Penance Soiree
Encyclopedia
Penance Soiree was the second full-length album released by The Icarus Line
. It was one of 2004's most critically acclaimed releases, and its reputation has subsequently earned praise in various publications, including the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
.
Due to infighting with the band's U.S. division of their record label at the time, V2 Records, the album, which was recorded in early 2003, was not released until May 2, 2004. Disagreements and aggravations on the band's end stemmed from the label's general lack of interest and support, a nearly non-existent promotional campaign for the album, and the group's control over its artwork. The U.S. division of the record label did not invest in even one advertisement for the release, and also made the band pay for the production of their music videos out of their own pocket. These factors have contributed to the album being cited as one of the most underrated and overlooked rock albums of the past decade.
The album was largely self-produced by the band, and then mixed by Alan Moulder
. Moulder also contributed some last minute recording and engineering to the album, while mixing it in London with Aaron North
and Joe Cardamone at Eden Studios
in west London
. Due to running behind on schedule, the band were even forced to record portions of the album at Aaron North
's father's home in Torrance, California, before leaving for London with the project still unfinished. The song "On the Lash" was also re-mixed for the album's inclusion by Ken Andrews
, due to the band being unhappy with the original mix after returning home. The album was mastered by Howie Weinberg
in New York City.
This was the last album by The Icarus Line
that featured original founder and lead guitarist Aaron North
. He also engineered and edited many portions of the album on his own at home.
The Icarus Line
The Icarus Line is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California.The Icarus Line was formed out of the ashes of high school punk group Kanker Sores...
. It was one of 2004's most critically acclaimed releases, and its reputation has subsequently earned praise in various publications, including the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a musical reference book edited by Robert Dimery, first published in 2005. The most recent edition consists of a list of albums released between 1955 and 2010, part of a series from Quintessence Editions Ltd...
.
Due to infighting with the band's U.S. division of their record label at the time, V2 Records, the album, which was recorded in early 2003, was not released until May 2, 2004. Disagreements and aggravations on the band's end stemmed from the label's general lack of interest and support, a nearly non-existent promotional campaign for the album, and the group's control over its artwork. The U.S. division of the record label did not invest in even one advertisement for the release, and also made the band pay for the production of their music videos out of their own pocket. These factors have contributed to the album being cited as one of the most underrated and overlooked rock albums of the past decade.
The album was largely self-produced by the band, and then mixed by Alan Moulder
Alan Moulder
Alan Moulder is one of Britain's premier alternative rock record producers. He has worked with such artists as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Elastica, Gary Numan, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Curve, Ride, Lush and My Bloody Valentine, Lostprophets, Shihad, Ivyrise and Placebo, as well as with many American...
. Moulder also contributed some last minute recording and engineering to the album, while mixing it in London with Aaron North
Aaron North
Aaron Wright North, born March 22, 1979 is the co-founder and former guitarist of punk band The Icarus Line, the former lead guitarist of the industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails and currently the vocalist and guitarist of the band Jubilee...
and Joe Cardamone at Eden Studios
Eden Studios
Eden Studios was a commercial recording facility in west London. It opened in 1967, originally at 11 Eden Street in Kingston upon Thames, before moving to 20-24 Beaumont Road in Chiswick in 1972. It was started by Philip Love, Mike Gardner and Piers Ford-Crush. Love and Gardner owned the studio and...
in west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Due to running behind on schedule, the band were even forced to record portions of the album at Aaron North
Aaron North
Aaron Wright North, born March 22, 1979 is the co-founder and former guitarist of punk band The Icarus Line, the former lead guitarist of the industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails and currently the vocalist and guitarist of the band Jubilee...
's father's home in Torrance, California, before leaving for London with the project still unfinished. The song "On the Lash" was also re-mixed for the album's inclusion by Ken Andrews
Ken Andrews
Ken Andrews is an American musician and producer, based out of Los Angeles, California.Andrews was born in Seattle, Washington, and attended film school in Los Angeles before his band Failure received a record deal from Slash Records.He was the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist, and...
, due to the band being unhappy with the original mix after returning home. The album was mastered by Howie Weinberg
Howie Weinberg
Howie Weinberg is a music mastering engineer who has worked with numerous bands.- Career :He has worked at Masterdisk, New York City, since 1977...
in New York City.
This was the last album by The Icarus Line
The Icarus Line
The Icarus Line is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California.The Icarus Line was formed out of the ashes of high school punk group Kanker Sores...
that featured original founder and lead guitarist Aaron North
Aaron North
Aaron Wright North, born March 22, 1979 is the co-founder and former guitarist of punk band The Icarus Line, the former lead guitarist of the industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails and currently the vocalist and guitarist of the band Jubilee...
. He also engineered and edited many portions of the album on his own at home.
Track listing
- "Up Against the Wall Motherfuckers"
- "Spit on It"
- "On the Lash"
- "Caviar"
- "Spike Island"
- "Kiss Like Lizards"
- "Getting Bright at Night"
- "Big Sleep"
- "White Devil"
- "Meatmaker"
- "Virgin Velcro"
- "Sea Sick"
- "Party the Baby Off"
Personnel
- Joe Cardamone – Vocals
- Jeff "The Captain" Watson - Drums
- Don DevoreDon DevoreDon Devore is an American musician who currently plays in the alternative rock band Amazing Baby. He has also been a member of Ink & Dagger, Frail, The Icarus Line, Historics, Lilys, Mazarin and Souls She Said.-Discography:Historics.2009...
– Bass - Alvin DeGuzman - Guitar
- Aaron NorthAaron NorthAaron Wright North, born March 22, 1979 is the co-founder and former guitarist of punk band The Icarus Line, the former lead guitarist of the industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails and currently the vocalist and guitarist of the band Jubilee...
– Guitar
Guest musicians
- Jon Wahl – Saxophone on "White Devil"
- "Dirty Lil Louis" – "Pulse"/808 on "Meatmaker"
Production
- Produced by: The Icarus LineThe Icarus LineThe Icarus Line is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California.The Icarus Line was formed out of the ashes of high school punk group Kanker Sores...
with Mike Mussmano - Recorded at: Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Platinum Audio in Hollywood, Wet & Dry in Highland Park, Teri Ave. in Torrance, "The Boat" in Silverlake, and Eden StudiosEden StudiosEden Studios was a commercial recording facility in west London. It opened in 1967, originally at 11 Eden Street in Kingston upon Thames, before moving to 20-24 Beaumont Road in Chiswick in 1972. It was started by Philip Love, Mike Gardner and Piers Ford-Crush. Love and Gardner owned the studio and...
in London - Engineered/Recorded by: Mike Mussmano, Francis Miranda, Anthony Ianaro, Chris Reynolds. Alan MoulderAlan MoulderAlan Moulder is one of Britain's premier alternative rock record producers. He has worked with such artists as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Elastica, Gary Numan, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Curve, Ride, Lush and My Bloody Valentine, Lostprophets, Shihad, Ivyrise and Placebo, as well as with many American...
, Rick Levy, Danny Kalb, and Aaron NorthAaron NorthAaron Wright North, born March 22, 1979 is the co-founder and former guitarist of punk band The Icarus Line, the former lead guitarist of the industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails and currently the vocalist and guitarist of the band Jubilee... - Mixed by: Alan MoulderAlan MoulderAlan Moulder is one of Britain's premier alternative rock record producers. He has worked with such artists as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Elastica, Gary Numan, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Curve, Ride, Lush and My Bloody Valentine, Lostprophets, Shihad, Ivyrise and Placebo, as well as with many American...
; except "On the Lash", mixed by Ken AndrewsKen AndrewsKen Andrews is an American musician and producer, based out of Los Angeles, California.Andrews was born in Seattle, Washington, and attended film school in Los Angeles before his band Failure received a record deal from Slash Records.He was the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist, and...
and Aaron NorthAaron NorthAaron Wright North, born March 22, 1979 is the co-founder and former guitarist of punk band The Icarus Line, the former lead guitarist of the industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails and currently the vocalist and guitarist of the band Jubilee...
at Extasy Studio South in Hollywood - Editing by: Roger Lian
- Mastered by: Howie WeinbergHowie WeinbergHowie Weinberg is a music mastering engineer who has worked with numerous bands.- Career :He has worked at Masterdisk, New York City, since 1977...
at Masterdisk in New York - Photography by: Jason Nocito
- Layout by: Matt Sohl
Alternate versions
- In the U.S., Buddyhead RecordsBuddyhead RecordsBuddyhead is a music "webzine" and independent record label formed by Travis Keller in the summer of 1997 in Hollywood, California. Keller is notorious for outspoken criticism of popular culture and the music industry...
released a double-vinyl version of the album. This version features the original mix of "On The Lash" by Alan MoulderAlan MoulderAlan Moulder is one of Britain's premier alternative rock record producers. He has worked with such artists as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Elastica, Gary Numan, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Curve, Ride, Lush and My Bloody Valentine, Lostprophets, Shihad, Ivyrise and Placebo, as well as with many American...
. The worldwide vinyl release for the album was released in a gatefold sleeve by Sweet Nothing. - Alternate versions of the song "Meatmaker" were included on the various versions of the album, depending on which record label/territory the album was released.
- The Japanese release of the CD is the only version that included the closest resemblance of the band's original artwork vision. The concept was to have the album lyrics hidden in the "wings" inside the booklet, which could then only be read when a clear red CD tray was held over it. Due to lack of communication with the Japanese label, instead the inserts were printed incorrectly, and the CD tray was clear instead of red.
Vinyl pressing information
- For the Buddyhead release, 500 double LPs were pressed on multi-colored, swirled vinyl. The track-listing on many of the labels were incorrect. The vinyl version in most territories included the originally intended album closer, "Hold The Killer Straight".