So to start out, I've mentioned The Velvet Teen a couple times around these forums but I swear I'm no street teamer, i just think they're painfully under recognized in the indie community. Now that that's out of the way:

I was wondering if anybody around these parts listens to them or has heard of them at all. I know they have a pretty big following around the bay area but I'm pretty curious to hear how far the good word has spread.

I've beeen listening to them for at least five years now, and each successive release just keep blowing me away. Their new one, Cum Laude, is coming out sometime soon but I got it early, and I've already listened to it three times today, and not only is it a vaaaast departure from their last record, but I think it takes a ton of risks that all pay off. Anyways, all of my friennds are all devoted followers of their every move, but I really don't know what the outside opinion of them is.

I think this'll work. Here is a media player with some songs from the new one, but i really suggest listening to their earlier stuff too. Cum Laude is an amazing record on its own, but i think it gets better with some context. Thanks, hope this doesn't get deleted for being too gushy and pluggy.

I thought the Velvet Teen's first full length Out of the Fierce Parade was pretty good indie pop. I really loved their last record Elysium because of its epic piano, no guitars, and great songs. I have that ep that came out a month ago with one song from Cum Laude and some cool remixes. After listening to the stuff from that media player that was posted, I'm pretty disappointed. It seems like they made another record like the first one but with some Morr Music electronic stuff dumped on top for no reason. I don't want to hear The Velvet Teen make another rote indie-pop record after the incredible Elysium and so far that is what this sounds like but with some extra electronic stuff. Maybe I'll give it another chance and actually buy it and see if it grows on me.....

I think you defonotely need to listen to the full length, because it's a lot of things, but rote is not one of them. listening to it after reading your comment, i can hear how one could think that it was just a pop record judging by the songs provided (and the first song that media player plays, "in a steadman spray," is by far the most accessible song on the album), but they made a lot of choices mostly involving production, the vocals and drums that really set it apart. I'm positive this album won't be as well recieved as Elysium, but any band that takes risks face that outcome.

I lost interest in them after Out of The Fierce Parade, how does the new album compare with it? I'm still a fan of the quirky pop stuff they did in the early days with their first two ep's. Didn't really like the sappy melodrama of Out of the Fierce Parade that much.

I saw them live earlier this year and they were playing the songs off this new album and I loved them more than anything else I have heard from The Velvet Teen but when I just to the songs they have on their Myspace page it left me unsure. It sounds like the recorded them, somewhat awkwardly. Didn't have the type of polish that I would expect from The Velvet Teen so I guess I am still up in the air but my initial reaction is a anticlimactic.

The only qualm I have about the album, like you said, is that there are some really odd choices with the recording and mixing, like his voice almost always being distorted and some stuff sounding louder than it should, but it's gotten better and more accessible the nore i listen.

Television, i'd have to say that i'm really happy to know there are people out there like you who enjoy TVT as much as i do. i loved elysium, in fact just got the "10 and it sounds pretty amazing, but as for Cum Laude, i was totally floored. It really is better in context, because you know what Judah and the Teen are capable of production wise, even though its just a laptop rig. They are capable of an amazing, lively and full sound and with the decisions they made on Cum Laude, i tend to believe that every detail on this record is very intentional. I have a buddy who thought the clicks and garbled spots were accidents in recording but he's a fool, TVT are so brilliant i get shivers when i hear this record. It makes me wonder how people like TVT can be so incredibly talented and versatile in the writing, production and in Judah's case even the album art work. f'ing amazing is all i can say, and i'll be there when they play Portland in a couple weeks... i'm so excited.