November 28, 2007 | Posted by David B. at 8:00 AM

I've been breathing in since I don't know when

merry time

In 1999, Robot Mark slipped me a disc that vastly improved my December. We went to college in Maine, see, and winter there is by turns depressing and gorgeous. Then there's the fact that, when you're in college, and you're in the middle of finals and looking forward to going home for break, things get a little strange. You're excited and miserable. The excitement and misery of The Promise Ring's Very Emergency, which I probably listened to everyday that December, found me at just the right time.

After Very Emergency, the Promise Ring put out an EP, then one more full-length (2002's soggy Wood/Water), and quietly went away. I lost track of their ranks until I recently heard the new record from Maritime, which features two Promise Ring members - Davey von Bohlen on vocals and guitar, Dan Didier on drums.

Maritime - Guns of Navarone.

This track won't break new ground or anything, which is partly why I like it. It's the indie rock equivalent of comfort food, and damn, it's great to hear von Bohlen's voice again. The band's new record Heresy and the Hotel Choir is good, and I recommend you pick it up from Flameshovel Records.

Here's to happy Decembers.

Comments

where did you go to college in maine?

Posted by: eric at November 28, 2007 10:35 AM

Us Robots went to Bates.

Posted by: Robot David at November 28, 2007 10:46 AM

Still can't figure out why this record wasn't released earlier; it's a summer record if I ever heard one.

If you like this record, their previous "We The Vehicles" is more consistent, and I believe, stronger.

Posted by: michael at November 28, 2007 12:29 PM

Hey, I just wanted to share a new artist that I discovered recently. His name is Jason Soudah and I think you will like his music too. He's produced by Romesh Dodangoda who also worked with Kids in Glasshouses, The Blackout and Dopamine. He also recently appeared on national UK TV via ITV One’s
“This Morning” & On BBC Radio 2’s Janice Long Show. Check him out at www.myspace.com/jasonsoudah and let me know what you think! Amy23brown@yahoo.com

Posted by: Amy Brown at November 29, 2007 1:52 PM

Maritime does something very simple, but they do it well. Hard to argue with that.

Posted by: Jeff at December 5, 2007 7:35 PM
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