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A powerfully honest vocal delivery and dedication to solid songwriting are only start of The Dollar Canon's charm. From one of the most elevated and encompassing trios around comes creative and engrossing playing on all fronts. A propensity for dynamic and emotional variety among and within songs is just another reason The Dollar Canon demands a listener's attention and affection. The group formed in the fall of 1998 while songwriter George N. Skaros and drummer Anthony Armstrong were both attending the University at Buffalo. Philosopher and filmmaker originally assembled the three piece with Skaros on guitar, and within a month had recorded their debut EP "ones and zeros." The group racked up a staggering amount of regional live performances, sharing stages with the likes of Rainer Maria, Aloha, Juno, Pibald, Atom and his Package, DMS, and Ours in the process. As a result of their early efforts The Dollar Canon was awarded "Best new band" and "Best EP" by 91.3 WBNY Buffalo. The year 2000 marked a change in direction for The Dollar Canon as one time Skaros collaborator guitarist Jason Mazzariello was enlisted. Skaros switched to bass guitar and Armstrong took to playing the farfisa organ and drums concurrently. Mazzariello brought his flashy guitar style to the group along with his mastery of layered guitar arrangements while the group benefited from a rediscovered indefatigable musical chemistry. The new lineup sonically elevated the band, enabling more fully orchestrated arrangements, which had interested but eluded the band in its former incarnation. The Dollar Canon entered the studio in the summer of 2000 to record their first full-length record. The group headed to Boston, M.A. and thesmallchurch studio (Karate, Piebald) to record under the supervision of engineer Bob Logan. Guitarist Terry Conrad was brought on bringing equal parts of post-punk power and art school finesse. As a result of all their endeavors, with "Are You Here?" the group has produced an outstanding recording of sonically powerful and intellectually stimulating rock and roll perfect for anyone fond of melody, honesty, and thoughtfully constructed music. Throughout the record's eleven songs elegance and abandon walk hand in hand as The Dollar Canon shows their true dynamic nature. From sparse accentuations to listener encompassing melodies, intertwining and shifting guitars float across a rolling landscape of bass and drums one minute and the whole gang drives you home the next. The sound is polished enough to let the listener appreciate the touch of an organ or E-bow yet remains raw and vital showcasing a remarkable breath of musical accomplishment in this their debut album. After a slew of glowing reviews "Are You Here?" hit college radio in the spring of 2001 to similar results. On the strength of George N. Skaros's trademark voice and soaring melodies and the band's shared and uncompromising dedication towards solid songwriting, from California to Washington D.C., and from Alaska to Texas and Quebec, the music which began in Buffalo has been filling the airwaves in heavy rotation. Dubbed by one promoter as the "indie-rock heir apparent, The Dollar Canon followed their radio success with a string of blistering live shows encompassing the full range of their musical spectrum. As Autumn of 2001 rolls around, the band has entered pre-production on the follow up to "Are You Here?". "The Future Apartments EP" is due out in early 2002, and promises to build on the band's history of empassioned and thoughtfully executed indie-rock, with plenty of sonic surprises. Check out the artist's website: http://www.dollarcanon.com Track List: 1. Your majesty 2. By design 3. Awaiting our arrival 4. For the lack of a better word 5. The daydreaming's taking its toll 6. Twelve months to the day 7. We knew you'd come 8. A written apology 9. What he said came as a shock 10. In the meantime 11. Another mystery solved Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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