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Had A Sword
Thornton
The sexual ambiguity of Bowie or Morrissey (not glam or maudlin) set over a caberet-esque backdrop of electric piano and vintage guitars (not retro). They create cracked pop in the tradition of (not derivative) Kate Bush, Roxy Music, James, and Tom Waits
Collection Contents
| # | Title | Length | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
In Retrospect | 1:18 | Play |
| 2 |
|
My Teacher | 3:03 | Play |
| 3 |
|
Girls Want... | 3:38 | Play |
| 4 |
|
It's OK | 4:08 | Play |
| 5 |
|
We Want To | 3:33 | Play |
| 6 |
|
Midwestern Sigh | 5:45 | Play |
| 7 |
|
Live In This World | 1:43 | Play |
| 8 |
|
Devil Worshiper | 3:22 | Play |
| 9 |
|
Am I Right? | 5:07 | Play |
| 10 |
|
We Like The Way You Move | 3:36 | Play |
| 11 |
|
Had A Sword | 2:20 | Play |
| 12 |
|
A Lighter Load | 6:07 | Play |
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Description
A RECENT REVIEW OF Thornton-HAD A SWORD:
Characteristically, three-piece bands are a
heavy-handed lot. That's not the case with Thornton, a trio who avoid rock formula with the ardor of
experimental standard-bearers like Pere Ubu and Laurie
Anderson. That said, there's nothing dissonant or
theatrical about Thornton's debut album, Had a Sword,
a record that underplays practically
everything-except, perhaps, frontman Kevin Thornton's
sexual ambiguity. Like those of Morrissey, who is an
obvious influence, Thornton's piqued lyrics jab at
sexual convention and romantic equality. "With good
behavior, one gets to pass / Then right across the ass
comes the helping hand," he sings on the gauzy "My
Teacher." Musically, Thornton avoid hyperbole.
Arrangements are stripped down to the essentials:
tinkling piano, unpretentious guitar and muted
percussion. Despite this subdued approach, there is a
grandeur to their album that's owed, in part, to its
dependence on the Baptist Hymnal. Strange as it might
sound, the melodies of songs like "Live in This World"
(a hymn to hiding under the covers) and the
aforementioned "My Teacher" recall the pentatonic
hymnody of rural Southern churches. For those who are
sick of musical derivation and sameness, Thornton's
incongruities and light-handedness are a saving grace.---Nashville Scene
BIOGRAPHY
Thornton is the sexual ambiguity of Bowie or Morrissey (not glam or maudlin) set over a caberet-esque backdrop of electric piano and vintage guitars (not retro). They create cracked pop in the tradition of (not derivative) Kate Bush, Roxy Music, James, and Tom Waits echoing with the hymns of a troubled Southern Baptist boy from the Indiana/Kentucky border (not bitter).
The reclusive Kevin Thornton, a prolific songwriter with a catalogue of over 300 songs, was en route to New York City when he was stranded in Nashville. It was there, in the Winter of 2003, that Kevin Thornton joined now bandmate Enoch Porch. They rented a dilapidated house on the wrong side of the tracks without heat and infested with mice. There they assembled a make-shift studio and began laying down the tracks to their debut album, "Had A Sword".
"We were really wanting to step away from rocknroll. Nothing in that realm excites me anymore. I think we mostly succeeded. It's only 45% rocknroll...", states Kevin. The remaining percentage of "Had A Sword" borrows from jazz, ragtime, and old hymnal progressions all executed in a manner that never becomes novelty or put on.
Thornton is already garnering attention in their home market, drawing capacity crowds and praise from local media. The Nashville Scene writes, "...then there was Thornton, the evening's last and, by far, best band... especially distinctive due to the band's sonic and dynamic range, which is greater than what most rock trios are capable of. Add to this Thornton's smirking, dark appeal, and you have an artistic vision that's not only creatively relevant but also, one hopes, commercially viable." Sensored writes, "...Kevin's singing and songwriting are distinctly his own - comforting, yet without inhibition. At his side is Enoch Porch, who sings beautiful harmonies while playing drums, keyboards or both... this is one of the most individually talented three-pieces you will see in Nashville... Consider this advanced warning." Thornton was recently awarded a Nashville Scene Music Award for Best Rock/ Experimental.
Thornton independently released "Had A Sword" on Sept 4th 2004 with a fierce grassroots ethic. The CD is available online or at one of their many live performances throughout the South and Midwest. They will continue touring this region during the Fall and Winter of 2004-2005.