This Is a Process of a Still Life

this is a process of a still life

Track Listings
1. Oh God, the Lights are Going Dim
2. No Memory of the Airshow
3. Pretty is Predictable
4. Cross My Heart, Hope You Die
5. The Thing We Learned About Neptune
6. Skywriting Over Virginia
7. Things/Cells/Beings

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Missoula, Montana instrumental collective This is a Process of a Still Life writes songs with a focus on layered melodies and shifting tones. Formed in the spring of 2003, members Jason Ward (bass), Ben Rouner (guitar, wurlitzer), Scott Kennedy (guitar, organ), Baine Craft (percussion), Burke Jam (guitar, samples) and Grier Phillips (rhodes, organ) strive for an organic, living feel in their sound and visual art. "They are the painters of the musical community, stretching song structures into an open canvas within which they paint their moods, emotions, thoughts, and feelings" (Delusions of Adequacy).

In the fall of 2003, Process traveled to Portland, Oregon to record their first album, which was released the following spring. "Their self-titled debut is a delicious selection of explosive peaks and meandering pathways. At times it feels as if the world is crumbling; at other moments, it's twilight outside and everything is wonderful" (Indieville.com). Combining ambient sounds with a variety of textural elements, the band's first album strays from the now-typical build and release formula prevalent in much of the post-rock genre. "This is a Process of a Still Life are starkly original, as they blend the finer elements of instrumental rock to create something they can call their own" (30 Music). In support of the debut, the band toured the US a number of times with a focus on the West Coast. Process has shared stages with such acts as Xiu Xiu, Maserati, Tara Jane O'Neil, Sole, Cex and Nice Nice.

Percussionist Baine Craft joined This is a Process of a Still Life between tours, after their original drummer departed to take an audio engineering internship. A frequent collaborator on both Burke Jam and Scott Kennedy's solo projects, Craft fit into the band dynamic naturally, and the new lineup began experimenting with a broad range of musical ideas. The band chose to stay in Missoula to record their follow-up, and began tracking in February of 2005; five months later they completed work on 'Light.' Engineered by Dave Van at Penguin Studio and mastered by Chad Clark at Silver Sonya, the album will be released in September 2005.

'Light' explores a broader scope of style and mood, mixing experimental elements with pop, and the melancholy with the triumphant. "Blissfully zen out with their moody and evocative instrumentation; it's blissful without boredom, and intellectual without pretension" (Three Imaginary). Indicative of the band's maturing sound, their second album further examines a delicately evolving sense of atmosphere and emotion. "They continue to amaze with the melodies they pull out of thin air" (The Big Takeover).

Product Description
The self-titled debut from Missoula, Montana instrumental collective This is a Process of a Still Life is an exciting and impressive first showing for a young band. Recorded nine months after the band's inception, the album strays from the now-typical build and release formula prevalent in much of the post-rock genre, focusing instead on layers of increasingly complex and intertwining melodies. The result is a sound which evolves organically across a broad spectrum of emotions without succumbing to predictability. "This is a Process of a Still Life are starkly original, as they blend the finer elements of instrumental rock to create something they can call their own" (30 Music). Tightly-woven instrumentation and lush atmospherics create a perfect space for introspection. "Bottom line here is, if you dig on expertly played guitar music that cuts right to the gorgeousness, add this CD to your constant rotation pile... They continue to amaze with the melodies they pull out of thin air." (The Big Takeover).

This Is a Process of a Still Life,This Is a Process of a Still Life,Firefly Sessions,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop


This Is a Process of a Still Life
This Is a Process of a Still Life
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • What is it?
This Is a Process of a Still Life
This Is a Process of a Still Life
Manufacturer: Firefly Sessions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000BDH518
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

  1. Oh God, the Lights are Going Dim
  2. No Memory of the Airshow
  3. Pretty is Predictable
  4. Cross My Heart, Hope You Die
  5. The Thing We Learned About Neptune
  6. Skywriting Over Virginia
  7. Things/Cells/Beings

Product Description

The self-titled debut from Missoula, Montana instrumental collective This is a Process of a Still Life is an exciting and impressive first showing for a young band. Recorded nine months after the band’s inception, the album strays from the now-typical build and release formula prevalent in much of the post-rock genre, focusing instead on layers of increasingly complex and intertwining melodies. The result is a sound which evolves organically across a broad spectrum of emotions without succumbing to predictability. "This is a Process of a Still Life are starkly original, as they blend the finer elements of instrumental rock to create something they can call their own" (30 Music). Tightly-woven instrumentation and lush atmospherics create a perfect space for introspection. "Bottom line here is, if you dig on expertly played guitar music that cuts right to the gorgeousness, add this CD to your constant rotation pile... They continue to amaze with the melodies they pull out of thin air." (The Big Takeover).

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars What is it?.......2006-07-23

Some have placed this music somewhere on the sliding scale between Labradford's minimalism and Godspeed's dynamics. An understandable shorthand, but likewise superficial. If you analyze how it's put together, the music is drawing from a much broader palette. In the guitar i hear the classic R&B rhythms channeled by Eggs on their "Exploder" LP. And the construction of "No Memory of the Airshow" has more in common with Appalachian folk music (think Hobart Smith) than with anyone on the Kranky label. Slower, sure, and with radically different instrumentation, but the old feeling's undeniable.

In short, a record that grows more interesting over time.
Light
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Light
    This Is a Process of a Still Life
    Manufacturer: Firefly Sessions
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B000BDH4XM
    Release Date: 2005-09-13

    Tracks:

    1. Horizon/Line
    2. All My Blessings are a Curse
    3. Haunted by Waters
    4. Maya
    5. Constantly Under Surveillance
    6. Light Becomes Movement
    7. The Possibility of Flight
    8. Structured to Cut
    9. Three Hours Between Planes

    Product Description

    A stunning second album from Missoula, Montana-based instrumental collective This is a Process of a Still Life, 'Light' encompasses an impressively broad scope of style and mood, mixing experimental elements with pop, and the melancholy with the triumphant. The band’s second album is demonstrative of the band’s maturing sound and delicately evolving sense of atmosphere and emotion. "They are the painters of the musical community, stretching song structures into an open canvas within which they paint their moods, emotions, thoughts, and feelings" (Delusions of Adequacy). Building layers of melody into increasingly complex and beautiful arcs of sound, This is a Process of a Still Life further distances themselves from the overwhelming melancholy that has begun to characterize the post-rock genre. Illuminating the pain and beauty of life and emerging with an affirmation, 'Light' soars through expansive skies and the smallest spaces of introspection, making startlingly clear the possibility of hope in a complex world.
    Light
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Light
      This Is A Process Of A Still Life
      Manufacturer: Firefly Sessions
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      RockRock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      ASIN: B000EAVA46
      Release Date: 2006-01-31

      Tracks:

      1. Horizon/Line
      2. All My Blessings Are A Curse
      3. Haunted By Waters
      4. Maya
      5. Constantly Under Surveillance
      6. Light Becomes Movement
      7. The Possibility Of Flight
      8. Structured To Cut
      9. Three Hours Between Planes

      Product Description

      A stunning second album from Missoula, Montana-based instrumental collective This is a Process of a Still Life, “Light” encompasses an impressively broad scope of style and mood, mixing experimental elements with pop, and the melancholy with the triumphant. The band’s second album is demonstrative of the band’s maturing sound and delicately evolving sense of atmosphere and emotion. "They are the painters of the musical community, stretching song structures into an open canvas within which they paint their moods, emotions, thoughts, and feelings" (Delusions of Adequacy). Building layers of melody into increasingly complex and beautiful arcs of sound, This is a Process of a Still Life further distances themselves from the overwhelming melancholy that has begun to characterize the post-rock genre. Illuminating the pain and beauty of life and emerging with an affirmation, “Light” soars through expansive skies and the smallest spaces of introspection.
      This Is A Process Of A Still Life
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        This Is A Process Of A Still Life
        This Is A Process Of A Still Life
        Manufacturer: Firefly Sessions
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
        RockRock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B000EAVA3W
        Release Date: 2006-01-31

        Tracks:

        1. Oh God, the lights are going dim
        2. No Memory of the Airshow
        3. Pretty Is Predictable
        4. Cross My Heart, Hope You Die
        5. The Thing We Learned About Neptune
        6. Skywriting Over Virginia
        7. Things/Cells/Beings

        Product Description

        this is a process of a still life provides instrumentals with cymbal flourishes and well-implemented chord changes, all evoking some far away place enshrouded by fog. Sure, there’s plenty of bands still doing this post-Mogwai thing, but, how many of them have an entire album’s worth of beautiful tracks, sans experimental filler? If you like Explosions In The Sky, Silver Mt. Zion, Mogwai, etc... this is a must own.

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