In Socks Mode
Encyclopedia
In Socks Mode is the debut album by American
band The Visible Men
, released in 2002
on Leisure King Productions.
Despite its low-key indie release, In Socks Mode was met with mostly positive reviews. In Music We Trust graded it with an "A", calling it "a shining example of pop music that is infectious and laden with hooks, but not overly accessible or simplified for your listening pleasures". Allmusic gave the album a rating of 3/5, praising the "wonderfully accomplished" piano techniques and the "sheer attractiveness" of his melodies, comparing it favorably to the Ben Folds Five
, but criticizing the album's often low-brow lyricism.
, except where otherwise noted.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
band The Visible Men
The Visible Men
The Visible Men are an American piano rock band formed in 1999, consisting of Dustin Lanker , Dan Schmid , Jordan Glenn and later Jimi Russel .-Biography:...
, released in 2002
2002 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
on Leisure King Productions.
Overview
The instrumentation of In Socks Mode could be considered minimalist: most of the songs consist solely of piano and bass guitar, with slightly more than half of the tracks featuring light drum accompaniment.Despite its low-key indie release, In Socks Mode was met with mostly positive reviews. In Music We Trust graded it with an "A", calling it "a shining example of pop music that is infectious and laden with hooks, but not overly accessible or simplified for your listening pleasures". Allmusic gave the album a rating of 3/5, praising the "wonderfully accomplished" piano techniques and the "sheer attractiveness" of his melodies, comparing it favorably to the Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds , Robert Sledge , and Darren Jessee . The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes...
, but criticizing the album's often low-brow lyricism.
Track listing
All songs composed by Dustin LankerDustin Lanker
Dustin Ross Lanker is an American keyboardist, known for his work as a member of the ska-swing band the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, a touring member of the ska punk band the Mad Caddies and as the singer-songwriter for the piano rock trio The Visible Men.-Career:A pianist since childhood, Lanker...
, except where otherwise noted.
- "Dial Tone" – 3:44
- "Core of the Planet" – 4:12
- "Blow Shit Up" (Lanker, Dan SchmidDan SchmidDaniel Joseph Schmid is an American musician, known for his work as the bassist for the ska-swing band the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, of which he is a co-founder, and the piano rock trio The Visible Men.-Career:...
) – 3:28 - "$90" – 3:20
- "Hall of Fame" – 3:09
- "Strange Hash" (Lanker, Schmid) – 4:35
- "Poker Face" – 2:33
- "Semen Factory" – 5:00
- "On the Sidelines" – 3:44
- "King Shit" – 4:04
The Visible Men
- Dustin LankerDustin LankerDustin Ross Lanker is an American keyboardist, known for his work as a member of the ska-swing band the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, a touring member of the ska punk band the Mad Caddies and as the singer-songwriter for the piano rock trio The Visible Men.-Career:A pianist since childhood, Lanker...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Dan SchmidDan SchmidDaniel Joseph Schmid is an American musician, known for his work as the bassist for the ska-swing band the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, of which he is a co-founder, and the piano rock trio The Visible Men.-Career:...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Jordan Glenn – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(tracks 6, 10)
Additional musicians
- Tony Figoli – drums (tracks 2, 4)
- Tim DonahueTim Donahue (drummer)-Career:Born in Oswego, New York, Donahue was raised in Oregon, where he began playing drums professionally in the early 1980s, serving in numerous bands including Lucy Crank, Road Kill, Flash Back, Zoo Gang, RMS McConnel, AKA and Intensity. In mid-1997, he joined Eugene band the Cherry Poppin'...
– drums (tracks 1, 5, 8) - Ryan Sumner – drums (track 7)
Production
- Produced and mixed by Bill Barnett, J. Scott McLean and The Visible Men at Gung-Ho Studios in EugeneEugene, OregonEugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern... - Engineered by Bill Barnett, Don Latarski and Glen Bonney
- Track 3 recorded by Don Latarski at Crescent Studios in Eugene, Oregon.
- Track 5 recorded by Glenn Bonney at Glenn Bonney Recording in Eugene, Oregon.