Album Discussion: Magreenery

Hello friends,

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I wanted to start a series of threads every few weeks focusing on discussion of a particular Papadosio topic, beginning with each album. I will try and share as much knowledge and trivia in each initial post but please share your thoughts, and any additional information you think is relevant to the topic.

We will start things off with the first studio album: Magreenery

Magreenery was released on September 11, 2007 with all tracks being written, recorded, and produced by the band themselves. The album release party was held at the Blue Gator in Athens, OH with guests The Werks. The album was released before Sam Brouse joined the band, and is the album only which features their original guitarist Kostas Alexiou. The album features 9 tracks beginning and ending with a recording of bird songs captured in the band's hometown of Athens, OH creating a continuous loop of music.

The blending of nature and technology is the common theme throughout the album. Prior to the album release Anthony Thogmartin touted that the band has "something in store in the world of music that hasn't been tried yet," promising the band are "going to try to do everything that hasn't been done yet." Thogmartin emphasized the goal of the band is to explore the relationship between technology and nature.

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Album artwork by:

Track Listing:

1. The Plug (8:15) The Plug sets the tone for the album both musically and lyrically. The song starts with the sounds of birds singing, and features a slow gradual build up to an uplifting release showing off how beautifully the band can teeter between near silence, and near chaos. The lyrics are a pretty straight forward call for people to unplug their devices and interact with one another. The words offer some reassurance, "It's alright," in a response to the social anxieties that push people toward technological devices. The track also features a sample of a Richard Alpert quote, also known as Baba Ram Dass, introducing the intellectual influences of the band which will be seen throughout future releases.

2. Magreenery (7:30)

The title track for the album was the first electronic track the band worked on, according to Anthony Thogmartin. The song was created when Anthony was living out of a sleeping bag in a cramped photo-development room in a basement in Athens, OH. Anthony shared "this is literally the result of my first couple of experiments with this little thing." The track highlights the diverse range of Papadosio opening up with heavy electronic beats blended with atmospheric synth-scapes giving the track a full-bodied sound. The track comes to a seeming halt for a peaceful piano melody before careening off into a maniacal build and release.

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3. The Big Smile (6:13)

The Big Smile is a half acoustic/half electric track about finding your crowd (Find Your Crowd?). The song finds Anthony wandering around town feeling "out of place," until he finally finds his crew and all of the joy that comes along with that. The lyrics sound like a somewhat mumbled rant narrating a night out on the town searching for a place to fit in. The mumbled lyrics lead to a clear and joyous sing-a-long once Anthony steps into the pub with a big smile seeing a room of familiar, welcoming, faces.

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4. Fuse (6:20)

Fuse is the first track written by Papadosio that helped the band realize they didn't just want to be a band to play music, they wanted to have something to say. With a platform like a concert stage, the band wanted to be able to promote positive movements in the music community. The lyrics of the song promote community engagement not just in the music scene but on a local level as well.

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5. _ (I Had the Same Dream) (2:24)

'_,' also known by I Had the Same Dream is an instrumental track with a meandering intro building to an uplifting melody explored playfully until fumbling into a moody guitar section. The song eventually fades out into an atmospheric hum, perfectly segueing into the next track.

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6. Utopiate (8:51)

Utopiate is the longest track on the album showcasing again the diversity found in a single track. The song begins with a short build, releasing into a guitar heavy melody back with electronic beats. The song features several builds releasing into uplifting melodies evoking images of Utopian dream-scapes.

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7. Curve (8:14)

Perhaps the biggest fan favorite from Magreenery, Curve is the first song that Papadosio has ever written. Anthony admits there is not much meaning behind the song, but "if you look under a microscope you can be pretty certain that some people under there are having a good time... and that's what this is all about, right? Having a good time." The track features the simple lyrics "subatomic particles know how to have a good time," and includes another vocal sample taken from a 1960's propaganda film warning against the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

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8. PhDeez (6:00)

One of the rarest songs played by the band.

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9. Polygons (7:40)

The closing track of the album, and perhaps the most chaotic masterpiece the band has written yet. The song starts with a slow electronic build played and releases into a maniacal, fast paced, onslaught. Billy Brouse has stated the name is derived from "The Polygon," a former Soviet union nuclear test site that conducted over 450 nuclear bomb tests with little regard for the safety of the surrounding civilians. The track fades out with a recording of bird songs.

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The majority of the information here is taken directly from stage banter. Other information has been shared by the band on the Papadosio Family. And a few things I have heard directly from the band.

On 4.6.2014 the band celebrated their 8th anniversary by playing Magreenery in its entirety for the first time. Rob Compa from Dopapod sat in for The Big Smile, and the set ended with a 20+ minute super jam featuring all members of Dopapod.

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If you know of any other info to add please do so. Lets open discussion for all things Magreenery.

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**Disclaimer: If any information is provided by Billy it is likely only 2/3 true.

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