Notes
The Ironclads write pop music with a few jagged edges and harsh angles. The first of their debut album, Space Between the Maps, comes from Don Yates, the Program Director of Seattle based radio station KEXP: The Ironclads debut with an excellent album of smart indie-rock featuring a variety of well written songs that shifts temps and styles while still nailing down some memorable hooks. At times reminiscent of Okkervil River's epic folk-pop, but more diverse, energetic and harder-edged, Space Between the Maps will likely end up one of this year's best Northwest rock albums. This album is no doubt varied in musical style; The Ironclads agree with a comparison to Okkervil River but would include a DC influence along with bands like Hot Water Music or The Desaparecidos. The Ironclads were originally founded by Jamie Cotton and Thom Strub, two friends who spent a large chunk of childhood in Southern England and were later reunited in Seattle WA. In 2007, Philip "Yes, I am a huge Pantera fan" Bouie found his way from Virginia to Seattle where Ma'chell Duma Lavassar, writing for the Seattle Weekly describes him as drumming with "big, gonzo, balls out abandon." From a trajectory including Minnesota, India, and Seattle, Nora Dummer joined the band in spring of 2008, adding sweet vocal harmonies and melodic bass lines. The Space Between the Maps was recorded by Eli Chuckovich of The Hands and was mixed by Jason Kilgore of The Whore Moans. The Wizard Empire music collective, which encompasses both of these Seattle bands, has supplied endless help towards the production of this album. In the words of their recording engineer, "The Ironclads are the nicest band you have never heard of."
