Epic Fail by Something and the Whatevers
About two and a half years ago, I (Victoria) was in a really rough spot. I was back in college, feeling torn in three or four different directions, and seriously considering setting down my guitar and focusing on school. Then Ben, perhaps aware that the future of the band was on the line, walks into practice one day and says he's got something to show me. He proceeds to play me the first demo for Epic Fail, and with zero hesitation I realized I was going to have to stick around long enough to see this thing to fruition.
The songwriting was the best I'd ever seen from him: heavy, soul-bearing, existential crisis-y lyrics (my favorite!), a diversity of styles ranging from driving power pop belters to thrash-about punk ragers to sad bastard sing-alongs to dance-y chiptune goodness. Plus, he had managed to weave it all together into some kind of mad concept album, warping his own voice into a back-and-forth conversation that provided a strangely-compelling thread connecting not just the lyrics, but the music itself, adding context, setting up punchlines, and generally rewarding the brave soul who dares to forge their way through the entirety of this beautiful beast.
Without a doubt, this is the coolest project I've ever had the good fortune to work on. We really hope you enjoy it!
Tracklist
| 1. | Introduction | 1:32 |
| 2. | The Good News | 5:29 |
| 3. | Holy Shit! I'm Falling In A Bottomless Pit! | 2:23 |
| 4. | I Don't Know Anything | 3:16 |
| 5. | I Don't Have Time For Anything | 4:23 |
| 6. | Everything Is Boring | 9:10 |
| 7. | Screaming At Myself | 1:23 |
| 8. | You Used To Be Cool | 5:35 |
| 9. | Get Off The Fucking Couch | 4:32 |
| 10. | Stupid Punk Rock Anthem | 8:12 |
| 11. | It's Never Fair | 3:20 |
| 12. | Reset | 3:05 |
| 13. | Someday, No One Will Miss You | 5:21 |
Credits
Ben wrote all the songs on this one, with a few suggestions here and there from Victoria. He sings lead on most of it, plays keys on all of it, and did the vast majority of the programming (drums, synths, etc).
Victoria recorded, mixed and mastered the album (with lots of input from Ben, of course). She played all the guitar parts, sang unison/backup vocals on several songs, and sang lead on "Reset", which Ben wrote for her to sing back in the Panda Circus days but which has never had a proper release until now.
We also had a lot of guests on this album!
In order of appearance:
*Additional vocals (1, 9, 12): Maggie Cargill, Matt Orr, Lawrence March, Anne Cuddy, Sebastian Carl Smith
*Cello (2): Justin Cabral
*Alto Saxophone (3, 7, 12): Leslie Butsch
*Trumpet (4, 8, 9): Nick Howell
*Trombone (4, 8, 9): Mike Walker
