I have to get something off my chest and my conscience won’t be cleared until I set this right. I have been selfish…blatantly, wickedly, and immorally selfish. You see, there is this band that I adore and cherish very dearly.
First, let me introduce you to the band. You may have already heard of them, since the debut was released back in 2006. They’re called Quiet Company and they hail from the great musical mecca of Austin, Texas. The band’s actually comprised of just singer-songwriter Taylor Muse and a sort of revolving door of guitarists, drummers, bassists, etc that surround him (sort of like Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, except Muse isn’t as “solo,” I guess).
After the first release, which Muse recorded almost every facet of all by his lonesome, there seemed to be a set, stable band lineup for tours and future releases. But from what I’ve read, they’ve been looking for a new drummer as well as a bassist. I think the guy on the left in the picture above, Thomas Blank, has been in the band a while though. (Going off their Myspace, the guy on the right, Michael Delaney, is that new drummer.)
But yes, Taylor Glen Muse writes well-crafted, soaring, complex-yet-pure pop music that leaves you smiling and feeling all kinds of elevated emotions. Yet, I’ve pretty much kept it all to myself ever since discovering him two years ago. I don’t know why I did it; I’m usually very open to share and discuss music with anyone.
The songs on the debut just draw you in. When I first heard the record, I hadn’t felt such a connection with an album for a while. It was sort of like my Precious… Well, I guess it wasn’t that I was being selfish…it was more me being very selective with who I shared this music with. I didn’t want to let just anyone know about the band only to have them simply disregard and forget about them, not loving/appreciating their music as much as I do. But that was stupid.
Now I am repenting of my wayward ways, and I am letting anyone who has been so unlucky as to be unaware of Quiet Company to find out about them. Here are some tracks from the 2006 debut album, Shine Honesty:
“Fashionabel” — The build-up intro for this song is really nice.
“The Emasculated Man And The City That Swallowed Him” — A coming-of-age anthem.
“Love is a Shotgun” — This will be a small litmus test for my future relationships. I’m almost 100% sure that my future wife (if marriage is in my future that is) will love this song.
They are supposed to release a new album titled “Everyone You Love Will Be Happy.” I don’t know much more about it, but here are a couple of unreleased tracks I’ve found floating around the Internets that may or may not be on the album:
“Golden (master 12)” — May be just a working title.
“It’s Better to Spend Money Like There’s No Tomorrow Than Spend Tonight Like There’s No Money” — Long title, fun song.
“Our Sun Is Always Rising” — I like how the most sentimental, mushy lyrics are masked by loud guitars and drums in the beginning…like they’re balancing it out. I found it a little funny, because I imagined that it was them almost sneaking the lines through to whoever the song was written for.
I remember reading on the band blog, back in November of 2006, that Taylor hated his day-job — especially the fact that he had to “stock dogfood and clean rodent shit.” I don’t know what the job was/is (pet store employee/exterminator?) but this is a travesty to me. Someone who made one of my favorite albums in recent memory should not have to “stock dogfood and clean rodent shit” while guys like Soulja Boy, Ashlee Simpson, or K-Fed make all the music they want and live it up like crazy.
You can buy the album HERE — I guarantee it will be one of the best investments you’ll make. You can also check out their Myspace to listen to more songs and find out tour dates and stuff. I leave you with the music video for “Fashionabel,” directed by Cameron McCasland:
Hopping Into Puddles 
If this was some sneaky way to tell me I’m not your future wife material, it didn’t work. I like the song.
You’re right, that does seem kind of sneaky. And pointless…because now I need a new litmus test. A litmus test of this sort can’t be made public like this.
But no, I was not giving any subtle hints. In other words, you’re still in the running…in a totally manly, non-homosexual way. (hmm…I guess that qualifier doesn’t work in this case)
I remember writing a post or two on xanga about being a pre-med, but I guess I didn’t really mention it other than those few times. I still am a pre-med — I don’t know if you realized that or not. I won’t officially be a med-student until the fall. Of course, that’s if everything works out — I’m still stuck in that wonderful in-between, waiting-game stage. It’s in no way fun, but surprisingly, I haven’t come close to pulling my hair out.
Anyway, your post — I’ve listened to “Fashionlabel” so far. You see, I’m naturally drawn to anything that’s got the word “fashion” in it 🙂 It’s a good song. I’ll be sure to check out the rest.
Thanks for spreading the word about Quiet Company. I’m sure the boys appreciate it!
Sally: ah…pre-med. So I guess there’s no “Scrubs”-anecdotes yet? If it gets too stressful, you could always change your major to English, like all the cool people do.
I see you (sub)consciously corrected the title, “Fashionabel.” But no, it really is “abel,” not “able,” nor the plausible “label.” It used to bother me but it is a good song, so I’ll let it slide.
Leah: Woo hoo! The better half of Mr. Muse has graced my blog!
I don’t know how you found this but thanks for stopping by. And please tell your husband and his friends that they make awesome music. (Oh, and if you come back, can you also find out why he spelled the title as “Fashionabel”?)
Hey Michael,
Leah told me about your blog so I just wanted to stop by and say thanks so much for writing it. I really appreciate it.
To answer your questions:
The original title was “Fashion-Cain / Fashion-Abel” which still doesn’t make a lot of sense to anyone but me but I’ll just leave it at that.
Also, I worked at a pet store.
Thanks again, hopefully we’ll have a new record soon.
Taylor
Oh, I’ve got plenty of scrubs anecdotes. I scrubbed it up in the surgery ward for nearly a year. Gotta have that clinical experience to get into med-school, y’know. Saw some things I’d rather not see again, and saw many things I’d love to see again. Met a real life Dr. McDreamy and everything! 😉
Who knows, maybe I’ll start a med-blog one of these days…
Ah, oops. Totally didn’t notice the lack of the “L.” Just imagine me face-palming…
Taylor: Wow…thanks a lot for visiting. I really do enjoy what you and your band are doing and wish you all the best. I missed out when you guys swung through Cali last time. I’ve been waiting for a return trip ever since.
Thanks for clearing up the title thing. I’m from Texas (san antonio) and my brother went to UT-Austin. And according to him, you might be referring to “Cain and Abel” — a frat/sorority bar in Austin. It’s quite a popular and “fratty” place to party and get drunk at. (I’m sure you’ve heard of it, being from Austin.) After listening to the lyrics again, I’m thinking it might be a legitimate reference?
Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you won’t have to go back to the pet-store days anymore. You can bet I’ll be one of the first to buy the new record.
Oh…I forgot to mention…DUUDE, you made one of my favorite albums ever!! Thanks so much for that. I’ll continue recommending the band to everyone I know.
Sally: A real-life Dr. McDreamy? OH you must tell! You didn’t go greys-anatomy-nurse on him did you? (I had to do some googling before typing all that. I don’t watch grey’s anatomy. I actually don’t have a tv…NOT out of choice, exactly.)
haha…but seriously, some “surgery ward stories” wouldn’t hurt now would it? A med-blog would be awesome. It’d be like a female Doogie Howser MD. I loved that show. I almost became a doctor because of it…before I found out it was extremely hard to be one. But yeah. You should definitely look into the med-blog thing.
HEY SWEETIE…. JUST A QUICK COMMENT ABOUT MY NEPHEW AND HIS WIFE LEAH….TAYLOR IS THE MOST REMARKABLE GUY AND GREATEST MUSICIAN OF ALL TIMES TO ME…HE HAS SO MUCH TALENT AND HAS LOVED MUSIC ALL HIS LIFE.. EVEN AS A YOUNG BOY HE WOULD PLAY BEATS ON HIS MOM’S POTS AND PANS IN THE FLOOR OF THE KITCHEN..EVERYTIME HE COMES TO VISIT ME HE GOES STRAIGHT TO THE PIANO AND STARTS TO PLAY A TUNE OR TWO.. I KNOW THAT I AM VERY PARTIAL BUT IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD QUIET COMPANY THEN YOU DON’T LIKE MUSIC…
Now this is becoming just downright heart-warming.
Your nephew sure does have talent. Now, instead of just pots and pans (he might still use them for all I know), he’s found some other talented friends to play with…and I think they’ll be great. You must be proud.
I hope you don’t mind, but I went ahead and de-capitalized your comment. It’s kind of like a little ocd thing for me. But if you want me to keep it capitalized, by all means, tell me, and I will immediately comply. I even have it saved in capitals just in case.
oh geez…I’m such a comment nazi jerk…why couldn’t I just let Aunt Wanda leave her comment the way she wanted? I’m changing it back.
I just read your comment above and kind of chuckled a little. I definitely know how it feels like with all the capitalizing OCDness.
Anyway, thanks for introducing me to this band. I’ve heard one of the songs and it’s going well so far, I have a feeling this is going to get better when I listen to more songs. You know I trust your judgment when it comes to music. One post said it alone =P and there was one time I was reading your previous posts about music and there were a few instances where it seemed like you took the words right out of my mind, especially that Eminem post.
Okay this is getting a little off-topic here, but hope you get my drift 🙂
Thanks for checking the posts out. You should check out some of the music blogs on my blogroll for some more goodness. Many of those guys are like at least 4.5 times cooler than me. Speaking of my blogroll…I need to update and add to that thing.
Michael, Thanks for spreading the video and the great news about QC around the net. I know exactly how you feel about the album, as I tell people all the time that Shine Honesty truly saved my life. I have been amazed by the response the music video has recieved, I have yet to pass QC music along without creating a heartfelt fan of their music. Great read.
Excellent job on that music video man…I’ve watched it several times already. (just discovered it recently)
I am amazed that all these people involved with Quiet Company themselves have found their way to this post. (I’m pretty sure it’s been emailed around? But I still find that amazing.) I guess it shows just how many people are truly involved in something like this…it certainly adds more perspectives to this whole “music” thing…sides that I miss much of the time.
I think it’s impossible to not like Quiet Company…as long as you’re human, that is.
Great blog. I like the band and what a bonus that they stopped by..
Oh, Michael. I miss your writing!
[…] There are many times in social situations in the “real world” where I do or say something and I look back a few minutes, hours, or days afterwards and think “Dammit! I’m so stupid. I wish I could do that over.” With blogging, I can! So I do. I look back and I make little tweaks when I wish I could’ve said something better, or if I phrased something wrong, or if I just wasn’t as witty as I originally thought I was (then I change it back when I realize my edit wasn’t that witty either). Just grammatical mistakes themselves make up about 50% of my edits. I’ve even edited another person’s comment on my Quiet Company post. […]
[…] of the lengthy, in-depth posts that I used to write on here (e.g., Sigur Ros post, film reviews, posts on new and upcoming bands, ebook post, […]
Weird! I just got this post today through a google alert which I keep for Quiet Company so that I will not miss anything. You see, I am Taylor’s mother. Just wanted all to know that he is releasing the long awaited 2nd album and it is fabulous!! But I am partial. Listen for yourself and check out what is happening at the http://www.myspace.com/quietcompany. site. Thanks for your interest in his music!! And for spreading the word online to the world. QC appreciates fans like you!!