Maps - Turning the Mind

According to an interview on James' new website for Maps, he has revealed the name of the new album Turning the Mind, which he said will be darker, angrier and more electronic than We Can Create. The first single is "Let Go of the Fear" and will be available for digital download on May 11. The second album now has a confirmed release date: September 28, or 29 for US. James said via his website that every two weeks he'd post a song from Turning the Mind on his MySpace page.

http://www.recordstore.co.uk/images/covers09/07.2009/maps_turning_the_mind_300.jpg

something i found:

"Turning The Mind was recorded with Tim Holmes (Death in Vegas) at the Contino Rooms in London, is Maps' second album and follows the Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlisted debut We Can Create (2007).

Talking about the album, James Chapman explains, "Turning The Mind is essentially an album which explores themes related to the human mind and the way certain stimuli, particularly chemical, can affect the mind in different ways.

A recurring theme throughout the album is that of the 'journey of extremes'. An example of this could be from 'depression' to 'euphoria' (or 'abyss' to 'bliss', if you like).

The title comes from the cognitive therapy practice of 'Mindfulness' which I came across a few years ago, taught by Professor Marsha M. Linehan. It is a practice which, in simple terms, takes negative thoughts and turns them towards positive ones by accepting reality as it is, however bad it may be.

The tracks for this album never seemed to stop flowing from the day I began working on them, it is a true statement of Maps' music at this precise moment.

"Let Go The Fear", a one-off collaboration with renowned Berlin based producer / DJ Oliver Huntemann and Tim Holmes received a limited download only release in May and was described by The Guardian (UK) as "the kind of music that makes you want to indulge in very urgent dancing."

Maps has recently debuted their new stripped down electronic line-up at the UK’s Great Escape and Stag & Dagger festivals and has announced a number of dates for the summer, including a support slot on the forthcoming M83 UK tour.

If We Can Create was the birth of Maps, this second album is the fully formed manifesto." - James Chapman, 2009

can anyone tell me something about this band?

it has leaked...

"Let Go The Fear", a one-off collaboration with renowned Berlin based producer / DJ Oliver Huntemann and Tim Holmes received a limited download only release in May and was described by The Guardian (UK) as "the kind of music that makes you want to indulge in very urgent dancing."

When I heard this track, it scared the shit out of me. Fortunately, the rest of the new album is pretty much a continuation of the first. If you're into Air, M83 or any other kind of rich-sounding dream pop this dude pushes all the right buttons.

can anyone tell me something about this band?

their first two singles were amazing. it was all downhill from there, tunes-wise. the album was an immense disappointment

the album was an immense disappointment

agreed.

I disagree, fwiw.

I have tried so, so hard to like this album. I really, really wanted to love it. And it begins perfectly -- the title track is some M83-style wonder -- but my god, is the rest of it a let-down.

I've just finished a review of it ... I actually feel guilty having a pop at it, which is just ridiculous. Gah.

bizarre question but are the last 4 tracks a very repetitive ambient piece or is my cd mispressed?

I honestly can't remember, and don't have it to hand! I don't think so, but your "repetitive ambient piece" might be my "I've tuned out of this completely" :)

Will try to check tomorrow.

ulrich schnauss should just basically beat this guy up and tell him not to make music