ALWAYS THE RUNNER: Always the Runner

Always the Runner

Always the Runner

© 2004 Always the Runner (829757706627)

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Always the Runner is a triumphant instrumental band from Baton Rouge,LA.

notes

Always the Runner is an instrumental band developed by four young gentlemen who thought it necessary to do something different from their peers. Their brand of rock and roll is characterized by a twin guitar attack, supported by bass, drums, keyboards, and other electronic elements. The band drew their name from the work experiences of one of those guitar wielders, a chap who felt that his boss took advantage of his willingness to step above and beyond his normal duties. He reported to his future band mates over beers, "They got me a' goin' on all these errands. Shoot, I'm Always the Runner." Shortly after it's' incarnation, AtR entered the studio to record the first demo. From these sessions came the two-song EP "I Thought I'd Find You Here", made available on the bands website www.alwaystherunner.com and at performances. The band will enter the studio once again in January '04, but this time to record the first full length album. It is easy to say that with the new album, AtR's listeners will be taken on a journey. Where that journey will lead, we can't know. Some things you just have to wait for. None of the band's members are new to the game, so to speak. They've all played and toured in bands for years, slugging it out in a vicious Baton Rouge scene, a scene that thrives on destroying the dreams of the young, a scene that washes over you with silt and scum and throws you to the side like the Mighty Mississippi itself. Always the Runner has shared bills with many notable artists in its short existence up to this point. These acts include, but are not limited to; Jealous Sound, Mock Orange, The Appleseed Cast, Communiqué, Hey Mercedes, Mae, The Mercury Program, Oranges Band, Staring Back, Armor for Sleep, The Forms, The Six Parts Seven, The Summer Hymn, The Stereo, and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. They are currently playing regionally with plans of touring in early 2004. They are here to rock you.

www.alwaystherunner.com

reviews

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  • Definitely an EP worthy of a spin, and definitely a band to keep your eyes on fo
    author: Brent Diaz

    Always The Runner: s/t EP (Myla Records, 2004) Always the Runner is an intriguing band that plays mainly instrumental, cinematic rock that combines elements of dreampop and math rock…. Now, before you roll your eyes and say “Not another “instrumental” band”, please read on! Granted, the music world is chock full of uninteresting bands that play boring instrumental music, trying to pass their tedious offerings as off as “artistique”. But, don’t let that fact prevent you from experiencing sublime music that IS interesting. On their self-titled EP release, Always the Runner succeeds in rising above the glut of dull instrumental bands to create a collection of fresh, well-played songs that sound inspired and energetic. Always the Runner begins with “A Falconer’s Prayer”, one of the two songs on the 6 song, 32 minute EP that features vocals. The male vocalist here, oddly enough perhaps, reminds me a tiny bit of Bono from U2, though Chad Favre vocals are noticeably more gruff than Bono’s. Perhaps it’s the passionate yet polished delivery of the vocals that cause me to make this comparison, but I will say that that Favre is not a direct or blatant imitation of the Irish singer. “A Falconer’s Prayer” is a good introduction to Always the Runner’s sound, with its angular guitar lines, droning keys, and crisp drumming. In their songwriting and musical elements, the band reminds one of a more energetic Early Day Miners, a more accessible Unwed Sailor, or perhaps a less aggressive Appleseed Cast. “Speaking of Palominos” follows, with effected guitar lines vaguely reminiscent of a cross between Early Day Miners and The Autumns in their In the Russet…era. The song is structured in a way that tells a story (albeit a vague, musical story), meaning that even without vocals, the song has direction and purpose. With buried keys again supporting the main guitar lines, “Speaking of Palominos” sounds full and well integrated. “Telling Lies Over Lattes” also combines elements of dreamy rock again, as it features gorgeous effected guitars washing over piano and the ever solid drumming of Favre (the technical and tasteful work of Favre on the drums is a shining feature of the band through the whole of Always the Runner). At about the 4 minute mark of “Telling Lies Over Lattes”, the song decrescendos to silence, only to erupt in a soaring rock explosion. Moments like these give the listener the impression that Always the Runner would be an excellent live band, and even on CD, their performance sounds inspired and energetic. “Let’s See If You Bastards Can Do 90!” showcases the band harder side, as they rock out in a more defined math-rock style. The song hits harder, and contrasts nicely with “Not What Jesus Would Have Done”, the EP’s soft, atmospheric closer that features wonderful and exotic sounds coating the buried vocals of Favre. All in all, Always the Runner is a very promising first release from this young band. With excellent playing, good song writing, terse production, attractive artwork, and an well-designed website, Always the Runner proves itself as a band who is serious about their art. And good thing, too, because they have much to offer fans of pseudo-instrumental music. Definitely an EP worthy of a spin, and definitely a band to keep your eyes on for the future. Fans of Unwed Sailor, Appleseed Cast. , Early Day Miners, The Autumns, or perhaps Ok Computer-era Radiohead would enjoy this disc. Added: Thursday, May 20, 2004 Reviewer: Brent Score: 4 of 5

  • Great, great little EP.
    author: Kent Walter

    Always the Runner Myla Records Always the Runner, a band comprised of four guys from Baton Rouge, is great. I should get right to it, I figured. No wasting time. Check this band out. Almost entirely instrumental rock music that is very pretty and melodic and epic. And I mean epic in the cool arena sort of way with delay and tremolo and guitars providing the big sound they should. Climactic in every song, always melodic, and very, very big. Always the Runner is not trying to follow around the current crop of "epic, mostly instrumental bands." In fact, if all were right in the world, they would be leading most of them around. Great, great little EP. Key track: "Don't Kill the Messenger" (the guitars at the end are PERFECT) Reviewed by: Kent Walter

  • author: loconotion

    I'm not sure if there is a gigantic increase in instrumental bands these days or if I'm just noticing them more, but here's another one: Always the Runner. The band is fairly new to the scene with this their first album not counting a two-song EP released a few months ago. Out of the recent instrumental bands I've reviewed (Unwed Sailor, Questions in Dialect, Mono, and Explosions in the Sky if you were keeping count), Always the Runner is a bit more accessible. While there is an atmospheric element to be found here, the music strongly rests in an ability to rock out. A quick listen to the six-song, 32-minute album is enough to be convinced that this band should be able to put on a fine live show. Despite the fact that technically the band is instrumental, the album opener "A Falconer's Prayer" has some vocals as does the closing "Don't Kill the Messenger." "A Falconer's Prayer" gets the album off to an introspective start before the band takes the opportunity to prove their worth on "Speaking of Palaminos." It's the song "Telling Lies Over Lattes" that sticks out over the rest of the album in terms of musical breadth. When it comes to creative song titles, though, it's hard to beat "Let's See If Those Bastards Can Do 90" and "Not What Jesus Would Have Done." All in all, this is a solid debut for the band. They're going to have to do quite a bit to stick out from the rest of the crowd in their genre, however. There are some signs here that make me think they can, but it's something they'll have to work hard for. 7 out of 10. www.loconotion.net

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