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Ashes

by ELLUL

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1.
Cages 03:10
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Chalk white knuckles, failing vitals Passing notes over the ashes Pin prick triggers can't keep aflame Passing notes to the devil Fear masked in barbell denials Taping our hands to reduce the strain Passing notes over ashes Bury memory in the bright lights Tape my eyes to mask the shame Chalk witness falling idols Walking past in velvet indifference Tape my mouth to take the blame Passing notes to the devil Fear masked in barbell denials Taping our hands to reduce the strain Passing notes over ashes Bury memory in the bright lights Tape my eyes to mask the shame
2.
Grave Peddlers 04:19
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You don't have to ask me to give you direction Your eyes so bright and brittle Arteries the balustrade we clutch and cling to To keep alive These faces don't lie awake at night We fit through the unguarded spaces Through cracks in the cages we find light I'll save what I can You don't have to tell me the holes you're done filling Captive to a crowded hall Dreamed this was a special case The arguments keep mounting
3.
Birthright 01:55
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4.
Drone 05:13
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5.
Good Night 04:39
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Good Night Sweetheart, Good Night Rest your weary bones What I could have been What I should have been Good Night Sweetheart, Good Night
6.
Debris 02:42
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I've been sleeping Under my belly, Under the table, For no one to see Under the covers Through a mirror blade It cut open the debris.
7.
Pinched 03:28
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I saw the crime Ballots burned to ash No evidence. I drank poison And saw the ocean. I pinched myself My eyes are clear. Soft days to numb the zeal And to lose control. The pigs are on the move, To eat away. Gunfire is drawing near. When I smell death, I fall to my knees. Dance, the clouds have peaked The Sword from Your mouth You've finally appeared, my Dear.
8.
Memoriam 01:48
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We were all seated in a room The candle lit and flowers from your mom When I think of past memories I think of the stains on your veins When you drank morphine drip It reminds me of the other hospital trips When babies were born And people said goodbye When will it be when the flowers are for me But not from my mom And I lay frozen
9.
Egg Shells 02:57
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In the middle of the night When it's quiet The sound of pulses through neighboring walls In between us lies what walls can't make When I looked at you, I was shook up I saw the end of my life with you If all the people saw Could they hold it in front of me Tell me that the words will come out Tell me that I'll say what I feel Tell me that I'll even have a notion of need Tell me that you'll hold me If I had something to say I'd let you know I spit eggshells for you to walk on
10.
Trophy 04:27
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Something under my belt Something on top of my shelf Something to show you Say it loud Say it clear From your mouth To my ear All I've gain and all I've lost All I have, for the cause
11.
Wanted 01:47
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All the things I wanted All the things I needed All the days I lost it All the times you tried to All the times I'd fight you

about

Three years have past since Ellul released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut. Since then, the band has toured nationally and recently released The Debris, a charity EP for Haitian Earthquake survivors. The album not only raised thousands of dollars for The General's homeland, but also hinted at the new sonic directions explored in Ashes, their latest full length album.

In a world full of snap shot songs, the album Ashes is a motion picture. Musically and emotionally varied, this work is a chronicle of what once was and what might yet be. These are the sounds and textures of loss and restoration. The album was recorded over an intense two year period (2008-2010) for the band. Divorce papers came and went; living situations in flux and identities in question. Ashes tone is atmospheric, lost sometimes in a cloud of unknowing. Lyrically, the duo is completely exposed: exploring issues of loss, deceit and the complete collapse of everything that was once held dear. It's clear Ellul has not stopped asking questions, aware that many will remain unanswered.

With sounds this transparent and personal it's not surprising that Ashes was entirely produced by the Ellul. Taking the torch from Asthmatic Kitty Artist/Producer/friend Chris Schlarb, the band recorded, mixed, and mastered the album at studios all over the San Francisco Bay - most notably at the legendary Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA. Ellul has surrendered to the momentum, and is looking forward to move with it.

credits

released October 12, 2010

Ellul is Joel St. Julien and Joel Tarman/ Joel St. Julien is The General and Joel Tarman is Blankethead.

The General: Vocals, guitars, bass, monome, electronics, percussion, programming/sound design, field recordings

Blankethead: Vocals, keys, monome, electronics, programming/sound design.

Strings on Birthright composed and arranged by The General

Additional Musicians:


Danielle Cohen plays Cello on Birthright

Chris Schlarb plays guitars on Birthright and Memoriam. He also recorded drums on Grave Peddlers, Drone, and Memoriam.

Andrew Pompey played drums on Grave Peddlers, Drone and Memoriam.


Drone contains a sample of "Manned Space Capsule" by Ken Nordine (with permission) from his album "How Are Things in Your Town" (1971, Blue Thumb Records)

Album Artwork by The General

Thanks to Rhea, our Family and Friends, Ken Nordine, Danielle Cohen, Chris Schlarb, ANdrew Pompey, Felix, Ron Stuekle, Steffan Franz and IDC, the entire Pyramind Crew, Jeff Ray and Mission Creek Music Festival and Jeffery Wood and Jessie Nichols at Fantasy Studios.

This album is dedicated to the people of Haiti!

Recorded at Home, Sunset Youth Studios, Fantasy Studios, and Pyramind Studios 2008-2010 in San Francisco, CA / Fantasy Studio sessions were recorded by Jessie Nichols / Drums on Grave Peddlers, Drone and Memoriam were recorded and produced by Chris Schlarb in Long Beach, CA

All songs written by Ellul

Produced, mixed and recorded by Ellul unless otherwise noted.

Mastered by Michael Romanowski

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ELLUL San Francisco, California

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