The Promise Ring - Very Emergency

"I got my body and my mind on the same page
and honey now
happiness is all the rage"

The opening lyrics to the Promise Ring album I have hate listened to for nearly 15 years now...  I purchased this record the day it was released.  I would be lying if I said it didn't disappoint me upon my early listens... 

It was indescribably different from their earlier stuff.  I mean, the Promise Ring always had a pop-sensibility to them, but this felt formulaic tho'.   I don't know if this was their attempt to gain "mainstream" interest or if the band was genuinely looking to unload a number of songs that had a bubblegum feel to them.

A number of these songs are amazing to hear live.  Take for example the Deep South.  Not only is it one of the albums best songs, but its possibly one of the best songs that the band every penned.

I just recall feeling a certain level of excitement after listening to the Boys + Girls Ep - right before this album dropped and I genuinely felt like they were going to be the R.E.M. of my 20's.   They've always sorta been in my little mind and heart... they just didn't exactly knock it out of the park.

This album has a number of infectious songs tho'.   

Artists: The Promise Ring
Album: Very Emergency
Producer: J. Robbins
Label: Jade Tree
Recorded: Inner Ear Studios

The Promise Ring - 30 Degrees Everywhere

Not entirely sure what possessed me to listen to 30 Degrees Everywhere today while driving around Houston, Texas...  It was drizzly and grey out so I guess I wanted to hear something to match the feeling of trudging around H-Town.

But enough about that, the Promise Ring.  So I discovered the Promise Ring after they released "Nothing Feels Good" - so I sorta have a preference for some of their later stuff.  30 Degrees has always struck me as an incredible album that is in dire need of being remastered and mixed again.

Updated : my copy of 30 degrees everywhere

While driving around town, it occurred to me that some of the songs sound as if they were recorded playing a basement show beneath your house - but you can sorta clearly hear them practicing with ease.

Take Scenes from France for example...  do you know how many times I've been at a bar and overheard a band play on another level of the venue and mistake it for this song?  

I need to figure out a way to canvas all my friends and have them write me back with detailed thoughts on their relationship to this record.   I'm curious to hear how many of them still hear this record on any occasion.   I know almost all of them will point to A Picture Postcard as being their favorite moment on the record (Note - Bob Nana from BRAID has a song writing credit on that track).  Maybe with the exception of Emo V.  Both her and I love the song Everywhere Denver.

Artists: The Promise Ring
Album: 30 Degrees Everywhere
Producer: Casey Rice, Damon Locks, Joe Ferguson
Label: Jade Tree
Recorded: Idful Music Co.