So Long, Scarecrow
Encyclopedia
So Long, Scarecrow is the second album by the rock band Scarling.
Written and recorded in early 2005, and released on October 25, 2005, it is the first Scarling. album to feature drummer Beth Gordon. Its title is a reference to The Wizard of Oz
: in lead vocalist Jessicka
's view, the film's Scarecrow
is a metaphor for the band itself; the character's initial lack of and search for a brain, she explains, parallels Scarling.'s search for new territory in a predictable and monotonous musical environment.
Nearly twice as long as the band's debut, Sweet Heart Dealer
, So Long, Scarecrow differs from its predecessor not only in length but also in terms of musical atmosphere. This is largely due to the switch in producers between the two albums — from former Nine Inch Nails
member Chris Vrenna, whose abrasive, industrial-style production appeared on Sweet Heart Dealer; to
Rob Campanella, of the psychedelic rock group The Brian Jonestown Massacre
, and Scarling. guitarist Christian Hejnal
, himself influenced by noise rock
and No Wave
. The album was recorded at Campanella's studio, the Committee to Keep Music Evil Headquarters/Figment Sounds.
Scarecrow received several favorable reviews: Alternative Press
gave the album a 5 out of 5 rating and described Hejnal as a "guitar physicist who holds court over these atmospheric rockers’ second album, approximating everything from space-station climates to sperm whales rollin’ on E, all while delivering solid songs." The Independent
noted “Scarling. work up a wonderfully hazy guitar swirl, reminiscent of post-My Bloody Valentine noise-pop from the Britain of the early nineties.” and Bust
described the album as "the musical equivalent of an Edward Gorey
illustration: ominous and shadowy, but not without a certain sense of morbid joy. Sly lyrics and sarcastic insights pepper Scarecrow’s dystopian soundscape, proving that Scarling has picked up more than just wardrobe inspiration from vets like the Cure
." While Jon Wiederhorn said,"guitarist Christian Hejnal, Scarling provide the much-needed element of violence and sexuality other modern shoegazers lack."
The album was preceded by the single "We Are the Music Makers," a split 7" with The Willowz
, and has been reissued on vinyl
by Sympathy for the Record Industry
with alternative cover artwork by Mark Ryden.
and Christian Hejnal
.
Scarling.
Scarling. is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, whose core members are Jessicka and Christian Hejnal-Addams. The band formed in 2002. They have released two albums, Sweet Heart Dealer and So Long, Scarecrow.-Name:...
Written and recorded in early 2005, and released on October 25, 2005, it is the first Scarling. album to feature drummer Beth Gordon. Its title is a reference to The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
: in lead vocalist Jessicka
Jessicka
Jessicka Addams is an American singer and artist. Best known by her stage name Jessicka, she was the front woman of Florida based band Jack Off Jill and current front for the Los Angeles based band Scarling.-Early life:Jessicka grew up in the town of Sunrise, Florida...
's view, the film's Scarecrow
Scarecrow (Oz)
The Scarecrow is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum and illustrator William Wallace Denslow. In his first appearance, the Scarecrow reveals that he lacks a brain and desires above all else to have one. In reality, he is only two days old and merely...
is a metaphor for the band itself; the character's initial lack of and search for a brain, she explains, parallels Scarling.'s search for new territory in a predictable and monotonous musical environment.
Nearly twice as long as the band's debut, Sweet Heart Dealer
Sweet Heart Dealer
Sweet Heart Dealer is the debut album by the rock band Scarling., released on February 17, 2004. Originally scheduled for release as Butcherbourne, the album was retitled at the last minute, and pared down from 11 tracks to seven during mixing at Old Blue Studios in Los Angeles...
, So Long, Scarecrow differs from its predecessor not only in length but also in terms of musical atmosphere. This is largely due to the switch in producers between the two albums — from former Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
member Chris Vrenna, whose abrasive, industrial-style production appeared on Sweet Heart Dealer; to
Rob Campanella, of the psychedelic rock group The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre is an American eclectic musical group led by Anton Newcombe, whose music spans multiple genres including psychedelia, electronica, folk music, blues, experimental music, and many others....
, and Scarling. guitarist Christian Hejnal
Christian Hejnal
Christian Hejnal - Addams is an American visual effects producer and the guitarist and occasional vocalist of the Los Angeles-based rock band Scarling.-Musical career:...
, himself influenced by noise rock
Noise rock
Noise rock describes a style of post-punk rock music that became prominent in the 1980s. Noise rock makes use of the traditional instrumentation and iconography of rock, but incorporates atonality and especially dissonance, and also frequently discards usual songwriting conventions.-Style:Noise...
and No Wave
No Wave
No Wave was a short-lived but influential underground music, film, performance art, video, and contemporary art scene that had its beginnings during the mid-1970s in New York City. The term No Wave is in part satirical word play rejecting the commercial elements of the then-popular New Wave genre...
. The album was recorded at Campanella's studio, the Committee to Keep Music Evil Headquarters/Figment Sounds.
Scarecrow received several favorable reviews: Alternative Press
Alternative Press (music magazine)
Alternative Press is an American music magazine based in Cleveland, Ohio. It generally provides readers with band interviews, photos, information on upcoming releases, and music charts. It was founded in 1985 by Mike Shea, who is the current president....
gave the album a 5 out of 5 rating and described Hejnal as a "guitar physicist who holds court over these atmospheric rockers’ second album, approximating everything from space-station climates to sperm whales rollin’ on E, all while delivering solid songs." The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
noted “Scarling. work up a wonderfully hazy guitar swirl, reminiscent of post-My Bloody Valentine noise-pop from the Britain of the early nineties.” and Bust
Bust (magazine)
Bust is a bi-monthly United States-based women's lifestyle magazine. It was founded in 1993 by Debbie Stoller, Laurie Henzel, and Marcelle Karp.-Content:...
described the album as "the musical equivalent of an Edward Gorey
Edward Gorey
Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:...
illustration: ominous and shadowy, but not without a certain sense of morbid joy. Sly lyrics and sarcastic insights pepper Scarecrow’s dystopian soundscape, proving that Scarling has picked up more than just wardrobe inspiration from vets like the Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
." While Jon Wiederhorn said,"guitarist Christian Hejnal, Scarling provide the much-needed element of violence and sexuality other modern shoegazers lack."
The album was preceded by the single "We Are the Music Makers," a split 7" with The Willowz
The Willowz
The Willowz are a garage rock band based in Anaheim, California, formed 2002. The band's sound incorporates influences from punk, soul, and blues from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The band has released several albums on the label Sympathy for the Record Industry and has done a split single with the...
, and has been reissued on vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
by Sympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by record industry anti-mogul Long Gone John...
with alternative cover artwork by Mark Ryden.
Track listing
All songs written by JessickaJessicka
Jessicka Addams is an American singer and artist. Best known by her stage name Jessicka, she was the front woman of Florida based band Jack Off Jill and current front for the Los Angeles based band Scarling.-Early life:Jessicka grew up in the town of Sunrise, Florida...
and Christian Hejnal
Christian Hejnal
Christian Hejnal - Addams is an American visual effects producer and the guitarist and occasional vocalist of the Los Angeles-based rock band Scarling.-Musical career:...
.
- "Hello London" – 5:50
- "City Noise" – 3:17
- "Broken Record" – 4:38
- "(Northbound On) Cahuenga" – 6:08
- "Teenage Party Letdown" – 0:35
- "Bummer" – 3:56
- "Manorexic" – 4:24
- "In the Pretend World" – 4:14
- "Stapled to the Mattress" – 5:41
- "Like a Killer" – 2:55
- "Caribou and Cake" – 3:25
- "We Are the Music Makers" – 3:27
- "So Long, Scarecrow" – 4:02
Personnel
- Jessicka — vocals
- Christian Hejnal — guitar, bass, producer, mixing
- Rickey LimeRickey LimeRickey Lime is an American guitarist who is best known for her bands Shotgun Won and the Los Angeles-based rock band Scarling..-History:...
— guitar - Beth Gordon — drums
- Rob Campanella — producer, engineer
- Erik Colvin — producer, vocal tracking
- Richard Mouser — mixing
- John Vestman — mastering, mixing
- Piper Ferguson — photography, cover art
- Mark RydenMark Ryden-Early life:Ryden is the son of Barbara and Keith Ryden, born in Medford, Oregon but raised in Southern California. He has two sisters and two brothers, one a fellow artist named Keyth Ryden....
— alternate LP cover art