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Far Q
Studio album by
Lower Than Atlantis
Released29 March 2010
RecordedSeptember–October 2009,
Hertfordshire
GenreMelodic hardcore, post-hardcore, punk rock
Length40:15
LabelA Wolf at Your Door
ProducerDaniel Lancaster
Lower Than Atlantis chronology
Bretton
(2008) 		Far Q
(2010) 		World Record
(2011)
Singles from Far Q
  1. "Taping Songs Off the Radio"
    Released: 1 March 2010
  2. "Far Q"
    Released: 19 July 2010

Far Q is the debut studio album by British rock band Lower Than Atlantis. Following multiple line-up changes, the band gained drummer Eddy Thrower before starting work on Far Q. The album was recorded above a printing factory in Hertfordshire between September and November 2009 with producer Daniel Lancaster. "Taping Songs Off the Radio" was released as a single in early March 2010 with Far Q following later that month. It was released through A Wolf at Your Door Records. A vinyl edition was released by German label Redfield. The album was critically lauded upon release. "Far Q" was released as a single in mid-July. In September and October, the band toured the UK on the Rock Sound Presents... Powered by Fender with Architects, Norma Jean and Devil Sold His Soul.

Background

[edit]

Lower Than Atlantis formed in 2007 while the members were attending college.[1] Guitarist Ben Sansom asked guitarist Mike Duce if he wished to form a band with Ben's brother Luke, who would provide vocals.[2] Alongside them was bassist Richard Wilkinson and drummer Matt Britz.[3] Following line-up changes,[2] such as the addition of drummer Josh Pickett, bassist Stephen Minter,[4] and Duce becoming the band's frontman,[5] they began working on what would become their first EP, Bretton.[2]

Duce taught himself how to sing and play guitar at the same time while playing along to the band's Demo 2007 release.[6] Bretton was released in December 2008.[7] Partway through the touring cycle for the EP, the band had further line-up changes.[8] In June 2009, the band toured with We Stare at Mirrors.[6] Through this tour, drummer Eddy Thrower met Duce and Sansom.[9] We Stare at Mirrors bassist Declan Hart "thought Lower Than Atlantis were meth-heads. Their reputation was just mental."[6] Luke Sansom re-joined on bass, before leaving a second time.[10]

Composition and recording

[edit]

While at university, Duce wrote the majority of songs that would feature on Far Q,[6] which were later credited to the band as a whole.[11] Duce wrote about his life experiences in Watford, such as working on building sites, going to the pub and relationships.[12] "Eating Is Cheating" features references to bars and clubs in Watford.[13] Ben Patashnik of Rock Sound described the album as taking "their first steps into more melodic territory", while at the same time keeping "the hard, gritty edge" of Bretton.[6] The album's sound has been described as melodic hardcore,[14] post-hardcore,[15] and punk rock.[16]

Shortly afterwards, the pair found themselves without a drummer.[6] Duce called Sansom, asking "Why does everyone keep leaving [the band]?!".[6] They soon remember drummer Eddy Thrower from We Stare at Mirrors. They called him, asking he if would like to partake in a practice session.[6] Thrower, who was unhappy with his time at university[17] and with the band he was in, accepted the offer.[10] Thrower fit in quickly, resulting in the trio writing "Far Q".[6] Duce explained the band "never worked with a good drummer before. [With Thrower, i]t was... nice."[6] Duce and Sansom previously created demos with programmed drums.[18] Thrower initially learned the songs as they were but began changing the drum parts after a few practices.[18] He used a double bass pedal for a lot of fills.[19]

Far Q was recorded in a room above a printing factory in Hertfordshire between September and October 2009.[11] The band were originally supposed to be on tour during September and October,[20] but had to cancel plans when their bass player left.[21] The album was produced by Daniel Lancaster, who also engineered and mixed it.[11][nb 1] The band had known Lancaster since they formed.[23] Lancaster would constantly push Thrower to get a good drum sound to the extent where he was screaming in Thrower's face.[18] Duce played bass on the album while Lancaster has guest vocals on "A/S/L?".[11] The album was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York in November.[11]

Release

[edit]

On 14 February 2010, "I'm Not Bulimic (I Just Wanted to See How Far I Could Stick My Fingers Down My Throat)" was made available for streaming via the band's Myspace profile.[24] The music video for "Taping Songs Off the Radio" was released on 17 February,[25] and the song released as a single on 1 March with "I'm Not Bulimic (I Just Wanted to See How Far I Could Stick My Fingers Down My Throat)" as the B-side.[26] Far Q was released on 29 March 2010 through independent label A Wolf at Your Door Records.[27] German label Redfield released a mediabook edition of the CD and a vinyl version of the album; the mediabook was limited to 1,000 copies while the vinyl was limited to 500 copies.[8] The album's artwork was created by Alex Gregory and Jon Bamby.[11] The pair also contributed the design, while Gregory provided photography and Bamby did the layout.[11] Due to their frequent line-up changes in the past, the band's initial plan was to have temporary bass players. However, shortly after the release of Far Q, Declan Hart joined the group.[6]

Hart, who was a guitarist at the time, subsequently purchased a bass.[28] Previously, the band frequently gave Hart a lift to places. Duce explained, Hart "would show up, drink all our rider and get wasted. We were like, 'We like this guy!'"[6] Around this time, the group were having problems with their label. Hart explained: "They didn't understand us or what we were doing. We had a punk ethic".[29] In addition, the members quit their jobs[10] and began to focus on the band full-time.[17] Lower Than Atlantis supported I Am Ghost on their tour of the UK in May.[30] The band toured the UK between June and August.[31] The music video for "Far Q" was released on 6 July,[32] and the single was released on 19 July with "Mike Duce's Symphony No.11 in D Minor" as the B-side.[33] The band toured with TRC on the This Is England Tour in September.[34] The band toured the UK as part of Rock Sound Presents... Powered by Fender tour in September and October, alongside Architects, Norma Jean and Devil Sold His Soul.[35] Rock Sound predicted the band's popularity would increase following the tour.[36]

As part of their 2019 3-date farewell tour, the band released 300 limited edition vinyl pressings of the album (100 per night).

Reception and legacy

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Alter the Press!3/5[37]
ClashFavorable[38]
Dead Press![39]
The Line of Best FitFavourable[40]
Ox-Fanzine[41]
Rock Sound8/10[14]
Thrash Hits3/6[42]

Far Q was critically acclaimed upon release.[43] Alter the Press! reviewer Sean Reid said Far Q was the band's attempt at standing out in a big pool of other UK hardcore bands.[37] Reid noted that the album is "Filled with energy and passion" from the beginning and are able to show their honesty with "social[ly]-aware lyrics".[37] He mentioned that the band have a good balance of "hardcore brutality" and good melodies.[37] Johnskibeat of The Line of Best Fit noted that the album is inspired by "90′s grunge, rock and punk-pop bands" and that the band have a strong habit of "ting dirty, aggressive music".[40] Johnskibeat said the album follows a "re-energised" band "delving into the gritty subjects of recession, unemployment and a disenchanted youth."[40] Tomas Doyle of Thrash Hits said he was unable to "fully enjoy this record", regardless of the "musical proficiency," due to the lyrics being "THAT bad."[42]

Reviewing the album for Rock Sound, reviewer Richard Cartey said the band's "maturity [went] beyond expectations".[14] Cartey noted that pushing melodic hardcore's boundaries in terms of music and lyrics helps the album's appeal.[14] Cartey also said that Duce's vocals fit "perfectly" to the material.[14] Tristan Parker of Clash said the band managed to create "very worthy, out-and-out gritty rock" album, complete with "pleasingly jagged riffs".[38] Parker noted the "underlying technical complexity and [...] nice melodies" show off the band's "genuinely impressive musicianship".[38]

Dead Press! featured it as number 13 on their best albums of the year list.[44] In a Rock Sound interview in February 2011, Duce said that half of the material on the album was "blink-and-you'll-miss-it [moments]."[45] Looking back in a Kerrang! interview in August 2011 Duce thought the album was "too personal" and likened the lyrics to "airing my dirty laundry".[12] "Far Q" has since remained a staple of the band's live performances.[6]

Track listing

[edit]

All music written and arranged by Lower Than Atlantis. All lyrics by Michael Duce.[11]

  1. "Far Q" – 4:12
  2. "B.O.R.E.D" – 1:50
  3. "Taping Songs Off the Radio" – 2:50
  4. "I'm Not Bulimic (I Just Wanted to See How Far I Could Stick My Fingers Down My Throat)" – 4:47
  5. "Eating Is Cheating" – 3:22
  6. "No Belts" – 3:37
  7. "Face Full of Scars" – 3:24
  8. "A/S/L?" – 2:39
  9. "Down with the Kids" – 3:48
  10. "Yo Music Scene, What Happened?" – 3:19
  11. "Mike Duce's Symphony No.11 in D Minor" – 3:09
  12. "Extra! Extra! Read All About It!" – 3:30

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel per booklet.[11]

References

[edit]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Lancaster would later work with the band on Lower Than Atlantis (2014), which he produced and mixed.[22]

Citations

  1. ^ Mursong 2009, p. 12
  2. ^ a b c Patashnik 2013, p. 60
  3. ^ "Yourspace Lower Than Atlantis". Hemel Gazette. Premier Newspapers. 26 October 2007. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  4. ^ Bretton (Booklet). Lower Than Atlantis. Thirty Days of Night. 2008. TDON029.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ Patashnik 2013, p. 61
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Patashnik 2013, p. 62
  7. ^ "iTunes - Music - Bretton by Lower Than Atlantis". itunes.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Lower Than Atlantis" (PDF). redfield-records.de. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  9. ^ Robbins, Nick (13 April 2015). "Eddy Thrower, Lower Than Atlantis: Making Waves". iDrum. p. 1. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  10. ^ a b c Burke, Chris (3 March 2017). "Eddy Thrower talks becoming a UK drum hero, One Direction pop sessions and the evolution of Lower Than Atlantis". MusicRadar. Future plc. p. 1. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Far Q (Booklet). Lower Than Atlantis. A Wolf at Your Door. 2010. WYD021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ a b Bryant 2011, p. 46
  13. ^ Moorhead, Rosy (23 August 2013). "Watford band Lower Than Atlantis play Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend". Watford Observer. Newsquest Media Group. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Lower Than Atlantis - Far Q". Rock Sound. Patrick Napier. 24 March 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  15. ^ Rauf, Raziq (2011). "BBC - Music - Review of Lower Than Atlantis - World Record". bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  16. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "World Record - Lower than Atlantis - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  17. ^ a b Miorin, Tobias (December 2015). "Interview with Eddy Thrower - Lower Than Atlantis". Mike Dolbear Drums. Archived from the original on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  18. ^ a b c Chamberlain, Richard (7 April 2010). "INTERVIEW: Album report from Lower Than Atlantis". MusicRadar. Future plc. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  19. ^ Chamberlain 2012, p. 60
  20. ^ Reid, Sean (19 August 2009). "Alter The Press!: Flood Of Red UK Tour Update". Alter the Press!. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  21. ^ Reid, Sean (28 September 2009). "Alter The Press!: Lower Than Atlantis Pull Out of Flood of Red Tour". Alter the Press!. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  22. ^ Lower Than Atlantis (Booklet). Lower Than Atlantis. Sony Music Entertainment. 2014. 88843090462.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ Lower Than Atlantis (8 October 2014). "hmv.com talks to Mike Duce from Lower Than Atlantis" (Interview). For knowing Lancaster: 2:36–39. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  24. ^ Reid, Sean (14 February 2010). "Alter The Press!: New Lower Than Atlantis Song". Alter the Press!. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  25. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis - Taping Songs Off The Radio". Rock Sound Magazine. 17 February 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  26. ^ "iTunes - Music - Taping Songs Off the Radio by Lower Than Atlantis". iTunes. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  27. ^ "Far Q by Lower Than Atlantis". iTunes. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  28. ^ Lacey-Davidson, Mattie (30 March 2018). "Lower Than Atlantis feel the pressure of UK tour". Times. Newsquest Media Group. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  29. ^ Harrison, Flicky (2018). "Lower Than Atlantis stay true to punk ethics". Swindon Advertiser. Newsquest Media Group. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  30. ^ Reid, Sean (1 March 2010). "Alter The Press!: I Am Ghost Leeds Show Moved". Alter the Press!. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  31. ^ Reid, Sean (16 June 2010). "Alter The Press!: Lower Than Atlantis UK Dates". Alter the Press!. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  32. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis - Far Q". Rock Sound Magazine. 6 July 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  33. ^ Far Q (Sleeve). Lower Than Atlantis. A Wolf at Your Door. 2010. none.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ^ Reid, Sean (2 September 2010). "Alter The Press!: Lower Than Atlantis UK and European Tour Dates". Alter the Press!. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  35. ^ "Final Band Announced For Rock Sound Presents… Powered By Fender Tour". Rock Sound Magazine. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  36. ^ Patashnik, Ben (27 September 2010). "Lower Than Atlantis - Five Reasons To Be Excited". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  37. ^ a b c d Reid, Sean (31 March 2010). "Alter The Press!: Album Review: Lower Than Atlantis - Far Q". Alter the Press!. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  38. ^ a b c Parker 2010
  39. ^ Redrup, Zach (10 June 2010). "ALBUM: Lower Than Atlantis – Far Q". Dead Press!. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  40. ^ a b c Johnskibeat (22 March 2010). "Lower Than Atlantis – Far Q - The Line Of Best Fit". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  41. ^ Nitsche, Peter (April–May 2010). "Reviews: Lower Than Atlantis / Far Q". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  42. ^ a b Doyle, Tomas (17 May 2010). "Album: Lower Than Atlantis – Far Q". Thrash Hits. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  43. ^ Arnold, Ian. "Lower Than Atlantis New Video and Album Tracklisting". Bring the Noise UK. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  44. ^ Redrup, Zach (19 December 2010). "ALBUMS OF 2010: DEAD PRESS! Top 15". Dead Press!. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  45. ^ Withers 2011, p. 70

Sources

  • Chamberlain, Richard (October 2012). "Eddy Thrower Lower Than Atlantis". Rhythm (208). Bath: Future plc. ISSN 0957-6592.
  • Bryant, Tom (13 August 2011). McMahon, James (ed.). "Speak & Destroy". Kerrang! (1376). London: Bauer Media Group. ISSN 0262-6624.
  • Mursong, Kate (10 January 2009). McMahon, James (ed.). "Introducing: Lower Than Atlantis". Kerrang! (1243). London: Bauer Media Group. ISSN 0262-6624.
  • Parker, Tristan (March 2010). Harper, Simon (ed.). "Lower Than Atlantis". Clash (March 2010). Clash Music Ltd. ISSN 1743-0801.
  • Patashnik, Ben (March 2013). Patashnik, Ben (ed.). "Us Against the World". Rock Sound (171). London: Freeway Press Inc. ISSN 1465-0185.
  • Withers, Pete (February 2011). Bir, Ryan (ed.). "Lower Than Atlantis". Rock Sound (144). London: Freeway Press Inc. ISSN 1465-0185.
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