This New Jersey trio (I had forgotten where they were from until I put this post together, and damn, I fucking love New Jersey) formed in the late-80's and is probably best known for their initial outing for Revelation Records in 1995: "Save It", their third full-length—which was actually my first introduction to the band. "Save It" is an excellent record in its own right, but after tracking down their earlier material something about their sophomore effort, "Neon", always stuck with me. I don't know, maybe it's just the fact that it's a little moodier, but whatever the case, this record, released in 1993 on the Skene! label, remains my favorite in the Shades Apart catalog.
The band was actually most interesting to me in that they always had a totally unique sound, partly due to the vocals, but also because they're just impossible to pigeonhole. They're not an emo band, they're not an indie rock band, they're not exactly a post-hardcore band, nor are they a simple rock band... but all such styles play a role in their music, which is catchy and melodic, but still a little dissonant or at times angular and noisy. I saw 'em live numerous times during the mid- to late-90's and they never played any tracks from this record live. I don't know what that was all about, maybe they weren't happy with the slight stylistic shift? Who knows? One of the final times I caught 'em they did play a mere one song off of "Neon" and I was super psyched about that. I should've talked to 'em about it afterwards, but I'm too neurotic to do shit like that, so... it remains a mystery to me.
Anyway, I'm a big fan of this band and have always thought more people should be into 'em:
Shades Apart "Calling"
Shades Apart "Visitor"
After doing another record for Revelation, it was off to the majors, though I actually stopped following the group after "Save It" for whatever reason. Which reminds me: I probably ought to pick up "Seeing Things" and "Eyewitness" simply out of respect for the band's formidable years, but 2001's "Sonic Boom" displays one of the worst record covers of all time, so I'd probably refuse to buy it even if it was good (which it may be, I haven't heard it, obviously). Maybe they're even still kicking around somewhere? I doubt it, but you never know...
The band's debut was always pretty hard to find, and "Neon" met a similar fate as it's pretty damn scarce to come by these days unless you're willing to pay relatively unreasonable prices (it's actually surpassed the band's debut in terms of rarity). There's one copy for dirt cheap on Half.com right now, so if someone wants it: Act fast. There's another on eBay that's actually priced fairly, but it's in Japan, so... that's a tossup when you factor in shipping costs. A used copy's fuckin' $25 on Amazon.com, which isn't a fair deal, so... it's a shame it's so hard to get your hands on this CD now. Any takers?
And thanks to everyone that's posted comments (positive or negative, it all counts) or emailed me with thoughts and suggestions over the past week, I really appreciate it and was actually quite stunned by the sudden influx of activity, so that was awesome. Since Tomsk-7 was such a big hit this Shades Apart action might send a few of you running to the hills, but... I'll bring back the grind at some point as well! Thanks.
Comments
My god, I know exactly what you mean ... when I saw Sonic Boom, I actually stood there in the record store, slack-jawed, and stared at it incredulously for at least 5 minutes. I was truly astounded by how fucking horrible and poorly done the packaging was.
Unbelievable.
Anyway, I ended up buying it, it’s not bad, I can upload some tracks if you want to hear it. I have Seeing Things, Sonic Boom, Eyewitness, Save It, Neon and Live From Irving Plaza, NYC all ripped into my iTunes.
6.13.2005 | By Guav
ive never actually heard this record, and im glad you posted a few songs. especially since ive been on a shades apart kick lately.
ive heard everything else though, and i have to say seeing things is probably my favorite. i think they hit thier pop writing stride with that one, a little grit and not too sugary… which kinda is what happened to them on eyewitness.
to me, eyewitness is about half good, half cheesy. one song that i think is super exellent on it is called ‘chasing daydreams’
sonic boom ive only lisntened to a few times, but nothing really grabbed me on that.
6.13.2005 | By Dan Sullivan
also i know they played a few shows with the fire still burns and vision around NJ lately.
6.13.2005 | By dan sullivan
Just happened across your site, and lucky me i started out seeing your shadesapart kick. their first album on wishingwell pretty much sealed the deal for me in the late 80’s as a young skateboardin teen. after hearing it i “officially became a lover of hardcore music” haha, having spent the previous formative years in new wave limbo (smiths, depeche mode, cure)...haha. anyway, neon was a great album, and the dude danger 12” on sunspot i actually enjoyed as well, although they seemed to be starting to go for the more “mature college radio” sound. i kinda lost interest after that, i got the whole “hey, we are hardcore band again” vibe from their later stuff that just didnt gel too well with me. like 7 seconds way back then…haha. i finally start liking their new sound, and then wham…hey, we are totally punk again! ehh…sorry kev, that’s lame and boring. anyway, to finish off the rant. that first shadesapart album and the first grave goods 7” were my favorite records of the late 80s. rock and roll. look forward to reading your site more often. wish i saw it sooner.
6.15.2005 | By Phillip Dwyer
love the melodic stuff. doesnt have to be grind all the time.
6.15.2005 | By Anonymous
Man, circa 1988, the Wishingwell debut blew me away as well. “On the Inside” is indelibly stamped on my brain as part of the “Soundtrack to my High School Years.” (Yes, I’m old.)
I remember after Neon came out, they kind of dropped off the face of the earth for a while—I was certain they just broke up, but then they resurfaced at some 2-day fest in my hometown in NWPA. Glad I go to see ‘em, albeit a little past their heyday.
7.8.2005 | By Ben