Mikey Erg - Waxbuilt Castles - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Out July 26th on Don Giovanni Records, Waxbuilt Castles is the second full-length solo album by New Jersey's Mikey Erg. As the drummer and principal songwriter in The Ergs! And at least a dozen other bands, Erg has as sturdy a set of pop-punk bona fides as you're likely to find. Waxbuilt Castles is a departure, though. Recorded in collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Alex Clute - who performed with Erg in The Chris Gethard Show's house band - it's a set of songs that takes it's central inspiration from the melodicism and craft of '70s pop rock. In their production and arrangement, the songs emulate Erg's pre-punk musical heroes - ELO, Elvis Costello, Phil Ochs, and especially the Beatles. InchI really wanted to make my version of Paul McCartney's first record,Inch explains Erg. InchHomemade and very loose. Not too overthought.Inch Getting there took a bit of adjustment on Erg's part. As a singer, he had to reconcile with hearing his voice in a quieter and more vulnerable context. InchIt was funny to have to rethink the way I sang a lot of the songs,Inch says Erg. InchAlex would say, 'You're singing too forcefully, calm it down a bit.' I had to get used to hearing my voice without this white noise behind it, masking it.Inch Lyrically, though, it's a Mikey Erg record through and through. InchThey're the same type of songs that I've been writing forever - about relationships. Juts simple, personal songs,Inch says Erg. InchThat's the through line, I feel. No matter what the record sounds like, it's the same exact songs that I've been doing. It's the thing that I'm most proud of. That I can make a different sounding record, but that it still goes together. That is can all fit in the same box.Inch1. Kimberly Gofigure2. Bad Decision Monday 3. Clueless Or Cruel? 4. & Nico 5. Little Crushes 6. Waxbuilt Castles 7. Hopland Superette 8. Why Was I Programmed To Feel Pain? 9. C