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KAPEKSAS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS EEI> threats & promises R.E.M. Share Unreleased Single PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com 25.0443° N, 77.3504° W RAIN (I’M SORRY): Earlier this month, R.E.M. let loose a pre viously unreleased song that was originally slated to appear on the group’s 2001 album Reveal. It’s a deceptively simple-sounding song named “Fascinating” that actually has a very complex arrangement and, in any case, is a treat to hear after all this time. It is being made available now in order to raise funds for Bahamian relief from the devas tation of Hurricane Dorian. While you may stream it for free, a download costs a min imum of $2. The band recorded the track at the famed Compass Point Studios in the Bahamian capital of Nassau. Significantly— at least from a music history perspective— this was among the recordings done during the final decade of the Chris Blackwell- founded studio, which closed in 2010. Funds raised will go to global relief organi zation Mercy Corps. To buy your download, see remhq.bandcamp.com. To learn more about the history of Compass Point Studios, see compasspointstudios.com. SING OUT LOUD, SING OUT STRONG: The new Dead Neighbors album is named Without, and it was released last week. It was pro duced by Terence Chiyezan (aka Murk Daddy Flex), and, compositionally speaking, it’s a step above previous releases, but it’s not like this is a whole new sound at all. If you were able to hang with the band’s distinctive, legitimately emotional tunes before, chances are good you’ll dig this one a lot. The level of detail is kind of astound ing, especially the arrangements of tracks like “Nu Ew.” For the old folks in the back, you’ll hear threads of everything from Polvo to Sunny Day Real Estate. For those who couldn’t care less about a dumb history les son, you’ll hear a well edited and executed collection of eight songs that operate inside the rock and roll framework but punch the sides pretty hard. Highlights are highlights, indeed, and include the hyper tuneful (with seriously nice vocals) “Sunless,” the inad vertently rollicking “Lack Thereof” and the every-pun-intended “Withoutro.” Grab this at deadneighbors.bandcamp.com. PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY: Jason Bronson (Delorean Gray) is splitting the time-space continuum with his new project, Sibylline Lover. He’s planning on releasing a full- length album next year, but he’s got two songs available now. To record these self- penned tunes, he enlisted the help of a bunch of old classmates, as well as his Delorean Gray bandmates, Jacob Chisenhall and Freeman Leverett. Somehow, these tracks—“Clarissa” and “Winter Isolation”— capture the spirit and style of Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Lee Hazelwood, Harpers Bizarre and others without falling into rote mimicry. They’re really cool pieces of timeless and crafted pop music. I’m kind of ready for this whole album to be out now. Listen in at sibyllinelover. bandcamp.com. SEVEN IS AS SEVEN DOES: Songwriter Greg Meredith, who was a finalist for this year’s Vic Chesnutt Songwriter of the Year Award, will release his new EP, simply titled Greg, this week. At seven tracks, it’s a bit longer than a traditional EP. I’d never heard of Meredith until the Chesnutt Award sea son was well underway and hadn’t heard anything from him since. Meredith’s song writing is very big and very much along the lines of Snow Patrol, Imagine Dragons, et al. It’s earnest to a fault, with nary a mys terious lyric to be found. It’s as close to a wide-open confessional of musical self-heal ing as one is likely to find, especially in Athens. That said, there’s a sameness about these tracks that makes me redouble my criticism that the thing is too long. It’s a lot to get through. From a professional stand point, several of these could be big hits by the right artist, and Meredith could take home huge bucks and awards as the writer. You can find this on Spotify beginning Sept. 27, and keep up with Meredith at facebook. com/gregmeredithmusic. STRUM ’N’ SANG: The Piedmont Songwriters Society will host its September meeting Thursday, Sept. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at its Athens campus (595 Prince Ave.). The society is an initiative by Piedmont College faculty to get people involved in songwriting and songcraft. These meet-ups are designed for people of all ages, skill level and musical background. At these meetings, attendees are invited to share songwriting styles, techniques, etc. One caveat, though: I don’t have any actual idea what room this is held in, so if you’re interested, drop a line to these fine folks via facebook.com/Piedmont SongwritersSociety. © ATHENSARLA PREPARE FOR TAKE OFF AT Mid-Yeai THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3RD AT 5PM BEN EPPS AIRPORT 1010 BEN EPPS DRIVE TICKETS $50 EACH PURCHASE AT ATKENSGA.COM EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING AROUND THE ANTICIPATED EXPANSION OF BEN EPPS AIRPORT. LEARN MORE AND CELEBRATE WITH US WHILE ENJOYING FOOD, BEVERAGE AND ENTERTAINMENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THIS IS ONE COMMUNITY EVENT YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS! Thanks to our Sponsors! COMCAST BUSINESS EPTING EVENTS HEYWARD ALLEN KEVIN PRICE CONSTRUCTION PERIMETER ROOFING TERRAPIN FLAGPOLE CHASE BANK LANGSCPAES ATHENS MOORE’S WEALTH MANAGEMENT SOLARIZE ATHENS SOUTH STATE BANK BULLDOG 93 3 mu Annual Owl Flight 5k Run/Walk to benefit Clarke Middle School Saturday, October 5, 2019 8:30am start at Clarke Middle School Registration avaliable online at: Active.com SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 | FLAGPOLE.COM 17