Now It's Overhead

Amazon.com
With its self-titled debut album, Now It's Overhead put to shame latter-day indie bands from a cross-section of genres--from emo to new wave and industrial--while still sounding remarkably original, coherent, and extremely listenable. Steeped in the relative eclecticism of '80s and '90s "alternative" music, the band uses its considerable skill to turn numerous great moments from that period into four-minute slabs of brilliant pop. Songs like "6th Grade Roller" suggests there's a Nitzer Ebb record somewhere in singer-songwriter Andy LeMaster's closet, while "Blackout Curtain," does Thompson Twins almost as well as they did themselves. Though a fuzzy curtain of distortion is a constant backdrop to NIO's sound, in front of it the group creates as affecting a song with mellow guitar and vocal harmonies as it does with dramatic electronic displays through "Goodbye Highway." The concluding "A Skeleton on Display," meanwhile, with an added string or woodwind part, could easily have come from the Delgados' gorgeous The Great Eastern. --Sarah A. Sternau

Now It's Overhead,Now It's Overhead,Wea Corp,Rock/Pop

---

Now It's Overhead

Average customer rating: Look! Now It's Overhead!

Dark Light Daybreak Now It's Overhead Manufacturer: Saddle Creek ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Yellow House Return to Cookie Mountain (with Bonus Tracks) We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank The Crane Wife So Divided ASIN: B000H8SF98 Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

1. Let The Sirens Rest
2. Estranged
3. Walls
4. Believe What They Decide
5. Night Vision
6. Type A
7. Dark Light Daybreak
8. Meaning To Say
9. Let Up
10. Nothing In Our Way

Album Description

Now It's Overheard has more than once evoked the term "dreamy". This record is no exception; it's awash in the band's signature moody layers and wall of guitar. But if the previous two records were dreamlike, "Dark Light Daybreak" is more akin to waking up. Songs range from stark to symphonic, buoyant to tragic. The range of drumming and the variations of vocals shine through, adding to each song the expertise of musicians who stand back, listen, then bring exactly what needs to be there. This record runs the songwriting gamut, leaving not a moment to be missed.

Customer Reviews:

Look! Now It's Overhead!.......2007-06-23

Bright Eyes' label-mates seem fated for obscurity. Even as a fan, I had no idea this was out until it was two-months-old. I never saw a print review, or heard a note of it on the radio. Nope, not even the local college station. But 'Dark Light Daybreak' makes it plain that obscurity is undeserved.

The wistful psychedelia is in full flower on 'Daybreak', with its opener, "Let the Sirens Rest", "Night Vision" and "Meaning To Say" being the best examples. The latter is especially good, its gentle sway ending much too soon.

But 'Daybreak' also has a newfound edge. The pounding "Walls" and the suitably-titled "Type A" are muscular and aggressive, while the forceful folk of "Let Up" marches like a Saharan sandstorm, it's minor key tuning and handclaps evoking (unintentional?)images of Arabia.

The sheer musicality of this Athens, Georgia quintet is remarkable. Their harmonies, melodies and musical detailing make this one of the richest releases of the past twelve months.

If I have a criticism, it's that too many of the songs end just as it seems they're finding their center. A band like Now It's Overhead seems built for five, six, even seven-minute epics. But the longest track on 'Daybreak' clocks in at four minutes and twelve seconds. Perhaps they want to leave room for in-concert exploration. Or maybe they want to avoid just the kind of jam-band mentality I'm advocating.

In a marketplace dominated by testoserone-addled hip-hop, precious pop princesses and flavor-of-the-month indie bands, one has to wonder whether there's a place for Now It's Overhead.

One can only hope.

Average customer rating: one of the most impressive first releases ever And to think this guy got his start producing Bright Eyes!

Now It's Overhead Now It's Overhead Manufacturer: Saddle Creek ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Everything Last Winter Spend an Evening With Saddle Creek, Bright Eyes, The Faint, Cursive et al The Dust of Retreat Show Your Bones More Adventurous ASIN: B00005QG4X Release Date: 2001-10-02

Tracks:

1. Blackout Curtain
2. Who's Jon
3. Hi
4. Hold Your Spin
5. 6th Grade Roller
6. Wonderful Scar
7. With a Subtle Look
8. Goodbye Highway
9. Skeleton on Display

Amazon.com

With its self-titled debut album, Now It's Overhead put to shame latter-day indie bands from a cross-section of genres--from emo to new wave and industrial--while still sounding remarkably original, coherent, and extremely listenable. Steeped in the relative eclecticism of '80s and '90s "alternative" music, the band uses its considerable skill to turn numerous great moments from that period into four-minute slabs of brilliant pop. Songs like "6th Grade Roller" suggests there's a Nitzer Ebb record somewhere in singer-songwriter Andy LeMaster's closet, while "Blackout Curtain," does Thompson Twins almost as well as they did themselves. Though a fuzzy curtain of distortion is a constant backdrop to NIO's sound, in front of it the group creates as affecting a song with mellow guitar and vocal harmonies as it does with dramatic electronic displays through "Goodbye Highway." The concluding "A Skeleton on Display," meanwhile, with an added string or woodwind part, could easily have come from the Delgados' gorgeous The Great Eastern. --Sarah A. Sternau

Customer Reviews:

one of the most impressive first releases ever.......2005-02-23

[...] here it is:

1. Blackout Curtain
2. Who's Jon
3. Hi
4. Hold Your Spin
5. 6th Grade Roller
6. Wonderful Scar
7. With A Subtle Look
8. Goodbye Highway
9. A Skeleton On Display

This is, without doubt, an amazing first release. I have yet to find another band that sounds the same as NIO. Stand out tracks are "Who's Jon", "Hi" and "With a Subtle Look", but there are no bad tracks on this album. I don't know how to describe how beautiful this CD is. Download some of the free songs at nowitsoverhead.com or saddle-creek.com and decide for yourself.

I saw them at a concert last year promoting Wait In Line; they are just as amazing live and stole the show from the headlining band. If you get the chance to see them live, don't miss it!

And to think this guy got his start producing Bright Eyes!.......2001-11-02

With one album Andy LeMaster has pulled up a seat at the table next to American rock gods like Kurt Cobain and Chris Lopez. I've listened to Now It's Overhead about a half-dozen times in the last two days and it continually, unrelentingly reveals detail and depth, with not only every song, but every single moment of every song seemingly wrenched from the magma of the soul. The effortless perfection of the album reminds me of what Brahms said about the writing of the 2nd symphony -- "I would take walks and pluck melodies from the air." You get the feeling here, too, that these songs, or fragments of them, sloshed around inside the singer's head for years until they finally gelled and were then extracted via E.S.P or some kind of clairvoyant process, rather than crude recording. That's how fluid and multihued the aptly-named LeMaster's production job is. I've never heard anything in indie music like the ominous "6th Grade Roller," whose ambition is to be the official jumprope chant for Satanists' daughters, or in ANY music like "With a Subtle Look," whose instrumentation, if you listen closely, hardly extends beyond piano, some tom-tom-like drumming, light keyboards, and a voice, impassioned by loneliness, winding and wrapping around the sparse backing track like an echo in a canyon.

Many of the songs are simultaneously simple and operatic like that, but what would you expect from an album that has, believe it or not, an actual leitmotif? I'm referring to the wordless two-woman chorus that, while remaining essentially uniform in sound throughout, changes slightly with the mood of the songs, sounding ethereal in "Blackout Curtain," like a sustained silent scream in "Who's Jon?," chaotic and aggressive in "Wonderful Scar" and devastingly elegaic and ghost-like in "A Skeleton on Display," the closing song and the only one with direct lyrics, where everything is revealed -- we've been listening to a song cycle about the dissolution of a love affair. While people like E from The Eels think that living through unspeakable trauma and then singing about it in literal terms render them automatic geniuses, LeMaster proves that it's not the objective value of the disaster that counts -- for instance, coming home to find your entire family dead and then losing your legs in a car crash on the way to the funeral -- but how much you FEEL it. You'd be doing LeMaster an immense injustice with any thoughts such as "Get over it, loser!" or "Ah, we've all been there." Most of us haven't been there, thankfully. For him, this simple breakup was clearly the spark for an existential crisis of epic proportions whose cure and catharsis this album represents.

If you read reviews, you'll see this band compared to everything from Blur to Depeche Mode to U2 to various Elephant 6 acts. The critical apparatus shorts out with confronted with NIO, however, as it's that rarest of beasts -- the work of a true original. ( No, really. ) But if you still need some help, the album cover and the band name set the mood perfectly: enigmatic, slightly creepy and fearlessly poetic.

Average customer rating:

Saddle up and Love It Beep Beep , Bright Eyes , Broken Spindles , Criteria , Cursive , The Faint , Orenda Fink , The Good Life , May Day , and Now it's Overhead and more. . . Manufacturer: Saddle Creek & Lovitt Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000J4WZ5U

Product Description

Compilation CD

Average customer rating: NOT what I expected Just an incredibly satisfying indie/pop rock album - it'll be hard not to love this! Great stuff Night Music Now

Fall Back Open Now It's Overhead Manufacturer: Saddle Creek ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Yellow House Effloresce Horn of Plenty (w/Bonus Remixes) So Divided More Adventurous ASIN: B0001EFV4U Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

1. Wait In A Line
2. Surrender
3. Profile
4. Turn & Go
5. Fall Back Open
6. The Decision Made Itself
7. Reverse
8. Antidote
9. A Little Consolation

Customer Reviews:

NOT what I expected.......2007-02-10

I bought this album because I love Azure Ray, and when I heard that those two talented ladies were involved I bought this instantly. I was sorely disappointed.

I expected to hear thier beautiful voices here, not the average male vocals that NIO's frontman has. I mean, when you have Maria Taylor & Orenda Fink in your band and put them on backing guitar with no singing responsibilities it's like hiring Eddie Van Halen to play the triangle. What a waste of talent.

That said, it's not a bad album, but it could have been so, so much better. I won't buy thier new album until I hear whether or not the ladies of Azure Ray are singing on it. Bottom line: If you want more mediocre indy rock, buy this. There's really nothing special about it though.

Just an incredibly satisfying indie/pop rock album - it'll be hard not to love this!.......2006-01-06

Now It's Overhead is another band from the infamous Saddle Creek Records, and this album definitely does not disappoint. It's incredibly catchy, and the drums especially are very fun to listen to. The musicianship is just excellent - tons of great ideas come together here. Andy LeMaster also has a uniquely unearthly voice which adds to the already great atmosphere. "Wait In A Line" is arguably the best song on the album, but the rest are also great. The production is just dead-on here. Most of the time you can't really tell what they're singing about, but upon close examination you realize that's not what this album's about. It's all about atmosphere and it's actually a pretty good album to use as background music. Musically it's indie rock with a little bit of electronic bits thrown in, and that addition was definitely a good choice. The sound isn't really original, but somehow it seems like you've never heard anything like this. Indie rock fans will no doubt love this record, and it does indeed have some mass appeal despite its lack of "hit songs". The worst song on the album is arguably "The Decision Made Itself", , really, they're all great. All in all, this is absolutely recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

Great stuff.......2005-05-10

I heard "Reverse" on an Internet radio station and went out and bought the album. With all the crap on regular radio, you forget that good music is actually still being made! This has some really strong songs (although a couple of more "ordinary" efforts keep my rating from being 5 star) and there is a sensibility here that is totally fresh.

Night Music.......2004-12-16

This is a great album. Simply put. I have not removed it from my cd player since I've had it. Andy LeMaster is brilliant. This is what I call real music. So many artists are overlooked because people accept what is placed in front of them.
The songs on this record are intense. They have a real three in the morning appeal. I saw Now It's Overhead perform live in St Louis, MO. They were touring with REM. They were great and so was REM. Michael Stipe came out on to the stage and personally introduced them. I was suprised. For some reason Orenda Fink from Azure Ray was not there. Well anyway, great band, great record, so, buy it.

Now.......2004-05-11

Andy LeMaster is one of the most overlooked musicians on the Saddle Creek label. He is a great songwriter and lyricist. It is a surprise that more people don't know about him. He has been busy over the years being an engineer in his studio in Athens, Georgia. He has also been a member of Bright Eyes and Azure Ray. This second album he takes more chances and develops his art. This band seems inspired by a lot of early 1980s new wave music, but they take it over from there. Even Conor Oberst and Michael Stipe make appearances. LeMaster is beyond creating a This Mortal Coil scenario. Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink from Azure Ray play on this record but seem invisible. It's hardly an Azure Ray side project. They probably drank a lot while making this record. Maria Taylor is known as one of the heaviest drinkers in rock right now. It's sad music but it's all-good.

Average customer rating:

Wait in a Line Now It's Overhead Manufacturer: Saddle Creek ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B0002JUX2E Release Date: 2004-07-27

Tracks:

1. Wait in a Line
2. Book of Love
3. Wait in a Line [Faint Mix]

Average customer rating:

Dark Light Daybreak Now It's Overhead ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000GIWRV6 Release Date: 2006-09-19

Tracks:

1. Let the Sirens Rest
2. Estranged
3. Walls
4. Believe What They Decide
5. Night Vision
6. Type A
7. Dark Light Daybreak
8. Meaning to Say
9. Let Up
10. Nothing in Our Way

Album Description

Now It's Overheard has more than once evoked the term "dreamy". This record is no exception; it's awash in the band's signature moody layers and wall of guitar. But if the previous two records were dreamlike, "Dark Light Daybreak" is more akin to waking up. Songs range from stark to symphonic, buoyant to tragic. The range of drumming and the variations of vocals shine through, adding to each song the expertise of musicians who stand back, listen, then bring exactly what needs to be there. This record runs the songwriting gamut, leaving not a moment to be missed.

Average customer rating:

What's New for Fall Various Artists Manufacturer: Saddle Creek ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000PCIQA4

Product Description

1. Cursive - "Dorothy at Forty" 2. Cursive - "Bad Sects" 3. Eric Bachmann - "Carrboro Woman" 4. Eric Bachmann - "Lonesome Warrior" 5. Ladyfinger (NE) - "Smuggler" 6. Ladyfinger (NE) - "Too Cool For School" 7. Now It's Overhead - "Walls" 8. Now It's Overhead - "Let Up" 9. Bright Eyes - "I Will Be Grateful For This Day, I Will Be Grateful For Each Day To Come" 10. Bright Eyes - "Amy In The White Coat"

Average customer rating:

Wait in a Line Now It's Overhead Manufacturer: Saddle Creek ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002IQ05O

Tracks:

1. Wait in a Line
2. Book of Love
3. Wait in a Line [Faint Mix]

Average customer rating: Overlooked gem 3 1/2 stars

Now It's Overhead Now It's Overhead Manufacturer: Saddle Creek ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005Y7T4 Release Date: 2001-10-02

Tracks:

1. Blackout Curtain
2. Who's Jon
3. Hi
4. Hold Your Spin
5. 6th Grade Roller
6. Wonderful Scar
7. With A Subtle Look
8. Goodbye Highway
9. A Skeleton On Display

Customer Reviews:

Overlooked gem.......2005-08-18

Hopefully their recent tour with REM will awaken people to just how good this record really is. Georgeously moody songs that managed to mix tight production with plenty of room for air. Wonderful Scar is perhaps their most consummate pop song, and they can sure kick up a storm in a live setting.

3 1/2 stars.......2003-08-22

Where is everybody? I would've thought anyone who heard that these guys have a connection to Bright Eyes would've flocked to this album. Well, anyway...
First, know that I am not much of a Bright Eyes fan. I think they're vastly overrated. They're fine, but Conor Oberst is not a genius, even if he is very good for his age (I think it's important for you to know where I'm coming from here). Having said that, I like Now It's Overhead quite a bit. This is no genius album, either, but NIO doesn't try as hard as Bright Eyes to display their sincerity. This music is assured and often beautiful, despite the lead singer's less than beautiful voice (think a more reigned-in version of Jeff Mangum from Neutral Milk Hotel). Simple (if off-kilter) alt/folk/pop arrangements are dressed up with epic-sounding drums and white noise that don't necessarily add a whole lot but which don't detract from the tunes either.
This album is extremely listenable, even if it's not mind-blowing. You won't be changed by it, but you'll appreciate the talent that went into it, and you'll play it again and again. For that alone, it's worth the purchase.

Rap Music:

1. Onyx Root
2. Out of the Storm [Original recording remastered] [Import]
3. Platinum & Gold Collection [Original recording remastered]
4. Propaganda [Original recording remastered] [Import]
5. Pure [Import]
6. Ramatam
7. Ready to Go: The Best of Republica [Import]
8. Recyclone
9. Road to Rouen [Import]
10. Room V [Limited Edition] [Import]

Rap Music

rap music

Recommended Music:

Tune in: Chill Out [Import]

Boccherini - Gioas, Re di Giuda / Rigacci · Matteuzzi · Di Castri · Billeri · Sarti · Favano · Handt

Faces of Love

Music: Inhouse, Vol. 2: Modern House Sounds From Deepest Ger

Electric Dreams - Soundtrack [Soundtrack] [Import]

Double Jeopardy [Explicit Lyrics]

Europe 72 [Live] [Original recording remastered]

Everything Will Flow Pt. 1 [CD-single]

Bible II [Import]

Devienne: Flute Concertos Nos. 2 & 7; Symphonie Concertante for Flute and Bassoon

Blue Note for Après-midi Grand Cru [Import]

Eddie Who?

Picture Me

Chabrier: España, rhapsody; Bourrée fantasque

A Celebration of New Orleans Music to Benefit MusiCares Hurricane Relief 2005