Pope Factory
Hibernation Generation
© 2001 Muha/Warren Music (624193271711)
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Psychedelic pop songs with hooks that aren't beaten to death
tracks
- 1 Another Long Day Pt I
- 2 Dividing My Time
- 3 Cul-de-Sac
- 4 Love The Bomb
- 5 High Wire Nerves
- 6 All You Destroy
- 7 Big Blue
- 8 Groove Tonic
- 9 Ceiling For A Sky
- 10 Another Long Day Pt II
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notes
Rock and Roll's not dead, it's just not sure what face to wear. Alternative rock, psychedelic rock, stoner rock? In this age of fragmented musical genres, Pope Factory remembers what it is to be a rock band.
Unencumbered with concerns of fitting into the musical stalls of today's commercial market, Pope Factory have been crafting well conceived, well executed songs from their inception. Although small in it's scale, their self-titled debut EP in 1999 was met with critical praise within the indie music scene. Ultimately, back-to-back showcases at the 1999 and 2000 CMJ Music Marathon in New York City resulted in Pope Factory's first exposure to the US market; no small coup for an independent Canadian band.
Buoyed by the success of their initial foray into the music biz, Pope Factory worked hard and played extensively in and around their home base of Toronto for a number of months before responding to demand for a new album. Closing the factory doors, the band shut down their psychedelic live show and returned to their first love; the studio.
One of the things that makes Pope Factory such a unique and interesting band is their unwavering commitment to maintaining complete control over the making of their albums. From owning and operating their own top-flight recording equipment to the creation of all original album and poster artwork; the band has a profound belief in crafting an album as opposed to the more financially oriented avenue of manufacturing product. To that end, Pope Factory locked themselves away in their studio in the Spring of 2000 to begin work on the record which was to become their new release: Hibernation Generation.
Produced and engineered by bassist/keyboardist Peter Muha, the album took eight months to write and record. Founded on the ambitious, conceptual songwriting of both vocalist/guitarist Scott Warren and Peter Muha and augmented with excellent performances by drummer Andre Skinner and lead guitar player Phil Crechiolo, the result is some of the best conceptual album-oriented rock today.
With a record release date of May 30th 2001, Pope Factory are busy making preparations for their US tour. Beginning with Buffalo NY in June, the tour will cover venues throughout the US and is scheduled to continue well into 2002. Bringing their psychedelic stage show with them and performing 'Hibernation Generation' in it's entirety, the upcoming tour may prove to be the most challenging and ambitious band endeavor to date.
To find out when and where Pope Factory will be playing or to contact the band, visit them at www.popefactory.com
reviews
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way cool
author: garynice , rolling psy music, cuts need to bo longer thou.
If you don't have this album, you SHOULD!
author: Flush MagazinePope Factory is a Canadian neo-prog-rock group that most of you have probably never heard of. But if you're reading this, you've heard of them NOW, and you should get this album. It's a great one. Is it possible to call something "restrained prog-rock?" Is that an oxymoron? This foursome displays incredible tastefulness and subtlety, along with delicate shadings of emotion, on a record that nonetheless aims for - and hits - some of the same sonic heights as groups like Radiohead, Coldplay and Travis. They also at times evoke mid-period Pink Floyd (particularly the softer Dave Gilmour tracks), Barclay James Harvest and a host of other '70s progressives. But there is a smooth, well-produced consistency to HIBERNATION GENERATION, their second release, that is a minor miracle to these ears. Scott Warren deserves huge credit for singing in a sweet, almost shy manner that, even when rising to a falsetto, avoids bombast at all cost. I'm not sure if he layers his voice or blends it with Peter Muha, who is credited with bass, vocals, keyboards and guitar (as well as the album's production, perhaps his grandest contribution here). But the result is enormously satisfying. And let's not forget to mention Phil Crechiolo, the other guitarist, and drummer Andre Skinner (who, for pete's sake, is ALSO credited with some guitar! These guys love their axes!). The album begins with birdsong and moody, cleanly-picked acoustic guitar, a la Pink Floyd's "Grantchester Meadows." These sounds give way to the brisk rock of "Dividing My Time," where Warren's voice appears for the first time. "Cul De Sac" is simply a model of superior song-craft: a peerless blend of acoustic and electric guitars, soft vocals, and almost invisible percussion. "Love the Bomb," is even better, adding a sturdier rhythm track, pleasing falsetto, shiny happy guitars, and a bit of background synth. It ends with a Yes-like flourish. On the long, eccentric track "High Wire Nerves," the vocals are pitched lower, causing Warren and Muha to sound a tad like Godley & Creme or something. And the group does a hell of an impression of WISH YOU WERE HERE-era Floyd about halfway through - dig them spacey keyboards! Then it's on to the sweetly emotive, minimalist singing of "All You Destroy" and Travis-like bounce of "Big Blue," a pair of sterling tracks. Just TRY to resist the infectious arrangement and chorus of "Rrrot-da-da-da-da-da-da" (or whatever they're singing!) on the latter track, along with its flawless percussion. "Another Long Day Part II" exits amidst an intoxicating blend of layered falsettos, crickets and dual strummed acoustics. And you're left sighing in amazement that a group with such obvious musical ambition can so skillfully avoid anything approaching excess or pretense in a musical genre rife with both. HIBERNATION GENERATION is a low-key surprise - a truly pleasant, listenable album from a Canadian quartet that deserves the attention of fans of prog-rock both old (Pink Floyd) and new (Radiohead), as well as simply fans of well-crafted modern rock. Here's hoping they get it. - Kevin Renick
oh yeah, smooth as silk
author: srobHoly crap, once again my expectations have been met and well exceeded by cdbaby. Awesome cd, these guys need way more exposure...
Pope factory - Grooming the religious leaders of tomorrow!
author: DoodyJust imagine if you will, if the Pope had come from this factory - how cool would he be? Too bad the band isn't together anymore, or else they could move to Fort Myers and work the clubz rollin on dubz.
- author: CD Baby
Rock and Roll's not dead, it's just not sure what face to wear. Alternative rock, psychedelic rock, stoner rock? In this age of fragmented musical genres, these psychedelic pop songs prefer mood to trodden hooks. Really cool semi-mellow pop-rock record.
how enthused can one get over music....very enthused if its P.F.
author: BODHIthis is some group. this sound is dull yet crisp. its refreshing to hear that their are still good groups out there. the sound POPE FACTORY produces is like what it would sound like if all the members of pink floyd grew up and tried to get clean.....aweful huh. i love it!!!! i've got to see these guys live.
My Best Purchase This Year!
author: Lisa TI bought this after a friend recommended it and it's the best purchase I've made this year. Very psychedelic, all my friends love it when I put it on at a party. Fantastic surprise from a band I'd never heard of. :-)
The best I've bought this year!
author: Fan In ClevelandBought this CD after seeing the band play live in Cleveland and it is awesome! Total mellow psychedelic trip - my favorite CD, it hasn't left my player since I bought it. John
Eye Magazine , Toronto ON Album Review by Stuart Berman
author: RocknrolloIt's summer, the sun is shinning and Pope Factory don't give a fuck-the warm glow of a TV in a dark room provides all the UV radiation they need. Not sure if the local foursome's second album is a paean or put-down to couch culture, but it sure feels comfy-what we have here is nothing less than a condensed history of Sofa Rock, spanning mid -period Floyd flashbacks( echoes of everything from Atom Heart Mother to The Wall), the gental jangle of prime Pavement and the rec-room-bred Beatle-isms of Olivia Tremor Control. The Popes do their Roger Waters a bit too straight-faced ( High Wire Nerves ), but with the sweet sway of Love The Bomb and All You Can Destroy sucking you further into beanbag-chair bliss, you'll have plenty of reason to smile.