CHORD (MEMBERS OF PELICAN) TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM ON IMPORTANT RECORDS

CHORD TO RELEASE SOPHOMORE ALBUM PROGRESSION THROUGH IMPORTANT RECORDS ON NOVEMBER 5

CHICAGO BASED POWERAMBIENT QUINTET FEATURES MEMBERS OF PELICAN AND X-BAX; NEW ALBUM SPANS THE LENGTH OF TWO FORMATS

Chord, the powerambient troupe formed by Kyle Benjamin, Jason Hoffman, Trevor Shelley de Brauw (of Pelican), Phil Dole (of X-Bax), and Sean McCarthy with the shared vision of exploiting and exploring the sonic depth of a single chord, are preparing to release their sophomore epic Progression through Important Records this Fall. Whereas 2009′s Flora was comprised of pieces with an improvisational slant (each piece was one chord, and each member of the group played only one assigned note of the chord) the new record encompasses a much greater degree of composition and structure.

For the new album three single-chord compositions were charted out, one freeform and tone driven, one long-form piece with charts dictating the players’ intensity of performance, and one grid-like chart where each players’ note continually shifts, though the combination of voices continue to maintain the chord. Meticulously layered, dense and sprawling tones create an atmosphere that is ominous without losing its refined edge of beauty. Six chords were chosen and arranged in a progression that encompasses two separate performances of each of the three compositions. Though the CD and LP share a similar internal structure and can be listened on their own, they are intended to be played concurrently, forming the full six chord arc of the total piece.

Download “EbMaj9 (descent)” mp3 here

PRESS ON CHORD’S DEBUT ALBUM FLORA

These are master musicians that are inventive, daring, and create beautiful music, utilizing different effects and playing styles to bring the songs on Flora to life – Outburn

With cues to change up the texture, dynamics, attack, and so forth, these heavies nod to Tony Conrad and Branca on a solid record – Signal to Noise

Chord happily dedicate themselves to the simple but effective principle that ominous noise — as the concluding “Am” shows from the start just as much as “Am7″ — is enough to work with rather than riffs and singing – All Music Guide

PROGRESSION TRACKLISTING

CD:
1. EbMaj9 (descent)
2. Gm11 (pelagic)
3. D6 (codal)

LP:
1. EbMaj9 (ascent)
2. Dm11 (pelagic)
3. G6 (codal)