Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness

Last updated

Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness
Thalia Zedek, Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness (2004) album cover.png
Studio album by
Thalia Zedek
ReleasedSeptember 14, 2004
RecordedFebruary–March 2004
Studio Hotel2Tango, Montreal
Genre Alternative rock, Blues rock, Indie rock
Length55:38
Label Thrill Jockey
Acuarela Records (Spain)
Producer Howard Bilerman
Thalia Zedek chronology
Hell is in Hello
(2004)		Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness
(2004)		 Liars and Prayers
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Pitchfork Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Tiny Mix Tapes Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [3]
Neumu Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Stylus Magazine B+ [5]
Uncut Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Out Positive [7]
The Advocate Positive [8]
The Washington Post Positive [9]
The Times Positive [10]

Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness is Thalia Zedek's third solo album, released under two months after Hell is in Hello.

Contents

Background

In 2002, after Matador Records—which had released Zedek's debut solo album— was bought by Beggars Banquet, Zedek was dropped from Matador's roster. Therefore, Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness was released in 2004 by Thrill Jockey (and Acuarela Records in Spain), which began the long-lasting and fruitful relationship between Zedek and Thrill Jockey. [11] The album was recorded, engineered, and mixed by producer and one-time Arcade Fire drummer Howard Bilerman, who co-owns the Hotel2Tango recording studio at which it was recorded. The recording of Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness took place in February and March 2004.

Guest musician included Jonah Sacks and Harris Newman. Sacks (Dresden Dolls, Willard Grant Conspiracy) "drove up from New York [to Montreal] on a day’s notice" to contribute cello to "Bone," whilst Newman (Mudfish, Sackville) added lap steel guitar to "Evil Hand". [12]

Whereas her prior solo releases had included many covers—Leonard Cohen, Luiz Bonfa, and V; in 2001's Been Here and Gone, The Velvet Underground and Bob Dylan in 2003's You’re a Big Girl Now EP, not to mention the self-released Live at Tonic, NYC January 16, 2000 which consisted entirely of covers— Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness was composed wholly of original material. The album's eleven songs were recorded in eleven days [13] employing completely analog techniques, forgoing any use of Pro Tools or computers. [14] Its title came from a scrambled Chinese fortune cookie [15] [16] Zedek got at a New York City restaurant in the late eighties; the "fortune had actually been cut in half horizontally, and the Scotch-taped back together with the bottom half of another fortune." [17] Zedek held on to the fortune for many years and, eventually, decided to repurpose it as the title to her second solo album. [18]

Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness was mastered at Peerless Mastering in Boston, MA, by Roger Seibel, and was pressed at Disque Americ.

The album is dedicated to the memory of the late Laura Carter, Bar-B-Q Killers’ vocalist and guitarist, friend and former girlfriend of Zedek's. [19] Carter passed away on December 2, 2002. [20]

Track listing

All songs by Thalia Zedek. All arrangements by Zedek, David Michael Curry, and Daniel Coughlin.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ship"Thalia Zedek6:14
2."Sailor"Thalia Zedek4:57
3."Evil Hand"Thalia Zedek4:26
4."Since Then"Thalia Zedek4:37
5."Angels"Thalia Zedek5:01
6."Bus Stop"Thalia Zedek5:56
7."Brother"Thalia Zedek4:49
8."Bone"Thalia Zedek4:34
9."Island Song"Thalia Zedek3:58
10."Virginia"Thalia Zedek4:27
11."Hell is in Hello"Thalia Zedek6:40

Personnel

Additional musicians
Additional personnel

Critical reception

On Metacritic, the album has a weighted average score of 78 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favourable reviews". [21] In his review for AllMusic, Johnny Loftus remarked that "[t]hroughout this record as it's been since the old days, Zedek never fails to put her very soul into each syllable, and her commitment is matched by the instrumentation," [22] whilst Mike Joyce, writing for The Washington Post , described it as "somber, poetic and sometimes unnerving, […] cutting and dissonant" [23] In his praising review for Pitchfork, Matthew Murphy remarked that, "[t]hough the musicians occasionally make overt references to traditional blues, C&W, or Appalachian folk, the proceedings here generally breathe in the same nebulous, turbulent atmosphere that has fueled groups like the Bad Seeds or The Dirty Three." [24] Tiny Mix Tapes’s review of the album stated that "[w]hat surprises [...] most about Trust Not in Those… is the willingness on Thalia's behalf not to retread much of her past work," whilst also praising "the strength of the actual songwriting" [25] In his positive review of Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness for Out, Matthew Breen characterised it as "truly challenging, beautiful, dark music inspiring something akin to desperation", [26] while, opening his complimentary review the album for Neumu, Anthony Carew stated that "Thalia Zedek should be so well acclaimed by now that she's reached some sort of venerable status." [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come (American band)</span> American alternative rock band

Come is an American alternative rock band, formed in Boston by Thalia Zedek, Chris Brokaw, Arthur Johnson (drums), and Sean O'Brien (bass).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Brokaw</span> American musician

Chris Brokaw is an American musician, best known for his work with the bands Come and Codeine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howard Bilerman</span> Canadian recording engineer

Howard Bilerman is a Canadian musician, sound engineer, and record producer based in Montreal, Quebec. He co-owns the hotel2tango recording studio, and played drums for the band Arcade Fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrill Jockey</span> American independent record label

Thrill Jockey is an American independent record label established by former Atlantic Records A&R representative Bettina Richards and based in Chicago.

This is the discography of the record label Thrill Jockey

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hotel2Tango</span> Recording studio in Montreal, Canada

The Hotel2Tango is a 24-track analogue recording studio situated in the Mile End district of Montreal, Quebec. The current facility is the second to bear the name, and was preceded by a similar operation in the same neighborhood until 2007 when the studio changed locations. The majority of recording projects undertaken at the studio are helmed by one of the facility's four partner-engineers: Efrim Menuck and Thierry Amar, both members of Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band and Godspeed You! Black Emperor; Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, member of Jerusalem in My Heart; and Howard Bilerman. The Hotel2Tango is often closely associated with Constellation Records, a Montreal-based record label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thalia Zedek</span> American musician (born 1956)

Thalia Zedek is an American singer and guitarist. Active since the early 1980s, she has been a member of several notable alternative rock groups, including Live Skull and Uzi both of which, according to Spin magazine, "made big noise in the underground", and Come. Critic Heather Phares writes that Zedek's music can be defined by "the permanent, aching rasp in her voice, her guitar's bluesy bite, the startlingly clear-eyed lyrics about life and loss."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Real Thing (Gwen Stefani song)</span> 2005 promotional single by Gwen Stefani

"The Real Thing" is a song by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani from her debut studio album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (2004). It was produced by Nellee Hooper and written by Stefani, Linda Perry, and Stefani's then-husband Gavin Rossdale, who is credited under the moniker GMR. In 2005, the song was released as a promotional single in the Philippines, where Interscope Records distributed a CD single. Inspired by the music of New Order, Stefani approached the group with the idea of collaborating. Despite initially declining, they eventually changed their minds and lent members Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook to perform background vocals and bass, respectively. American duo Wendy & Lisa also contribute to the song's instrumentation, playing guitar and keyboards, and created a "Slow Jam Remix" of the song which appears on the select editions of the parent album.

The National Trust is a Philadelphia soul, neo soul musical project formed in 1999 in Chicago, Illinois.

Alison Chesley, known also by her stage name Helen Money, is a Chicago-based cellist and composer.

Pullman is an American, studio-only, folk and predominantly acoustic rock supergroup, formed in Chicago by Ken Brown, Curtis Harvey, Chris Brokaw, and Doug McCombs in the late 1990s.

Uzi was an American alternative rock band, formed in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts and disbanded in 1987. The band featured Thalia Zedek, Danny Lee (drums), Randy Barnwell, Bob Young (guitar) and Phil Milstein. Never achieving commercial success during their short period of activity, the band gained a cult following, becoming a part of Boston's underground rock scene.

<i>You, Whom I Have Always Hated</i> 2015 studio album by the Body and Thou

You, Whom I Have Always Hated is a collaborative album by American sludge metal bands the Body and Thou. Released on January 27, 2015 through Thrill Jockey record label, the album was included on the reissue of bands' first collaborative effort, Released from Love EP (2014).

<i>Been Here and Gone</i> 2001 studio album by Thalia Zedek

Been Here and Gone is Thalia Zedek's debut solo album, following the demise of Come, her previous band.

<i>Liars and Prayers</i> 2008 studio album by Thalia Zedek

Liars and Prayers is Thalia Zedek's fourth solo album, released four years after Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness.

<i>Via</i> (Thalia Zedek album) 2013 studio album by Thalia Zedek

Via is Thalia Zedek's fifth solo album, released five years after Liars and Prayers.

<i>Eve</i> (Thalia Zedek album) 2016 studio album by Thalia Zedek

Eve is Thalia Zedek's sixth solo album, released three years after Via.

<i>Fighting Season</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Thalia Zedek

Fighting Season is Thalia Zedek's seventh solo album, released two years after Eve.

<i>Perfect Vision</i> 2021 studio album by Thalia Zedek

Perfect Vision is the eighth solo album by Thalia Zedek, released on August 27, 2021, three years after Fighting Season.

Marisa Anderson is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Portland, Oregon. She is primarily known for playing the guitar, mixing American primitive guitar with various genres from throughout the United States and the rest of the world, and for her largely improvised compositions. She has released 10 albums under her own name since 2006, as well as several others with the bands the Dolly Ranchers and Evolutionary Jass Band.

References

  1. ↑ Johnny Loftus. "Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness – Thalia Zedek". Allmusic . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  2. ↑ Matthew Murphy (September 29, 2004). "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Thalia Zedek Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness". Tiny Mix Tapes . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  4. ↑ Anthony Carew. "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Neumu . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  5. ↑ Anthony Miccio (September 29, 2004). "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Stylus Magazine . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Uncut . October 1, 2004. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  7. ↑ Matthew Breen (September 1, 2004). "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch of Madness". Out . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  8. ↑ Karen Iris Tucker (September 14, 2004). "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch of Madness". The Advocate . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  9. ↑ Mike Joyce. "THALIA ZEDEK "Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch of Madness"". The Washington Post . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  10. ↑ Stewart Lee (September 19, 2004). "Thalia Zedek: Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness". The Times . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  11. ↑ Jedd Beaudoin (October 11, 2016). "Brought to You By the Letter 'E': Thalia Zedek on Her New Records, New Band: Interview". Pop Matters . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Thrill Jockey. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Thalia Zedek – "Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness"". Acuarela Records. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Thrill Jockey. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  15. ↑ KURT B. REIGHLEY (November 19, 2004). "Softer sell: The quieter side of Thalia Zedek". Boston Phoenix . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Uncut . October 1, 2004. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Thrill Jockey. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Thrill Jockey. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  19. ↑ Choire Sicha (May 20, 2013). "One Of The Best Rock Albums Of All Time Returns Tomorrow". The Awl. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Laura Carter". Discogs. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness". Metacritic . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  22. ↑ Johnny Loftus. "Thalia ZedekTrust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Allmusic . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  23. ↑ Mike Joyce. "THALIA ZEDEK "Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch of Madness"". The Washington Post . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  24. ↑ Matthew Murphy (September 29, 2004). "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Thalia Zedek Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness". Tiny Mix Tapes . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  26. ↑ Matthew Breen (September 1, 2004). "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch of Madness". Out . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  27. ↑ Anthony Carew. "Thalia Zedek – Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch Of Madness". Neumu . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.