Absentstar "Sea Trials"

So three posts in one day is a bit ridiculous right? Well sorry, but I have to give these guys a post...

So I have been friends with three guys for quite some time now...about 8 years or so. I met Andy Dixon working at small guitar store in Lombard, IL and through him I met his buddies Derek Ingersoll and Heath Hamilton who played in his band Blue Nova which was an excellent band in itself. Anyways, Andy became a really good friend of mine as did Derek and Heath. These guys gave me some of the best life advice (scary if you know these guys:) ) during my "formative years" and/or high school.

So what does this have to do with anything? First some more history. Their band Blue Nova eventually evolved into what is now Absentstar and about two years ago or so they received a record deal from RCA Records and then moved over to Columbia records. Long story short, they made an album and it was produced by this guy Dan Wilson who many consider a genius, well, because he is. He won a Grammy for that last Dixie Chicks album that won like every award it was nominated for...yeah he wrote those songs. Most people probably know him as former (I think because I don't know if they work together anymore) frontman of Semisonic and writer of the song "Closing Time." "Closing Time" is a great tune but I really enjoyed "Secret Smile." But I digress, they wrote/made this album called "Sea Trials" and it is brilliant. This said album was officially released Tuesday April 15th, 2008 and distributed by Columbia all over the country. Go look it up on your Best Buy and do a Store Pickup. I bet a store near you has it. I went to the Downers Grove Best Buy to get mine rather than mooch one off the guys. I think there's something to be said about acquiring the record the traditional way.

The album is brilliant and I never seem to get sick of it, or at least the old recordings of most of the songs. There are a few tunes on the album I haven't heard until today. So go out and but this album. Even if it isn't your style, support a local Chicago band who was one of the rare fortunate bands to get a shot at a major label deal. Andy was telling me once that the labels receive about two million bands via their A&R guys (the guys who find the talent for the label) and about 3 to 5 of those will get deals and chances are only a couple of those will actually have an album released. These guys managed to get their album released and it couldn't happen to a more deserving group of guys. They are always appreciative of all the support they receive and all of their fans.

So again, the album is by Absentstar and it's called "Sea Trials." Go buy it. It's also available on iTunes.

Peace kids, I'm going to go listen to the album while I clean my damn turtle tank.

PS. I also bought AFI Live at Long Beach...should be a good listen as well.