It's been three years since Gregory Pepper and His Problems released what we called the "gorgeous and glorious" With Trumpets Flaring record, but the Guelph, ON act are finally ready to issue the follow-up, titled Escape From Crystal Skull Island. The album arrives August 21 through Fake Four Inc.
A press release explains that the album's origins didn't start off as a group of songs, but rather a sketch leader Pepper drew in his notebook of "an ominous, triangular mountain made of geometric shapes, vaguely resembling a skull," which he later dubbed Crystal Skull Island. The artwork (see above) is said to have inspired the music to be both "morose" and "enthusiastic."
The 17-song set is said to touch upon "power pop, jazz, chamber music and garage rock," with brass and string arrangements peppered throughout the album. Pepper plucked several guest contributors from Bry Webb and the Providers, Ohbijou, Cuff the Duke, Do Make Say Think and the Niagara Symphony Orchestra.
Gregory Pepper and His Problems haven't announced a full tour yet, but will play the Silver Dollar in Toronto on August 24.
Escape From Crystal Skull Island:
1. All Are Welcome
2. Overture
3. Persona Non Grata
4. I Don't Feel Like Playing Air Guitar Tonight
5. Do The "Die Inside"
6. Follow It Home
7. Cardboard Mausoleums
8. Wandering By
9. Note To Self
10. Dearly Departed
11. Another Stitch
12. Breathe In
13. At Least I'm Not A Musician
14. Despair's Moustache
15. Waaaaaay!
16. Take It
17. Born To Die
A press release explains that the album's origins didn't start off as a group of songs, but rather a sketch leader Pepper drew in his notebook of "an ominous, triangular mountain made of geometric shapes, vaguely resembling a skull," which he later dubbed Crystal Skull Island. The artwork (see above) is said to have inspired the music to be both "morose" and "enthusiastic."
The 17-song set is said to touch upon "power pop, jazz, chamber music and garage rock," with brass and string arrangements peppered throughout the album. Pepper plucked several guest contributors from Bry Webb and the Providers, Ohbijou, Cuff the Duke, Do Make Say Think and the Niagara Symphony Orchestra.
Gregory Pepper and His Problems haven't announced a full tour yet, but will play the Silver Dollar in Toronto on August 24.
Escape From Crystal Skull Island:
1. All Are Welcome
2. Overture
3. Persona Non Grata
4. I Don't Feel Like Playing Air Guitar Tonight
5. Do The "Die Inside"
6. Follow It Home
7. Cardboard Mausoleums
8. Wandering By
9. Note To Self
10. Dearly Departed
11. Another Stitch
12. Breathe In
13. At Least I'm Not A Musician
14. Despair's Moustache
15. Waaaaaay!
16. Take It
17. Born To Die
