En Garde (album)
Encyclopedia
En Garde is the debut album of indie-rock band, Criteria
. Formed by one of the founding members of Cursive
, Steve Pedersen
came back to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska
after graduating from Duke University
. He recruited the help of old friends, Aaron Druery, A.J. Mogis, and Mike Sweeney
. Originally released by Initial Records
, it was one of the most slept-on albums of 2003. It was re-released in 2005 when the band moved to Saddle Creek Records
.
This album is the 80th release of Saddle Creek Records
.
Criteria (band)
Criteria is an indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, formed in 2003 when ex-Cursive founding member Steve Pedersen returned to his hometown after graduating from the Duke University School of Law. He spent six months in a friend's basement where he wrote all ten songs for his new project's debut...
. Formed by one of the founding members of Cursive
Cursive
Cursive, also known as joined-up writing, joint writing, or running writing, is any style of handwriting in which the symbols of the language are written in a simplified and/or flowing manner, generally for the purpose of making writing easier or faster...
, Steve Pedersen
Steve Pedersen
Steve Pedersen is an American guitarist from Omaha, Nebraska.He left Cursive in 1998 to attend law school at Duke University in North Carolina. It was there he started the band The White Octave, which released two albums and appeared on a few samplers...
came back to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
after graduating from Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
. He recruited the help of old friends, Aaron Druery, A.J. Mogis, and Mike Sweeney
Mike Sweeney
Michael John "Mike" Sweeney is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Sweeney played his first 13 seasons in the majors with the Kansas City Royals, originally as a catcher and then moving to first base. Sweeney has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia...
. Originally released by Initial Records
Initial Records
Initial Records was an iconic Louisville based independent record label during the Nineties and early part of the new millennium. Initial released records from hardcore punk to indie rock over its 12-year span...
, it was one of the most slept-on albums of 2003. It was re-released in 2005 when the band moved to Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
.
This album is the 80th release of Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
.
Track listing
(all songs written by Stephen Pedersen)- "The Coincidence" – 2:35
- "Mainline Life" – 2:36
- "Play on Words" – 4:48
- "Talk in a Crowded Room" - 1:43
- "The Life" – 2:45
- "Me On Your Front Porch" – 3:26
- "It Happens" – 2:33
- "The Slider" – 2:24
- "Thorn Sharp" - 3:24
- "Rescue Rescue" - 4:26
Musicians/Help
- Steve PedersenSteve PedersenSteve Pedersen is an American guitarist from Omaha, Nebraska.He left Cursive in 1998 to attend law school at Duke University in North Carolina. It was there he started the band The White Octave, which released two albums and appeared on a few samplers...
- Guitar, Vocals, Engineering - Mike SweeneyMike Sweeney (musician)Mike Sweeney is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska. He currently plays drums in the indie-rock band Criteria.-Bands:*Beep Beep*Bright Eyes*Criteria-Album Appearances:...
- AJ Mogis - Engineering, Mixing
- Ian McElroyIan McElroyIan McElroy is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska, who played keyboards for Desaparecidos from 2001 to 2003 and was one of the founding members of the group. He played keyboards for Bright Eyes at one time and contributed to Criteria's album En Garde. Bright Eyes, Sorry About Dresden, Cursive, and...
- Ryan FoxRyan FoxRyan Fox is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska. He is a member of the band The Good Life, and fronted The '89 Cubs.-Discography:The Good Life*Black Out *Lovers Need Lawyers *Album of the Year *"Heartbroke"...
- Conor OberstConor OberstConor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
- Matt Baum
- Doug Van Sloun - Mastering
Trivia
- The CD contains a hidden track in zero time (go to track 1 and then rewind) and features a song by Team Rigge, the lyrics are response to The Show is the RainbowThe Show is the RainbowThe Show is the Rainbow is a music act from Lincoln, NE, A.K.A Darren Keen. For much of 2006, The Show is the Rainbow toured as a three-piece, with Javid Dabestani and Jim Schroeder playing alongside Keen. Currently, Keen is touring as a one-man band...
's song, "Up a Creek without a Saddle," which disses Conor OberstConor OberstConor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
.