ELEVEN: Howling Book

Eleven

Howling Book

© 2003 Eleven (829757227924)

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Rock trio extraordinaire that blends rock, blues, eastern and classical music into their own blend of alternative music.

tracks

1 Show Me Something
2 Flow Like A River
3 Simple Kiss
4 You're My Diamond
5 Kill Me No More
6 Now Is the Word
7 Howling Book
8 All My Friends
9 Three Voices
10 Hidden
11 No, I Know
12 I Will Drink It All

notes

"We are in musical heaven," read a statement earlier this year from Alain
Johannes, guitarist and vocalist of seminal L.A. rock band Eleven. He was
referring to the homecoming of Jack Irons, who along with Alain and Natasha
Schneider, formed Eleven in 1990. To fans, this wasn't just any ordinary
announcement. It signaled a return to the chemistry and energy that
established Eleven as one of the premier acts of the early nineties.

Of all of the bands to come and go over the last twelve years, Eleven have
not only survived in an ever-changing commercial music landscape, they've
flourished. The critically acclaimed Avantegardedog (2000) was a showcase of
melodic virtuosity that is seldom matched. The sultry, hypnotic vocals of
Natasha Schneider paired with the soaring guitar work of Alain Johannes have
long been a critical part of the blueprint for the Eleven sound. Fellow
luminaries Matt Cameron and Greg Upchurch have each contributed to the
potent paring of Schneider and Johannes over the years, but the soul of
Eleven rests firmly in the synergy between Schneider, Johannes, and Irons.
The same synergy that produced three Eleven classics; Awake in A Dream
(1991), Eleven (1993), and Thunk (1995).

Alain adds, ³When Jack moved back to L.A., we started getting
together...just hanging out and catching up. Then we started writing, and
things felt a lot different. There¹s a musical understanding between us that
allowed a lot of exploration in the music. That exploration really helped us
polarize the sound of our new album.²

Howling Book is the result of their reunion. Described by Alain as more
intuitive, and a less conscious effort than any of their previous records;
Howling Book finds the trio moving in a new, yet somehow familiar direction.
The band delivers 12 songs that are defined by a more dynamic and orchestral
approach than previous efforts. It has been a true labor of love for the
trio, and will surely prove to be what every Eleven album has been; an
expression of the heart and soul in every note, lyric, and breath.

Recorded at home in 11AD, where Schneider and Johannes have worked with such
noteable acts as QOTSA, LIVE, and Chris Cornell, Howling Book is the next
wonderous journey on the road that has brought three lifelong friends
together again to share their musical voice and vision. It will be the first
release on the band¹s new label, Pollen Records. Alain explains, ³Having
Pollen will allow us to invent a new model for music delivery.² As part of
that new model, Eleven is planning to debut Howling Book through an
ambitious and innovative series of live webcasts from their home on the web,
Elevenworld.com. It¹s the next chapter in the story that is Eleven; a band
so full of new beginnings, that one can only hope to never see the end.

reviews

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  • Stunning
    author: neil goddard

    The loss of Natasha Schneider is huge. Her voice is one of the main reasons I love this band so much (along with Alain Johannes deliriously off the wall guitar playing). As much as they are great when they rock out, Eleven really come alive when they smoulder. The interplay of these two distinct voices is astonishingly effective and undoubtedly emotive. The title track is moving beyond words.

  • There is hope after all...
    author: Todd in Raleigh NC

    Howling Book is another Eleven classic. I wasn't a huge fan of their debut "Awake In A Dream" but everything after that to me is golden. "Howling Book" takes their exotic sound to a new level. The results are both rockin' and absolutely gorgeous. I agree with some other reviewers here that fans of Chris Cornell's "Euphoria Morning" (which these guys helped to make great) should immediately check this out. As should any music fan searching for something better. This is it. Thank you Eleven.

  • Quality that is unheard of these days
    author: Justin Hampton

    Summed up in a few short words, Eleven are unlike any other band out there. They are true musicians and craftsmen. The love and passion for their medium is tangable and infectious. Rich in moody texture and steeped in layers of eclectic grooves, this album brings you something new with every listen. Treat yourself to this disc rich with audio goodness. Headphones or surround sound are highly reccomended.

  • This is what music should be!
    author: Todd Quinn

    Lately, I've been on a quest to find a new list of favorite artists to introduce to my friends. Like most people sick of today's pop/commercial music, I had to find something unique, maybe somewhat challenging. This album makes my short list! The creativity that went into the music on this album is outstanding. I love music that mixes styles within the same song and makes use of interesting orchestrations.

  • Melts my guts out
    author: Valerie Spinner

    Wow I was in headphone Heaven today...the recording quality was delicious and the songs Simple Kiss and Diamond (I think) are so great I was like a mush puddle afterwards...some slower music at the end- very melodic and moody..but awesome!!

  • Not Their Best But Still Great
    author: Fresh Tuneage

    At last, the amazing Eleven has released their new album, Howling Book. Actually, it appears that it was released late last year but I didn't find out about it until a few weeks ago (a peril of being an independent, I'm afraid, is that even your big fans may not know when you've released something). Rock and roll the way I like it (well, one of the ways): hooks and brains and musicianship. Jack Irons, their original drummer (also the Chili Peppers' original drummer) who left to spend time in Pearl Jam, is back in the fold. Don't expect to see Eleven on tour, though, as frontman Alain Johannes is spending time in Queens of the Stone Age and they are working on their next album. Did I mention Alain and Natasha worked on Chris Cornell's Euphoria Morning, one of my favorite albums (are you taking notes on all this?). Back to Eleven. Check out Show Me Something. I wouldn't say it's their strongest album but anytime Eleven puts out an album the music world is a better place.

  • Simply the best!
    author: Max & Piggy & Nana (Australia)

    Eleven are simply the best! We love the way these guys use their voices, the guitars, the amazingly poetic words, the ultra-clever way the songs are put together and that deep groove. (yo, Jack!) PS: And PLEASE, can the folks at ElevenWorld (re)release "Eleven" and "Thunk" on CD Baby? THANK YOU!

  • exceptional cd
    author: David

    im a recent fan, since THUNK.... and this cd is great, eleven consistently puts out great, original music. im amazed at the range of styles they can cover from one album to another...

  • A Warmer Eleven
    author: Edward

    Why this band isn't as revered as Radiohead, I'll never know. They've consistently written great, inventive songs, but no one outside of Los Angeles has heard of them. Maybe it's because they've come off as a bit cold in the past. Not really a negative, it's just that they've never sounded "inviting." Until now, that is. "Howling Book" is just as good as anything they've done (on par with the awesome "Avantegardedog"), but much more intimate. It's not as "riffy" as their early work, but energetic, none-the-less. Alain is one of the best guitarists I've ever heard, yet he never show-boats. Natasha still sound like a vampire queen, but on this disc, she doesn't sound as distant as in the past. I can't wait to hear these songs live!

  • author: CD Baby

    Right out of the gate, Eleven bombards and overwhelms the senses with hit after smack after kick of winning rock songs. One of the bands who never got a chance to break through in the grunge era but came close and was as deserving as any, they were also the backing band on Chris Cornell's solo cd; and you can hear the similarity. They use every ounce of their collective creativity efficiently and take it to the max with an assault of song after song of insistent, bold and outspoken emotion. Any fan of Stone Temple Pilots, Audioslave or Pearl Jam needs to take note.

  • Another great album from a 'superunknown' band!
    author: Tibor Kovacs

    I first heard of Eleven via Chris Cornell's brilliant solo album, so I bought Anvantgardedog and now Howling Book. Howling Book is the the best representation of Eleven's characteristic writing. If you listen to Cornell's solo album & Avantegardedog you can hear their style evolving into Howling Book. A beautiful album but where to next....? Hopefully their style won't become just a another writing formula and their music will continue to evolve.

  • STILL THE BEST SONGWRITERS IN THE US!
    author: Sophie, England

    Every time you listen to an Eleven album you feel like you have known all their songs all your life. Alain and Natasha are definitely the best songwriters of this new century and their style is unmistakable! Would that be my French/Russian ancestry speaking? Kill Me No More... My Howling Book... All My Friends: real gems!...

  • Torchy... Gritty... ROCKING
    author: Bruce Lomet (CHINASKI)

    From torchy and gritty, through gentle and sad, to rocking heaviness, Natasha's and Alain's vocals are seductive, soulful, strong, and wicked. Likewise, Alain's guitar playing. "Kill Me No More" is a stand-out track. "Show Me Something" is sultry, edgy, and percussive. This is a lush, mature album by consummate musicians and songwriters. How this band can have been around so long and put out so many good records and not achieved star status is beyond me.

  • brilliant rock blues eastern classical funky alternative rock gems
    author: roberts stonka

    Howling Book rocks. From the devastating soul of the title track and Simple Kiss, to the all out rock of All My Friends and Flow Like A River, HB is a gem. You're My Diamond and Hidden are my favorites. HB is another chapter in the book of Eleven. Natashas' vocals are deep and sultry, and Alain's guitars are other-wordly...reminds me of if Brian May had George Harrison over for tea and jam. HB is some of their best work in an uncompromising career.

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