Our Color Green (The Singles)
Encyclopedia
Our Color Green is an extended play by the American rock band Glassjaw
that was self-released on January 1, 2011. The EP complies five singles that were previously released throughout the later part of 2010. Our Color Green (The Singles) is the first release from Glassjaw since the 2005 B-sides EP El Mark
, and first release of original material since the 2002 studio album Worship and Tribute
. Also the first successful release as a four piece without Todd Weinstock
.
, Glassjaw went on hiatus for a few years. The hiatus was brought about for several reasons including high stress derived from touring, personal differences among band members, and vocalist Daryl Palumbo
's struggles with Crohn's disease
. Palumbo was also beginning to write softer music that didn't fit Glassjaw's style, and started the dance-punk
side project Head Automatica
in 2004.
During this time it was believed that Glassjaw had quietly broken up due to an extended period of inactivity, however in 2005 the band reformed and started writing and playing a handful of concerts. Along with Palumbo, Glassjaw reformed with former members Justin Beck
on guitars, Manuel Carrero on bass guitar
and founding drummer
Durijah Lang. Guitarist Todd Weinstock
, bassist Dave Allen and drummer Larry Gorman
, who were all a part of Glassjaw prior to the hiatus, had joined other projects and did not return. Weinstock started the electropop group Men, Women & Children
, and Gorman had joined Head Automatica with Palumbo.
From 2005 to 2010, Glassjaw hinted and teased at the release of new material. Due to the long delay, the project was often compared to Chinese Democracy
. This was humorous reference to the Guns N' Roses
album that also saw a significant delay in its release. In 2005, Glassjaw released the digital-only EP El Mark
featuring previously unreleased songs from the Worship and Tribute sessions. In 2006, the band had a few songs written and planned on completing a new album for a 2007 release, but the album failed to materialize. A demo recording of "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" was posted on their website in December 2008. In June 2009, Palumbo posted a Twitter update that he was currently listening to a new Glassjaw EP in his car with Justin Beck. After years of teasing the release of new material, the Twitter update was thought to be a joke. However, Palumbo later confirmed that a "five or six song EP" was completed, and there was a full-length Glassjaw album in the works as well.
, the other two songs became titled "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" and "Jesus Glue." Also written around this time was a new version of "Star Above My Bed (Call of the Tiger Woman)," originally released on the 1997 EP Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
, titled "Stars." Primary songwriter Justin Beck admitted that he enjoyed writing new material with no working deadline and that he was selfishly writing new songs "with no one in mind." By the end of 2007, Glassjaw had two rough batches of songs recorded: one that was described as being "far more aggressive" than previous Glassjaw albums, and another grouping of instrumental songs that had a "Spanish and Latin" vibe to them. The more aggressive songs became the tracks for the Our Color Green (The Singles) EP, while the rest are expected to be released as an eventual full-length release.
Our Color Green (The Singles) is Glassjaw's first major release since 1997's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang that wasn't produced by Ross Robinson
, who had recorded their previous two studio albums: Worship and Tribute and Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence
. Robinson was also producer for the songs on the El Mark EP. Instead, this new batch of songs was recorded by Glassjaw themselves and producer Jonathan Florencio
.
s to the fans on their mailing list. The postcards contained no words or writing outside of the address and postage, only a cut-out of the group's "GJ" logo. The cutout logo was later discovered to be a uniquely shaped vinyl adapter
. Typical vinyl records have a small hole that fits onto the spindle of the standard turntable
. An unusually shaped hole in the center of a record requires a complimentary shape in order to center the record on the spindle for the music to play correctly, and to prevent potentially damaging the equipment.
Shortly after the postcard was sent out, Glassjaw simultaneously performed a concert in the United Kingdom and also released a 7" vinyl
single
for the song "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven" on August 8, 2010. This single had a GJ shaped diecut hole and was given the catalog number 88, which continues with the band's interest in this value. Daryl Palumbo has had an obsession with the number eight since the formation of the band and has been a reoccurring theme in the band's merchandise.
Following the release of "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven," Glassjaw released one new 7" single per month that corresponded with a concert throughout the remainder of 2010 without announcement or promotion. Each song was released digitally in a low quality format for free in exchange for a Facebook or Twitter post promoting the band, or sold in a high quality format, on the day the following single was released. Each single was also released when the number for the month the year, and the number for the day of the month were the same value (ie. 8/8/2010, 9/9/2010, etc.). The single for "Jesus Glue" was released on September 9, "Natural Born Farmer" was released on October 10, "Stars" was released on November 11, and "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" was released on December 12.
The release for the "Stars" single was especially unique. Interested fans were required to visit Mario's Pizzeria in Seaford, New York at 1:11pm on 11/11/2010 and order "The Glassjaw" for $11.11. Inside a special box contained a personal-pizza and the "Stars" 7" vinyl, and the first 88 recipients were also given an invitation to a secret event at 11:11pm at an unknown address printed on the box. The location of the event turned out to be the headquarters for MerchDirect.com, a band merchandising company started by Justin Beck, and the event was for the music video filming of the unreleased song "Black Nurse."
On January 1, 2011 (1/1/11), all of the singles were compiled into an EP titled Our Color Green (The Singles), a possible allusion to the title of Glassjaw's first release, Our Color Green in 6/8 Time.
video on their official website featuring another unreleased song from the EP (while it was still being speculated that all 7" singles released would be included on the aforementioned EP) with a link to their MerchDirect store. Usually these DOGMA videos would appear about 14–19 days after the 7" for that month was available on their merch website.
In support of Our Color Green (The Singles), Glassjaw will commence their first full US headlining tour in four years running from February 13 through March 26, 2011. As part of a pre-order package deal for the tour, the band offered a limited edition silk-screened poster with the purchase of a ticket. During the tour, Glassjaw is expected to release a free EP titled Coloring Book.
and Rolling Stone
, praised Daryl Palumbo
's vocals on "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven" and noted that the guitars sounded "vibrant, hypnotic, and ethereal — sometimes all at the same time." Harris also observed a slight electronic element, possibly influenced by Palumbo's side project Head Automatica
. As the first single released, Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound
didn't feel that "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven" measured up to the five years of anticipation for new Glassjaw material, but noted, "it's got a pretty catchy, driving beat that's quick and technically sound and features some decent lyricism to boot."
Writing about the compilation Our Color Green (The Singles) Chris Harris wrote, "no sensible person would pay for this EP when they can just download it for free," however, he continued that he was a fan of the band and that he'd "like to see [Glassjaw] make some [money]."
Glassjaw
Glassjaw is a four-piece rock band from Long Island, New York. The band is fronted by vocalist Daryl Palumbo and guitarist Justin Beck, and have undergone numerous line-up changes since their inception...
that was self-released on January 1, 2011. The EP complies five singles that were previously released throughout the later part of 2010. Our Color Green (The Singles) is the first release from Glassjaw since the 2005 B-sides EP El Mark
El Mark
El Mark is a B-side EP recording released by the band Glassjaw in 2005 exclusively on iTunes. It consists of two previously released UK B-Sides and a new previously unreleased track, entitled Oxycodone...
, and first release of original material since the 2002 studio album Worship and Tribute
Worship and Tribute
Worship and Tribute is the second studio album by American post-hardcore/rock band Glassjaw. It marked their first release with Warner Bros. Records after an unpleasant split with Roadrunner Records. As with their first full-length album, Worship and Tribute was produced by Ross Robinson and mixed...
. Also the first successful release as a four piece without Todd Weinstock
Todd Weinstock
Todd Weinstock is an American guitar player. He was part of the original line-up for influential post hardcore/metal band Glassjaw.Prior to that, he and Justin Beck, also in Glassjaw, were in a Jewish straight-edge band named Sons of Abraham. He left Glassjaw in 2004 to head the electronic rock...
.
Background
Following the tours in support of their 2002 studio album Worship and TributeWorship and Tribute
Worship and Tribute is the second studio album by American post-hardcore/rock band Glassjaw. It marked their first release with Warner Bros. Records after an unpleasant split with Roadrunner Records. As with their first full-length album, Worship and Tribute was produced by Ross Robinson and mixed...
, Glassjaw went on hiatus for a few years. The hiatus was brought about for several reasons including high stress derived from touring, personal differences among band members, and vocalist Daryl Palumbo
Daryl Palumbo
Daryl Palumbo is an Italian American musician, , grew up in Bellmore, New York. He is the frontman of the bands Glassjaw and Head Automatica. As a youth he was a member of the Long Island straight edge band XbustedX, however he has since rejected that philosophy...
's struggles with Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
. Palumbo was also beginning to write softer music that didn't fit Glassjaw's style, and started the dance-punk
Dance-punk
Dance-punk is a music genre that emerged in the late 1970s, and is closely associated with the post-punk and No Wave movements.-Predecessors:...
side project Head Automatica
Head Automatica
Head Automatica is a Dance Rock band, formed by Glassjaw frontman Daryl Palumbo with Jarvis Holden, formerly of Give Up the Ghost or American Nightmare, Jim Greer, and Brandon Arnovick.-History:...
in 2004.
During this time it was believed that Glassjaw had quietly broken up due to an extended period of inactivity, however in 2005 the band reformed and started writing and playing a handful of concerts. Along with Palumbo, Glassjaw reformed with former members Justin Beck
Justin Beck
Justin Beck is the guitarist and musical writer for Long Island, New York band Glassjaw. Beck, with a high school and college buddy, Lee Tepper, also co-founded a band merchandise company called MerchDirect, which started in 1999 by selling band t-shirts over the internet and at local shows.Beck is...
on guitars, Manuel Carrero on bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and founding drummer
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Durijah Lang. Guitarist Todd Weinstock
Todd Weinstock
Todd Weinstock is an American guitar player. He was part of the original line-up for influential post hardcore/metal band Glassjaw.Prior to that, he and Justin Beck, also in Glassjaw, were in a Jewish straight-edge band named Sons of Abraham. He left Glassjaw in 2004 to head the electronic rock...
, bassist Dave Allen and drummer Larry Gorman
Larry Gorman
Larry Gorman is a rock drummer. Gorman has played in bands such as Glassjaw, Head Automatica, Orange 9mm, A Day for Honey , Fountainhead, and The Black Tie Party. As of 2009, he is the drummer with the band Asobi Seksu.- References :...
, who were all a part of Glassjaw prior to the hiatus, had joined other projects and did not return. Weinstock started the electropop group Men, Women & Children
Men, Women & Children
Men, Women & Children was an electropop band formed in 2004 by ex-Glassjaw guitarist Todd Weinstock. They released their self-titled debut album in 2006....
, and Gorman had joined Head Automatica with Palumbo.
From 2005 to 2010, Glassjaw hinted and teased at the release of new material. Due to the long delay, the project was often compared to Chinese Democracy
Chinese Democracy
Chinese Democracy is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released in November 2008 on Geffen Records. It is the band's first studio album since "The Spaghetti Incident?" , released exactly 15 years before Chinese Democracy, and their first album of original studio...
. This was humorous reference to the Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
album that also saw a significant delay in its release. In 2005, Glassjaw released the digital-only EP El Mark
El Mark
El Mark is a B-side EP recording released by the band Glassjaw in 2005 exclusively on iTunes. It consists of two previously released UK B-Sides and a new previously unreleased track, entitled Oxycodone...
featuring previously unreleased songs from the Worship and Tribute sessions. In 2006, the band had a few songs written and planned on completing a new album for a 2007 release, but the album failed to materialize. A demo recording of "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" was posted on their website in December 2008. In June 2009, Palumbo posted a Twitter update that he was currently listening to a new Glassjaw EP in his car with Justin Beck. After years of teasing the release of new material, the Twitter update was thought to be a joke. However, Palumbo later confirmed that a "five or six song EP" was completed, and there was a full-length Glassjaw album in the works as well.
Writing and recording
Glassjaw started crafting new songs after reforming with a new lineup, and by July 2005 they had three songs written; the only one of which that had a title at this point was "Natural Born Farmer." By their 2006 tour with DeftonesDeftones
Deftones are an American alternative metal band from Sacramento, California, founded in 1988. The band consists of Chino Moreno , Stephen Carpenter , Chi Cheng , Frank Delgado , and Abe Cunningham . Currently Sergio Vega is standing in on bass while Cheng recovers from a car accident...
, the other two songs became titled "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" and "Jesus Glue." Also written around this time was a new version of "Star Above My Bed (Call of the Tiger Woman)," originally released on the 1997 EP Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (album)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an EP by Glassjaw originally released in 1997 on 2 Cents A Pop label. In 2001, it was re-released without a label attached to it.Recorded at Brass Giraffe Studio in New York.-Track listing:...
, titled "Stars." Primary songwriter Justin Beck admitted that he enjoyed writing new material with no working deadline and that he was selfishly writing new songs "with no one in mind." By the end of 2007, Glassjaw had two rough batches of songs recorded: one that was described as being "far more aggressive" than previous Glassjaw albums, and another grouping of instrumental songs that had a "Spanish and Latin" vibe to them. The more aggressive songs became the tracks for the Our Color Green (The Singles) EP, while the rest are expected to be released as an eventual full-length release.
Our Color Green (The Singles) is Glassjaw's first major release since 1997's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang that wasn't produced by Ross Robinson
Ross Robinson
Ross Robinson, son of Byron Katie, is an American multi-platinum music producer, who has discovered successful acts such as Korn, At the Drive-In, Glassjaw, Repeater, Slipknot and Limp Bizkit. Robinson has also worked with Machine Head, Vanilla Ice, The Cure, Sepultura and many others...
, who had recorded their previous two studio albums: Worship and Tribute and Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence
-Personnel:*Daryl Palumbo - Vocals*Justin Beck - Guitar*Manuel Carrero - Bass guitar*Todd Weinstock - Guitar*Sammy Siegler - Drums*Ross Robinson - Production, mixing*Steve Evetts - Mixing*Chuck Johnson - Engineering*Ted Jensen - Mastering...
. Robinson was also producer for the songs on the El Mark EP. Instead, this new batch of songs was recorded by Glassjaw themselves and producer Jonathan Florencio
Jonathan Florencio
Jonathan Martinez Florencio is a multiple-award winning composer, recording engineer and record producer. He has composed music for various commercials; Hummer, Scion, Calvin Klein, Mercedes, Rolex, Yves Saint Lauren, Pepsi, MTV, etc...
.
Release
In July 2010, Glassjaw mailed out blank cardboard postcardPostcard
A postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope....
s to the fans on their mailing list. The postcards contained no words or writing outside of the address and postage, only a cut-out of the group's "GJ" logo. The cutout logo was later discovered to be a uniquely shaped vinyl adapter
45 rpm adapter
A 45 rpm adapter is a small plastic or metal insert that goes in the middle of a 45-rpm record so it will play on a turntable...
. Typical vinyl records have a small hole that fits onto the spindle of the standard turntable
Turntable
A turntable is generally a rotating platform, and may refer to:-Music:* Turntable, a motor-driven platform that normally rotates a gramophone record at a constant rotational velocity as part of a phonograph....
. An unusually shaped hole in the center of a record requires a complimentary shape in order to center the record on the spindle for the music to play correctly, and to prevent potentially damaging the equipment.
Shortly after the postcard was sent out, Glassjaw simultaneously performed a concert in the United Kingdom and also released a 7" vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
for the song "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven" on August 8, 2010. This single had a GJ shaped diecut hole and was given the catalog number 88, which continues with the band's interest in this value. Daryl Palumbo has had an obsession with the number eight since the formation of the band and has been a reoccurring theme in the band's merchandise.
Following the release of "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven," Glassjaw released one new 7" single per month that corresponded with a concert throughout the remainder of 2010 without announcement or promotion. Each song was released digitally in a low quality format for free in exchange for a Facebook or Twitter post promoting the band, or sold in a high quality format, on the day the following single was released. Each single was also released when the number for the month the year, and the number for the day of the month were the same value (ie. 8/8/2010, 9/9/2010, etc.). The single for "Jesus Glue" was released on September 9, "Natural Born Farmer" was released on October 10, "Stars" was released on November 11, and "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" was released on December 12.
The release for the "Stars" single was especially unique. Interested fans were required to visit Mario's Pizzeria in Seaford, New York at 1:11pm on 11/11/2010 and order "The Glassjaw" for $11.11. Inside a special box contained a personal-pizza and the "Stars" 7" vinyl, and the first 88 recipients were also given an invitation to a secret event at 11:11pm at an unknown address printed on the box. The location of the event turned out to be the headquarters for MerchDirect.com, a band merchandising company started by Justin Beck, and the event was for the music video filming of the unreleased song "Black Nurse."
On January 1, 2011 (1/1/11), all of the singles were compiled into an EP titled Our Color Green (The Singles), a possible allusion to the title of Glassjaw's first release, Our Color Green in 6/8 Time.
Release history
| Release | Release date | Corresponding concert | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven" | August 8, 2010 | Hevy Music Festival Hevy Music Festival Hevy Music Festival is a rock festival that takes place annually near Folkestone in the UK. It was originally held on 1 August 2009 on Folkestone seafront as a one-day festival with Feeder, Gary Numan and Ash as headliners. In 2010 it moved to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and grew to a weekend... in Folkestone Folkestone Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its... , United Kingdom |
GJ88 |
| "Jesus Glue" | September 9, 2010 | Vibe Lounge in Long Island, New York | GJ89 |
| "Natural Born Farmer" | October 10, 2010 | Maxwell's Maxwell's Maxwell's is a music club in Hoboken, New Jersey that also has a restaurant. The intimate venue often attracts a wide variety of acts looking for a change from the New York City concert spaces across the river.-History:... in Hoboken, New Jersey |
GJ90 |
| "Stars" | November 11, 2010 | MerchDirect in Bay Shore, New York | GJ91 |
| "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" | December 12, 2010 | Knitting Factory Knitting Factory The Knitting Factory is a music venue and concert house with locations in Brooklyn, Boise, Reno, and Spokane. The club originally specialized in jazz and experimental music and has expanded to showcasing all genres of music, performing arts and comedy.... in Brooklyn, New York |
GJ92 |
| Our Color Green (The Singles) | January 1, 2011 | Best Buy Theater Times Square, New York | |
Promotion
To further support the release of each 7" vinyl, Glassjaw released a live, one-take DOGMA-StyleDogme 95
Dogme 95 was an avant-garde filmmaking movement started in 1995 by the Danish directors Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg, who created the "Dogme 95 Manifesto" and the "Vow of Chastity". These were rules to create filmmaking based on the traditional values of story, acting, and theme, and...
video on their official website featuring another unreleased song from the EP (while it was still being speculated that all 7" singles released would be included on the aforementioned EP) with a link to their MerchDirect store. Usually these DOGMA videos would appear about 14–19 days after the 7" for that month was available on their merch website.
| Release | Video Release date |
|---|---|
| "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" | August 27, 2010 |
| "Stars" | September 23, 2010 |
| "Jesus Glue" | October 26, 2010 |
| "All Good Junkies Go To Heaven" | November 25, 2010 |
In support of Our Color Green (The Singles), Glassjaw will commence their first full US headlining tour in four years running from February 13 through March 26, 2011. As part of a pre-order package deal for the tour, the band offered a limited edition silk-screened poster with the purchase of a ticket. During the tour, Glassjaw is expected to release a free EP titled Coloring Book.
Reception
Initial reception of the individual singles was generally positive. Chris Harris of Gun Shy Assassain, and also writer for MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, praised Daryl Palumbo
Daryl Palumbo
Daryl Palumbo is an Italian American musician, , grew up in Bellmore, New York. He is the frontman of the bands Glassjaw and Head Automatica. As a youth he was a member of the Long Island straight edge band XbustedX, however he has since rejected that philosophy...
's vocals on "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven" and noted that the guitars sounded "vibrant, hypnotic, and ethereal — sometimes all at the same time." Harris also observed a slight electronic element, possibly influenced by Palumbo's side project Head Automatica
Head Automatica
Head Automatica is a Dance Rock band, formed by Glassjaw frontman Daryl Palumbo with Jarvis Holden, formerly of Give Up the Ghost or American Nightmare, Jim Greer, and Brandon Arnovick.-History:...
. As the first single released, Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound
Consequence of Sound
Consequence of Sound, also known often as CoS, is a Chicago-based music website featuring news, album and concert reviews, and editorials. In addition, the website also features the Festival Outlook micro-site, which serves as an on-line database for music festival news and rumors...
didn't feel that "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven" measured up to the five years of anticipation for new Glassjaw material, but noted, "it's got a pretty catchy, driving beat that's quick and technically sound and features some decent lyricism to boot."
Writing about the compilation Our Color Green (The Singles) Chris Harris wrote, "no sensible person would pay for this EP when they can just download it for free," however, he continued that he was a fan of the band and that he'd "like to see [Glassjaw] make some [money]."
Track listing
- "All Good Junkies Go to Heaven" – 4:14
- "Jesus Glue" – 5:07
- "Natural Born Farmer" – 3:06
- "Stars" – 3:59
- "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" – 5:16
Personnel
Glassjaw- Daryl PalumboDaryl PalumboDaryl Palumbo is an Italian American musician, , grew up in Bellmore, New York. He is the frontman of the bands Glassjaw and Head Automatica. As a youth he was a member of the Long Island straight edge band XbustedX, however he has since rejected that philosophy...
– lead vocals - Justin BeckJustin BeckJustin Beck is the guitarist and musical writer for Long Island, New York band Glassjaw. Beck, with a high school and college buddy, Lee Tepper, also co-founded a band merchandise company called MerchDirect, which started in 1999 by selling band t-shirts over the internet and at local shows.Beck is...
– guitars - Durijah Lang – drums, percussion
- Manuel Carrero – bass
External links
- Glassjaw at Project Rodney