Tag: Scott Janovitz

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The Loyal Seas @ The Burren 6.25.2022

Tanya Donelly and Brian Sullivan recently released a wonderful new album under the moniker The Loyal Seas. The duo called upon Matthias Bossi, Russel Chudnofsky, Dean Fisher, Melissa Gibbs and Scott Janovitz to bring the recordings to life for a record release celebration at The Burren. The evening was a showcase for these new tunes as well as solo work from, and collaborations between, the various talented individuals on the stage. It was also a reminder of the how much joy a group of friends making beautiful music together can bring to a room.

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Scott Janovitz – Fall In EP (2015)

scott janovitz fall in
Scott Janovitz
Fall In EP
2015

Picking up where The Russians left off,* Scott Janovitz returns with an EP of layered power pop that may just melt the 100 inches of snow that fell on my heart this winter. The warm inviting sounds of “Fall In” belie the song’s less sunny undercurrents. Scott singing “Hear it in my voice now it’s ringing true/Hear it in my voice/Listen to my voice” in the damn-near-perfect second verse provides one of those subtle little songwriting twists that make my giddy. The Fall In EP is loaded with those moments. Like the unusual two-line-plus-twinkling-melody verses of “The Worst.” Or the chorus postscript tacked on at the 2:50 mark of “The Big Reveal.” The end result is magnificent. It’s good to be warm again.

Where to get it:

* That’s a very good place to pick up from.

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The Russians @ Precinct 11.16.2012

It was early in the night when The Russians rolled into Precinct as part of the International Pop Overthrow. The crowd surrendered unconditionally.

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The Russians – EP.02 (2007)

The Russians
EP.02
2007

The Russians are the brainchild of Scott Janovitz. On this 2007 EP, Scott and his comrades-in-rock created 17 minutes of musical escapism.

The songs here are exceptional. Scott’s songwriting has always been a cut above. These songs ranked among his finest work at the time. “Your Only One” is an instant attention grabber with its piano and vocal intro. “Taking Noise Away” has a beautifully evolving chorus. “Talking To Yourself” has a gentle verse and a power pop chorus.

Pianos, guitars, accordions, handclaps and “aaahs” weave an intricate musical tapestry. It’s a complex mix and The Russians make it sound easy. The vocal layers call Brian Wilson’s production to mind. The seamless song transitions wouldn’t be out of place on Wish You Were Here. The guitar leads in “Your Only One” sound like they came straight off of Revolver, the bassline of “Crashing The Party” from Abbey Road. The Russians look to the past to create their modern rock sounds.

Half of this four song EP would end up on 2010’s stellar Crashing The Party. The other two songs, as well as the thoughtful sequencing, make EP.02 worth checking out.

Where to get it:

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The Russians @ Radio 2.10.2012

I said most of what I needed to say about The Russians in my recent love letter to the band. Friday night the band rocked a little and rolled a lot. Man, do I love these guys…

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The Russians – Crashing The Party (2010)


The Russians
Crashing The Party
2010

The sky is bluer than you know.

I want you to love this record as much as I do. I want you to get all caught up in the weight and introspection. I want you to be washed away by the harmonies and the layers of guitars. I want you to hear a songwriter at the top of his game. I want you to understand what a great opening track “The Record’s Over” is. I want “Not So Loud” to end up on all of your mix tapes. I want you to groove to “Sober and Un-Upsetting” and “Make It Easy”. I want you to bask in the sunshine of “You Know”. I want “Talking To Yourself” and “Crashing The Party” to devastate you. I want “Lovesickholiday” to bring you home. I want you to listen to Crashing The Party. I want you to love The Russians.

I want you to be happy.

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