Date: Tue, 14 May 1996 12:58:38 -0600 From: ".mark." (vonminde@RINTINTIN.COLORADO.EDU) Subject: wow! sarah peacock CAN sing... picked up the new Scala 7" from EAR/Rational yesterday. the details: Scala-Tears b/w Triptych Too Pure (Pure 56) so, sarah is singing straightforward, loud&clear....not quite what i expected after hearing her gasps, sighs, and occasional phrases looped and recycled on any number of seefeel tracks. yet, this 7" is truly a jem, and it get's better every time i listen. 'tears' is a rather groovy affair based upon an unrelenting beat in the 'boom-chica-boom-chica' fashion. underneath are some hazyfazy guitars that fit in perfectly as well as screechingloopedsounds and some grinding percussive noises that (vaguely) remind me of 'shining road' (cranes). the vocals make the song...sarah is very soulful and just quite wonderful. around the middle of the song the beat lets up for a second or two while sarah holds a note over the hazyfazy, then beat pounds back in. ace! this is one of those songs that i want to continually turn up louder. 'triptych' is slower and very slinky. sarah's vocal are reminiscent of beth gibbons (portishead) and stina nordenstam. i love this song! looped metallic percussion and a cool bassline provide the basis for the song, but, again, i think the vocals just make it perfect. it's dark, but funky. i guess portishead is a reference, but let's use our imagination and say that this is just totally wonderful without bogging ourselves down in comparisons (yes, i'm aware i used comparisons; i just don't won't everyone to think this is a reaction to the whole portishead thing, because i just don't think it is.) yeah, this is great stuff. want a copy? write to EAR/Rational at: ear@xmission.com (no, i'm not their propagandaminister, just trying to be helpful) so, my questions: was there a scala album before this? was it this good? why didn't anyone say anything about it? also, isn't there more scala being released on toopure in the near future? when & what exactly is it??? shavingthepavement in colorado....tonight! .xxx...mark. Date: Wed, 15 May 1996 09:31:35 +0100 From: Andrew Norman (nja@LEICESTER.AC.UK) Subject: Scala, Cure In addition to Seefeel's "other three" this features Mark "fifth member of Seefeel" Van Hoen. If someone had told me this was something Seefeel had recorded before "More Like Space" I would believe it - it's much closer to their guitar band roots than anything released under the Seefeel name. > so, my questions: was there a scala album before this? was it this > good? why didn't anyone say anything about it? also, isn't there > more scala being released on toopure in the near future? when & > what exactly is it??? They were supposed to release two "vinyl EPs" - this single is a shortish 7", and there's supposed to be another 7" soon, followed by a CD compilation. The 7" is supposed to be very limited (300 copies according to Selectadisc). I was expecting something a bit longer - I think there was a press release posted to this list which boasted that they had recorded loads of songs. Date: Fri, 17 May 1996 09:48:49 -0700 From: Jens Alfke (jens@MOOSEYARD.COM) Subject: Upcoming releases (Scala etc.) >Scala-VDT CDS PURECDO57 $9.25 >New stratospheric guitar-pop-slink from dubby mellow Seefeel offshoot >Scala (looks to be Seefeel minus Disjecta's Mark Clifford). "VDT" >threads the needle between Curve or Garbage's swirling, shudder-pop and >the experimental dub-manipulations of Seefeel, even comparable to >Portishead, showcasing Seefeel gal Fletcher's sensuous and beyond >heavenly vocals. CDS with 2 new tracks, plus the "Tears" single as >bonus tracks! Huge! The "Tears" 7" single is already outtaprint, >although I've secured a few remaining copies. (Too Pure) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 10:12:49 +0100 From: Andrew Norman (nja@LEICESTER.AC.UK) Subject: Scala The second Scala 7" and the CD compilation of both were in the UK shops yesterday - the compilation is called something different to the singles ("Tears" / "Triptych" and "VDT" / ???), but my hayfever-addled brain can't remember either the name of the EP or the second B-side - both are called "Something and Something Else", but not the same somethings. Anyway, it's good stuff - four short (3-4 min) songs ranging from VDT's Tricky-style nervy beats and paranoid mood to Triptych's summery tunefulness. Sarah's not quite in the Liz Fraser league, but the vocals are pleasant enough. John Frennett (Laika, Moonshake) co-composed VDT and presumably played bass on it. Sounds like Seefeel with a more conventional song structure and without the obsessive layering and depth. The artwork is good, too. -- Andrew Norman, Leicester, England 25/06/96 nja@le.ac.uk, http://www.engg.le.ac.uk/staff/Andrew.Norman/ Date: Sat, 20 Jul 1996 03:13:01 -0400 From: The Boy In Zinc (Boyinzinc@AOL.COM) Subject: new scala cd! yesyesyesyes! i got my copy of the new scala ep, "lips and heaven" in the mail today, and all i have to say is, wow...this is not what i expected at all, but still, what an ep... here's the raw data: 1. VDT (3:22) this song has to be one of the hardest too pure songs i've heard (except for mixus, but they're terrible) starts out with lots of fuzz, thwomping bass drums and high hats, and sensual sarah peacock crooning (yes, crooning), "what would you do if i told you i wanted you to choke me...what if i told you i want you so much i glow unbearably with infatuation so much..after what i've told you, i can't even look you in the eye..." this is a whispery, sexy half-dance (in that wild, tribal sort of way) tune that manages to grab you and yank you screaming (half with joy, half with fear) into the rest of the ep...stylistically similar to laika meets medicine meets pj harvey...seefeel? who are they? 2. Pain & Pleasure (3:41) starts out with bass, electronic drums...slower than the last one, but still sexy in a dreamy/creepy sort of way...sarah's voice sings softer on this one as floating keyboard mini-scales work their way in and out of the melody...she sings a lot higher than the last one...some lyrics..."maybe it seems some perverse way to survive, but it's the things i keep from you that keep me alive..." not pure brilliance like the first song, but decent nonetheless... 3. Tears (4:40) noisy like the first track, but the raw sexual energy is replaced with dubby beats and bass groove...vocals aren't as good on this one, but they're the kind of thing you should get used to after awhile...this is the song that probably sounds the most like seefeel as uses more loops than the other songs, though sarah singing WORDS instead of sounds makes a big difference in how this song sounds as compared to seefeel..."does it hurt to be so certain? ever thought it might hurt me?..." a little weaker than p&p, but still a decent track... 4. Triptych (4:54) starts out with a twangy, reverby, westernish guitar...dubby beats (slower on this one) -- sounds like snare and some kind of sequencer pattern or something...the slowest song on the ep, and much more song-oriented than p&p -- actually reminds me a bit of that "lounge music from hell" category of music that portishead and pram occupy..." seemingly fades out, then comes back again a little faster and a little louder, but still essentially the same song, whatever that means... so overall, a really solid ep, with one brilliant track and three good ones that get better each time i listen to them...categorically speaking, it's shoegaze meets dub meets trip-hop meets lounge...i sure hope scala sticks with too pure because it seems like everyone's jumped ship and i doubt mouse on mars, jack, and long fin killie can save the label (though i haven't heard jack or the new lfk...mouse on mars, while being an excellent group, doesn't seem to have as many fans as some of the bands that jumped.) the lyrical style reminds me a bit of insides in spots (though sarah can sing better than kirsten) oh, btw, the disc compiles the two 7" they released for too pure...i doubt american will be releasing it in the u.s., and a lot of the lyrics i quoted came from excerpts in the liner notes (though all the lyrics aren't in there)... i got mine for around $9 from stinkweeds, though i know parasol has it, too... BiZ, who really will give a negative review someday... Date: Wed, 11 Sep 1996 22:42:56 -0400 From: Lush Muse (Lushmuse@AOL.COM) Subject: Re: too pure news hey! about scala, i am not sure when they will have a full length out on too pure but "beauty nowhere" ,released on touch, may be scala's demo...i'm not sure what the track listing of that release is but the tape i have with their cover of blondie's "heart of glass" is called "touch to:29", which is the same tape that adam promised to tape you if you send us a blank tape at the office...it is a cool demo, which may be why touch is releasing it. i don't know why too pure did not put it out. pete Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 01:40:54 EST From: Jeremy L Orr (j.orr@JUNO.COM) Subject: lyriq cuest And for some slightly more thislisty content, I picked up a copy of Scala's _Lips_&_Heaven_ right before Xmas. When I heard someone here say that it had now been deleted by Too Pure, I sighed heavily and trudged into Bill's Records in Dallas, since that was the only place I could find it. I felt like walking backwards up to the counter, since I knew I would be...er, gouged, and I wasn't disappointed. $16 I paid for the thing! Anyway, it's pretty mediocre, IMHO...not nearly as interesting as some of the raves I'd read about it. Well, tracks 2, 3, and 4 are pretty decent (especially "Pain and Pleasure"), but "VDT" is so stupid that it about ruins the whole thing. My first thought upon its maiden voyage was "ah...so that's why Clifford renders her vocals incomprehensible". The lyrics are just embarrassingly bad. And haven't we declared a moratorium on that "When the Levee Breaks" drum loop yet? And if not, why? ---Jeremy Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 15:39:06 +0100 From: David Thorpe Subject: Scala / Seefeel "Jose A. Garcia Camil" said: >Anyone know when the new Scala Lp is coming out? According to the Too Pure website http://www.toopure.com/ it's currently being finished: "...since Justin left, Daren and Sarah have been working with new guitarist Simon McLean (who appeared on Vitamin X from the Slide EP...) They've been in Mojave 3's studio in Cornwall and are now back in London and due to start work with regular production cohort Mark Van Hoen (who's Locust project's also been snapped up by Sire, apparently)." Scala have have two "available" releases on Too Pure - Lips & Heaven EP (which compiles four songs from two limited edition seven inch singles) and the newer Slide EP. If you were to get a Scala record, I'd personally go for the former rather than the latter - I didn't think the songs on the Slide EP were particularly interesting. Did anyone think the Bruce Gilbert mix was worthwhile doing? Or did I just not get it? They have also released an album "Beauty Nowhere" on Touch records http://www.touch.demon.co.uk/ which is essentially a load of demos (and only available on import in the UK boo hoo). I understand this wasn't released by Too Pure because it wasn't up to scratch. I'd have to agree with this sentiment although I do listen to it sometimes - esp. the Blondie cover. As you may know Scala is essentially Seefeel minus Mark Clifford, and it's interesting to hear the differences between the two S's. Scala is less serious but also to my ears less sophisticated. However, I'm very much looking forward to hearing the album when it appears. I understand Seefeel are in fact playing October 31 at Powerhaus in London - I'll try and get more details if anyone's interested. Yours faithfully, David Thorpe djt@robots.ox.ac.uk Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 20:12:18 +0000 From: Andrew Norman Subject: Re: Scala / Seefeel I think it's rather good myself, but I have to agree that "Lips & Heaven" is far better. Cover art for that EP and the two 7" singles was by Jon Wozencroft who's also responsible for a lot of the Ash/Touch covers, and Ash released the Aurobindo album, of course. > As you may know Scala is essentially Seefeel minus Mark Clifford, > and it's interesting to hear the differences between the two S's. > Scala is less serious but also to my ears less sophisticated. And another S = songs. I think Sarah's frustration with not being allowed to sing on "Succour" was well known. Someone said at the time that what vocals there were on that album were from even earlier sessions. I played "Quique" on Sunday morning and was very impressed - hadn't heard it for ages, and it's still as beautiful as I remembered it. Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 15:28:00 -0400 From: "JS (Jim) Adams" Subject: Re: Scala!!! _Compass Heart_ (Touch Tone_9 CD) forthcoming - order info has gone out to distributors ... to include a 12-page cd booklet. t.b.a. according to Brainwashed releases page. Touch's new Sandoz title announced at the same time is out already. _To You in Alpha_ (Too Pure PURECD077 CD) forthcoming - 'sposed to be out, but no word to distributors yet. *sigh* t.b.a. according to Brainwashed, which also listed _The Suburban_. *And* a Japanese release on Tokuma (tba) forthcoming 23 September according to Brainwashed release page. "I will wait, I will wait ..." Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1998 13:16:33 +0100 From: ben reece Subject: Re: Scala!!! I've heard the new scala album (only a promo). It's more of the same with a bit more Mo Wax and MBV style 'high in the mix' loops. They have gone a bit less experimental from what I heard but I only listened once. I love scala and I love it anyway. The only place I know to hear it is in my local record shop. I assume you mean the album out on Too Pure. There's also another album out on Touch this year. Look out for it. Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 12:43:17 EDT From: Riouxs@aol.com Subject: Rioux's Records update #21. Pt. 2/2 SCALA - Compass Heart CD (Touch : Tone 9) $13.00 Scala were formed in 1995 during the long lay-off of London guitar band, Seefeel. So far, they have released just one highly acclaimed CD, "Beauty Nowhere", (Touch # TO:29, 1996) and two singles on the Too Pure label. "Compass Heart", (Touch # Tone 9) represents their latest recorded work, made in parallel to another project, "To You in Alpha" (to be released in the autumn by Too Pure). Produced by Mark Van Hoen (Locust), (cf Touch # TO:31) "Compass Heart" unfolds as an intimate story of desire and longing in cinematic, brilliantly lit scenes: awesome pop music that puts paid to the complaint that there is nothing new under the sun. From: Gescom@aol.com Subject: New releases from AB-CD. Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1998 21:25:34 EDT Here's a couple of long awaited new releases.... AVAILABLE NOW: SCALA, 'Compass Heart' (Touch) [TONE9] =3D cd, 12 page colour booklet; 13 tracks. AVAILABLE SOON: SCALA, 'To You in Alpha' (Too Pure) [PURE77CD] =3D cd, [PURE77LP] =3D viny= l lp. Scala is the best undiscovered band in the known universe. While this wee= k the masses get fired up by the prospect of Hole parading their 'Celebrity Skin', here is something infinitely more inventive, more revealing and mor= e involving. Scala was formed in 1995 during the long lay-off of London guitar band, Seefeel. So far they have released just one album, the highly acclaimed 'Beauty Nowhere' (Touch [TO:29], =A91996) and two singles on the Too Pure = label ('Lips and Heaven' [PURECD57] & 'Slide' [PURECD66]). 'Compass Heart' represents their latest recorded work made in parallel to another project, 'To You in Alpha' [PURE77CD/LP]. AB-CD expects to have s= tock of 'To You in Alpha' next week even though the release date is mid-October= !! Produced by Mark Van Hoen (Locust, Autocreation, Mojave 3), 'Compass Heart= ' unfolds as an intimate story of desire and longing in cinematic brilliantl= y lit scenes. From the exuberance of the opening track, 'HoneyLike', to the closing instrumental 'Hotel Room: Stream of Light', 'Compass Heart' is a refreshment programme for anyone jaded by the onslaught of corporate rock = and syndicated emotions. Stay tuned for more Mark Van Hoen updates! Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 15:24:07 +0100 From: David Thorpe Subject: Scala's <> Michael said: >What's the word on the latest Scala LP? Scala's <> (Too Pure) has been out for a couple of weeks, the <> LP (Touch) is probably out but I haven't been able to get a copy yet. It does seem strange to release two LP's at once, perhaps this is a contractual thing or something. I was hoping to send a review your way with a comparison of both, but time has run out now. Therefore I'll say that <> is somewhere along the lines of their demo tape <> which was released on Touch a couple of years ago, but there's the definate addition of Mark van Hoen influence because some of it sounds just like Locust. That is, the lyrics are right up in the mix and it has plenty of cinematic elements that are the sure sign of 'heavy-handed' production - particularly in the later parts of the LP. I can't say I think it's a classic album but it's definately got potential for being a grower. I'd love to know how it compares to the other LP. Sorry for the poorly written review - shall do better next time. Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 19:15:07 -0700 From: mark von minden Subject: Re: another petty complaint (+ scala, etc...) okay...let's make this more musically relevant. the two new scala releases have been getting the occasional 300/500 spin (oop! veiled 4AD reference) in my cd player lately. i really like the overall scala sound...it must be that mark van hoen influence...sort of dark and driven electronics with some nice whoosh-ing and buzz-ing. sorry larry, the lyrics haven't gotten all that much better. oh, well. anyway, the touch release is certainly the better of the two. it also has a *really* blatant cocteau twins sample on it (i won't tell anymore about it! enjoy the surprise!)...i'm actually quite surprised it hasn't been mentioned here yet.