Transit Of Venus is proud to announce the release of two great new albums: Swivel Chairs - The Slow Transmission - TOVCD07004 - An album that is understated and yet powerful in its impact. Fans of The Connells, The Reievers will find much to love here. One song(song #4 below) has the spirit of Chris Bell/Big Star that I can not get enough of. The album is packed with a memorable collection of songs that range stylistically from retro guitar-pop to alt-country, new wave and folk-rock. The album’s cohesion comes from the sharply crafted hooks that stick with the listener long after it's done playing and the genuine emotions that come out in their lyrics. “With The Slow Transmission Swivel Chairs prove a premise that’s been somewhat overlooked of late, namely that sometimes it takes little more than two acoustic guitars and tasteful accompaniment to make music that’s riveting, engaging and enduring. Never mind their inexplicable handle, Swivel Chair principals Jeremy Grites and Jason Brown’s mastery of melody, harmony and ambiance is what’s especially striking here. At times, their earnest delivery recalls America, especially in the pretty harmonies and caressing refrains that illuminate “10 G (No Say),” the quiet resolve of “Easy Now” and the gentle sway of “Calloused Hands.” Mainly though, theirs is an easy, unobtrusive lilt and allure of its own definition, one that provides an instant connection from the first listen on. The thirteen songs are of a decidedly mellow persuasion, suggesting an autumnal atmosphere of low-laying clouds, ashen skies and barren trees shorn of their leaves. In the midst of this half-lit embrace, there’s only the occasional surge, suggested in the emphatic drive of “All At Once,” the steady resolve of “Afterthought” and the easy lope of “Breaking Up.” Mostly though, The Slow Transmission is, as its title implies, an album driven by quiet persuasion, and, not coincidentally, a most memorable effort deserving of much more than a passing glance.”-Amplifer. You want something different, special and still filled with lots of hypnotic beauty, it’s right here – don’t let this one disappear in all the choices out there on the ‘net. Milton & the Devils Party - How Wicked We've Become - TOVCD07005 - “If you were Shatner / you could choose / between a goddess / or a muse.” Such is the glib wordplay you’d expect when two wise-guy English professors from Widner University are left to their own “wicked” (pun intended) devices in a recording studio. Dubbed Philadelphia’s “rock band for thinking people,” the creative force of bassist/singer/composer Daniel Robinson and guitarist Mark Graybill evoke pleasant comparison to such sophisticated / tongue-firmly-in-cheek rockers as The Decembertists, Robyn Hitchcock, Morrissey (who is respectfully name dropped in “Too Old To Die”) and Ray Davies with and without his Kinks (another pun intended). Though Robinson’s vocal timbre and delivery could easily be mistaken for Brit-pop icon Damon Albarn, he maintains his own identity throughout this jangley collection with a decidedly upbeat middle-aged perspective. Loss (“Coward of The Conscience”) and lust (“Have To Have Everything”) are in abundance, as is vengeance (“I’ve Had Your Wife”) with snug back-beats, swooping bass-lines, and sweet guitar licks. Highly recommended for fans of the above mentioned references. I could easily end this review with a quip about achieving the Dean’s list or affording an A grade, but let’s just say these old chickens make the best soup. --Tom Semioli Coming in October - New Trolleyvox double electric/acoustic album - Your Secret Safe/Luzerne Coming in 2008 - Julie Ocean & Like A Fox TOV Releases can be purchased at indie retailer, our website, Insound, Notlame, Koolkate, and the occasional chain retailer. Jim Moran Transit Of Venus PO Box 250 Blue Bell, PA 19106 215-625-4884 - Phone & Fax 215-287-4584 - Cell TOVJim@aol.com www.transitofvenusmusic.com ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com