044 The Astor Hotel is Black in the Windows

That is one of those lyrics that is constantly in my head. I don't even think about it. It's just there. It's the equivalent of having voices in your head, randomly telling you to deposit cats into ATM's. Being guided by voices so to speak? In fact, I'm starting to become concerned that Davey of The Promise Ring somehow worked some mind control voodoo or backwards masking. And while i'm feeling nostalgic... I may as well make note of the fact that he most likely did practice some mind control on the kids via those infectiously catchy tunes. Infection, indeed. Truth be told, in each of The Promise Ring's first 3 incarnations, I found aspects to alternately love and hate, creating quite the commotion in my conscience. In their 4th and final phase, i was hooked and head over heels. I loved Wood/Water so much because it completely destroyed any pre-conceived notions of what they would or should sound like. I was in the minority I guess because that was their last record.

Years later, I still love and miss The Promise Ring's music. I want to write more about it, but hey, it's Friday, so let's just hear it. I was going to post 2 rarities, but i've instead decided to post a song from each of their phases. If you are unfamiliar with them or have only heard bits and pieces, GO BUY the records. I hear them in so many new bands nowadays and they're all getting it wrong. More to come...



MP3: Saturday - The Promise Ring
(from Falsetto Keeps Time 1996)MP3: Perfect Lines - The Promise Ring
(from Nothing Feels Good 1997)MP3: The Deep South - The Promise Ring
(from Very Emergency 1999)MP3:Size Of Your Life - The Promise Ring
(from Wood/Water 2002)