| It’s Just Craig — Dark Corners (Jun 30, 2017) |
It’s Just Craig — Dark Corners (Jun 30, 2017) 
♣ “Goodnight” is a spacey, almost psychedelic tune that is probably most accurately defined as Goth Country. It’s a bit like listening to a Steve Miller song, with the “Space Cowboy” effects. “Rain Never Came” is a good tune: imagine Lou Reed covering a Chris Isaak’s song and simultaneously injecting psychedelic effects. If you can do that, you’ll have an idea of what it sounds like. It’s actually good stuff!
♣ “Leaving Now” comes across as a country influenced dirge, almost. It drags a bit and I didn’t care for the vocals. The ninth track on the album is two minutes of nothing. No sound, just nothing. Maybe the Captain drowned? I’m serious; that’s how I interpret it.
♣ The last track, a hidden track, is called “Thirty Nine” and is not part of the story. It’s a separate song, an ode about Jason Molina, whose struggle with alcoholism resulted in his untimely passing.
♣ As a concept album, Dark Corners works well. The songs speak eloquently of the Captain’s piacular journey, alone on his boat. (Randy Radic, Contributor)
Location: Nashville & Indy
Recording Location: Tiny Telephone
Album release: Jun 30, 2017
Record Label: MRL Indiana LLC
Duration: 23:33
Tracks:
01. Intro 0:41
02. Go (Featuring Marc Ford) 2:43
03. Alone 1:52
04. Captain 3:12
05. Siren Sings 2:25
06. Goodnight (Featuring Rob Shelton & John Vanderslice) 2:46
07. Rain Never Came 2:58
08. Leaving Now 2:20
09. ~ BLANK ~ 2:00
10. Thirty~nine 2:36
♣ All tracks written by Craig Helmreich
Personnel:
♣ Craig — Vocals & Acoustic Guitars
♣ Elijah Ford — Piano (intro), Bass, & Acoustic Guitars
♣ Marc Ford — Electric, Acoustic & Slide Guitars
♣ Jason Slota — All The Percussions
♣ Rob Shelton — Minimoog, Farfisa VIP600, Solina String Ensemble, Hammond A100 w/ 147, Prophet 10, Pianos
♣ John Vanderslice — Slave Keys & Tape Delay Pencil Manipulation
♣ Jess Von Strantz — Background Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
♣ Kelsey Von Strantz — Background Vocals & Cello
♣ Produced and Mixed by John Vanderslice
♣ Engineered by Jacob Winik
♣ Mastered and Lacquer Cut by Bernie Grundman
♣ Vinyl pressed at QRP
♣ Emily Birchler Artwork
♣ Keith Birchler Artwork
♣ Elijah Ford Bass, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Piano
♣ Marc Ford Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Slide Guitar
♣ Bernie Grundman Cut, Mastering
♣ Chloe Helmreich Photography
♣ Craig Helmreich Composer, Guitar (Acoustic), Photography, Vocals
♣ Jeanne Helmreich Photography
♣ Rob Shelton Farfisa Organ, Hammond B3, Mini Moog, Piano, Prophet 5, Solina, String Ensemble
♣ Jason Slota Drums, Percussion
♣ Kylli Sparre Cover Art
♣ John Vanderslice Keyboards, Mixing, Producer, Tape Delays, Tape Manipulation
♣ Jess von Strantz Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals (Background)
♣ Kels Von Strantz Bird Whistle, Cello, Vocals (Background)
♣ Jacob Winik Engineer
Description:
→ This is the story of a cargo boat captain and his journey.
→ From the moment he leaves home, both excited & full of reservations, on a sometimes lonely path, getting stranded within view of his destination port, fighting temptations of the sea, struggling with being out of touch with his partner on land,
& ultimately deciding whatever it was he was deciding, only to learn that the decision may no longer be his to make.
→ We can all learn from the Captain as we navigate our oceans & spend time away from dry land. May the seas be calm, your journey short & the winds quickly carry you home. C.
→ Recorded to 2 inch tape at Tiny Telephone Oakland, with the help of my talented dear friends... I can’t wait for you to hear this.
Review
By Louise Parker (Contributor) | September 24, 2017 | 6:50pm |
♣ It’s Just Craig have just released the epic new album, Dark Corners. Channeling different genres from Indie to Americana to the deemed ‘Goth Country,” the artistic endeavor takes on a life all of its own. Lead single “Goodnight,” acts as the perfect introduction into the world of It’s Just Craig. To boot the record was produced by John Vanderslice, who also has appeared on the track “Goodnight,” lending some of his synth~skills.
♣ Assembled by main players Craig Helmreich, Marc Ford, Elijah Ford, Jason Slota, Rob Shelton and Jess and Kels Von Strantz, Dark Corners, marks the second release for the group. An alluring 10~tracks make up the record as the harmonious melodies and poetic lyrics evoke artists such as Ryan Adams. Standout tracks on the album include pieces such as “Alone,” that is laced with piano and delicate features.
♣ Throughout the record each song tells a story, as the songs are shaped around a cargo boat captain and the journey that he embarks on. The album is filled with though~evoking tales and peaceful melodies, which is notable in personal favorites such as “Go.” From beginning to end, It’s Just Craig impresses with “Dark Corners.”
♣ https://www.pastemagazine.com/
Website: https://itsjustcraig.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/justcraigmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsjustcraig
Bandcamp: https://itsjustcraig.bandcamp.com/album/dark-corners
Interview
Written by Eileen Shapiro. 9 September, 2017
→ Americana/Goth Country/Indie artist, It’s Just Craig has recently released Dark Corners, an album with a theme and a story, about a cargo boat captain and his journey. With haunting and expressive vocals the tracks tell of the captain’s adventures from the moment he leaves home, his excitement, reservations, loneliness,and temptations. The concept ends with a decision that ultimately might not be his to decide, and the end of a dream.
♣ http://louderthanwar.com/interview-its-just-craig-dark-corners/
♣ http://www.modernfix.com/reviews/review-just-craig-dark-corners/
♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣
| It’s Just Craig — Dark Corners (Jun 30, 2017) |
♣ “Leaving Now” comes across as a country influenced dirge, almost. It drags a bit and I didn’t care for the vocals. The ninth track on the album is two minutes of nothing. No sound, just nothing. Maybe the Captain drowned? I’m serious; that’s how I interpret it.
♣ The last track, a hidden track, is called “Thirty Nine” and is not part of the story. It’s a separate song, an ode about Jason Molina, whose struggle with alcoholism resulted in his untimely passing.
♣ As a concept album, Dark Corners works well. The songs speak eloquently of the Captain’s piacular journey, alone on his boat. (Randy Radic, Contributor)
Location: Nashville & Indy
Recording Location: Tiny Telephone
Album release: Jun 30, 2017
Record Label: MRL Indiana LLC
Duration: 23:33
Tracks:
01. Intro 0:41
02. Go (Featuring Marc Ford) 2:43
03. Alone 1:52
04. Captain 3:12
05. Siren Sings 2:25
06. Goodnight (Featuring Rob Shelton & John Vanderslice) 2:46
07. Rain Never Came 2:58
08. Leaving Now 2:20
09. ~ BLANK ~ 2:00
10. Thirty~nine 2:36
♣ All tracks written by Craig Helmreich
Personnel:
♣ Craig — Vocals & Acoustic Guitars
♣ Elijah Ford — Piano (intro), Bass, & Acoustic Guitars
♣ Marc Ford — Electric, Acoustic & Slide Guitars
♣ Jason Slota — All The Percussions
♣ Rob Shelton — Minimoog, Farfisa VIP600, Solina String Ensemble, Hammond A100 w/ 147, Prophet 10, Pianos
♣ John Vanderslice — Slave Keys & Tape Delay Pencil Manipulation
♣ Jess Von Strantz — Background Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
♣ Kelsey Von Strantz — Background Vocals & Cello
♣ Produced and Mixed by John Vanderslice
♣ Engineered by Jacob Winik
♣ Mastered and Lacquer Cut by Bernie Grundman
♣ Vinyl pressed at QRP
♣ Emily Birchler Artwork
♣ Keith Birchler Artwork
♣ Elijah Ford Bass, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Piano
♣ Marc Ford Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Slide Guitar
♣ Bernie Grundman Cut, Mastering
♣ Chloe Helmreich Photography
♣ Craig Helmreich Composer, Guitar (Acoustic), Photography, Vocals
♣ Jeanne Helmreich Photography
♣ Rob Shelton Farfisa Organ, Hammond B3, Mini Moog, Piano, Prophet 5, Solina, String Ensemble
♣ Jason Slota Drums, Percussion
♣ Kylli Sparre Cover Art
♣ John Vanderslice Keyboards, Mixing, Producer, Tape Delays, Tape Manipulation
♣ Jess von Strantz Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals (Background)
♣ Kels Von Strantz Bird Whistle, Cello, Vocals (Background)
♣ Jacob Winik Engineer
Description:
→ This is the story of a cargo boat captain and his journey.
→ From the moment he leaves home, both excited & full of reservations, on a sometimes lonely path, getting stranded within view of his destination port, fighting temptations of the sea, struggling with being out of touch with his partner on land,
& ultimately deciding whatever it was he was deciding, only to learn that the decision may no longer be his to make.
→ We can all learn from the Captain as we navigate our oceans & spend time away from dry land. May the seas be calm, your journey short & the winds quickly carry you home. C.
→ Recorded to 2 inch tape at Tiny Telephone Oakland, with the help of my talented dear friends... I can’t wait for you to hear this.
Review
By Louise Parker (Contributor) | September 24, 2017 | 6:50pm |
♣ It’s Just Craig have just released the epic new album, Dark Corners. Channeling different genres from Indie to Americana to the deemed ‘Goth Country,” the artistic endeavor takes on a life all of its own. Lead single “Goodnight,” acts as the perfect introduction into the world of It’s Just Craig. To boot the record was produced by John Vanderslice, who also has appeared on the track “Goodnight,” lending some of his synth~skills.
♣ Assembled by main players Craig Helmreich, Marc Ford, Elijah Ford, Jason Slota, Rob Shelton and Jess and Kels Von Strantz, Dark Corners, marks the second release for the group. An alluring 10~tracks make up the record as the harmonious melodies and poetic lyrics evoke artists such as Ryan Adams. Standout tracks on the album include pieces such as “Alone,” that is laced with piano and delicate features.
♣ Throughout the record each song tells a story, as the songs are shaped around a cargo boat captain and the journey that he embarks on. The album is filled with though~evoking tales and peaceful melodies, which is notable in personal favorites such as “Go.” From beginning to end, It’s Just Craig impresses with “Dark Corners.”
♣ https://www.pastemagazine.com/
Website: https://itsjustcraig.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/justcraigmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsjustcraig
Bandcamp: https://itsjustcraig.bandcamp.com/album/dark-corners
Interview
Written by Eileen Shapiro. 9 September, 2017
→ Americana/Goth Country/Indie artist, It’s Just Craig has recently released Dark Corners, an album with a theme and a story, about a cargo boat captain and his journey. With haunting and expressive vocals the tracks tell of the captain’s adventures from the moment he leaves home, his excitement, reservations, loneliness,and temptations. The concept ends with a decision that ultimately might not be his to decide, and the end of a dream.
♣ http://louderthanwar.com/interview-its-just-craig-dark-corners/
♣ http://www.modernfix.com/reviews/review-just-craig-dark-corners/
♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣