005. I didn't discover them maybe until 2010 though, which I don't remember if it was per their new single, or it was pure coincidence with some people on the forums talking about them, seeing them talking of a new album, etc on myspace.

But they released "Tango" in June of 2010 and I remember going apeshit for it. It was this amazing progressive rock epic with vintage synths and everything. Like Late of the Pier, it's almost like they took a lot of the best moments from The Moon is a Dead World and polished them and up-ed  their production and composition skills. I think it's like 9 or 10 minutes.

edit: no, 5:41, but it's totally "epic" like a song that is 9 or 10  minutes.

But then nothing. I forget, but they may have announced not that long after it was released, they broke up.

There's other artists like this..sort of they make a debut album, or maybe even 2 albums, then have a gap and record a single or ep that surpasses their previous work that is incredible. And it cries out to you as a fan, wanting more. But it never happens(ed).

Soundscape (it did)
Apes and Androids had the song "Endless Dream" which is a great tune, but I'd love to find it online (maybe on YouTube or Soundcloud somewhere? Vimeo maybe or even say Daily Motion or something like that. I know I have a poor rip of it on 1 of my old Hard Drives, but haven't listened to it maybe 2010 or 2011).
100Ft Snowman is another

I dunno, I think there are probably many cases of this, that maybe I'll continue to share and perhaps someone else will discover them. And who knows, maybe a reunion for some of these groups will happen again someday.

Late of the Pier sadly, lost their drummer, but I suppose it wouldn't eliminate a reunion. LA Priest music I do enjoy at least.