AM: TROUBLED TIMES

AM

TROUBLED TIMES

© 2009 Edgecliffe Music (ASCAP) (898458001621)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Currently on sale for only $5. Itunes named Troubled Times "Best Indie Album of the Year". A sound described as "instantly classic" by the LA Weekly, look out for AM's songs "Playing the Game" on ABC's "Men in Trees", "Gone Away" on HBO's "Big Love", and

notes

When KCRW started playing AM's demos, moviemakers and television music supervisors starting calling. All 10 songs made it into films and television shows before the cd was ever available. For a limited time we have put AM's debut album on sale for only $5.

AM brings a new twist to pop music, following in the footsteps of other less obvious pop icons such as Beck, Wilco, and The Flaming Lips. Above all it is AM's uncanny ability for writing perfect acoustic-pop hooks and his soothing voice that really sell this wonderful debut record. From Americana to folk-rock, AM's songs weave multiple variations of the pop medium with the richness of southern sounds.

Long gone are the days when you could reach over and tune into a soft rock station on the AM dial in your auto. Long stretching old American steel just passing by. Do yah remember the glisten of real chrome bumpers flashing sunspots in your eyes as yah travel down the highway? Something’s remind me of those moments, the days of making out in the back of late 70’s Cougars, the moments when you were running past your curfew. AM turns back the timeline and makes the older days sound youthful again. With just a few essential instruments like bass, drums and guitars they help replay in the mind a familiar sounding voice. The tracks take me back to better days, softer moments and a time when worries were something uncommon. AM makes the world seem complete and I’d like to put him on my 8-track player and press repeat.â (DJ Radionic) –Crater-tech

At this point, all 10 songs have been placed 75 times and can be been heard in movies and television shows, including AM's song "Playing The Game" in ABC's "Men In Trees", Gone Away in the eighth episode of Tom Hank's HBO original series "Big Love” (now airing in the UK on Channel 5 on Monday nights at 10pm), Mainstay and “Playing The Game” in ABC's "What About Brian?", and the songs "Losing You", "Playing The Game", and "Mainstay" in three seasons of MTV’s "The Real World". AM’s songs can also be heard in the Sundance Festival film "Dreamland" (with Gina Gershon)which is now available on DVD and the film "The Naked Ape" which premiered at the Vail International Film Festival. Listen to "Playing The Game" in the sequel to "The Butterfly Effect".
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As heard on KCRW's 'Morning Becomes Eclectic', on WERS, WXPN...and many other AAA stations & college radio stations..

All of AM's cd's can be found at his official online store at www.theconnextion.com/am.

AM's new cd SOUL VARIATIONS is on pre-selling on CDbaby right now... check it out at www.cdbaby.com/cd/amsounds

and also AM's new acoustic EP ENDINGS ARE BEGININGS!
This is AM's debut album....TROUBLED TIMES.

Live versions of AM's songs are also available on iTunes-- Live from KCRW and Live from Boston's WERS.

iTunes Best Indie Albums of the Year 2006
Singer/Songwriter
1. Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins Rabbit Furcoat
2. Alexi Murdoch Time Without Consequence
3. AM Troubled Times
4. Jose Gonzalez Veneer
5. Josh Rouse Subtitulo
6. Neko Case Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
7. Brett Dennen So Much More
8. Gus Black Autumn Days
9. Sufjan Stevens The Avalanche- Outakes and…
10. M. Craft Silver and Fire
11. Tina Dico In The Red
12. Joanna Newsom YS
13. Ane Brun A Temporary Dive
14. Beth Waters This Little Piggy
15. Carey Ott Lucid Dream
16. Fink Biscuits For Breakfast
17. Leigh Nash Blue on Blue
18. Rocky Votolato Makers
19. Tunng Comments of the Inner Chorus
20. Aidan Hawken Pillows & Records


Though impossible to Google--type in "AM" and you'll see-- AM goes by his initials and is happy to be discovered by those who rock the internet looking for him. Common searches for AM: A.M. , AM singer, AM band, AM the band, music for AM, AM CD, AM sounds.

AM has also shared the stage with such notable acts as The Flaming Lips, Duran Duran, Gary Jules, Rhett Miller, Michael Penn, G. Love & Special Sauce, The Wreckers (Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp), Better Then Ezra, and Amy Correia (Lakeville/Nettwerk), and Glen Tilbrook (former Squeeze songsmith).

AM's second album is 'Soul Variations'. Sign up for the mailing list to find out when AM will be touring your city. (Don't worry we don't spam!)

New Album "Future Sons And Daughters" to be released 2009. Search AM Sounds on Facebook to add AM as a friend.

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Song placements in film and television for AM's album include: HBO's "Big Love", two songs on ABC's "What About Brian", MTV's "Real World", ABC's "Life As We Know It", film sequel to "The Butterfly Effect", indie film "Naked Ape", and the 2006 Sundance Festival film "Dreamland, and the indie film "FLAKES" which was shot in New Orleans pre-Katrina.
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Check AM's myspace page at www.myspace.com/amsounds to find out when AM will be touring in your city.

Those on the mailing list
hear it first--so sign up today on AM's MYSPACE page at
www.myspace.com/amsounds
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QUOTES
"This artist has been compared to Beck and Coldplay and we can hear some REM references creeping in. Whether it’s AM or PM this artist deserves some of your time...and he is set to find a new audience in the UK."
-THE HIT SHEET(UK)

"AM sounds like a mixture of Paul Simon and David Bowie."-GARY JULES

"...AM takes equal parts of classic Americana, folk-rock and pop, and melts them down into something entirely his own, and he does it with two things money can't buy: imagination and taste. These sturdily built pop songs are graced with ingeniously colorful arrangements and have that'instant classic' thing stamped all over them..." -John Payne, LA WEEKLY

"Muted electric guitar and understated, Beck-like vocals pave the road into AM’s musical world. Once you’re firmly rooted, he’ll hit you with the one-two punch of well-crafted songs and unbeatable melodies. “Troubled Times” features a well-placed piano line over the standard bass, drums, electric guitar and synth. “So Lonely” begins with a funky beat and interplay between acoustic and electric guitar; three-part harmonies and a wah-wah pedal offer support. Overall, the album demonstrates how great pop can be. AM has a real sense of how to set a chorus, and each one glistens and sparkles with extra instruments, synth pads and hooky guitar lines. With talent like this, we’ll surely see AM climb the ranks to the top." -PERFORMING SONGWRITER

"...could fit airplay on both contemporary rock and country radio stations. A clear, expressive voice similar to the style of James Taylor prevails when AM is performing solo. ...AM’s material provides deep soulful insights. "(Laura Phillips) -MUSIC CONNECTION

"With a debut album filled with songs that are laid-back while maintaining a lyrical bite... AM sounds like a cross between Mutations-era Beck and Pete Yorn and like them, he borrows liberally from country and rock, coming up with music that's a little bit different and not easily defined. He also mixes elements of folk and Americana with tight arrangements and stark lyrical content... AM's sound is a mix of genres and styles, and is apparently influenced a great deal by oldies radio, to good effect. All the songs are produced in an eerily similar way to those found on Pete Yorn's debut, with effects soaked percussion and multi-layered guitars. Over all, AM is a solid performer and album." (Beren Huett) -WEST COAST PERFORMER

"AM's strong sense of melody and song craft made him a stand-out at our unsigned act series, Billboard Underground: Live from the Knitting Factory. Though he's unsigned for now, we know that won't be the case for long."
-Billboard
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Gone Away Lyrics, Losing You Lyrics, Mainstay Lyrics-- all lyrics can be found on AM's MYSPACE page at www.myspace.com/amsounds in the archived blogs....you'll have to dig a little...or below.
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If you like any of these artists, you will be interested in AM:
Beck, John Martyn, Coldplay, Wilco, Pete Yorn, Jack Johnson, Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, REM, Iron and Wine, Flaming Lips, U2, David Gray, Josh Ritter, Gary Jules, Carole King, John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, David Bowie, T-Rex, The Eagles, The Byrds, My Morning Jacket, Paul Simon, James Blunt, Carly Simon, Jorge Ben, Dave Mathews, Ray Lamontagne, Jason Mraz, Duncan Sheik, Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, Danielle Lanoise, James Taylor, KT Tunstall, Cat Power, Dido, Beth Orton, Corrine Bailey Rae, David Gray, The Fray, Magnet, AM, Jose Gonzalez, Tina Dico, Herb Alpert, Sia, Ben Harper, The Fray, Jenny Lewis, Regina Spectre, Sheryl Crow, Teddy Geiger, Sufjan Stevens, Norah Jones, Alexi Murdoch, Jon Brion, Aimee Mann, Keith Urban, David Gray, Belle & Sebastian, Ray La Montagen, Damien Rice, Daniel Powter, Ryan Adams, Zero 7, The Wreckers, Imogen Heap, Jewel, Michelle Branch, Amos Lee, Bob Dylan, Neko Case, Tegan and Sarah, Gordon Lightfoot, Ani Defranco, Elliott Smith, Emmy Lou Harris, John Denver, The Pogues, Donovan, Tim Hardin, Josh Rouse, Eva Cassidy, John Prine, Peter Paul & Mary, Lucinda Williams, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Ian and Sylvia, Rilo Kiley, Grandaddy etc.

AM is heavily influenced by his cd collection which includes:
Beck, Wilco, The Flaming Lips, U2, Coldplay, Jeff Buckley, Italian soundtracks, anything Brazillian, 60's and 70's rock, Stereolab, Nick Drake, Stevie Wonder, anything from Mowtown, New Orleans music, The Spinners, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Gary Jules, The Beach Boys, Tom Petty, The Byrds, Simon and Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Tamba 4, Sergio Mendez, Gabor Szabo, James Brown, Cal Tjader, Jorge Ben, Ennio Morricone, David Axelrod, Sonny and Cher, The Police, The Eagles, McCoy Tyner, Grant Green, Johnny Cash, The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, Jackson Brown, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno and so much more.
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Listeners on Itunes also bought: Couting Crows, Zero 7, Keane, Alexi Murdoch, Guster, Rock Kills Kid, Gorillaz, Mono Taxi, The 88, Ashton Allen, The Stepbrothers, Ben Harper, Etienne de Rocher, Carety Ott, Death Cab for Cutie, Collin Hay, Coldplay, Daniel Powter, Fall Out Boy, Mike Doughty, Feist, Hot Hot Heat, Bright Eyes, Caesars, Kelly Clarkson, Magnet, AM Sixy, Foo Fighters, Modest Mouse, Snow Patrol, Finely Quaye, Jeff Buckley, Joe Strummer, Journey, Foreigner, Chumbawamba, Jason Fioto, Keith Varon, Caleb Kane, Light FM, Lou Barlow Andrew Bird, Cruiserwieght, Five TImes August, Tracy Spuehler, The Lift, Macha, Moco, Rachael Yamagata, Eleni Mandell, The Damnwells...
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Check out AM's other cd, the "MAINSTAY REMIX" which also includes the Mainstay music video. Click on AM's 5 song REMIX EP. www.amsounds.com www.myspace.com/amsounds.


******LYRICS FOR TROUBLED TIMES

GONE AWAY

I sit around
Nothing’s the same
I’m looking for answers
But I’m already late

You say you need me
One more night’
Then you’re packing your bags
Saying it’s all right

I don’t know why
I wait and I wait
I’m looking for something
But you’re not gonna change

Turn around and I see the hope fading
Now you’ve gone away

Keep on moving like you’re so unaware
You’re looking for answers but you’re already there
You see the road but you don’t the way
You’re coming around and then you’re pulling away

i don’t know why I wait and I wait
I’m looking for something but you’re not gonna change

Turn around and I see the hope fading
Now you’ve gone away


PLAYING THE GAME

Give me something to talk about
Take your time
Tell me something to do without
I’ll wait in line
I don’t know
What to say
Move along
Anyway
Take it slow
Lonely road
Is the path
That I seem to follow

All I want to do is be true to my ways
Leaning back and forward we’re playing the game
All this pain I’ve cause you I know it by name
Taking this ticket walking away

Taking all that has come and gone
You know we’re wrong

Watching everyone hum along
We’re still untold

Fall in love
Let it go
I don’t know
What it’s for
Take a stand
Falling down
Dig on in
Cuz it’s all that you’ve got now


TROUBLED TIMES

Waiting
You sit alone
Feelings have all faded
You’re wondering why you have stayed
You’re looking for some answers
Hoping there’s some other way
Just tell me when you’re ready
We’ll get you far far away
Far from these troubled times

Looking at the way you stand and fall
Seems like everything you’ve had is gone
Tell me that you’ve heard this all before
I’ll say it anyway

Leave this
You’ve seen that road
Just find another city
Get this out of your way
You’re hiding out wondering
How to get rid of this pain
You talk a bunch of nothing
Seems so easy to see
You’ve seen enough troubled times


SO LONELY

You once asked me
Why did I do it
Wasn’t nothing to it I found
Cuz you stole me
Thinking you owned me
But you’re so lonely now
And you were worried
Making up stories
Hoping I would be out
And you ruled me
Saying what would be
Now I just see you around

I’ll tell you something
You’re not gonna win this time because I’m through
You’re good for nothing
You saw right through me I don’t think you knew
Who the hell I was

And I was waiting
Thinking you were changing
Hoping you’d turn this around
But you were faking
Hanging on maybe
Now you’re just lost in the crowd
And you fooled me
Saying you knew me
You were just keeping me down
And you were crazy
Thinking you’d change me
Now I’m just walking on out


RUNNING AWAY

Did I tell you I knew your name
But it seems that I’ve lost it
Did I tell you it’s my own game
This is not your problem

I don’t know if I’m gonna change
Wasting time and another day

I keep running away
Even from the good things

DId I tell you it’s not that bad
Sitting over here dreaming
Did I tell you I’m right on track
This time I mean it

I don’t know if I’m gonna change
Wasting time and another day

I keep running away
Even from the good things


MAINSTAY

I don’t mean to tell you something about you
But you’re looking unsettled
Lone riders pulling all nighters
But you’re always nice and steady
Weigh stations got your troubles parading
But the problems never seem to hang on
Unabated so you must have been hated
Everybody’s got to clean up faking

I don’t wanna tell you cuz you’re looking that way
Fine tooth combing everyone that you know
Sit around and wonder how you keep up the mainstay
Take a look around can you fight this feeling

You’re fine looking but it seems you’re undusted
Have you anything to say
And roads traveled are desires unsaddled
But you’re going all the way
And I’ve fallen so you say that I’m wasted
But you’re moving on and doing nothin’
You’re losing faith in all the things that you’ve tasted
Don’t you know what you’re missing


CITY SYNDROME

Looking out at the city so bright
Not sure if it’s imagined or real
Show me something that you’d always want to hide
And then we’ll get away
You always wanted to say what you feel
But all those right hands keep telling you wrong
Got another who’s just stepping on your heels
Got to get away
Get away from

All these troubled and all of these lies
Find yourself a reason
Leave tonight
Take your chances
Feeling alright
And then we’ll fade away
Fade away tonight

Helpless highways looking alone
Seen nothing but the worst of your times
All in all it ‘s got you climbing up the walls
You gotta get away
Get away from

All these troubled and all of these lies
Find yourself a reason
Leave tonight
Take your chances
Feeling alright
And then we’ll fade away
Fade away tonight


WAYSIDE

It’s hard to come back when you’re far from home
Up all night with all that I’ve ever known
Wish I could give you things that you need
Wish I could need you but I walk alone

But I sit by the wayside
Feeling all that I’ve lost and found
We’ re so incomplete
But I know
I know I’ll never come around
But I’ve got you on my mind

Try to catch up but I fall behind
Too busy checking out what’s on the side
Wish I could tell you what you want to hear
Wish I could tell you that it’s all a lie

But I sit by the wayside
Feeling all that I’ve lost and found
We’ re so incomplete
But I know
I know I’ll never come around
But I’ve got you on my mind


HOME

Waiting for the sun to rise
Was it something I said
Feeling all that is right and wrong
Mixing up in my head
Won’t you just let me come around
Cuz you know that I can
Bring me back to just what I know
A home
I’m alone

All troubled pass in time
And we can make it through
You tell me that it’s not what I say
But what I can do
I can’t make it alone
I want to come home

Blinded by these city lights
Now they just got in the way
And it’s so lonely this evening town
It makes no sense anyway
Now it’s what you say that I’m riding on
Cuz all those times I let you down
You were there to stay

All troubles pass in time
And we can make it through
You tell me that it’s not what I say
But what I can do
I can’t make it alone
I want to come home


LOSING YOU

I saw a road that had no end
I wanted you
So I followed it
And what you take is what you should give
But the stories came
And the stories went
I gave so much of myself to you
But that’s alright
I wanted to
Nothing learned don’t know what to do
There’s no lesson here
I’m losing you

Now you wanted nothing we talked about
I thought I had
You figured out
I had so much to give you now
I was sure of you
But you had your doubts
Now don’t you worry you’re not to blame
I’ve been on your side
Playing those games
Now you’re just in a different place
There’s nothing left
Let’s walk away

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Wrote the lyrics out for all those looking for them...

Please make sure to leave a comment!

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PRESS RELEASE 2007

AM PERFORMING AT ASCAP SHOWCASE SXSW 2007,
Borders Books Stores, Starbucks and Coca-Cola Featuring AM,
Debut CD Troubled Times named
iTunes “Best Indie Album of the Year”,
and Announcing West Coast Tour Dates

AM will be performing at the ASCAP showcase at South By Southwest Music Festival 2007 (SXSW) on Saturday, March 17th with more party performances TBA. Itunes named AM’s debut album Troubled Times “Best Indie Album of the Year. Borders Books chose Troubled Times to showcase in their listening stations in all nationwide locations in February, March and April 2007. Starbucks has just added AM to their in-store music playlist of 5,000 stores across the country. AM will be touring the West Coast with Brian Vander Ark formerly the frontman and principle songwriter of The Verve Pipe at the end of February/beginning of March.

Last year, AM performed at the KCRW SXSW showcase as the only unsigned act on the bill. After entertaining several offers, AM licensed his first album to NYC indie label Defend Music (Caroline Distribution). AM’s second album Soul Variations is currently being shopped for licensing for a 2007 release.

All 10 songs from AM’s debut album Troubled Times were placed in film and television shows (26 song placements to date) including HBO's 'Big Love"', MTV's 'Real World', and ABC's ‘What About Brian’—all before singer/ songwriter AM released his debut album into record stores just three months ago on October 31, 2006 on Defend Music. From the opening seconds of Troubled Times, you’ll hear a compelling blend of rock, Alt-Americana, and eclectic pop which lends to the unique quality of AM’s sound. AM recently completed a stint of Northeast dates with singer/songwriter Rhett Miller, opened a sold out show for the famed rockers Better Than Ezra, as well as country sensation, The Wreckers (Michelle Branch), and performed on the main stage in his home town of New Orleans at the Voodoo Music Festival with The Flaming Lips. In February 2007, Coca-Cola will feature AM as the artist of the month. A syndicated television concert special will feature AM’s Jeep Sponsored West Coast Tour.

AM has built a solid base within the Los Angeles area with air play on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” and is charting on AAA/college radio stations across the country. Recently, AM was featured on iTunes as the “Indie Artist Spotlight,” of the week, and as a MySpace.com featured artist. AM has also received accolades from, LA Weekly, who named him the Best Singer/Songwriter of the Year at the LA Weekly Music Awards, West Coast Performer, Music Connection, and others. AM is supported by Gibson Guitar and will be playing his Gibson J-45.

For more information on AM, please visit www.myspace.com/amsounds or www.amsounds.com or email info@amsounds.com

reviews

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  • Wonderful music by a wonderful person
    author: Samantha

    The whole cd is perfect from the first song to the last. There arn't many cds that I can sit all the way through and this is one of them. AM is a wonderful person and it shows up in his music. If you havn't added this cd to your collection yet, you need to.

  • Intelligent, thoughtful and so well written. TIMELESS
    author: Bill Jacobs- Seattle

    Now a part of my cd collection. This is the type of music one is proud to won and support.

  • :0)
    author: Lupe

    I love love love your cd!

  • really really lovely cd
    author: shar, nyc

    this is a brilliant record, take a listen and get it

  • I NEVER GET TIRED OF LISTENING TO THIS CD! IT ROCKS!
    author: Casey, NYC

    It's rare that you buy a CD and ALL of the songs are great---but EVERY song on this CD speaks to me! I never write these reviews...but I had to share it with everyone!

  • Amazing!
    author: Matty

    Such a great voice and incredible mix of folk/rock with a Southern twist. Exactly what I was looking for!

  • Awesome
    author: Kaity

    awesome cd so glad i bought it... it's amazing y'all should check it out

  • FABULOUS!
    author: Alyssa

    After catching a few seconds of "Losing You" on MTV's Real World, I ran to my computer to search for the lyrics, song, and artist on the Internet. I could only come up with AM's website and myspace.com page, but I was hooked after hearing further songs! I am not one to buy many CDs (yes I am a jerk and I download a lot of music), but I just HAD to get this one! AM rocks my world and the CD is on permanent repeat in my CD player! =)

  • A tasty treat
    author: Tara

    My roommate had this disc in while I was napping. I heard the first two songs, got out of bed right then, and ordered the CD. It's yummy...waiting for more.

  • SO glad I bought it
    author: Tia

    I bought this CD after hearing about the first 15 seconds of one song b/c it was recommended by CD Baby...and I'm SO glad I did. AM is overwhelmingly talented!

  • AMAZING!!!!
    author: Tyler

    Hands down an absolutly amazing CD. It is all i have been listening to, and im blown away it is only his first.

  • Great sound, excellent instrumentation.
    author: MARGIE

    AM has a unique voice that illustrates the lyrics wonderfully. The exceptional ability of the musicians underscores the entire cd. An all around pleasurable listening experience.

  • An extremely accomplished debut.
    author: Tony C.

    Even though "AM" is the artist's initials, it's a fitting title for this record, which would be quite at home crackling out of an old truck radio rolling down a dusty, deserted highway to parts unknown. At the same time, this record is of a quality one would expect from an artist 3 or 4 albums into their career. All the necessary elements are here--exceptional songwriting, a brilliant sense of melody, and solid production. AM's subtle instrumentation and effects unfold with each subsequent listen. Check the piano in the chorus of uptempo track "Troubled Times" or the delicate guitar echo in "Playing The Game", and get lost in the expanse of the slower “Runnin’ Away”, to name a few. "AM" is what good pop music should sound like. This record is the aural equivalent of a favorite dinner--eminently satisfying, and you'll keep going back for more.

  • AM's music is refreshing and thought provoking
    author: Erin

    AM's CD is refreshing and thought provoking. The songs are obviously coming from the heart, and there is a great blend of pop, rock, and folk. The more upbeat songs complement the beautiful, slower, more soul searching tracks. Home is my personal favorite. Home has all the elements that make a song work and evokes so many emotions every time I listen to it.

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