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"Paris Burning
" (CD)
amBiguous CITY! Records
2002
"Pop
Culture Press Sampler 18" (CD)
Song: Working Hard To Make A Bad Life Worse
Pop Culture Press Magazine
2003
"Copper
Press Sampler 13" (CD)
Song: Enemy Accent
Copper Press Magazine
2002
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BIOGRAPHY
D. Allen – Bass, Vocals
R. Anthony – Guitar, Vocals
S. Lara – Guitar, Vocals;
M. Stalzer - Drums
Paris Burning, the debut full-length
from The Maginot Line, presents a quartet focused squarely on
the pursuit of smart, energetic rock songs. The opening track,
"Working Hard to Make A Bad Life Worse," features a
band capable of both straightforward melody and sudden left turns
into new territory. Anchored by the precision bass playing of
Dave Allen and warm thwack of drummer Mark Stalzer, the quartet
is rounded out by the thick chords and brassy ambience of guitarists
Sean Lara and Rob Anthony. Sewn together by the vocal interplay
of Allen, Lara and Anthony, The Maginot Line relishes every opportunity
to enrich the mix with singing that ranges from shouted call-and-response
("Hospital Corners") to three-part harmonies ("Eight
by Nine").
All told, Paris Burning is a rocket
of an album. In just under 40 minutes, the Line explores sound
and subject in a thoughtful but blissfully imperfect style. Ferocious
rhythms alternate with weaving guitars, ultimately resolving into
a wall-to-wall attack that successfully blurs the line between
indie-rock and punk. Thanks to the thoughtful assistance of Chad
Clark, Paris Burning ably captures the sound of a developing and
spirited band.
Hailing from the District of Columbia
and Baltimore, The Maginot Line was formed in the winter of 2000
and includes former members of Branch Manager (Dischord) and Corm
(Shute/Dischord). They released their first effort, the To Victory
EP, in late November that same year. The Line have had the pleasure
to play with such bands as The Dismemberment Plan, Bluetip, Naht,
Fin Fang Foom, Stinking Lizaveta, and The Fuses. The band will
tour the US this spring and summer.
THEY'RE
SAYING WHAT?
Grade: A
Holy shit this CD rocks! It's like a cross between Minus the Bear,
Shellac, Avail and Samiam. It's mostly upbeat, but the drums can
slow down and get all choppy (Shellac), mostly it flows and the
vocals remind me a lot of Minus the Bear, only there's multiple
vocals, and they're a bit more screamy. The songs are still kinda
pop songs that remind me of Samiam, but there's a real dirty and
raw edge to them that is reminiscent of the first Avail 7".
None of that may make sense, but the quality of this cd from start
to finish will do all the talking. This is one of the best rock?
Screamo? records I've heard all year. (CS)
- Geek America
Each and every nugget of angular, layered
guitar rock from The Maginot Line is delivered quite quickly.
Paris Burning runs barely 38 minutes, but a what a ride the band
produces! Maginot Line, featuring former members of Branch Manager
and Corm, squeeze 11 smart, crisply played anthems into a record
that is refreshingly melodic while also highly energized. The
band also displays a wide array of styles. From the jangly guitar
of "Working Hard to Make a Bad Life Worse" and "Primate
Dynamic," to the incredible harmonies of "Eight By Nine"
and "Fuck Yeah," to the Fugazi-esque noise of the closing
"Turban for the Crown," this is a band in which each
member perfectly complements the other. The guitar playing and
vocal dynamics of Rob Anthony and Sean Lara are in perfect synchronicity
with the tremendous rhythm section of Dave Allen and drummer Mark
Stalzer.
- Jersey Beat
The album's title may have something
to do with the band's name, but in every way the Maginot Line
plays distinctly American rock. The verses are generally strident
and almost atonal. The choruses are often multifaceted and utterly
beautiful. I sure do like the way these songs are built piece
by piece before exploding into splendor.
Indeed, it's that ultra-crafted writing
style that gets to me most. These songs are simple joys to hear.
And as much as it is obvious these guys worked dreadfully hard
writing and arranging these songs, the energy level is quite high
as well. There's no quit here.
A lot of fun for me. There's plenty
of thought within these songs, but I'm exhilarated by the athletic
pacing and tight writing. It's very hard to fuse those elements,
but the Maginot Line makes it sound simple.
- Aiding and Abbetting
Building on the same discordant blocks
that propel bands from Garrison to At The Drive In to Fugazi to
Dismemberment Plan, the Paris Burning album is a keeper. Often
the songs build up atonal clashing chords & rhythms and climax
with a melodic group vocal orgasm, it is quite cathartic. Like
a day covered in a layer of clouds, snow & slush & then
the sun breaks through & hits you right in the eye with a
blast of warmth. I like it, and I like this band.
- GY, Torpedo Magazine
GET IN TOUCH
Booking: Email
Band Site: www.maginotline.com
Official Fan Site: www.maginotmania.com
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