http://www.wendyandlisa.com/



Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin's new album White Flags Of Winter Chimneys arrives ten years after their previous one. They have nursed several things throughout the decade; expanded on their new carreers in scoring music for movies and television series, motherhood, both building new families. The sound of White Flags Of Winter Chimneys is self-assured; their song writing has become even more fleshed out, even when dreamy.

Without any problem this album shifts gears between tender songs, firm rockers and songs that dare to be both, creating to what seems the most consistent album in their entire carreer. Songs are mixed into one another to create a smooth sailing, through compositions that goes on where their previous record Girl Bros stopped; less introverted, but certainly not less emotional. It rocks and funks when it needs to, just so it can do what it's meant to do; grasp you from the get go. And yet it does not reveal all at first listen, the production is lush and layered and will make sure these songs will show new faces with every new spin of the record.

What works very well is the firmness of the album as a whole; their compositions are more focused than ever before. Their first two records were just experiments to find that what we now may call 'the Wendy & Lisa sound', which they first seemed to grasp on their third album Eroica and have nurtured into what it is now. I never know how to grasp that sound in words very well; Beatlesque experimentation in sounds combined with an emotive Joni Mitchell lyrical deliverance and a moody Eric Satie twist? It sounds a bit over the top, but to me, that is exactly what it is.

Their music draws you in, takes you on a journey and their lyrics grasp you and their vocal deliverance nails it. Fun part is that even though both do not have amazing, drop dead voices, they know how to use them so expertly that all you can do is being blown away, hurricane force.

It's all comes together in their songs, how Lisa's Balloon gently opens the album with it's dreamy proporties, only to build up sonically to give way to Wendy's Invisible. They compliment each other in so many ways that this fifth album seems an amalgam of all that is so great about their music; the emotive qualities, the baring of souls in the form of gentle ballads or rockers that just want to stir you up.

I do not know what the reason is for the time expansions in between releases, but I hope that they will not take as long this time, because I have taken this record into my soul already and even though it will rock my musical boat for some time to come, I hate to think that great music likes this is just something that comes along every ten years.

Tracklist

01 Balloon
02 Invisible
03 Ever After
04 Salt & Cherries (MC5)
05 Niagra Falls
06 Red Bike
07 You and I
08 White Flags of Winter Chimneys
09 Sweet Suite (Beginning at the End)

Releases;

Digital Only $9.99
13 tracks for immediate download (includes 4 exclusive bonus tracks)
high-quality 320kbps MP3s with no DRM.
Digital art booklet

BONUS - Niagra Falls (Lisa Demo 4_1_1997)
BONUS - Viste (1993 Happy Birthday Maxine Home Recording)
BONUS - Waiting for Coffee (1995 Home Demo)
BONUS - The Dream (1992 Home Demo)

CD + Digital $12.99
Everything from the Digital Only option PLUS:
6-panel DigiPak Compact Disc.
Immediate download of files
CD ships March 2009
+ $3.00 Shipping & Handling

Deluxe Package $39.99
Limited Edition Colored Vinyl + CD + Digital
Immediate Download of all Digital files
Autographed 6-panel DigiPak Compact Disc
Limited Edition 180 gram Colored Vinyl with all artwork
CD and Vinyl ship March 2009
+ $10.00 Shipping & Handling
[Edited 12/9/08 14:54pm]
[Edited 12/10/08 0:19am]

You can get different packages. Of course I want the deluxe version.

But I cannot get the site to actually link me to an actual store.

Or am I working it wrong?
[Edited 12/9/08 2:14am]

I think you have to click on 'Download' to start the payment process

Edit: Yep, click on the 'Download' button to buy the track/album or bundle.


Friggin' amazing. 320kpbs mp3s AND FLAC files too, including when you buy the CD or vinyl. You listening Prince? This is how you do digital distribution!



/
[Edited 12/9/08 2:54am]

I am downloading it right now. I am so excited!

I'm getting the deluxe when I get home

Update: Downloading the Deluxe package now
[Edited 12/9/08 5:33am]

NouveauDance said:

Damn, it's my abode. I can't upgrade on this computer.

I am SO happy with the cover; it's beautiful.

OMG!!! - downloading now!!!
have ordered the deluxe package!!

LTD EDITION COLORED VINYL + CD + DIGITAL
• Immediate Download of all Digital files
• Autographed 6-panel DigiPak Compact Disc
• Limited Edition 180 gram Colored Vinyl with all artwork

$39.99 (£27)

eroica29 said:

Plus $10 S+P

Im home and now Im anxious wahooooo ( got it see previous post for edit)

downloading!!!!!

download faster, faster!!!

Heehee. Someone messed up the second page of the lyrics; the titles are a bit all over the pace. At least, someone seemed to think that I'm Free is a song title and and You And I is bolded somewhere in the middle of the song. Ooooops?

What does 6-panel DigiPak mean?

scififilmnerd said:

http://www.hollywooddisc....ctid=16149

I love the ROCK songs, Invisible and Salt & Cherries.

madartista said:

Oh. Okay. Thanks.

i cant wait till the cd and autograph get here

The Sweet Suite is lovely. Pretty. Beautiful.
[Edited 12/9/08 6:40am]

It's horrid. I love it from start to end.

SHOCK: I LOVE IT!

Red Bike just made me really happy.

To All Org'ers & fans of Wendy & Lisa:

I am posting this in both White Flags threads to make sure all eyes see this.
If you like the music & know of friends who would like it...Please buy them a digital copy, or encourage them to buy one.

We have reached a moment in this digital age, where the control line between art & commerce has shifted back into the hands of the artist, the creator. Everyone of us who appreciates said art can share in the responsibility to support this art.

Those of you who have been here for some time remember the year 1996 when Prince, then TAFKAP/, separated himself from Warner Music after 20 years together. As BedIScream ("official" spokesperson for Paisley Park ) I was fortunate enough to be at the epicenter of 's transition from the "slavery" of the established record distribution system, to the "freedom" of the independent system. I followed his will & whims, offering my own insight as "a fam" and an "executive in this virtual record company". I watched as his predictions of a "virtual Record Company" came to pass, then grew & evolved (or devolved) into what it is today for Prince... a black screen at the end of an all but dead URL. The collateral damage, dozens of music files that no longer play for disheartened fans/friends/fams/lovers/haters et all; save for those with the foresight to "work around" DRM limitations (burn & re-rip anyone?) I have also watched, as a producer & former executive of my own music & production label, the entire distribution plane shift, due in no small part to Prince's early digital efforts, along with the evolution of Napster & The MP3, Today we are in an era where we can be gratified "NOW!" If we want to hear something we can hear it "NOW!" See a movie or TV show...click & "NOW!" We can pay for what we like with a couple of clicks, we can also simply download it for "free" in as many clicks. This has struck fear into those who have traditionally reaped the lion's share of the profit from the sale of art, the movie studios, record companies, & top of the food chain "gatekeepers". They have sought many ways, legislative, judicial, & social, to put the genie back in the bottle, with very mixed results. The flip side is that now, for the first time really, the same channels that are a nightmare for "traditional" mass distribution systems are a dream come true for the creator of artistic work. "Paint a perfect picture"? you can share it with the world in a click...Wrote the "Great American Novel"?...just click & here it is ...Have a "Song of the Heart" to share?... click & shared. But how do you receive compensation for your work when it's as easy as a to distribute it freely on a global scale? The bugs in this new paradigm are still working themselves out, & growing pains are not yet gone, but systems are in place & evolving that allow for instant gratification & compensation of the artists to happen with the same click.

Radiohead, a group with a massive following, and one who continues to provoke artistically release their latest work to the digital masses, with a "pay what you want to pay" pricing structure. Although quite a few simply ed & copied freely...a large number of folks actually paid for the album, in both it's digital & later physical forms. People will still pay freely, for "free" music. The result of the "web experiment"? Three million in sales! 100,000 discboxes shipped! 1.75 million physical CDs sold!
http://www.pitchforkmedia...ode/146529 & http://www.iht.com/articl...php?page=1

Apples Itunes continues to change the distribution landscape, Selling five million songs eight weeks after it's June 2004 launch. Today total songs sold are in the neighborhood of 4 billion +, not including TV show & movie sales, & the physical Ipod units in all their variations. The digital model is working.

At one point in history artists sought out patrons, those with the means to provide for the artists living, housing, & needs in exchange for the creative work of the artists. We have come full circle & are now able to be patrons of the art we love.

I now hold in my hard drive, Wendy Melvoin & Lisa Coleman's latest work, a deluxe package for myself, whose physical components will be delivered in a few months, & a digital only package for a good friend & fellow fan of W&L's music. Delivered in 6 minutes, both brought with a few clicks , & 100% of the money going to Wendy & Lisa and their distribution partnership with TopSpin. In a I have supported art & artistry, I have & will always support Wendy & Lisa's artistry & work. I implore all of you to do the same. If you can't afford to share an extra copy now...wait until you can & do it then. The music will be ready & waiting for you...like coffee
[Edited 12/9/08 14:54pm]
[Edited 12/9/08 15:31pm]

HamsterHuey said:

So nice of Michael Jackson to pose for that shot, eh?

and in the next minute you and I has me weepy.

there is a new confidence in Wendy's voice that's just killing me! i hear it in invisible too.

madartista said:

Somehow I've most looked forward to your reviews. Your standards are higher -- if you're satisfied, I'll be bowled over!

I can't wait to download this project.

Lammastide said:

You will love this.

HamsterHuey said:

there was a twitter awhile back laughing at mistakes on the lyric sheet.

madartista said:

Must been before I joined.

I already knew Viste from the Friendly Fire bootleg, but there it is only 3:56, while here it is 4:30. We get a bit more telephone singing at the end. Not much, but still...