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Assembly of Dust

"I feel like my brain is vibrating all day long," says Reid Genauer, the singer/songwriter behind Assembly of Dust, discussing the band's new album. "It's hard to sleep, I'm so excited. I feel like Lex Luthor, or that Mike Myers character, Dr. Evil. I'm sitting here twiddling my thumbs, dreaming up this demonic scheme, getting ready to release this germ on to the world."

While "demonic schemes" may not come to mind when you think of Assembly of Dust, Genauer's post-Strangefolk crew since 2002, his band's latest album does have the feeling of something remarkable being unleashed. The record, recorded over two years, showcases Genauer's maturation as a songwriter, as evidenced both by the material and the all-star collaborations that dot all 13 tracks. It's rare to hear something so massive in scope and ambition, and yet so intricate in the tiny details.

"I wrote the songs, and a couple with [co-producer] Nate Wilson, and then had the idea to get guests," says Genauer. "I had to think about who would make sense, who I aspired to play with, and who had similar musical aesthetics." To that end, the band was able to rope in a who's who of classic and contemporary artists, including Richie Havens, Phish's Mike Gordon, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Martin Sexton, and Grace Potter, among others. Adds Genauer: "It ended up being a lot of time and energy and dealing with managers and explaining my vision and in a few cases even who I was. But it was worth it."

Despite the number of guest musicians, AOD's second studio record is incredibly focused, and one that deservedly earns comparisons to The Band, Neil Young, recent Wilco and even The Beatles (the latter two cited by Genauer as strong inspirations on the group's new material). And it's a daring album, showing off both their singer's lyrical acumen and the band's ever-expanding musical palette. The easy-going country rocker "Arc of the Sun," a track that's popped up in the group's live set for a few years, features a searing psychedelic guitar solo from Phish bassist Mike Gordon that Genauer accurately describes as "weighty and dark, two things we're not known for." Meanwhile, "Edges" and "Light Blue Lover" float by on gorgeous melodies, contrasting nicely with the bluesier, almost grimy feel of "Pedal Down" and "Borrowed Feat."

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Performance / Tour

Assembly of Dust: Fall Tour Dates w/ Emmitt-Nershi Band

Assembly of Dust: Fall Tour Dates w/ Emmitt-Nershi Band

Source: JamBase

Assembly Of Dust Fall Tour

Assembly of Dust will bring their “voltaic, raw live performances" (Paste) to the masses when they head out on a fall tour in support of their critically lauded new album Some Assembly Required, kicking off on September 10. Some Assembly Required is being hailed as a triumph. USA Today says the band “dazzle" and the album's tracks “stand tall."

Some Assembly Required contains the strongest collection of songs the group has created to date, each ...

86

Interview

Assembly of Dust: Required Listening

Assembly of Dust: Required Listening

Source: JamBase

By: Court Scott

Though certainly excited at the prospect of a new disc from Assembly of Dust (AoD), I was both dubious and curious upon learning the recording, Some Assembly Required (released July 21 on Rock Ridge Music) (JamBase review here), has at least one guest musician on each of the album's 13 tracks. Other bands, including Galactic and Keller Williams have done similar projects with From the Corner to the Block and Dream, respectively, and were met with mild ...

163

Recording

Assembly of Dust:Some Assembly Required

Assembly of Dust:Some Assembly Required

Source: JamBase

By: Dennis Cook

In terms of classic songcraft and upper tier musicianship, it's tough to beat Assembly of Dust. Ably lead by singer-guitarist-composer Reid Genauer, the group's third studio effort, Some Assembly Required (released July 21 on Rock Ridge Music) stands the greatest shot yet of busting this jam-adored cult act into the mainstream spotlight. The production is modern radio thick, the contemporary notion of what “rock" sounds like filtering into the band's more natural old school leanings, and each ...

258

Recording

Gordo, Bela, Keller, Sco On: Assembly of Dust's New Album

Gordo, Bela, Keller, Sco On: Assembly of Dust's New Album

Source: JamBase

Assembly Of Dust's Deft Songcraft On Display On New Album Out July 21 Some Assembly Required Showcases Versatile Songwriter Reid Genauer, All Star Cast Lends A Hand

Assembly Of Dust Out July 21 on Missing Piece/Rock Ridge Music, Assembly of Dust's Some Assembly Required contains the strongest collection of songs the group has created to date, each expertly crafted tune illuminated by a stellar lineup of guests. Every musician recruited lends their considerable talents in service of band ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Some Assembly Required

Missing Piece/Rock Ridge Music
2009

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