Electronica is both a broad group of electronic -based music styles intended for listening rather than strictly for dancing and a music scene that came to prominence in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the term is mostly used to refer to electronic music generally.
75-479: Radio Wars is the second studio album by London-based Australian indie rock band Howling Bells . It was released through Independiente in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2009 to mixed reviews. Recorded at four different studios, it was produced by Dan Grech-Marguerat except one track by Howling Bells. Songwriting efforts for Radio Wars were provided by all four members of the band. The album's themes encompass
150-523: A download . Howling Bells members Production Additional musicians Howling Bells Howling Bells are an Australian indie rock band that formed in Sydney in 2004. The band obtained popularity following the release of its 2006 self-titled debut album. The lineup consists of Juanita Stein (vocals, rhythm guitar), Glenn Moule (drums), Juanita's brother Joel Stein (lead guitar), and Gary Daines (bass guitar). Originally called Waikiki ,
225-545: A best-of-2009 playlist. The accompanying video was composed of in-and-out of studio footage while the band recorded the album. "Cities Burning Down", the oldest track from the album, was a song that Juanita and Moule created music for first, and the song's lyrics developed out of the instrumental's dark sound. The music video was directed by Piper Ferguson for Lodger Films and shot in December 2008 in London. In 2010, "Cities Burning Down",
300-508: A commercially viable alternative to alternative rock music. New York City became one center of experimentation and growth for the electronica sound, with DJs and music producers from areas as diverse as Southeast Asia and Brazil bringing their creative work to the nightclubs of that city. Electronica benefited from industry advancements in music technology , especially electronic musical instruments , synthesizers, music sequencers , drum machines , and digital audio workstations . As
375-467: A final ranking of 268 out of 323 potential candidates for, "Album of the Year". Positive reviews came from Andrew Leahey of Allmusic, who applauded the inclusion of string and brass instruments, and referred to the album as, "truthfully hard to resist." Estella Hung of PopMatters , praised the song, "Nightingale", for its ability to assemble itself out of nothing but Juanita's crooning. She declared: " Radio Wars
450-555: A greater emphasis on keyboards. Consequently, reviews were mixed. BBC Music claimed "the second chance may well have been squandered." Gigwise called it "an album of mashed-up half ideas." In a positive review, ABC described it as "anthemic, edgy, stomping indie rock at its best." It peaked in the Top ;30 in Australia and just outside the Top 50 in the UK. Howling Bells headlined
525-404: A higher budget, increased technical quality, and with more layers than most other forms of dance music , since it was backed by major record labels and MTV as the "next big thing". According to a 1997 Billboard article, "the union of the club community and independent labels " provided the experimental and trend-setting environment in which electronica acts developed and eventually reached
600-475: A more collaborative songwriting effort with a greater input among the four members. By contrast the debut album's artwork has front and back covers that are grey-washed, appropriate to the gloomier, more languishing material mostly written by Juanita. In December 2011, Perez Hilton proclaimed on his website that Hot Chelle Rae copied the cover art of Radio Wars for its second album, Whatever . He concluded that both bands had copied Andy Warhol 's paintings of
675-543: A number of new songs and made a wish list of producers with whom they would like to work. In 2004, the band changed its name to Howling Bells, as its members felt that phrase better embodied its newly adapted indie rock style. I realised onstage one night that I wasn't into it. I didn't believe in what I was doing. I thought, how will [the audience] feel it if I can't? Demos of the new material were sent to British producer Ken Nelson ( Coldplay , Gomez ). The band members considered him to be an unattainable candidate as
750-483: A partnership with Birthday Records, a small, independent record label founded by former Kaiser Chiefs drummer, Nick Hodgson . Heartstrings was released worldwide in June 2014. The album received generally favourable reviews from music critics. NME rated it 7/10 and professed, "Howling Bells aren't back to their best, but they're within touching distance". Q magazine rated it 3/5 and commented, " Heartstrings lacks
825-418: A producer, but he responded favourably. Upon learning that he was interested in working with them, they moved to London. At the time, Nelson was occupied working with Coldplay. For eight to ten months, the band lived in adverse conditions in one room in a house in London. During this period, the members took up menial employment opportunities. Picchio sold double-glazing over the telephone. Moule worked in
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#1733104157934900-402: A pub and in a car workshop, and Joel worked on a farm. Howling Bells waited for almost a year while Nelson worked on Coldplay's X&Y album. Frustrated by the unforeseen delay, they considered returning to Australia. However, in early 2005, Nelson became available, and they recorded their first album at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool. Howling Bells exhibited a brooding sound, and it
975-571: A recording experience which was different from previous sessions. Radio Wars was about Howling Bells being optimistic and united in spirit. Looking to bring a more colourful perspective with a new sound and new feel, the group opted for a more electronic texture. Picchio and Joel experimented with synthesisers, and Moule's percussion parts were more distinct than his previous work. Grech-Marguerat worked prolonged hours and experimented considerably, in an effort to bring more life to each song. The band often struggled with ideas that were presented by him, and
1050-706: A review, "By turns beguiling and enthralling, this is an extraordinary album." Howling Bells peaked in the Top 100 of the UK Albums Chart and just outside the Top 50 of the Australian Albums Chart . At the time, it was the fastest selling album on the Bella Union label. The release appeared on Album of the Year lists for a number of different publications. In its 22 March 2007 issue, Rolling Stone named Howling Bells one of their three bands to watch out for that year. Howling Bells spent much of
1125-425: A top-level genre, stating that it includes danceable grooves , as well as music for headphones and chillout areas. In other parts of the world, especially in the UK, electronica is also a broad term, but is associated with non-dance-oriented music, including relatively experimental styles of listening electronic music. It partly overlaps what is known chiefly outside the UK as intelligent dance music (IDM). In
1200-1009: A tour of the UK in March 2009, supported by The Joy Formidable and Chew Lips . They played V Festival in Australia in April and were then invited to support Coldplay in May and June in North America. The band played more festivals in Europe, including Hop Farm , Hard Rock Calling , and Pukkelpop . They supported Coldplay again for three nights of their European leg in August and September. The group returned to Australia to write music for its third album and to tour in December. Howling Bells received much praise from bands they supported on tour. Coldplay's Chris Martin advised his audiences to download Howling Bells' song "Nightingale." In July, Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody named
1275-439: A trio and released an EP , Presents , in 2000. In 2002, with a rhythm guitarist, they issued the Top 50 album I'm Already Home . With four members, the band then toured Australia and New Zealand. Shortly thereafter, Brendan Picchio joined Waikiki as a bassist, and Juanita switched to rhythm guitar. The group soon became dissatisfied with its material, so the members chose a new direction for their music. They wrote
1350-511: A wide range of topics, from chaos and optimism to unity and the technological revolution. Most songs were demoed in Australia with one recorded in Melbourne, three in London, and the rest in Los Angeles. The album was the band's first physical release issued outside of the UK and Australia. Three singles were issued from Radio Wars , but all failed to chart. The album peaked within the Top 30 on
1425-475: A wide variety of musical acts and styles, linked by a penchant for overtly electronic production; a range which includes more popular acts such as Björk, Madonna, Goldfrapp and IDM artists such as Autechre , and Aphex Twin . The North American mainstream music industry uses the term as an umbrella category to refer any dance-based electronic music styles with a potential for pop appeal. However, United States–based AllMusic still categorizes electronica as
1500-606: Is almost perfect to a fault." Camilla Pia of The Fly , applauded Grech-Marguerat's production, and expressed positive feelings towards the extra instrumentation. Lisa Wright of Subba Cultcha, commented: "Howling Bells still have a way with a melody pretty much unrivalled at the moment." She went on to say: "their second effort is a gorgeously, spine-tingling one honed to almost perfection." Greg Rose of Virgin Music , commended Howling Bells for their distinct songwriting, calling it, "both formidable and peculiar." He asserted: "They are possibly
1575-420: Is talking less about innate feelings and more about the impact between myself or ourselves and the world around us. Howling Bells parted ways with Bella Union and, in 2008, signed a deal with record label Independiente . The band worked with producer and mixer Dan Grech-Marguerat ( Radiohead , Paul McCartney ) and recorded its follow-up album, Radio Wars , at several different recording studios. At times,
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#17331041579341650-485: The Australian Albums Chart and just outside the Top 50 on the UK Albums Chart . Although listed as containing ten tracks, the sixth, "Ms. Bell's Song/Radio Wars Theme", is two separate pieces of music. Additionally, a hidden track, "To LA", is omitted from the booklet and back cover. Musically, the album contains elements of rock, pop, blues, folk, and electronica, with songs that range from synthesised percussion rhythms to crooning 1950s style balladry . To promote
1725-628: The Shot Marilyns . After recording Radio Wars , Howling Bells returned to touring in July 2008. They incorporated new songs from the album into their live sets. The band performed at festivals over the next couple of months, including O 2 Wireless , Latitude , and Lovebox Weekender . Howling Bells also supported The Duke Spirit and Mercury Rev . They headlined a string of shows in March 2009 supported by The Joy Formidable and Chew Lips . The group played at V Festival in Australia, before returning to
1800-603: The Killers-owned Battle Born Studios in Las Vegas. It was produced by bassist Mark Stoermer , whom the group had met while it toured with The Killers. The relationship between Stoermer and Howling Bells strengthened after the band disembarked from its flight to Las Vegas. The flight had been delayed by more than 12 hours, but he had nonetheless waited for them at the airport. Howling Bells were impressed by his style of work. Rather than overproducing, he kept
1875-482: The Lights Fade (2018) and Snapshot (2020). In January 2022, the band reunited to perform their debut album in its entirety at a series of live gigs at various venues throughout the UK, including Brighton, Manchester and London. Members of Howling Bells cited The Beatles , Charles Mingus , Peter Green , Vinnie Colaiuta , and Jimi Hendrix as influences. The catalyst for the change from Waikiki to Howling Bells
1950-460: The North American mainstream music industry adopted and to some extent manufactured electronica as an umbrella term encompassing styles such as techno , big beat, drum and bass , trip hop, downtempo , and ambient , regardless of whether it was curated by indie labels catering to the "underground" nightclub and rave scenes, or licensed by major labels and marketed to mainstream audiences as
2025-687: The Prodigy , Fatboy Slim , Daft Punk , the Chemical Brothers , the Crystal Method , Moby , Underworld and Faithless . Around the mid-1990s, with the success of the big beat -sound exemplified by the Chemical Brothers and the Prodigy in the UK, and spurred by the attention from mainstream artists, including Madonna in her collaboration with William Orbit on her album Ray of Light and Australian singer Dannii Minogue with her 1997 album Girl , music of this period began to be produced with
2100-478: The UK and Australia. The band supported Coldplay on the third leg of the North American Viva la Vida Tour . In 2009, Gigwise named Juanita Stein "the sexiest woman in rock." Their third album, The Loudest Engine (2011), received largely favourable reviews but underperformed on the charts in comparison to the bands' two prior releases. In 2011, original Howling Bells bass guitarist, Brendan Picchio, left
2175-440: The UK to support Razorlight . In May and June, they joined Pete Yorn as well as Snow Patrol , to support Coldplay for the third leg of the North American Viva la Vida Tour . Radio Wars was released on 2 March 2009 in the UK, which was followed by release dates in several additional countries. A limited edition of the album was issued by both Independiente and Hostess, on the day of the release in their respective nations. It
2250-510: The UK with Editors . The group played extensive UK club shows with many artists, including The Young Knives and Hank & Lily. Howling Bells also played Camden Crawl and the 2006 NME New Music Tour . The album was released in May 2006 in the United Kingdom on the Bella Union label and in Australia in July through Liberation . It received critical acclaim, including a perfect 5/5 from musicOMH . NME rated it 9/10 and wrote in
2325-497: The album in Europe, Hostess Entertainment , which released the album in Japan, and Nettwerk Music Group , which released the album in North America. In early September 2007, work on Radio Wars started when the band re-recorded and self-produced, "Cities Burning Down", at Sing Sing Studios, Melbourne. Previously titled "This City's Burning", it had appeared as the b-side on the 2006 singles, "Low Happening" and "Wishing Stone". They felt
Radio Wars - Misplaced Pages Continue
2400-435: The album's name. In 2007, Howling Bells departed from Bella Union , the UK record label that had released their eponymous debut album. The band declined the option of signing to a major label for the release of Radio Wars . Discussions with major labels had affirmed that their objective was for the band to continue to write the same kind of music from their first record. The band opposed the idea of someone dictating to them
2475-536: The album, the band played a free show at retail outlet Fopp Records , in London, on the day of the UK release. The following week, they played another free show in London, this time sponsored by NME . While touring Radio Wars , Howling Bells supported The Duke Spirit , Mercury Rev , Razorlight , and Coldplay . Radio Wars was a collective songwriting effort among drummer Glenn Moule, bass guitarist Brendan Picchio, guitarist Joel Stein, and Joel's sister, vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Juanita Stein . The majority of
2550-402: The album. Their goals were to make a different kind of record by exploring other genres of music and to create something more insightful and futuristic. Not unlike the first record, Radio Wars contained elements of dark subject matter. "Cities Burning Down," the darkest track from the album, was a song that Juanita and Moule wrote together. Its lyrics were inspired by the apocalyptic sound of
2625-555: The amount of takes to a minimum and allowed the band just to play, which kept the sessions very natural. The band members became less conscious of trying to please other people, made the record that they wanted, and hoped that it would change people's attitudes toward the band. The Loudest Engine was first issued in Australia in September 2011. The album received mostly favourable reviews from music critics, but it did receive its share of negative response as well. Mojo magazine rated
2700-403: The band and was eventually replaced with Gary Daines. Heartstrings materialized following a brief hiatus by Howling Bells, whereupon the band members worked on other projects. Additionally, Juanita became a first-time mother after giving birth. This, along with frustration from the long period of inactivity and creation inspired her and she started to write songs again, at which point she got
2775-466: The band changed its name and musical style preceding its move from Australia to England. Howling Bells' debut album, Howling Bells , was produced by Ken Nelson . The album charted in the Top 100 in the UK and just outside the Top 50 in Australia, and it was included on Album of the Year lists for a number of publications. The band's next release, Radio Wars (2009), received mixed reviews, although it charted higher than its predecessor in both
2850-455: The band liked it, so arrangements were made to go back into a non-specified London studio where they spent two days recording it. Twenty-two songs had been created by the end of their recording sessions, in July 2008. The album was mixed by Cenzo Townshend at Olympic Studios . Radio Wars was preceded by two singles "Into the Chaos" (November 2008), and "Cities Burning Down" (February 2009). None of
2925-443: The band's inactivity as "an unplanned hiatus" while also announcing her launch of a solo career. The band played their final show to date at the 2017 Margate Wonderland festival at Dreamland Margate , alongside The Kills and Carl Barât . In November 2017, Joel Stein's solo project, Glassmaps, released Strangely Addicted , their debut album. Juanita Stein has released solo albums of her own, including America (2017), Until
3000-465: The band. Their fourth album, Heartstrings , was released in June 2014. Howling Bells have been labelled as "melodic blues" and "country-goth." They were influenced by The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix , and were often compared to Mazzy Star and The Velvet Underground . In 1999, Glenn Moule, Joel Stein, and Juanita Stein formed the pop rock group Waikiki. They toured the Australian eastern states as
3075-595: The best thing to come out of Australia since Nicole Kidman ." Less favourable reviews came from Darren Harvey of musicOMH , who called it: "unremarkable and disposable as a Domino's pizza box," and compared it to US college radio of the mid-1990s. He also added: "Lyrics that James Blunt would turn up his piggy little nose at [...] a mangling of the present participle that would make Conor Oberst choke on his granola." Andrew Winistorfer of Prefix Magazine : "a milquetoast selection of mid-tempo stadium anthems," though he found some positivity in "Golden Web", and claimed that
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3150-583: The group as his "Band of the Week" in Q magazine. Juanita made the decision to develop her on-stage persona in 2008 and 2009. She became more confident, animated, and outgoing in her interactions with the audience and in her choice of clothes and hairstyles. In March 2009, Gigwise proclaimed her "the sexiest woman in rock." She also placed among the top ten of Clash magazine's "Top Woman of 2009" list. Howling Bells began writing material for The Loudest Engine in mid–2009, and expressed hope that 2010 would see
3225-404: The group's gothic characterization. For [critics] to romanticize this sense of darkness ... It’s just the music we like. The style of Howling Bells was greatly influenced by film. The Steins and Picchio have expressed admiration of French films in particular. Juanita has stated that she enjoyed bringing the strange and ethereal energy from those films into their music. To describe
3300-416: The hidden track, "To LA". After the band returned from Los Angeles, they recorded "It Ain't You", "Let's Be Kids", and "Digital Hearts" at AIR Studios in London. Session musicians recorded string and brass instruments for a number of the tracks at Mayfair Studios . The last song to be recorded for Radio Wars was a 1950s style ballad entitled "How Long", which Joel had written the lyrics for. The rest of
3375-598: The high point of the album was the soaring chorus of "Digital Hearts". He ended by retorting: "a featureless product that neglects the band’s distinct former character." Corban Goble of Adequacy, had good things to say about the instrumentation and commented that the record had a great feel, though he felt that the album was missing any kind of strong hook or melody, and that the band lacked passion. All lyrics are written by Juanita Stein and Joel Stein, except where shown Recorded live at The Paradiso, Amsterdam, 22 November 2008. EP comes with Limited edition digipak or otherwise as
3450-399: The influential English experimental techno label New Electronica, which was one of the leading forces of the early 1990s introducing and supporting dance-based electronic music oriented towards home listening rather than dance-floor play, although the word "electronica" had already begun to be associated with synthesizer generated music as early as 1983, when a "UK Electronica Festival"
3525-410: The killer song that would bring Howling Bells the success they undoubtedly crave". The album failed to chart in any nation. Howling Bells headlined shows throughout the UK in May and June. They played V Festival in the UK in August and a short series of shows in Australia and New Zealand in September. The band became largely inactive through 2015 and 2016. In a Facebook post, Juanita Stein described
3600-555: The late 1990s and early 2000s , electronica was increasingly used as background scores for television advertisements , initially for automobiles. It was also used for various video games, including the Wipeout series , for which the soundtrack was composed of many popular electronica tracks that helped create more interest in this type of music —and later for other technological and business products such as computers and financial services. Then in 2011, Hyundai Veloster , in association with
3675-635: The mainstream. It cites American labels such as Astralwerks (the Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, the Future Sound of London , Fluke ), Moonshine ( DJ Keoki ), Sims , and City of Angels (the Crystal Method) for playing a significant role in discovering and marketing artists who became popularized in the electronica scene. Madonna and Björk are said to be responsible for electronica's thrust into mainstream culture, with their albums Ray of Light (Madonna), Post and Homogenic (Björk). In 1997,
3750-452: The members found it difficult to work with their new producer. However, they have stated that in retrospect, they learned a great deal from him and felt fortunate for having the experience of collaborating with him. Radio Wars was first released in the UK in March 2009, and it appeared in several other countries shortly thereafter. The album signalled a change in direction. The band's music had become brighter and more accessible and placed
3825-409: The members watched just before beginning to record The Loudest Engine . Heartstrings , like the first record, was very much influenced by film, and is recognized for its cinematic quality. Juanita indicated that they deliberately made the album to sound like a soundtrack to a movie. Howling Bells along with the production team watched Paris, Texas and Blue Velvet , in an effort to replicate
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#17331041579343900-402: The mood, emotion, and atmosphere of these two films in particular. Other films that played a significant role in the making of Heartstrings include, Badlands , Bonnie and Clyde , Klute , Léon: The Professional , Nashville , Pleasantville , The Last Picture Show , and Vivre sa vie . Electronica The original widespread use of the term "electronica" derives from
3975-597: The music, which they created first. The Loudest Engine features a sound adapted to the genres of folk and rock, more so than the previous two Howling Bells records. Juanita explained that the band relied less on the sound technology that was prominent in Radio Wars , instead returning to the more organic state of Howling Bells . For the new album, Joel was inspired by prog rock and krautrock acts such as Amon Düül and Aphrodite's Child . Howling Bells were inspired by The Doors documentary When You're Strange , which
4050-514: The new songs and expressed what he could add. This encouraged the band, and they agreed to let him produce the album. Dan challenged us a lot as well, which we’ve never had before. He had a lot of inspiring ideas. Basically it was like he was part of the band for the duration of the time we were working with him, which was really, really good. In January 2008, Howling Bells recorded more tracks for Radio Wars , now working at The Sound Factory , in Los Angeles. The band chose Los Angeles as they wanted
4125-511: The next two years touring the UK, Europe, Australia, and the US. They played at the 2007 NME Awards Show. They performed at numerous festivals during the northern hemisphere's summer months in 2006 and 2007, including Reading and Leeds and Latitude . They supported Placebo in Europe and Australia and The Futureheads in the UK. The band also supported Mercury Rev , Snow Patrol , and The Killers across three different continents. This album
4200-484: The other members of the band involved. They made demos and sent them out to prospective producers, one being Alan Moulder ( Nine Inch Nails , The Smashing Pumpkins ). Moulder was busy at the time so he recommended that the band contact an assistant of his, Catherine J. Marks ( Foals , The Killers), who after meeting, Howling Bells chose to produce the album. In November 2013, Howling Bells recorded Heartstrings at Assault & Battery Studios , in London. The album
4275-452: The recording sessions were burdened by occasional arguments. Though, members of the band attested that it ultimately worked out. Five of the demos created for Radio Wars were not used on the final product. Just over half the songs that appeared on the album were recorded in LA: "Treasure Hunt", "Nightingale", "Ms. Bell's Song/Radio Wars Theme", "Golden Web", "Into the Chaos" (minus the strings), and
4350-529: The release 8/10 and praised it as the band's finest album to date. On the opposite end of the spectrum, NME rated it 2/10 and claimed that it "[fell] flat in a puddle of MOR ." The Loudest Engine charted in both the UK and Australia. To coincide with the release of the album, Howling Bells played a short six-date tour of the UK. In November, they supported Elbow in Europe, and later that month they returned to Australia, where they headlined shows in December. Following this, bass guitarist Brendan Picchio left
4425-492: The release of the album, but it did not. Juanita labelled the band's new writing as "real organic, real jammy ... very melodic, but very raw." They played new material during their December 2009 Australian tour. One critic described it as "a more rollicking, rock and roll approach." In 2010, the band severed its partnership with Independiente and later negotiated a contract agreement with Cooking Vinyl . In September 2010, Howling Bells started recording The Loudest Engine at
4500-406: The single was not released until three years after it was shot and produced. It was directed by Dan Lowe for Partizan and filmed in April 2009 in London. Artwork for Radio Wars was by Mark James and photography by Clare Shilland. Howling Bells wanted a luminous front cover art that represented each individual to signify that the album was a brighter, colourful, more vibrant compendium, as well as
4575-473: The singles from the album charted in any country. The unofficial release of "Into the Chaos" was in October, where it was issued for free through the band's website. The song was originally an electronic track without melody or vocals that Juanita and Picchio had put together from other bits and pieces. The week of its official physical release, NME named it as their "track of the week". The single also appeared on
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#17331041579344650-563: The song needed more life, so extra instrumentation was added to deliver a bigger sound. As "Cities Burning Down", it became the album's second track. Howling Bells sought a producer that had experience working on electronic -sounding records. Producer and mixer, Dan Grech-Marguerat , who had previously worked with Howling Bells' manager, had listened to demos of the new tracks. The band knew of his collaborations with Radiohead and Air , and thought he could help develop their new sound. He came to their rehearsal studio with handwritten notes about
4725-460: The songs that they would work on. They sought out a country home in Victoria where they recorded fifteen to twenty demos of their new material. At this demoing location, attempts to tune into radio stations to capture a regular signal generated unstable and erratic reception – referred to as 'radio wars' by the band. This provided ideas for two of the tracks, "Radio Wars Theme" and "Digital Hearts" and
4800-413: The songwriting on Howling Bells , their debut album, was provided by Juanita. For Radio Wars , members collaborated in the rehearsal studio whenever they could find time. Yet, while touring to support their debut album, the four members wrote much of the new material on laptops. In August 2007, they all brought their songs to a listening party at Juanita and Joel's parents' house in Australia and selected
4875-462: The sound of Howling Bells' debut album, critics used terms like dark, brooding, and Americana. NME described it as "the sound of PJ Harvey hitching a ride with The Velvet Underground through Twin Peaks." The second album, Radio Wars , in which the band experimented with synthesizers and drum machines , had a more electronic pop sound. They also incorporated arrangements of string and brass into
4950-546: The technology developed, it became possible for individuals or smaller groups to produce electronic songs and recordings in smaller studios, even in project studios . At the same time, computers facilitated the use of music " samples " and " loops " as construction kits for sonic compositions. This led to a period of creative experimentation and the development of new forms, some of which became known as electronica. Wide ranges of influences, both sonic and compositional, are combined in electronica recordings. Electronica includes
5025-472: The type of material that they should be creating. In January 2008, Howling Bells brokered a deal with, Independiente , since the record label's main focus was for music rather than money. The group maintained their relationship with Liberation , which issued the album in Australia. Radio Wars became the band's first album issued outside of the UK and Australia after they signed with Play It Again Sam , which released
5100-634: Was Juanita and Joel's trip to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in Australia. They saw this band shrouded in red lights, and it created an atmosphere that inspired them to alter their musical direction. The band's style has been compared to that of Siouxsie and the Banshees , PJ Harvey , The Velvet Underground , Nick Cave , Mazzy Star , and The Duke Spirit . Stein has cited female singers such as Siouxsie Sioux , PJ Harvey, Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry . Their music has been called folk rock , melodic blues, and country - goth . Juanita disagrees with
5175-401: Was a departure from the poppier style of music demonstrated by Waikiki. The long delay and the experience of a cold British winter had affected the tone of their music. By July 2005, the band was not yet signed to a record label. Howling Bells toured for ten months prior to the release of the album. They played sporadically in clubs in Australia and North America, and they toured Europe and
5250-401: Was broadcast live, and tickets were exclusive to winners of an online competition. The album spent four weeks on the Australian Albums Chart and peaked inside the Top 30. It made an appearance for three weeks on the UK Albums Chart and peaked just outside the Top 50. It did not chart in any other nation. The album was recognised on three different end-of-the-year lists. Radio Wars
5325-435: Was first held. At that time electronica became known as "electronic listening music", also becoming more or less synonymous to ambient techno and intelligent techno , and was considered distinct from other emerging genres such as jungle and trip hop . Electronica artists that would later become commercially successful began to record in the late 1980s , before the term had come into common usage, including for example
5400-470: Was met with mixed reviews from those within the music industry. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 67/100 based on 16 reviews. Album of the Year is a website that applies the same system of standardised scoring, this time using a fixed number of twelve mainstream publications as sources. Radio Wars obtained an average score of 60/100 based on five reviews for
5475-504: Was one of over 100 tracks by various artists that appeared on the Realtime Worlds developed multiplayer online video game, APB: All Points Bulletin . "Digital Hearts" (May 2009) embodies the message of the album's title – the technological struggle in the new age. The lyrics for it were written by Juanita and Joel and influenced by Juanita and Moule's inability to tune in a tangible radio signal at their demoing location. A music video for
5550-605: Was presented as a digipak that included a bonus live disc containing seven tracks of a Howling Bells performance recorded at The Paradiso , in Amsterdam , in November 2008. The band played a free instore show at retail outlet Fopp Records , in Covent Garden , on the day of the UK release. Later that week they played another free show, this time sponsored by NME , at Punk in Soho . The event
5625-492: Was primarily produced by Marks, but Moulder supported the effort and was given credit as co-producer. Marks set the tone of the environment in the recording studio and the band felt extremely open and comfortable in her presence. Her female nature was credited with her ability to elicit exceptional performances from the band, more so than any of her record producer counterparts who worked with Howling Bells previously. The band moved on from former label Cooking Vinyl and established
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