PARTICLE
''LAUNCHPAD''
MARCH 23 2004
61:45
1/Launchpad/7:17
2/Metropolis/3:39
3/The Elevator/7:30
4/Below Radar/5:24
5/The Banker/6:09
6/Kneeknocker/8:40
7/Road's a Breeze (@ 3AM)/8:10
8/7 Minutes Till Radio Darkness, Pt. 1 & 2/4:14
9/Sun Mar 11/10:39
Eric Gould /Guitar (Bass)
Steve Molitz /Keyboards
Darren Pujalet /Drums
REVIEW
by Hal Horowitz
The long-awaited studio debut from these jam-happy road veterans does what it should for the band. It captures the quartet's indescribable all-instrumental concert vibe -- "space-porn" as they call it -- in a more controlled environment. Co-producer Tom Rothrock (Beck, Foo Fighters) slims down the band's tendencies for extended improvisation -- somewhat -- but keeps the juices flowing on an album that works apart from the trippy visuals and audience participation that enhance the band's notoriously long five-hour performances. Led by Steve Molitz's bubbling, psychedelic electronic keyboards and Darren Pujalet's surging drums, the group finds a groove and rides it. The "porn" aspect of the music results from a loose '70s feel that mixes elements of Pink Floyd's prog rock and Return to Forever-styled jazz fusion with insistent dance beats that shift from funk to near disco ("Metropolis" features disco drumming and knowingly schlocky '70s-styled synths). There are certainly no ballads, which creates a swirling tornado of sound that, like the live show, shape-shifts throughout the songs. The approach is at once contemporary and dated, recalling the experimental art rock of the '70s in "7 Minutes to Radio Darkness, Pt. 1" and then moving to a funkier driving rock for the following "Pt. 2." And although the pieces are condensed from their extended live lengths, the majority of the tunes still run over seven minutes, with one maxing out at ten. Certainly any fan of the foursome's mammoth live shows will appreciate how well their sound has been harnessed in the studio, and for those new to the Particle experience, Launchpad is an excellent primer for the group's strengths and distinctive sound.
BIOGRAPHY
by Marisa Brown
Not your typical jam band (they have just as many disco and electronica influences as anything else), Particle started in 2000 in Los Angeles with keyboardist Steve Molitz, drummer Darren Pujalet, bassist Eric Gould, and guitarist Dave Simmons. Tragically, Simmons died just two months after the band started, but Particle found his replacement in Charlie Hitchcock. Gaining fans from the pure energy of their live show, Particle released their debut album, Launchpad, in 2004. The next year Hitchcock left the band, and Scott Metzger and Ben Combe took his place on guitar, also bringing in vocals -- a new addition for the group. Particle celebrated their first-ever performance with the new lineup by recording it and releasing its highlights (along with pieces from another show) as Transformations Live for the People in 2006.
''LAUNCHPAD''
MARCH 23 2004
61:45
1/Launchpad/7:17
2/Metropolis/3:39
3/The Elevator/7:30
4/Below Radar/5:24
5/The Banker/6:09
6/Kneeknocker/8:40
7/Road's a Breeze (@ 3AM)/8:10
8/7 Minutes Till Radio Darkness, Pt. 1 & 2/4:14
9/Sun Mar 11/10:39
Eric Gould /Guitar (Bass)
Steve Molitz /Keyboards
Darren Pujalet /Drums
REVIEW
by Hal Horowitz
The long-awaited studio debut from these jam-happy road veterans does what it should for the band. It captures the quartet's indescribable all-instrumental concert vibe -- "space-porn" as they call it -- in a more controlled environment. Co-producer Tom Rothrock (Beck, Foo Fighters) slims down the band's tendencies for extended improvisation -- somewhat -- but keeps the juices flowing on an album that works apart from the trippy visuals and audience participation that enhance the band's notoriously long five-hour performances. Led by Steve Molitz's bubbling, psychedelic electronic keyboards and Darren Pujalet's surging drums, the group finds a groove and rides it. The "porn" aspect of the music results from a loose '70s feel that mixes elements of Pink Floyd's prog rock and Return to Forever-styled jazz fusion with insistent dance beats that shift from funk to near disco ("Metropolis" features disco drumming and knowingly schlocky '70s-styled synths). There are certainly no ballads, which creates a swirling tornado of sound that, like the live show, shape-shifts throughout the songs. The approach is at once contemporary and dated, recalling the experimental art rock of the '70s in "7 Minutes to Radio Darkness, Pt. 1" and then moving to a funkier driving rock for the following "Pt. 2." And although the pieces are condensed from their extended live lengths, the majority of the tunes still run over seven minutes, with one maxing out at ten. Certainly any fan of the foursome's mammoth live shows will appreciate how well their sound has been harnessed in the studio, and for those new to the Particle experience, Launchpad is an excellent primer for the group's strengths and distinctive sound.
BIOGRAPHY
by Marisa Brown
Not your typical jam band (they have just as many disco and electronica influences as anything else), Particle started in 2000 in Los Angeles with keyboardist Steve Molitz, drummer Darren Pujalet, bassist Eric Gould, and guitarist Dave Simmons. Tragically, Simmons died just two months after the band started, but Particle found his replacement in Charlie Hitchcock. Gaining fans from the pure energy of their live show, Particle released their debut album, Launchpad, in 2004. The next year Hitchcock left the band, and Scott Metzger and Ben Combe took his place on guitar, also bringing in vocals -- a new addition for the group. Particle celebrated their first-ever performance with the new lineup by recording it and releasing its highlights (along with pieces from another show) as Transformations Live for the People in 2006.
