SLICK, POWERFUL ‘EMOTION CITY’
Saturday, 09.03.2011, 09:37pm (GMT-6)

Many of you may recognize Mike Seely as the voice behind
Shallow Day. With the breakout hit "Twilight (What Have You Done to My Wife?)" leading the charge, Shallow Day's "Shine" record produced a host of catchy pop tunes and power ballads (including "Hollywood Lady,"
"Flames,” "Prize Fighter," "Throw It All Away," "Daybreak Dr." and "Next Life").

What some of you might not know is Seely had a plethora of outstanding tunes under his belt well before the viral sensation that was "Twilight." If his new album, "Emotion City," is any indication, he has much more to offer.

Following rigorous touring, a couple of TV appearances, and performing "Twilight" innumerable times, Shallow Day did the unthinkable: they threw in the towel. At least, for the time being.

The disbanding was completely amicable (no inside fighting and no drug problems factored into the equation). The guys were simply tired and ready to embark on a new chapter in their busy lives. Perfectly content with taking a much-needed break and spending more time with his family, the creative bug bit without warning, and Seely found himself imbedded in a new project right at the peak of relaxation time. If inspiration comes, an artist must answer, so Mr. Seely immediately went back to work.

The appropriately titled "Emotion City" (which was independently produced and recorded at Seely's own home) is a collection of polished works from the musician's past, mixed with a roster of new songs he put together during and after his stint with Shallow Day. While this might be considered a departure from the more poppy, structured styling's of "Shine," the sonic, heartfelt and overall dreamy tone of "Emotion City" is hardly new terrain for the Shallow Day front man.

Hailing from San Diego (he moved to St. George when he was 14), Seely cites U2 and Radiohead as major influences. While this is apparent when listening to his work, he's managed to hone a style all his own.

What's most intoxicating about "Emotion City" is its patience, sincerity and an utter reluctance to stick to any one specific formula. There are tunes here that would be right at home on the radio ("Higher View," "Notice,” "Flower Bed in My Head," "Complicated Game" and "Face the Cold"), while others (pure, instrumental interludes like "Beneath the Surface," "Warm
Air," "The World Without You" and "Soft Skin") seem perfectly suited as movie theme music ("So Full of Love" was actually used for a Utah Film Commission commercial spot directed by Tysen Bang). When Seely sat down to put this record together, he wanted it to come from the heart. Mission accomplished!
 
Currently, Mike Seely is planning a few live gigs to support his latest spirited effort, including a performance at The Westates Film Festival (Saturday, Oct. 1 at Pine View Stadium 10) and a stop at Horror-Fest
(Saturday, Oct. 28 at The Electric Theater). "Emotion City" is available now at iTunes and CDbaby. For a taste of Seely's latest effort and a look at a music video for "When I'm Gone" (a powerful collaboration between Seely, a very uncooperative scorpion, and local filmmakers Shaun Labrecque and James Beacham), log on to SeelsMusic.com.

http://www.suindependent.com/article/Music/2822/

2000-2009
1. Arcade Fire- Funeral (2004)
2. TV On the Radio- Dear Science (2008)
3. Coldplay- A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
4. M83- Before the Dawn Heals Us (2005)
5. The Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002)
6. Muse- Absolution (2003)
7. Placebo- Sleeping With Ghosts (2003)
8. U.N.K.L.E.- Never, Never, Land (2003)
9. Arcade Fire- Neon Bible (2007)
10. Sigur Ros- ( ) (2002)
11. The Dandy Warhols- Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia (2000)
12. Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)
13. M83- Saturdays = Youth (2008)
14. U2- How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)
15. Paloalto- Heroes and Villains (2003)
16. Kings of Leon- Only by the Night (2008)
17. Radiohead- Kid A (2000)
18. Coldplay- Parachutes (2000)
19. The Album Leaf- In a Safe Place (2004)
20. MGMT- Oracular Spectacular (2007)


1990-1999
1. U2- Achtung Baby (1991)
2. Radiohead- OK Computer (1997)
3. Massive Attack- Mezzanine (1998)
4. James- Laid (1993)
5. Jeff Buckley- Grace (1994)
6. Radiohead- The Bends (1995)
7. The Verve- Urban Hymns (1997)
8. U2- Zooropa (1993)
9. Grant Lee Buffalo- Jubilee (1998)
10. Garbage- Version 2.0 (1998)
11. Moby- Play (1999)
12. INXS- Welcome to Wherever You Are (1992)
13. Pearl Jam- Ten (1991)
14. U.N.K.L.E.- Psyence Fiction (1998)
15. Oasis- (What’s the Story) Morning Glory (1995)
16. Duran Duran- The Wedding Album (1993)
17. Rage Against the Machine- The Battle of Los Angeles (1999)
18. Live- Throwing Copper (1994)
19. U2- Pop (1997)
20. Bunbury- Radical Sonora (1997)