Tensions between the drummer and the rest of the Impossibles hit a breaking point. Pat was kicked out of the band, a replacement drummer was brought in for what the Impossible called their last tour ever. The Impossibles as we know them ended with a show in Austin, TX in June of 2002. However Rory and Gabe, the brainchildren behind the Impossibles, still had the itch to make music. Soon after the breakup, they began writing demos in their tiny apartment in Austin for a new concept called Slowreader and released in late 2002 a self-titled album.
Slowreader seemed to complete the transformation and maturation of Rory and Gabe. Their new take on music was much more atmospheric, with light guitar strumming, breath-y vocals, and sparse key arrangments floating in, out, and around the basic melodies. Gabe takes over all singing duties this time, and really softens his voice to fit the new style. Sometimes it feels like he is quietly crooning in the corner of your room, and other times like his voice is cascading down from the ceiling as you lay in bed.
Honestly, I really didn't like this CD when I first listened to it. I wanted more Impossibles, more rocking, more to dance to. About 2 years after this CD was dropped, I came back to give it another shot. And I will say without question that it is one of my top 10 or 15 favorite albums of all time. Lay back and take it in, breathe with it, close your eyes, and perhaps fall asleep to it. Here are a few songs.
The first is 'Every Part of Nothing', which is the most upbeat on the album. It kicks of with some light strumming, while an easy drum beat kicks in during the first verse. Gabe lets his voice sail smoothly on it's own until Rory adds some harmonies in the choruses. The production has some nice electronic stylings that keep the song pushing ever so slightly. 'Anesthetic for the Amputee' is a personal favorite of mine. I'm not really sure why I like it so much. Maybe the emo-ish lyrics, maybe the catchy chorus, maybe because it's well done. The last track is 'Fallen on the World'. This track is one I was talking about earlier that falls down from the ceiling. Lay in bed and listen, and enjoy. Also, compare with old Impossibles and new Impossibles...interesting, eh?
Slowreader - Every Part of Nothing
Slowreader - Anesthetic for the Amputee
Slowreader - Fallen on the World
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