About
Beginning as a bedroom-recording project in 1997, Panic Strikes a Chord has been a study in constant evolution and sonic experimentation, all the while remaining true to the narrative vision of Jeremy Brightbill. Drawing from disparate sources as hip-hop, shoegaze, country and indie-rock, PSAC nonetheless has continually created a beautiful, adventurous and unified sound all its own, which has made it a favorite guest project of members of Early Day Miners and Magnolia Electric Company.
Brightbill’s latest endeavor, Cautionary Verses for Children (available June 5th, 2007 on Higher Step Records), is an earnest exploration on the current global state, the pervasiveness of violence in our lives, and the avenues of personal escape via living and loving hard until the inevitable claims us all. With a recurring theme of ghosts, the album lives up to its title as a whispered warning complete with lyrical elements of magic and remorse.
Sonically the record moves playfully from the sexy indie-rock cool of Love & Rockets (Touch Free Automatic) to the sprawling melodic guitar fuzz pop of Teenage Fanclub (Those Who Lie Say They Never Lie) and the minimalist meditative approach of Low (Tsao Wan) as well as all points between. The lead single, Make Me Want To details a relationship reduced to self-loathing and mutual lust over an accordion led, vaguely eastern European sounding, drinking song swagger.
Panic Strikes a Chord will be touring throughout the remainder of 2007 in support of Cautionary Verses for Children.