8MM: Opener

8mm

Opener

© 2004 8mm (689076715324)

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Down-tempo, trip hop. Dark, haunting and voyeuristic; Sgt. Pepper does David Lynch.

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notes

Somewhere in the heat of New Orleans you'll find that life is lived differently. It's a place of ghosts and celebration, a place where music hangs heavy in the air and all the music and all the souls that have ever played it there somehow remain, alive and buoyant in the humidity. The thickness this gives the air slows things down a bit, and when you breathe it in it soaks through your bones and settles in the marrow. There is an ethereal wave, a pulse really, that you can ride through the chaos. It becomes part of your blood and your eyes begin to change. You will never see this world the same. You will never feel the same about this city or this life. It has taken part of you and given something beautiful and painful back. This kind of enchantment is the reason that people are drawn to New Orleans. It's as if the city wakes and surges to the surface just enough for you to hear her heart beat, hear her breath.

The city itself is curved into the shape of a crescent moon by a dark and muddy river that would drown you as soon as let you swim in it. Moss hangs from ancient oak trees that look down on their dark reflections in cracked and wet asphalt. In this city, beneath their gaze, there was Juliette, her heels clicking, marking time on the make shift mirror. In this city, she met Sean.

Sean had moved from the post industrial age wasteland of Cleveland, Ohio to this haunting land of jazz funerals and brass bands with Trent Reznor and the band Nine Inch Nails. As Trent's longtime engineer, co -producer, and musical director, Sean helped forge the sound of NIN from studio to the stage. Finally having a home base for various projects, Sean and Trent set about building a studio in an old abandoned funeral home in the heart of uptown New Orleans. It was during this time that, being a mortal man, Sean succumbed to the whimsy and sway of a southern girl and met his muse in Juliette. After finishing mixing Marilyn Manson's epic "Antichrist Superstar", Sean left the NIN camp and followed up with Manson's "Mechanical Animals" During production of which Sean and Juliette moved to the land of stars, scars and broken dreams: Los Angeles.

While Sean was producing the Atlantic Records band "Kill Hannah" the request to add a female voice to a chorus led him to ask the lovely Juliette to add some vocals on the last day of recording. When Juliette started to sing, the texture and dynamic of her voice bewitched both Sean and his engineer "Critter". Inspired by her ethereal voice, Sean immediately set about to write the music for the song "Never Enough" almost as an experiment. He gave Juliette the music and asked her to write lyrics and a vocal melody to it. The resulting confessional story with the plaintiff refrain "I'll never be enough for you" became a blue print for the tapestry of sorrow and beauty in the works that followed.

The two decided to become 8mm, a name that reflected the tone of their songs. The image of an old 8mm projector whirring in a clandestine back room called to mind innermost secrets and forbidden desires. The kind of thoughts we keep to ourselves, the hidden motives that drive our public lives. Very much influenced by the pulse and undercurrent of the haunted and haunting New Orleans and the bluster and underlying power plays that accompany even a simple "hello" in Los Angeles, 8mm has opened our diaries and shown us how alike we are.

"OPENER" is the debut effort from this duo...you do not want to miss it...

Here's what people are saying:

"Got the EP and put 'Opener' on the air the next day"
Nic Harcourt/KCRW

"[Juliette is] a cross between Jessica Rabbit and Billie Holiday...PJ Harvey
meets Nina from the Cardigans..."
What's On/ London

"Juliette is a breathtaking vocalist, bringing tears to the eyes with all the skill of Billie Holiday."
Bubblegum Slut Fanzine/UK

"David Lynch atmosphere with portishead groove...beautifully seductive."
Music Connection

"8mm is David Lynch does Sgt. Pepper..."
Jon Bates/ MELLOWDRONE

reviews

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  • Packed with quality
    author: Colin

    This disc is one of those EPs that raises the bar for all other EPs. Every track on the disc is unique, well-composed, and completely infectious. Track 1, Opener, is a clear example of the band's central thematic vein of angsty repressed sexuality waiting to explode, and it serves as a perfect opener for the set. Go figure. Save Yourself moves into a more romantic pop sound with a curious hint of the Motown era in the incongruous-yet-enjoyable background vocals that appear later. It's lighter in tone, but we need a bit of air before we get back into the grit. Never Enough comes back to the angst and barbed love that 8mm does so well with a more personal, bare sound that focuses more on Juliette's vocal talents and builds into an almost chant-like crescendo of self-doubt that could almost put a lump in your throat. Track 4, Nothing Left to Lose, takes an unexpected turn and puts together an infectiously listenable hip-hop duet on top of a simple, but delicious backbeat. I don't even like hip-hop, but I can't help but love this track. The next track, Crawl, begins as a somewhat overwrought spoken word narrative of obsession, but eventually brings in on of the most stunning, sexy, longing guitar solos I've ever heard, more than redeeming any shortcomings the song has elsewhere. The sixth and final track, Give It Up, feels like a guest appearance by Massive Attack, with dark, broody bass and throbbing organic rhythms backing Juliette's always-lovely voice. By the time it's over, you're completely drenched in the music and not at all ready for the disc to be finished. It's a good thing their full-length album, Songs to Love and Die By, is out now...

  • Génial
    author: Saruda83

    Je découvre ce duo et je suis enchanté.

  • author: Lesley

    I liked all the songs on this cd. Very smooth and easy. Nice music to just sit relax and think! :)

  • Excellence! My newest love!
    author: JollyRogerWilco

    Opener is haunting, Nothing left to Lose is a great Trip Hop track for sure. 8mm reminds me of my other favourite band Portishead, but they are FRESH! This band is set for a break out! Great style, great pedigree, great songs, great singer, great vision! Its a shame sometimes because we want to keep such bands as our own little private pleasures. :) I am awaiting their 9/26/06 new release as well (Songs to Live and Die By). I will not be surprised if I see them performing on the talkshows and their music vdos rotating on the music channels.

  • author: Jenn

    I love this CD enough to buy it twice. I'm guessing it was stolen and if that's so, I can't blame whom ever took it for wanting it that bad.

  • Excellent CD
    author: Shawn Brown

    This CD was very well done. Although there seemed to be a lot of space between songs sometimes (especially in front of the Give It Up song), the CD is very well done.

  • The Best
    author: Cody

    I've been searching for such a band like this. This cd did not disappoint me at all. I just wish there was at least 2-3 more songs, oh well. Great cd.

  • The best artists I've come across in years!! Breathtaking!
    author: Christina Mueller

    8mm's unique style appeals to almost everyone's music prefrence. The lyrics are fabulous and really speak to me on a personal level. Juliette's voice is so haunting yet still so unbelivabily sweet. I look forward to what will be next, I can only assume, it will blow the musical world up!-Thanks Juliette! Cris from WI

  • love it
    author: Donna

    I love the Cd i play it often hope to see a another one sometime soon

  • I'm in Love!!!!
    author: Jason

    I have never been someone who gets all groupy about bands or movie stars, but man I find myself playing the CD about once a day (at least one song off it, track four really rocks! Though, all the tracks on the album really rock, which leads to me ending up listening to the whole album. Considering the lack of good music on the radio I'm sure you can understand). I have played the album for a lot of my friends and have converted them to 8mm listeners, and eagerly await the next album.

  • GREAT!!
    author: angie

    I've been waiting for new music like this!! I've been sharing it with everyone. The only thing I would want, is for the CD to have more songs!! Trust me you won't be disappointed, unless you have bad taste.

  • incredible...
    author: Karl

    I found these guys on myspace, and was instantly hooked. The music AND HER VOICE!!! gives me the chills. It is haunting and VERY sexy. Buy it, you wont regret it.

  • Awesome CD
    author: Ace

    This CD is really good - start to finish. There aren't too many CDs that come out these days that you can listen to all the way through. This CD is one of the few. Very relaxing music imho. BUY IT!

  • Phenomenal.
    author: William Harford

    This EP is outstanding. You will not be disappointed.

  • 8MM IS THE BEST!!!
    author: Jerry

    The CD is awsome!!!. Wish there were a couple of more tracks, but other than that, this CD is playing everytime I get into my car.

  • Elegant vocals, shimmering guitar tones, trip hop beats
    author: bysshe

    This CD is a great addition to anyone's collection who is into Trip Hop. Reminiscent at times of Portishead, Emiliana Torrini, and Hooverphonic. They have their own 1940s nightclub vibe. They are also stellar in live performance, even though they have to rely on a bit of pre-recording since they perform as a duo. The voice is elegant, the guitar tones shimmering, and the beats and sequences well arranged. Well worth checking out.

  • Love It!
    author: Colleen

    I love this cd this is the best... I listen to it everyday. I cant wait for the next one to come out! Im so glad I found them !

  • Lovely tunes
    author: David

    Lovely CD, however, I would love to hear also a faster track.

  • Its haunting and dark, strangely familure
    author: Bohdran

    As soon as I heard Opener I knew it was perfect for myspace. Every one has commented on the music so what else could I do but buy it ! Its a classic.

  • It is imperative to understand that love is blah
    author: Jasin Monday

    Opener - Billy Holiday on heroin with a drum machine. Save Yourself - The politics of Carter copulating with Radiohead... Never Enough - Love at its finest hour. Nothing Left Lose - A dream in a sunken submarine. Crawl - Whiskey at its finest hour. Give It Up - The molecular structure of apathy.

  • It is imperative to understand that love is blah
    author: Jasin Monday

    Opener - Billy Holiday on heroin with a drum machine. Save Yourself - The politics of Carter copulating with Radiohead... Never Enough - Love at its finest hour. Nothing Left Lose - A dream in a sunken submarine. Crawl - Whiskey at its finest hour. Give It Up - The molecular structure of apathy.

  • author: Tracey West

    WOW why aren't these artists top of the charts they have a gift and send shivers down my spine with their deep rich sounds it's pure quality keep it coming

  • Influenced by Portishead, and Aimee Mann.
    author: kimiwan

    But we definately like Portishead and Aimee Mann. It has similar guitar riffs, sprinkled with catchy little piano notes. The feel is brooding, but it's the kind of brooding you want to listen to over and over again... I just got it today and this is my third time listening to it. Can we say yay for overkill boys and girls? (No that's not fake enthusiasm.)

  • author: Maven

    This music makes me feel like a ghost. it is really amazing, somewhat like mazzystar who is also a very talented musician. I am listening to give it up as i write this review. I highly recommend that you get this CD.

  • absolutely amazing
    author: Laura

    This CD is the most amazing i've ever heard. I was hooked the first time i played it now it never leaves my car. I can't get over how great it is.

  • Hauntingly Gorgeous Trip
    author: Brandon aka "le7el"

    Quite an amazing CD really, I found out about this band on Myspace and used their song "Opener" as my background music for a bit. The entire CD is brimming with darkly gorgeous songs and it's quite the mix. Some of the final tracks remind me of Nine Inch Nails in their softer moments but with more class. I recommend this but wish they'd release a full length!

  • A must, MUST have
    author: annette

    If you are a fan of trip hop, this is a must have cd. I have not stopped listening to it since I received it. Lots of times I will receive a CD and there will be a song or two that I don't care for....this isn't the case with this EP. Every song is worth repeat play.

  • author: Joel Goffin (Altamont)

    8mm's "Opener," is a MUST have! Their sophisticated yet down and dirty sound will heal those whose ears have been blistered by the repitition of everyday radio. It's still in my cd player. You'll love it!! And CD BABY is great. I recived 8mm's album within just a few days!

  • Portishead meets massive attack with to much sex appeal
    author: Phillip Rush

    To start with the bad, I belive that the Tracks should have been better orgainzed... Now that the negative is out of the way let me tell you that this cd's Melodic and sexy approach with origonal bass under tones can really set the mood for more then one desirable motovation. I belive Track Six Should be in the next james bond film... as the theme song that is. Either way I belive 8mm has a huge market and I find it hard to belive that they have yet to be signed. I will be contacting them shortly to perform a series of Shows In the Greater bay area. I highly recommend this cd if you like Massive attack, Potishead, radiohead, hooverphonic or garbage (the band)

  • Audio is poor, but buy it anyway!
    author: Uncle Cracker

    8MM is my fav group in the Myspace world. I simply CANNOT WAIT for them to do their first "real" CD. This EP has six songs and the music is superb, minus the one pseudo-rap song that they could have just left off... The audio is another story - sure hope they get decent mastering for the real thing as this has serious defects with harmonic and IM distortion approaching 20 percent at times in some of the songs. Sounds best on small systems (think car audio or walkman) and don't bother playing on your audiophile systems. Still LOVE 8MM. They are the best!

  • a fresh breathe of air in a smoggy music landscape
    author: sixXx

    from first to last, each track is without flaw. this ep never misses a beat. for being downtempo it's such a pick me up. juilettes voice is unmistakable and breathtaking, if a smoky and darklite bar had a voice, it is in hers. sean's guitar style sets the tone for which his muse sets he vocals... one could guess how beautiful an acoustic set from these two could sound like. each track pierces through your core and repeated stabbings are definatly a must. opener is an except trip though the dark.

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