Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A Fragile Tomorrow - Be Nice, Be Careful


I have been looking forward to hearing this album since I was sent the single "Kernersville" in the autumn last year, and I can, hand on heart, say it was well worth waiting for.
"Be Nice, Be Careful" is a choice cut of Power Pop, sometimes echoing the great power pop bands that have gone before them but without emulating them.
The song writing and music stand up to any scrutiny with well crafted songs and meaningful lyrics that never fail to engage the listener on every level.
A Fragile Tomorrow have released an album that will sit comfortably with a cross section of listeners, an album full of radio friendly tunes that will hopefully bring this music to the masses, who are currently being fed a diet of crap from TV talent shows, there is more to music.....and here they are!



A Fragile Tomorrow has become one of the most respected band of brothers on the road, largely thanks to their venerable work ethic, stellar musicianship, and fans in high places. The four-piece powerpop band is comprised of identical brothers Sean and Dominic Kelly, their younger brother Brendan, and Shaun Rhoades. In 2006, the band released its debut album, “Wishful Thinking.” Early 2008 brought the world "Beautiful Noise," the band's second record, which was produced by Grammy® award-winner Malcolm Burn, producer for such industry luminaries as Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Patti Smith.


Years of hard work and determination started to pay off in a big way in 2009. They went into the studio, with singer-songwriter Danielle Howle as producer, to make their third record “Tripping Over Nothing,” which features contributions from Amy Ray of Indigo Girls, singer-songwriter Susan Cowsill, and legendary musician Peter Holsapple. Sean and Dominic also made an appearance on Indigo Girls’ 2010 live album, “Staring Down the Brilliant Dream”, as well as Amy Ray’s 2012 solo release, “Lung of Love.”

Starting in 2010 and continuing through recent months, AFT joined Indigo Girls on tour in various cities, including a show in their home base of Charleston, SC in early 2011. As 2011 started to wind down, the band was invited to their West Coast debut as touring openers for The Bangles. Shows at well-respected clubs like House of Blues and legendary venues such as The Fillmore in San Francisco made the West Coast a successful new market for the band. More high-profile gigs followed throughout 2012, as the band shared the bill with Antigone Rising, Garrison Starr, Drivin’ and Cryin’, and Matthew Sweet respectively. While opening for Sweet on his celebrated “Girlfriend tour,” one Massachusetts critic proclaimed AFT as “everything that is right with music.” 

Along with their busy touring schedule, the band carved out time in January of 2012 to complete their fourth record, “Be Nice Be Careful,” with music legend Mitch Easter as producer and Ted Comerford as co-producer. Known for his work with bands like R.E.M. and Pavement, Easter brought his trademark jangle-pop sound to the band’s compositions. This latest batch of songs show A Fragile Tomorrow’s growth not only in their songwriting, but in their musicianship as a whole. 


Sean Kelly-Vocals, Guitars

Dominic Kelly-Drums, Vocals

Brendan Kelly-Guitars, Vocals

Shaun Rhoades-Bass, Vocals

A Fragile Tomorrow’s genre has never been easy to pinpoint, as the band uses the cities, musicians, and cultures that they come across while on the road as inspiration for their songwriting. Fans have compared their music to the likes of Teenage Fanclub, The Smithereens, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Big Star, The Jayhawks, The Lemonheads, The Posies, and more. Artists such as Indigo Girls, The Bangles, Matthew Sweet, Antigone Rising, Garrison Starr, Blues Traveler, Catie Curtis, Continental Drifters, Danielle Howle, The Cowsills, and Mark Bryan of Hootie and The Blowfish have invited AFT to tour and share the stage over the last few years. 

As the band readies its fourth album for release on January 8th, 2013, their goals include expanding their fan base, touring to new cities, working with more up-and-coming musicians as well as some more of their idols, making quality records for their fans, and bringing powerpop music back to the mainstream.

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love A Fragile Tomorrow: Facebook   

Find out more, buy the album and other merchandise at the bands official web site:

    

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