Great news for anyone who has yet to be lost in the expansive warmth that is Slow Dancing Society’s Priest Lake Circa ‘88 – the album is now available on CD through n5Mailorder along with a bevy of other fantastic HSR releases.

Following on from the ice-sculpted cinematics of the critically praised The Slow and Steady Winter, Priest Lake Circa ’88 is Drew Sullivan’s finest work to date. The album exudes restraint and repose, yet is so richly melodic and full. While Priest Lake Circa ’88 draws its raw form from ambient music, post rock and even dream pop, it is masterfully crafted into something that could only ever find itself under the Slow Dancing Society moniker. The album speaks of both departure and eventual return, and perhaps in its broadest sense the notion of “home”. Above all, this is music to bathe in: warm, steamy and all-encompassing.

“Hidden Shoal delivers once again! … With Brian Eno serving as the main influence for Sullivan’s work, I could attempt to classify the music as abstract ambient meeting experimental shoegaze. Or I could just name a few of my favorite artists that come to mind immediately upon my first listen: Stars of the Lid, Hammock, and Bitcrush. If those are the names on your watchlist, then you better rush out to secure a copy of the latest (and all) from Slow Dancing Society.” - Headphone Commute

Head over to n5Mailorder now to order the CD or if digital is your thing then head to the HSR Store where you’ll find a range of choices (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon and our very own DRM free high bitrate Mp3s).

Slow Dancing Society – A Warm Glow Slow Dancing Society – A Warm Glow

Excerpt: “infectious, bouncy, dance-along pop tunes for the avid indie fan… Hotels can sure hold their own with ample doses of catchy lyrics, jangly guitars, neat beats and solid synthesizer work to produce an affecting debut release. The album is littered with influences from Joy Division, Interpol, Kraftwerk and The Pixies, with plenty of dance-along tracks, but also softer, atmospheric, shoegazing. The drawling, swelled vocals of Blake Madden in ‘The Heart That Hears Like A Bat’ is reminiscent of early Joy Division, and sounds strangely akin to many a James Bond theme – definitely a standout track on the album. Do yourself a favour and book some time in with Hotels – you’re assured a good time.”

Rave

Hotels’ extraordinary new album Where Hearts Go Broke has received a clutch of excellent reviews since its release on Valentine’s Day and sold-out Seattle launch party. Reviews have been posted on The Yellow Stereo, Rave, I Am The Crime, and Seattle Show Gal, which also includes video footage of ‘The Maudlin’ and ‘Near The Desert, Near The City’. Visit the respective sites to read the reviews in full, or visit Hotels’ reviews section for excerpts.

‘The Maudlin’ is also Song Of The Day on WMBR’s The Late Risers’ Club, and The Underground Of Happiness DJ Conor O’Toole has described the album as “one of my albums of the year already...maybe even the decade”. Yee-ha!

What are you waiting for? Where Hearts Go Broke is available on CD and mp3 from the HSR Store. Go!

Hotels  The Maudlin Hotels – The Maudlin

Excerpt: “Hotels take the visual appeal of their show to another level; they are all in uniform with name tags like real hotel staff! Now that type of thing might seem like a small aesthetic, but it goes a really long way. It showed they were having fun with their band title, and using it to draw the aspect of theatre into their live show. As a band, the effort you put into your live show honors your fans and shows appreciation that they came out as opposed to just listening at home… From where I stood, the band seemed so excited! I could go on for days about the impact of stage presence. You can make the most intense sounding music, but if you look drab while you are playing it, not only does it look awkward but it makes me feel awkward watching. Hotels energy matched there music in a very endearing way. Their excitement made me excited in a way that added to the dimension and dynamic of the music… seeing them live adds so much to it. The energy that they brought made what was impacting, explosive. Plus, Hotels approach to music has a nice vocal instrumental mix. Letting the vocals take the lead for a bit then letting the all of the other elements rise to the occasion really gives Hotels the space rock out and really get into the music. I know I did!”

Seattle Show Gal