| Balance and Timing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | February 24, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | Flying Blanket Recording | |||
| Genre | Indie rock, Experimental Rock, Post-Rock, Math Rock | |||
| Length | 22:10 | |||
| Label | Sunset Alliance(ALLY 027) Bad News Bears Records | |||
| Producer | Bob Hoag, and Before Braille | |||
| Before Braille chronology | ||||
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Balance and Timing is Before Braille's fourth studio recording, released as a "Holiday EP" in 2004 by Sunset Alliance and Bad News Bears Records.
Stephen Carradini at independentclauses.com loved the record, exclaiming "I wish they would make more music like this, as it’s simply stunning." [1] Chelsea Ide at the Phoenix New Times observed that through the Balance and Timing EP, Before Braille's "honesty and musical versatility" was able to "elicit a range of different emotions." [2] Finally, the bloggers at Cougar Microbes called this release one of "a string of amazing releases" that "showcases frontman David Jensen‘s knack for a melody and sharp lyrical wit." [3]
However, David Cobb at Splendidzine.com did not feel that the record met expectations. According to him, the "Balance and Timing EP is a reasonably good 'me too' to Jimmy Eat World's discography, but that's Before Braille's only substantial accomplishment so far." [4]
Because of its "Christmas-themed" single, Merry Christmas, I'm Cheating, this little EP put Before Braille into the regular radio rotation in the Phoenix metro area during the holiday season. [5]
In addition, some of the tracks included on this EP ultimately found themselves on Tired of Not Being Away From Here , which made at least a 5-week run on the CMJ 200 charts, peaking at number 77. [6]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Merry Christmas, I'm Cheating" | 3:37 |
| 2. | "Help Is on the Way Now" | 4:27 |
| 3. | "Limb from Limb" | 2:53 |
| 4. | "Ex-mas Eve" | 3:39 |
| 5. | "Fight or Flight" | 3:41 |
| 6. | "Camera Disdain" | 3:59 |
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. Frank Sinatra later recorded a version with modified lyrics. In 2007, ASCAP ranked it the third most performed Christmas song during the preceding five years that had been written by ASCAP members. In 2004 it finished at No. 76 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs rankings of the top tunes in American cinema.
Fivespeed was an American rock band, formed in Peoria, Arizona, United States, in 1997, and later based in Phoenix, Arizona. While in the beginning, Fivespeed's style was greatly influenced by the punk and hard-core movements, its later efforts could be described as a mixture of nu metal and mainstream rock.
Boolfight is an indie electro-pop band from Paris, France, best known for their album Feral released in 2012 on Montmorency Records, and their Multiple Devils EP released in 2010 on the same label.
Sunset Alliance Records is an independent record label based in Mesa, Arizona. It is owned and operated by David Jensen.
Before Braille is an independent rock band from Mesa, Arizona known for its DIY work ethic and as a pioneer of Arizona's emo-core movement, or as they liked to call it, "480-area-core," during the early 2000s.
The Rumor is the first studio album recorded by indie rock band Before Braille. It was originally released on September 10, 2002 by Aezra Records and distributed by BMG. Ownership of the album has since passed to Sunset Alliance Records.
Cattle Punching on a Jack Rabbit is Before Braille's third studio recording and was released as a limited release Extended Play in 2004 by Sunset Alliance Records.
Tired of Not Being Away from Here is the fifth studio album, and second LP, recorded by the indie rock band, Before Braille. It was released in 2005 in the United Kingdom by You and Whose Army? Records, and distributed in the United States by Sunset Alliance and Common Wall Media.
Triplesplit Series, Vol. 1 was one of Sunset Alliance's first releases, and remains one of its best selling records. It features Andherson, Before Braille, and Fivespeed, each of whom would make an appearance on the popular Emo Diaries series on Deep Elm Records. This record comes at an interesting time for each of the bands, as Fivespeed had just opened for Jimmy Eat World at the release of Bleed American, Before Braille was preparing to enter the studio to start recording its full-length album, and Andherson had a "homecoming" of sorts in the Phoenix metro-area with this release, after having relocated to Berkeley, California.
Keep Moving is the first studio album recorded by the indie-folk act Novi Split. It was released on January 1, 2003 by Sunset Alliance Records.
Rajiv Patel is a musician and virtuoso solo-guitarist from Mesa, Arizona.
Obey the Cattle! is the first solo-recording released by guitarist Rajiv Patel. This EP was released by Sunset Alliance in 2003.
The Letterpress was a rock band from Mesa, Arizona, most widely known for its lack of guitars, as the band originally only consisted of two basses and a drum set.
Loyal Wife is a band from Mesa, Arizona. It is former Before Braille frontman David Jensen's latest project.
Art for Starters is a band from Mesa, Arizona. It is essentially former Before Braille frontman David Jensen's solo project.
Not One Light Red: A Modified Document is a compilation album created by Scott Tennent and David Jensen to serve 3 essential missions. Its first mission was to create a record that would showcase and introduce local Phoenix bands to the rest of the United States. Second, it was supposed to serve to help promote the local Phoenix music and art venue, The Modified. Finally, it was to serve as a springboard for a national independent record label based in the Phoenix area along the same lines as Kill Rock Stars in Olympia, Washington and Dischord Records in Washington, D.C.
Kill the Messenger, Keep the Message is the sixth studio album, and third LP, recorded by the indie rock band, Before Braille. It was released in 2009 by Sunset Alliance.
Common Wall Media is an independent record label, film production, and media company based in Mesa, Arizona. It is owned and operated by Chuckie Duff, former Dear and the Headlights bassist and current co-owner of Flying Blanket Recording.
Spring Cleaning is the sixth studio album released by the indie rock band Before Braille. It was released on July 2, 2009 by Sunset Alliance Records.
Faux Light is the first studio album recorded by the indie rock band Loyal Wife. It was released on April 3, 2012 by Sunset Alliance Records.
