Slomotion
Encyclopedia
Slomotion is the fifth studio album by The Watchmen
. The album was released as 2 CD set where the second CD was a greatest hits
package. This was the band’s last studio album.
offices of Boston
-based roots label, Rounder Records
. Musically, he hooked up with John Hornak and Michael Owen from reaulaudiowavetransfer. The new partnership took off instantly and resulted in a new band, the experimental trio Avenue One.
The loss of their drummer and original member would alter the band’s songwriting and sound. With Kohn gone, the various Watchmen hooked up their Macintosh
computers with Pro Tools
software and began experimenting with samples
, backbeats and tape loops to create a collection of electronic tracks shot through with the band's trademark melodies. This change in direction divided fans and critics.
At this time, EMI
Music Canada wanted to release a greatest hits
package with one or two new songs. The band fought to include all 8 of the new songs they had completed. As a compromise, the new album became a 2 CD set but was priced as a single CD.
Disc One, dubbed Fast Forward, is a set of 8 new songs produced by Rhys Fulber
(Front Line Assembly
& Delerium
) and DJ Iain, and also includes a remix of their song "Stereo" from Silent Radar
. The songs feature programmed beats, and synthesizer
sounds, a first for the band.
Disc Two, dubbed Rewind, includes 9 of the band's best songs, culled from their previous four studio records.
In keeping with the band’s embrace of multimedia
and the internet
which began with Silent Radar
, both discs contained multimedia components, including photos, video clips, and technology allowing fans to remix the song “Slomotion”. Both CDs also provided a link to a private website which could only be accessible to those who bought the CD.
s. This was an improvement over the first week sales of the band’s previous album Silent Radar
in April 1998 which sold 4,985 copies in its first week. The album was certified Gold in Canada by the Canadian Recording Industry Association
on October 16, 2001.
The band made videos for "Slomotion" and "Holiday (Slow It Down)" in 2002, both of which saw good rotation on MuchMusic
.
(Guitar, Vocals), Daniel Greaves (Vocals, Harmonica, Piano), and Ken Tizzard
(Bass) were joined by Winnipegger Ryan Ahoff on Drums. In addition to playing bass, Tizzard also acted as the group’s DJ by working a turntable and other “digital doodads”. He took up the name OBScene to commemorate his new DJ skills.
Throughout the tour, the band continued to use the internet to promote their efforts. For example, the December 20, 2001 concert at the Congress Centre in Ottawa
was webcast over the internet.
Following the promotion and tour for Slomotion, the band members went off to separate projects. However, as 2002 became 2003, the band members decided the band had run its course. The decision to fold the band came about not because of musical differences or nasty infighting, but because of a bad case of creative stagnation. Following the tour in support of Slomotion, the band members felt that their enthusiasm was more on the other projects and it was forced for The Watchmen, and it wasn't fair for the band or the fans.
CD2 – Rewind
Note: For songwriting and production credits for CD 2, see respective albums.
"Holiday (Slow It Down)", "Together", "I Like It", "Phone Call", and "Soft Parade"
“Absolutely Anytime”, “No Longer Mine”, and “Slomotion”
“Stereo (Remix)”
The Watchmen
The Watchmen is a Canadian rock band. They were one of the most commercially successful Canadian alternative rock groups of the mid to late 1990s. During their peak years the band had three gold records and one platinum record...
. The album was released as 2 CD set where the second CD was a greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
package. This was the band’s last studio album.
Background
After four albums, Sammy Kohn split from the group to work as Canadian promo rep for the TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
offices of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
-based roots label, Rounder Records
Rounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
. Musically, he hooked up with John Hornak and Michael Owen from reaulaudiowavetransfer. The new partnership took off instantly and resulted in a new band, the experimental trio Avenue One.
The loss of their drummer and original member would alter the band’s songwriting and sound. With Kohn gone, the various Watchmen hooked up their Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
computers with Pro Tools
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
software and began experimenting with samples
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
, backbeats and tape loops to create a collection of electronic tracks shot through with the band's trademark melodies. This change in direction divided fans and critics.
At this time, EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Music Canada wanted to release a greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
package with one or two new songs. The band fought to include all 8 of the new songs they had completed. As a compromise, the new album became a 2 CD set but was priced as a single CD.
Disc One, dubbed Fast Forward, is a set of 8 new songs produced by Rhys Fulber
Rhys Fulber
Nowell Rhys Fulber is a Canadian electronic musician and producer. He was a member of Front Line Assembly and Delerium along with Bill Leeb, and now records on his own under the name Conjure One.- Biography :...
(Front Line Assembly
Front Line Assembly
Front Line Assembly is a Canadian electro-industrial band formed by Bill Leeb in 1986 after leaving Skinny Puppy. Influenced by early Industrial acts such as Cabaret Voltaire, Portion Control, D.A.F., Test Dept, SPK, and Severed Heads, FLA has developed its own unique sound while combining...
& Delerium
Delerium
Delerium is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, formed in 1987, originally as a side project of the influential industrial music act, Front Line Assembly...
) and DJ Iain, and also includes a remix of their song "Stereo" from Silent Radar
Silent Radar
Silent Radar is the fourth studio album by The Watchmen. The album contained numerous hits including "Stereo", "Any Day Now", and "Say Something"...
. The songs feature programmed beats, and synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
sounds, a first for the band.
Disc Two, dubbed Rewind, includes 9 of the band's best songs, culled from their previous four studio records.
In keeping with the band’s embrace of multimedia
Multimedia
Multimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which use only rudimentary computer display such as text-only, or...
and the internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
which began with Silent Radar
Silent Radar
Silent Radar is the fourth studio album by The Watchmen. The album contained numerous hits including "Stereo", "Any Day Now", and "Say Something"...
, both discs contained multimedia components, including photos, video clips, and technology allowing fans to remix the song “Slomotion”. Both CDs also provided a link to a private website which could only be accessible to those who bought the CD.
Reception
The album's first single, "Absolutely Anytime", was released prior to the album and was moderately successful. The album was released in the first week of October 2001 and the bargain-priced double-CD set sold 7,908 copies in its first week of release. This placed it at No. 6 on the Canadian Albums ChartCanadian Albums Chart
The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS...
s. This was an improvement over the first week sales of the band’s previous album Silent Radar
Silent Radar
Silent Radar is the fourth studio album by The Watchmen. The album contained numerous hits including "Stereo", "Any Day Now", and "Say Something"...
in April 1998 which sold 4,985 copies in its first week. The album was certified Gold in Canada by the Canadian Recording Industry Association
Canadian Recording Industry Association
Music Canada is a Toronto-based, non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 to represent the interests of companies that record, artists, manufacture, production, promotion and distribution of music in Canada...
on October 16, 2001.
The band made videos for "Slomotion" and "Holiday (Slow It Down)" in 2002, both of which saw good rotation on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
.
Tour
The band went on an extensive tour to support the new album. Band members Joey SerlinJoey Serlin
Joey Serlin is a Canadian rock guitarist and songwriter.He was a member of The Watchmen, a Canadian alternative rock bands active in the 1990s...
(Guitar, Vocals), Daniel Greaves (Vocals, Harmonica, Piano), and Ken Tizzard
Ken Tizzard
Ken Tizzard is a Canadian rock bassist.He was a member of The Watchmen, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands of the 1990s. Following that band's breakup in late 2003, he spent time with Thornley, who released their debut album in 2004...
(Bass) were joined by Winnipegger Ryan Ahoff on Drums. In addition to playing bass, Tizzard also acted as the group’s DJ by working a turntable and other “digital doodads”. He took up the name OBScene to commemorate his new DJ skills.
Throughout the tour, the band continued to use the internet to promote their efforts. For example, the December 20, 2001 concert at the Congress Centre in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
was webcast over the internet.
Following the promotion and tour for Slomotion, the band members went off to separate projects. However, as 2002 became 2003, the band members decided the band had run its course. The decision to fold the band came about not because of musical differences or nasty infighting, but because of a bad case of creative stagnation. Following the tour in support of Slomotion, the band members felt that their enthusiasm was more on the other projects and it was forced for The Watchmen, and it wasn't fair for the band or the fans.
Track listing
CD 1 – Fast Forward- Holiday (Slow It Down) (Daniel Greaves)
- Absolutely Anytime (Joey SerlinJoey SerlinJoey Serlin is a Canadian rock guitarist and songwriter.He was a member of The Watchmen, a Canadian alternative rock bands active in the 1990s...
) - No Longer Mine (Serlin)
- Together (Music: The WatchmenThe WatchmenThe Watchmen is a Canadian rock band. They were one of the most commercially successful Canadian alternative rock groups of the mid to late 1990s. During their peak years the band had three gold records and one platinum record...
, Lyrics: Greaves) - Slomotion (Serlin)
- I Like It (Music: The Watchmen, Lyrics: Greaves)
- Phone Call (Music: Greaves/Ken TizzardKen TizzardKen Tizzard is a Canadian rock bassist.He was a member of The Watchmen, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands of the 1990s. Following that band's breakup in late 2003, he spent time with Thornley, who released their debut album in 2004...
, Lyrics: Greaves) - Soft Parade (Music: Serlin, Lyrics: Greaves)
- Stereo (Remix) (Music: The Watchmen, Lyrics: Greaves)
CD2 – Rewind
- Cracked (From: McLaren Furnace RoomMcLaren Furnace RoomMcLaren Furnace Room is the first major label album by Canadian band, The Watchmen. Originally released by SUMO Productions in Canada in 1992 , the release impressed MCA Records Canada who signed the band and released the album in 1993 on a much wider scale...
, 1992) - Run & Hide (From: McLaren Furnace RoomMcLaren Furnace RoomMcLaren Furnace Room is the first major label album by Canadian band, The Watchmen. Originally released by SUMO Productions in Canada in 1992 , the release impressed MCA Records Canada who signed the band and released the album in 1993 on a much wider scale...
, 1992) - Boneyard Tree (From: In The TreesIn the TreesIn The Trees is the second studio album by The Watchmen. With hits "Lusitana", "Boneyard Tree" and "All Uncovered", this was the band's breakthrough release in their home country of Canada...
, 1994) - All Uncovered (From: In The TreesIn the TreesIn The Trees is the second studio album by The Watchmen. With hits "Lusitana", "Boneyard Tree" and "All Uncovered", this was the band's breakthrough release in their home country of Canada...
, 1994) - Incarnate (From: Brand New DayBrand New Day (The Watchmen album)Brand New Day is the third studio album by The Watchmen. It was released in March 1996. Although the song "Incarnate" was a moderate hit, this album was the least popular of the band's studio albums...
, 1996) - Zoom (From: Brand New DayBrand New Day (The Watchmen album)Brand New Day is the third studio album by The Watchmen. It was released in March 1996. Although the song "Incarnate" was a moderate hit, this album was the least popular of the band's studio albums...
, 1996) - Shut Up (From: Brand New DayBrand New Day (The Watchmen album)Brand New Day is the third studio album by The Watchmen. It was released in March 1996. Although the song "Incarnate" was a moderate hit, this album was the least popular of the band's studio albums...
, 1996) - Any Day NowAny Day Now (The Watchmen song)"Any Day Now" is the second single by Canadian band The Watchmen from their fourth studio album, Silent Radar.In 2011, the song was featured in the opening montage of Hockey Night in Canada in the first game in Winnipeg of the returning Winnipeg Jets....
(From: Silent RadarSilent RadarSilent Radar is the fourth studio album by The Watchmen. The album contained numerous hits including "Stereo", "Any Day Now", and "Say Something"...
, 1998) - Brighter Hell (From: Silent RadarSilent RadarSilent Radar is the fourth studio album by The Watchmen. The album contained numerous hits including "Stereo", "Any Day Now", and "Say Something"...
, 1998)
Note: For songwriting and production credits for CD 2, see respective albums.
Personnel
- Daniel Greaves – Vocals, Piano
- Joey SerlinJoey SerlinJoey Serlin is a Canadian rock guitarist and songwriter.He was a member of The Watchmen, a Canadian alternative rock bands active in the 1990s...
– Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards - Ken TizzardKen TizzardKen Tizzard is a Canadian rock bassist.He was a member of The Watchmen, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands of the 1990s. Following that band's breakup in late 2003, he spent time with Thornley, who released their debut album in 2004...
– Bass, Programming
Additional Personnel
- Sammy Kohn - Drums on CD 2
- Pete Loewen - Bass on Tracks 1 & 2 on CD 2
Production (CD 1 – Fast Forward)
- Fast Forward mastered by Nick Rawson at the Post Shop
- All Songs Co-Produced by The WatchmenThe WatchmenThe Watchmen is a Canadian rock band. They were one of the most commercially successful Canadian alternative rock groups of the mid to late 1990s. During their peak years the band had three gold records and one platinum record...
"Holiday (Slow It Down)", "Together", "I Like It", "Phone Call", and "Soft Parade"
- Produced by DJ Iain and Snoog
- Recorded at Sound and Vision (TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, ON) - Mixed by DJ Iain at Sound and Vision (Toronto, ON)
- “Holiday (Slow It Down)” and “Phone Call": Additional Recording at Music High & Wide, Audio Playground
- “Together”: Additional Recording at Music High & Wide, Signal to Noise
- “Soft Parade”: Additional Recording at Music High & Wide, Signal to Noise, Audio Playground
- “Holiday”: Additional Programming by Snoog and DJ Iain
- “Together”, “I Like It”, “Phone Call”, and “Soft Parade”: Additional Programming by Snoog, DJ Iain, and OBSceneKen TizzardKen Tizzard is a Canadian rock bassist.He was a member of The Watchmen, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands of the 1990s. Following that band's breakup in late 2003, he spent time with Thornley, who released their debut album in 2004...
“Absolutely Anytime”, “No Longer Mine”, and “Slomotion”
- Produced by Rhys FulberRhys FulberNowell Rhys Fulber is a Canadian electronic musician and producer. He was a member of Front Line Assembly and Delerium along with Bill Leeb, and now records on his own under the name Conjure One.- Biography :...
- Mixed & Engineered by Mike Plotnikoff
- Digital Editing by Paul Silveira
- Recorded at Hipposonic (Vancouver, BC)
- Additional Recording at Signal to Noise
- Programming by Rhys Fulber
- Mixed at Hipposonic and The Mix Room (BurbankBurbank, CaliforniaBurbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
, CA) - Mixing Assistants Chris Guy (Hipposonic) and Chuck Bailey (The Mix Room)
- “Absolutely Anytime”: Additional Programming by Joey SerlinJoey SerlinJoey Serlin is a Canadian rock guitarist and songwriter.He was a member of The Watchmen, a Canadian alternative rock bands active in the 1990s...
and OBSceneKen TizzardKen Tizzard is a Canadian rock bassist.He was a member of The Watchmen, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands of the 1990s. Following that band's breakup in late 2003, he spent time with Thornley, who released their debut album in 2004... - “No Longer Mine”: Additional Programming by Chris Peterson, Jason Filipchuk, Joey SerlinJoey SerlinJoey Serlin is a Canadian rock guitarist and songwriter.He was a member of The Watchmen, a Canadian alternative rock bands active in the 1990s...
and OBSceneKen TizzardKen Tizzard is a Canadian rock bassist.He was a member of The Watchmen, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands of the 1990s. Following that band's breakup in late 2003, he spent time with Thornley, who released their debut album in 2004... - “Slomotion”: Additional Programming by Chris Peterson, Joey SerlinJoey SerlinJoey Serlin is a Canadian rock guitarist and songwriter.He was a member of The Watchmen, a Canadian alternative rock bands active in the 1990s...
and OBSceneKen TizzardKen Tizzard is a Canadian rock bassist.He was a member of The Watchmen, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands of the 1990s. Following that band's breakup in late 2003, he spent time with Thornley, who released their debut album in 2004...
“Stereo (Remix)”
- Remixed by Rhys FulberRhys FulberNowell Rhys Fulber is a Canadian electronic musician and producer. He was a member of Front Line Assembly and Delerium along with Bill Leeb, and now records on his own under the name Conjure One.- Biography :...
- Mixed by Mike Plotnikoff
- Programming by Rhys Fulber
- Digital Editing by Greg Collins
- Mixed at The Mix Room (Burbank, CA)
- Recorded by Adam Kasper
- Original version from Silent RadarSilent RadarSilent Radar is the fourth studio album by The Watchmen. The album contained numerous hits including "Stereo", "Any Day Now", and "Say Something"...
External links
- Liner notes from The Watchmen: Slomotion.
- The Watchmen Bio
- The Watchmen - Videos
- Thrown For A Loop
- The Watchmen in Motion
- Time Moves Forward
- Watchmen make big chart noise
- Rock concert raises cash for Israeli bobsled team
- Nickelback picks up three Prairie Music Awards
- Farewell watch
- Slomotion Review
- Concert Review
- CRIA Searchable Database