Artificial Heart (album)
Encyclopedia
Artificial Heart is the eighth studio album by rock musician Jonathan Coulton
. After taking a long hiatus from songwriting after his successful 2006 Thing a Week project (with the exceptions of "Still Alive
" and ten songs recorded between 2007 and 2009
), Coulton started production on Artificial Heart after encouragement from John Flansburgh
(of They Might Be Giants
), also the album's producer.
Artificial Heart is a collaboration between Coulton and John Flansburgh, who encouraged Coulton to step outside the independent realm of his previous work and try many new things for the album, including recording with a full band in a professional studio. Thus, Artificial Heart is the first Coulton album to be produced by someone other than Coulton himself, the first to be recorded in a studio (owned by Flansburgh's collaborator Patrick Dillett), and the first to be written for (and recorded by) a full band. Artificial Heart is also the first Coulton album to feature guest lead vocals and a duet.
The first track to be released from the album, Nemeses, was released online via Paste Magazine on July 28th, 2011.
Jonathan Coulton
Jonathan Coulton is an American singer-songwriter, known for his songs about geek culture and his use of the Internet to draw fans...
. After taking a long hiatus from songwriting after his successful 2006 Thing a Week project (with the exceptions of "Still Alive
Still Alive
Still Alive may refer to:* Still Alive , the closing credits song from the Portal video game* Still Alive – the Remixes, the theme song from the video game Mirror's Edge...
" and ten songs recorded between 2007 and 2009
The Aftermath (Jonathan Coulton album)
The Aftermath is a collection of songs released following the 'aftermath' of the Thing a Week project by comedy rock musician Jonathan Coulton. The project was originally intended to be Coulton's eighth studio album...
), Coulton started production on Artificial Heart after encouragement from John Flansburgh
John Flansburgh
John Conant Flansburgh is an American musician. He is half of the longstanding Brooklyn, New York-based alternative rock duo They Might Be Giants, for which he writes, sings and plays rhythm guitar...
(of They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
), also the album's producer.
History
The album began production after Coulton opened a few shows for They Might Be Giants in 2010. Sometime during these shows, Flansburgh suggested to Coulton that he put together a band and record an album professionally, to be produced by Flansburgh. In 2010, Coulton announced that he was about to start recording his first album in four years.Artificial Heart is a collaboration between Coulton and John Flansburgh, who encouraged Coulton to step outside the independent realm of his previous work and try many new things for the album, including recording with a full band in a professional studio. Thus, Artificial Heart is the first Coulton album to be produced by someone other than Coulton himself, the first to be recorded in a studio (owned by Flansburgh's collaborator Patrick Dillett), and the first to be written for (and recorded by) a full band. Artificial Heart is also the first Coulton album to feature guest lead vocals and a duet.
Track List
Personnel
- Jonathan CoultonJonathan CoultonJonathan Coulton is an American singer-songwriter, known for his songs about geek culture and his use of the Internet to draw fans...
- Vocals, guitar - Chris AndersonChris AndersonChris Anderson may refer to:* Chris Anderson , founder of Future Publishing and curator of the TED Conference* Chris Anderson , author, journalist, editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine, popularized "The Long Tail"* Chris Anderson , football player, educator, former Vice-Chairman of Aberdeen F.C.*...
- Bass - Marty BellerMarty BellerMarty Beller is the drummer for They Might Be Giants. He has two solo albums. He also wrote and sang songs from TMBG's albums, Here Come the ABCs: "Alphabet Lost And Found", Here Come the 123s: "High Five!" and Here Comes Science: "Speed and Velocity".Beller became the full time drummer for the...
- Drums - Mauro Refosco - Percussion
- Joe McGintyJoe McGintyJoe McGinty is a composer, keyboardist and arranger who was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey.-Background:McGinty is most widely known for his five years as the keyboardist for The Psychedelic Furs ....
- Keyboards - Jon Spurney - Keyboards
- Suzanne VegaSuzanne VegaSuzanne Nadine Vega is an American songwriter and singer known for her eclectic folk-inspired music.Two of Vega's songs reached the top 10 of various international chart listings: "Luka" and "Tom's Diner"...
- Vocals on "Now I Am An Arsonist" - Sara Quin - Vocals on "Still Alive"
- John Roderick - Vocals on "Nemeses"
- Dorit Chrysler - Theremin on "Still Alive"
- Stan HarrisonStan HarrisonStan Harrison is an American saxophonist who is also accomplished in playing other woodwind instruments, namely the horn, flute and clarinet. He has also written music for television. Harrison released his first solo album The Ties That Blind in 2000 on his own record label...
- Saxophone Arrangement and Performance on "Sticking It To Myself"
Availability
The album was released on September 2, 2011. The initial release is available as part of a "premium superfan pack" with extra merchandise, including a vinyl pressing and T-shirts, also designed by Sam Potts.The first track to be released from the album, Nemeses, was released online via Paste Magazine on July 28th, 2011.