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War No More

by Tracy Island

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bcynic
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bcynic I like the mix of archetypal song styles on this album. Favorite track: What You Want.
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    Tracy Island is an electric duo from Brooklyn that plays progressive retro-pop: songs with form and sophisticated lyrics that push boundaries, and music which draws inspiration from the 60s, 70s and 80s. They’ve garnered comparisons as eclectic as Blondie and Richard Thompson.

    Since the year 2000, Liza & Ian Roure’s musical collaborations mixing New York City lo-fi new wave, West Coast jangle-psychedelia, and the poppier side of British folk rock have been heard worldwide on three studio albums and two international tours featuring Liza’s songwriting as Liza & the WonderWheels (2002-2010) and several more as The Larch (1997-2014) – see also www.dadaparadox.com featuring Ian’s songwriting and 12-string Rikenbacker guitar with Liza on melodica, keyboards and vocal harmonies.

    2003: AND THE WONDERWHEELS is released - “Here we have a singer/songwriter with not only the intellectual capacity to craft great songs but to also perform them with a flair that has not been seen for some time. Liza, together with the WonderWheels, has released an album full of many reference points but one that is also distinctly individual; labels do not need to be put on an artist such as this nor on her very tight band. Liza and the band shine in their own right, making this a must buy album.” – Tony Bates, 94.1 FM 3WBC, Melbourne, Australia

    2006: MEET THE ANIMAL is released - “…what they do is make great music for the people of New York. The band is a cross between traditional folk and melody, scratch punk and gritty rock and roll… Track 7 “Loops” reminds me a lot of Yo La Tengo. Quite a compliment! Visit the band. Get on the mail list. Pick up some music!” – Ryan Spaulding, Ryan’s Smashing Life, Boston, US

    2010: PAVLOV’S GARAGE is released - “Their best album… Liza’s always had ferocious vocal chops…The opening cut After Last Night perfectly captures the vibe of being stuck at the dayjob but still resonating from the fun of the previous evening… The catchy, riff-driven Where’s My Robot Maid sarcastically pokes fun at blind faith in technology… Learning Lessons, a pounding girl-power anthem comes on like an edgier version of the Motels... The backbeat anthem Straight to the Body evokes the Go Go’s…The two big live hits here are the ferociously sarcastic Petroleum… and No Exceptions… There’s also The Hats, a scampering rocker… Smug Ugly which shifts the time back another ten years to the early 70s with a darkly psychedelic bluesy vibe… and Take Us to the Stars, the only rock song to celebrate climbing Mount Rainer… a creepy, breathtaking art-rock epic driven by Ian’s magisterial, otherworldly bluesy guitar… Count this among the best and most satisfying releases of 2010.” – Alan Young, Lucid Culture, New York, US

    Duo performances since the summer of 2012 under new project name Tracy Island have been well received for allowing intimate access to Liza’s Deborah Harry-esque vocals, politically aware lyrical intricacies and memorably melodic tunes, as well as Ian’s guitar virtuosity.

    2015: WAR NO MORE, the first Tracy Island album, is released November 3 with a party at the Bowery Electric in New York City.

    The nine songs were written by Liza, and Tracy Island played all the instruments on the album with Liza laying down vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, drums, drum programming and percussion and Ian contributing electric 6 and 12-string guitars, vocals, bass, and percussion. WAR NO MORE was recorded by Wayne Koehler at the Comfy Cave in Brooklyn, and mastered by Scott Anthony at Storybook Sound.

    “Now, at last, Tracy Island have a characteristically catchy, brand-new debut album, War No More… What You Want, a perfect marriage between cheery 60s Carnaby Street riffage and vamping, watery, chorus-box new wave… the metaphorically-loaded Playing Checkers, Ian’s icy strobe guitar rising over its balletesque rhythms up to its vintage soul-infused chorus… the two go back to the skinny-tie era with the seductively propulsive Midnight Lightning. Low Strung reaches back toward 70s folk-rock but with a Beatlesque stroll. Can Better Days Be Far Behind is a real stunner… The album’s most gorgeous and troubled number is Cold Wind, the duo’s aching vocal harmonies over Ian’s ominously chugging bassline and super cooled rivulets of vintage chorus-box guitar. The enigmatic instrumental break midway through offers a fond nod back to the surprisingly focused jamming that the WonderWheels would often break out… Land of Opportunity, part early 70s pastoral Pink Floyd, part Richard & Linda Thompson, part new wave… successful detour into simmeringly wounded Gram Parsons / Emmylou Harris Americana with I Spy. The album comes full circle, back to catchy new wave with Message In My Head and its wry shout-outs to a classic by X and also a 70s pop cheeseball by somebody else. Ian’s meticulously timbered blend of flash and focus have never been in better form, and the same can be said for Liza’s early-spring brook of a voice, so clear that you can see yourself all the way to its depths. You’ll see this album on the best of 2015 page at the end of next month.” Delarue, New York Music Daily (November 2015)

    The creative heart of Tracy Island beats strongly and wants us all to become simultaneously both a more genuine and more iconic version of what we already are. Sail up and knock on the clubhouse door for art rock sounds that feel unique, accessible and true.

    Includes unlimited streaming of War No More via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
What You Want I like chewing gum / Blowing bubbles is lots of fun I like chewing gum / Sometimes sweet is what you want I like staying out late at night / Coming home by the morning light I like staying out late at night / Sometimes the dark is what you want I wanna be What You Want (What You Want) I wanna be What You Want (What You Want) I wanna be What You Want What You Want / What You Want I like roller skates / Being known as someone who creates I like roller skates / Sometimes a fall is what you want I wanna be What You Want (What You Want) I wanna be What You Want (What You Want) I wanna be What You Want What You Want / What You Want I like the color of your eyes Makes me feel all crazy inside These feelings got me saturated Gotta be with you be highly rated Ah, ah, ah so frustrated What you want, you want, you want, you want, What You Want I wanna be What You Want (What You Want) I wanna be What You Want (What You Want) I wanna be What You Want What You Want What you Want I wanna be What You Want (What You Want) I wanna be What You Want (What You Want) I wanna be What You Want What You Want / What You Want
2.
Playing Checkers Am I where I am? Am I looking out my eyes? Can I control my hands / Or my thoughts of different lands? I do but I don’t know / Things get blurry when I go Am I really sure that I shut and locked the door? Playing Checkers, ah Playing Checkers Playing Checkers oh, oh no Is the projector manned? Can I watch the game again? What is fact and what is dream / How do I know anything? Since I try I don’t see / Irresponsibility Can I be secure that the gas is off for sure? Playing Checkers, ah Playing Checkers Playing Checkers oh, oh no Moving forward only have to double back and Move diagonal everybody’s keeping track of What enslaves me what when known will set me free? Am I your baby? / Can you really double / Can your really double me? Playing Checkers, ah Playing Checkers Playing Checkers oh, oh no Playing Checkers, ah Playing Checkers Playing Checkers oh, oh no
3.
Midnight Lightning Food sleep and shelter / All your needs blown helter skelter Raised your alertness / That much for sure Listen to the business / How deep can you get into this? Say nothing’s fair / No, not anymore Moonlight / So exciting Thunder / Senses tightening In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting it Red falling petals / On a bed of heavy metals Something breaking open / Someone is hit Check over the manifest / Then maybe we’ll get to the rest Ready to engage / The rocket’s been lit Awareness / Of the lighting A little death / Is a little frightening In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting it The painted line’s been in dispute for such a long time Lists and directions for dressing / I’m rejecting Hearts can’t hide / It doesn’t matter how the bodies collide Trumpets blow and the wind explodes Hooked and split / Not fighting it In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting it Please continue feeling a nurse has come to start the healing Can we change the world before we are changed? Now I know the difference / A declaration can’t hide hints After the word is spoken the blood’s rearranged Rearranged I’m not fighting it I’m not fighting it I’m not fighting it I’m not fighting it In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting In the Midnight Lightning / I’m not fighting it
4.
Low Strung 03:45
Low Strung Hey hey hey baby loosen up your lips Let’s go out and sink some ships You look to me as if you’re scared to bits And I-I-I oughta know You gotta go / Low Strung Yeah yeah Low Strung, yeah yeah Low Strung, yeah yeah Good good good gravy you’re a real hot mess Let’s go out and tell the press You look to me as if you’ve failed a test Forgot-got-gotten to flow You gotta go / Low Strung Yeah yeah Low Strung, yeah yeah Low Strung, yeah yeah ‘Cause if you start to fret / Pretty soon you forget To breathe / Breathe and feel Feel what is real ‘Cause when it’s real you will know You will know You gotta go / Low Strung Hey hey hey Daddy calm your jogging fits There’s a limit to your many hits You look to me as if you’re under it With each new challenge a blow You gotta go / Low Strung Yeah yeah Low Strung, yeah yeah Low Strung, yeah yeah Low Strung / Low Strung / Low Strung / Low Strung (Lambchop) Yeah
5.
Can Better Days Be Far Behind? We are walking peaceful / Can Better Days Be Far Behind? We are walking peaceful / Can Better Days Be Far Behind? Come on and walk along / Come on and walk along We are walking peaceful We are walking peaceful (We are walking peaceful) Can Better Days Be Far Behind? (Can Better Days Be Far Behind?) We are walking peaceful (We are walking peaceful) Can Better Days Be Far Behind? (Can Better Days Be Far Behind?) Come on and walk along / Come on and walk along Come a’walking peaceful For the people by the people We are walking peaceful Separation state and steeple We are walking peaceful Can Better Days Be Far Behind? Can Better Days Be Far Behind? Can Better Days Be Far Behind?
6.
Cold Wind 04:47
Cold Wind Cold Wind blow / From the west to the east Take me on take me back / Go on and blow Blow Cold Wind Wanna go up / we wanna go / we all wanna go Go up / wanna go up / we wanna go / we all wanna go Go up / wanna go up / all wanna go / we all wanna go Go up A cold breath in / And take one last thing from the coast Take me on into the east / Go on and take Take a cold breath Wanna go up / we wanna go / we all wanna go Go up / wanna go up / we wanna go / we all wanna go Go up / wanna go up / all wanna go / we all wanna go Go up I am here to set you free / That is why you called on me I am here to set you free / And I’ll free you I’ll free you I’ll free you I am here to take you up / That is why you conjured me up I am here to take you up / And I’ll take you I’ll take you I’ll take you Up / wanna go up / we wanna go / we all wanna go Go up / wanna go up / we wanna go / we all wanna go Go up / wanna go up / all wanna go / we all wanna grow We wanna go / we wanna go / grow go We wanna go /we wanna go / grow We wanna grow up / we wanna go /we all wanna go Go up
7.
Land of Opportunity I’m washing windows in the snow / With no particular place to go I’m not a new man / This is not an old town This is not the first time that life has let me down This stinks and everything starts to blow / Born with three strikes nothing to know Didn’t fight the battle / Or watch the wall come down Life was short and busy when I could roll this town This land is your land / But this was my-my-my opportunity There was no master plan / No time to think why-why what you do to me Just wanted to make some grand And this was my-my-my opportunity This was my-my-my opportunity The years go by I’m still not happy with the show / Endless work just to keep from sinking below Never been indentured / Or wore a royal crown My heart is racing but my friends are gathered round This land is your land / But this was my-my-my opportunity There was no master plan / No time to think why-why what you do to me Just wanted to make some grand And this was my-my-my opportunity This was my-my-my opportunity Until the sky cracked open and a finger pointed down This land is your land / But this was my-my-my opportunity There was no master plan / No time to think why-why what you do to me Just wanted to make some grand And this was my-my-my opportunity This was my-my-my opportunity
8.
I Spy 04:49
I Spy Oooh ooh ooh / What kind of person are you? Oooh ooh When you hear voices in the other room Do you stop your dishing and listen and do you write it all down? Oooh ooh ooh / What kind of person are you? Oooh ooh I am a spy / I need intelligence about membership My little eye sees both confidence and memory I am a spy / Hi – I Oooh ooh ooh / What kind of person are you? Oooh ooh Once you tap the line you’ve got to listen to the call Oooh and I got you Under surveillance / Under surveillance I am a spy / I need intelligence about membership My little eye sees both confidence and memory I am a spy / Hi - eye Oooh ooh ooh / What kind of person are you? Oooh ooh When you clear your head in times like these Do you take your visions and make your decisions and do you buckle on down? Oooh ooh ooh / What kind of person are you? Oooh ooh
9.
Message In My Head Oh-oh-oh… I – I wanna tear this whole room apart / I wanna go live I’m more than ready to make a start Ah-ah-ah feel the room / feel it swoon Feel the room / Are we all as one? Now-now could there be two / me and you Will we choose to rise like the The word’s a Message In My Head But the world’s a mess it’s in my ears The word’s a Message In My Head But the world’s a mess it’s in my ears The expansion of a wild sky / ah-ah-ah in the mind Imagination will take a try Ah-ah-ah see the light/ don’t you fight See the light/ Are we in the clouds? Now-now follow the way / now today Will we choose to say it out The word’s a Message In My Head But the world’s a mess it’s in my ears The word’s a Message In My Head But the world’s a mess it’s in my ears Oh-oh-oh… See my friends as we practice the American magic Questions and the myth that holds Surprise-surprise-surprise-surprise See another sunrise So peaceful I just shut my mouth The word’s a Message In My Head But the world’s a mess it’s in my ears The word’s a Message In My Head But the world’s a mess it’s in my ears The word’s a Message In My Head But the world’s a mess it’s in my ears The word’s a Message In My Head But the world’s a mess it’s in my ears The word’s a Message In My Head

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released November 3, 2015

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Tracy Island Oxford, UK

Tracy Island is an electric duo formed in Brooklyn NY, now based in Oxford, UK, that plays progressive retro-pop: songs with form and sophisticated lyrics that push boundaries, and music which draws inspiration from the 60s, 70s and 80s. We’ve garnered comparisons as eclectic as Blondie and Richard Thompson. ... more

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