Originally available (on CD only) at shows during The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band European tour in Winter 2004, this record was officially released on both formats a few months later. The EP contains all new songs, with a total running time of just over 30 minutes. What began as studio sketches evolved, through a few intensive drunken nights, into a beautiful, unfettered set of tunes that confirmed Mt. Zion’s ongoing re-invention as a vocal-driven outfit and revealed Efrim’s growing strength as a lyricist. The results are deeply moving and utterly original in both poetics and sonics — songs that invoke a tender and hopeful collective consciousness wrought from mythic/mystic themes, motivated by the tiny graces and tragic failures of our contemporary communities and cultures.
“More Action! Less Tears!” opens the record – a noisy clarion call of chiming instrumental rock driven by a long wraparound riff and recorded live off the floor during the "This is Our Punk-Rock,"… sessions. This cut finds various Mt. Zion players trading instruments for the rock-out, with cascading tape treatments added by Efrim in the mixdown. Three more songs follow, which Efrim began recording in sporadic late-night sessions at the original Hotel2Tango in Montreal during the second half of 2003. All three were built up from Efrim’s initial vocals and guitar, with co-founding Mt Zion member Thierry collaborating closely on instrumental and backing vocal arrangements, and Jessica working up violin and vocal parts as well. A four-voice choir lends additional vocal support.
“More Action! Less Tears!” opens the record – a noisy clarion call of chiming instrumental rock driven by a long wraparound riff and recorded live off the floor during the "This is Our Punk-Rock,"… sessions. This cut finds various Mt. Zion players trading instruments for the rock-out, with cascading tape treatments added by Efrim in the mixdown. Three more songs follow, which Efrim began recording in sporadic late-night sessions at the original Hotel2Tango in Montreal during the second half of 2003. All three were built up from Efrim’s initial vocals and guitar, with co-founding Mt Zion member Thierry collaborating closely on instrumental and backing vocal arrangements, and Jessica working up violin and vocal parts as well. A four-voice choir lends additional vocal support.
PACKAGING NOTES
EP is pressed on 180g audiophile vinyl and comes in a thick printed jacket.
CD comes in a custom paperboard mini-gatefold jacket with a printed CD dust sleeve.
CD comes in a custom paperboard mini-gatefold jacket with a printed CD dust sleeve.
CREDITS
Efrim Menuck: guitar, piano, organ, feedback, toybox, voice
Thierry Amar: violin, bass, pianohandle, voice
Jessica Moss: violin, voice
Ian Ilavsky: drums
Sophie Trudeau: bass
Thierry Amar: violin, bass, pianohandle, voice
Jessica Moss: violin, voice
Ian Ilavsky: drums
Sophie Trudeau: bass
FEATURED GUESTS
Aimee: giddy yells on Track 1
Chad: voice on Tracks 2, 3
Nadia: voice on Tracks 2, 3
Tape recorded thee mighty Hotel2Tango in Montreal and ghettoblastered in Efrim’s living room.
Mastered at Grey Market in Montreal by Harris Newman.
Chad: voice on Tracks 2, 3
Nadia: voice on Tracks 2, 3
Tape recorded thee mighty Hotel2Tango in Montreal and ghettoblastered in Efrim’s living room.
Mastered at Grey Market in Montreal by Harris Newman.
