Posted on: October 27, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

“I’ve been trying to write this album for 10 years,” reveals Magnetic Morning’s Sam Fogarino, of the band’s debut LP, A.M., which came out October 21 (Friend or Faux Records). It was ultimately Fogarino’s serendipitous meeting with Adam Franklin of Swervedriver that sealed his fate in this duo.

Fogarino planted the seeds of what would become Magnetic Morning songs even before he joined Interpol, but grew frustrated by an inability to find collaborators. “It is hard working with people that have the ability to write their own songs because in the end that is what they want to do,” Fogarino says, adding, “I would get started with people and then it would fall apart.” Calling the opportunity to work with Franklin, “beyond mind-blowing,” Fogarino reveals the band’s sound is shaped by the collaborative songwriting process, which sees both members operating in roles different from their previous work. “The songs are a testament to Franklin and Fogarino’s willingness to step away from their individual musical calling cards; there’s no screeching distortion or three-guitar jams a la Swervedriver, and the music is considerably looser than Interpol’s buttoned-up rock,” noted Magnet.

Invigorated by their new roles, Franklin and Fogarino freely explore their influences on A.M., seamlessly implementing an eclectic group of sounds into their own distinctive dreamscape, a sound which Alternative Press says is, “dark, but never sinks under the weight of its melancholy.” Lead track “Motorway” is a direct translation of Kraftwerk’s “Autobahn” from German to English, while walls of guitar and a wistful keyboard riff conjure up a sun-soaked reverie, setting the mood for the rest of the album. “At A Crossroads, Passive,” slows the pace, letting the melodies breathe amongst the heavy atmosphere.

While Fogarino tackles the primary melodies and chord structures, Franklin says it is, “very liberating,” to narrow his focus to the lyrics, arrangement, and small embellishments. Franklin even drew lyrical inspiration from the names Fogarino gave to his accumulated musical works in progress.

Timed with the release, this pair of rock innovators will hit the road for a fall U.S. tour this October and November, as a five-piece band.

MAGNETIC MORNING ON TOUR

October 27 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ 7th Street Entry
October 30 – Seattle, Wash. @ Chop Suey
November 2 – San Francisco, Calif. @ The Independent
November 3 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Roxy
November 4 – San Diego, Calif. @ Casbah
November 7 – Dallas, Texas @ House of Blues
November 8 – Austin, Texas @ Waterloo Park
November 10 – Atlanta, Ga. @ The Earl

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