Gravity's Rim

Gravity's Rim is the fifth studio album by the American experimental music band Vampire Rodents, released on May 14, 1996, by Fifth Colvmn Records.

Gravity's Rim
Studio album by
Vampire Rodents
ReleasedMay 14, 1996 (1996-05-14)
Recorded1996
GenreModern classical, electronic
Length62:47
LabelFifth Colvmn
Vampire Rodents chronology
Clockseed
(1995)		 Gravity's Rim
(1996)		 Noises in the Wall
(2017)
Daniel Vahnke chronology
Papa Woody
(1996)		 Gravity's Rim
(1996)		 Noises in the Wall
(2017)

Music and lyrics

Gravity's Rim returns to the pop format of the band's earlier albums as well as a more jazz oriented sound similar to Daniel Vahnke's Ether Bunny project. There are fewer guest vocalists compared to the previous album, with the focus shifting back to Vahnke's vocals and lyrics. Former collaborators contributed their vocals to the music, including Maria Azevedo, Boom chr Paige, Dave Creadeau, Mark Edwards and Jared Louche. Spahn Ranch vocalist Athan Maroulis also contributed vocals to four songs.[1] Daniel was so pleased with Maria Azevedo's contributions that he considered starting a separate project with her band Battery.[2]

Release and reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

Despite being listed on the back cover, the track "Smartass" was left off due to the label being ready to press the record before the mastering process had been completed.[4]

AllMusic critic Amy Hanson gave it three out of five stars, calling it "a triumph" and a "remarkable assimilation of sound, sonics, and scope"[3] Aiding & Abetting gave it a positive review, saying "Vahnke has managed to vary his beat work even more (perhaps inspired by his recent Ether Bunny project), making the songs even more intriguing."[5] Black Monday Magazine gave it a positive review as well, noting that "all the classic Rodentia elements are found: heavy beats, cellos, guitar, and it’s chock full of exotic sampling."[6]

Track listing

All music is composed by Daniel Vahnke, except "Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 100, D. 929" by Franz Schubert

No.TitleLyrics/VocalsLength
1."Chain"Athan Maroulis2:56
2."Prophet Clown"Daniel Vahnke3:44
3."Beta"Jared Louche4:50
4."Underneath"Daniel Vahnke3:16
5."Rain Wheel"Maria Azevedo3:09
6."Gravity's Rim"Daniel Vahnke3:32
7."Calibrations"Athan Maroulis2:52
8."Ice Borers"Daniel Vahnke2:13
9."Code"Jared Louche2:10
10."Parameter Seven"Daniel Vahnke2:37
11."The Happy Box"Maria Azevedo3:33
12."Obsidian"Daniel Vahnke4:49
13."Patterns"Athan Maroulis2:54
14."Sandtrap" 2:12
15."Porker"Daniel Vahnke3:39
16."Core"Athan Maroulis3:10
17."Creeper"Daniel Vahnke2:42
18."Schlangenauge" 2:16
19."Albatross"Daniel Vahnke3:08
20."Fossilized"Daniel Vahnke2:12
21."A Perfect Lawn" 1:44
22."Goatweed"Mark Edwards2:56
23."H.M.P." 3:22
24."Evasion"Dave Creadeau & Boom chr Paige2:40
2019 Digital Re-Issue
No.TitleLyrics/VocalsLength
1."Rain Wheel"Maria Azevedo3:09
2."Underneath"Daniel Vahnke3:16
3."Beta"Jared Louche4:50
4."Prophet Clown"Daniel Vahnke3:44
5."Chain"Athan Maroulis2:55
6."Gravity's Rim"Daniel Vahnke3:32
7."Calibrations"Athan Maroulis2:52
8."Ice Borers"Daniel Vahnke2:13
9."Code"Jared Louche2:10
10."Obsidian"Daniel Vahnke4:49
11."The Happy Box"Maria Azevedo3:33
12."Parameter Seven"Daniel Vahnke2:37
13."Patterns"Athan Maroulis2:54
14."Porker"Daniel Vahnke3:39
15."Sandtrap" 2:12
16."Core"Athan Maroulis3:10
17."Creeper"Daniel Vahnke2:42
18."Schlangenauge" 2:16
19."Fossilized"Daniel Vahnke2:12
20."Albatross"Daniel Vahnke3:08
21."A Perfect Lawn" 1:44
22."Goatweed"Mark Edwards2:56
23."Evasion"Dave Creadeau & Boom chr Paige2:40
24."H M P" 3:22
25."Smartass"Dave Creadeau & Boom chr Paige2:52
26."Chain" (Alternate Master)Athan Maroulis2:56
27."Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 100, D. 929 (Variation on Schubert)" (Alternate Master) 2:28

Personnel

Adapted from the Gravity's Rim liner notes.[7]

Vampire Rodents

Additional musicians

Production

Release history
Region Date Label Format Catalog
United States 1996 Fifth Colvmn CD 9868-63224

References
  1. Christie, Dixon (1996). "Interview with The Vampire Rodents". Digizine. Archived from the original on July 9, 2000. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  2. Tar, Jason J.. Interview with Battery. Retrieved on August 26, 2010.
  3. Hanson, Amy. "Gravity's Rim Review". Allmusic. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  4. Congdon, Kevin A.; Tar, Jason J.. Interview with Daniel Vahnke of the Vampire Rodents. Retrieved on July 5, 2010.
  5. "Vampire Rodents: Gravity's Rim". Aiding & Abetting. July 1996. Issue #114, cited August 26, 2010
  6. Gair. "Vampire Rodents: Gravity's Rim". Black Monday Magazine, cited August 26, 2010
  7. Gravity's Rim (booklet). Vampire Rodents. Washington, DC: Fifth Colvmn Records. 1996.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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