If Armies Fought Like the Winter Sun

About the Artist
Formed in the relatively obscure and modest Watchung Mountains of suburban New Jersey rather than the legendary and majestic Alps of Switzerland, as their name may imply, Swiss Auto Club have reached a musical summit with the release of "If Armies Fought Like the Winter Sun" that surprises no one – least of all John Bonaventura, his friend since childhood, Jack Hoppingarner, mutual acquaintance (and recent Berklee College of Music grad) John Natelli, and lab chemist Luke Snell (who learned the bass just to join the promising and , obviously, bassless group).

Even in their formative days, playing under a different moniker (and with a frontman who has long since departed), their sounds and their performances hinted at the band and music to be. Only then it was spiked with a boyish sense of exploration that found them trying Britpop, power pop and introspective indie rock balladry on for size. But after singer Jason Snell left, principal songwriter Bonaventura took on the vocal duties while allocating a share of the lead guitar responsibilities to Hoopingarner. Eager to find themselves and make an immediate impression, the revamped band changed their name and recorded an eight song CD called "Esplosione" after a mere few months of togetherness.

It was during the process of promoting the release and writing new material that the joy of exploration evolved into the thrill of discovery – the thrill of finding their sound. That sound would soon become their next project. Fan reaction to the new material at various NYC venues, as well as on a mini tour to Georgia and back, excited the band enough to embark on recording the material right away.

The manifestation of that excitement, "If Armies Fought Like the Winter Sun," is a soul-stirring labor of love. These six songs were recorded and re-recorded between the summer of 2003 and the spring of 2004 with Bonaventura and Hoopingarner at the helm. The triumphant sound of, "Winter Sun," released on indie upstart Balley Park Records, is accentuated for those in the know by the memory of technological tragedies, collegiate commitments and waylaid plans. The final product tough is a blistering, soaring testament to the boys who wouldn’t quit and the music that wouldn’t let them quit.

If Armies Fought Like the Winter Sun,Swiss Auto Club,Bailey Park Records,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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If Armies Fought Like the Winter Sun Swiss Auto Club Manufacturer: Bailey Park Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000BDH4W8 Release Date: 2005-08-30

Tracks:

1. Solid Green
2. The Lasy Days of Daisy Miller
3. Apothecary
4. Give You Goddess
5. Always in Ten
6. Expensive

Average customer rating:

If Armies Fought Like the Winter Sun ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000GBEITW Release Date: 2005-10-25

Rock Music:

1. I Hear My Baby Knocking
2. Il Fait Tout Gris [Import]
3. I'm from Further North Than You [CD-single] [Import]
4. Insight
5. Kingtinued: The Lost Recordings - Volume Two
6. L.A. Reflection [Extra tracks] [Import]
7. Machine Head [Import]
8. Magnificent Distance [Import]
9. Meet the Beatles: Live in Paris
10. Mind Lagoons [Import]

Rock Music