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CD
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MORR 132CD
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A lot has changed since Ms. John Soda released their first 7" in 1998, since Micha Acher (The Notwist, Tied & Tickled Trio, Alien Ensemble) joined Stefanie Boehm (Couch) and completed the creative nucleus of this band; day-to-day life indeed feels different in 2015, but the basic chemistry, the intricate balance of electronic and analog molecules that orbit this nucleus -- and thus, the resulting mood and vibe -- they're still recognizable, still undeniably Ms. John Soda. Whether it's the dense, intensely rushing soundscapes of "Hero Whales," numerous layers pushing and taking off into the same direction; the propelled clatter of "Sirens"; a track like "Millions" that blows off more and more steam, a glistening, wheezing sort of madness even (though there is a tender side to it as well); the perpetual magic-lantern-like motions of "Name It" (think Trish Keenan and Broadcast); or the gradually descending melodies of opening track "In My Arms" -- they're all lined with a certain tension, underpinned by a certain atmosphere, a unique brand of melancholy that never quite gives in and keeps searching for new outlets and answers. The title of Loom, the band's first album since 2006's Notes and the Like (MORR 064CD/LP), hints at a feeling of re-emergence, gathering and looming, but according to the singer, it also refers to a weaving loom; it's about "weaving and combining a vast number of influences, ideas, instruments, melodies, rhythms, and layers to create a whole," says Boehm, whose vocals span these tracks like thick, reliable ropes that glow with marine luminescence. "It's about weaving individuals into a group ('Millions'), weaving and merging former ideals and hopes with reality ('The Light'), combining 'hi' and 'bye,' beginning and end ('Hi Fool'), interweaving opposite or contradicting concepts, such as pushing forward vs. being pushed ('In My Arms')." Cico Beck aka Joasihno of Aloa Input (drums, electronics) and drummer Thomas Geltinger helped out on various tracks recorded with Oliver Zülch in Weilheim; Boehm and Acher were also joined by Karl-Ivar Refseth (percussions) and Matthias Götz (trombone). Together, they keep feeding the loom with countless spools of yarn, until epic piano closer "Fall Away" seems to offer a temporary respite: "find your way/take the dry suit off/for a night." Time to rest, to take a deep breath. Or are those the first rays of dawn looming on the horizon?
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LP
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MORR 132LP
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LP version with printed inner sleeve. Includes download code. A lot has changed since Ms. John Soda released their first 7" in 1998, since Micha Acher (The Notwist, Tied & Tickled Trio, Alien Ensemble) joined Stefanie Boehm (Couch) and completed the creative nucleus of this band; day-to-day life indeed feels different in 2015, but the basic chemistry, the intricate balance of electronic and analog molecules that orbit this nucleus -- and thus, the resulting mood and vibe -- they're still recognizable, still undeniably Ms. John Soda. Whether it's the dense, intensely rushing soundscapes of "Hero Whales," numerous layers pushing and taking off into the same direction; the propelled clatter of "Sirens"; a track like "Millions" that blows off more and more steam, a glistening, wheezing sort of madness even (though there is a tender side to it as well); the perpetual magic-lantern-like motions of "Name It" (think Trish Keenan and Broadcast); or the gradually descending melodies of opening track "In My Arms" -- they're all lined with a certain tension, underpinned by a certain atmosphere, a unique brand of melancholy that never quite gives in and keeps searching for new outlets and answers. The title of Loom, the band's first album since 2006's Notes and the Like (MORR 064CD/LP), hints at a feeling of re-emergence, gathering and looming, but according to the singer, it also refers to a weaving loom; it's about "weaving and combining a vast number of influences, ideas, instruments, melodies, rhythms, and layers to create a whole," says Boehm, whose vocals span these tracks like thick, reliable ropes that glow with marine luminescence. "It's about weaving individuals into a group ('Millions'), weaving and merging former ideals and hopes with reality ('The Light'), combining 'hi' and 'bye,' beginning and end ('Hi Fool'), interweaving opposite or contradicting concepts, such as pushing forward vs. being pushed ('In My Arms')." Cico Beck aka Joasihno of Aloa Input (drums, electronics) and drummer Thomas Geltinger helped out on various tracks recorded with Oliver Zülch in Weilheim; Boehm and Acher were also joined by Karl-Ivar Refseth (percussions) and Matthias Götz (trombone). Together, they keep feeding the loom with countless spools of yarn, until epic piano closer "Fall Away" seems to offer a temporary respite: "find your way/take the dry suit off/for a night." Time to rest, to take a deep breath. Or are those the first rays of dawn looming on the horizon?
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CD
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MORR 064CD
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Ms. John Soda are Stefanie Böhm (Couch), Micha Acher (The Notwist, Tied & Tickled Trio), Carl Oesterhelt (FSK, Carlo Fashion) and Thomas Geltinger (Couch). Notes and the Like is a songwriter album. Loud and soft, warm and wide-awake. What may astonish anyone who has been able to experience one of the energetic concerts of Ms. John Soda -- they are more human being than machine. Ms. John Soda has extended the direct address of their concerts with softer and more many-voiced articulations. Undisguised and close, the voice and the melody of Stefanie Böhm captivates all. Also, there are ensnaring bass guitars, carefully assembled percussion sounds, synthesizer, a string quartet, a soft vibrato, and a glockenspiel.
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12"
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MORR 040EP
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Vinyl EP version. Same five tracks as the CD version.
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CD
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MORR 040CD
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Ms. John Soda are Stefanie Böhm (Couch) and Micha Acher (The Notwist, Tied & Tickled Trio). While Talking is both the study and result of constant exchange between human beings and it deals with communication in numerous ways: conversations that work and sometimes don't, contradictions, misunderstandings and the incapacity to make oneself understood as well as to fully understand someone else. The opener presents itself almost defiantly. Compared to the debut, the song's calm sections appear more epic, whereas the expressive elements seem to be even more "in your face." The spectrum of Stefanie Böhm's and Micha Acher's musical influences is more varied than before. They use anything ranging from distorted punk bass to psychedelic twang sounds. "If Someone Would Know," for example, is reminiscent of cruising through a desert by night just like in a David Lynch film. "I Think It Could Work, Marilyn" reanimates Marilyn Monroe and Elvis taking a walk up in the mountains. Although Ms. John Soda's expression has become more varied, Stefanie Böhm's charismatic and beguiling voice remains the central element in all the songs. Their ability to transform the entire range of human emotions into musical expression is breathtaking.
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CD
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MORR 031CD
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Ms. John Soda are Stefanie Böhm and Micha Acher, both part of the creative sphere around notable German label and distributor Hausmusik. It soon became clear that Ms. John Soda would become their "pop project": the melody, clarity, emotional directness and timelessness of song structures would supersede the importance of aural experimentation. At the same time they wanted to use classical instruments such as bass, guitar, drums and keyboards and they wanted to rock with a constant glance at the careful balance between instruments and electronics. If the need should arise to label Ms. John Soda "indietronics," then we should also resurrect the capital "I" in "Indie." Because it is here that one of the genre's sound ideals, "to rock without rocking" has been carefully, but determinedly, unearthed. This undoubtedly makes Ms. John Soda a Morr Music band project that dares to venture further out of the safe harbor of aural abstraction than any other and fulfills the old claim of creating a truly touching pop record.
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12"
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MORR 029EP
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12" vinyl version, same 4 tracks as on the CD.
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