I kid you not, but Team Genius [Myspace] crack me up. Any time that a band has any sort of statement out there that basically consists of “Fuck it, let’s make an iPod record,” I giggle. When they schedule an outdoor holiday festival show, that makes me laugh too. Not in a silly way, just in a way that indicates that I have lost my damn mind and maybe they did too. That’s always fun. When commerce is the source of inspiration, funny things happen. Maybe they did craft a perfect commercial album? Even if you don’t think that they did, the band created a strong record and they have released a bunch of tracks as mp3s from their self-titled album to let you see what they’ve come up with.

Peep these tracks and get details on their “Living Nativity” Show “after the jump”

“Take Me Home” [mp3]

“Meanderings and Musings” [mp3]

“While We’re Asleep” [mp3]

“Basically it’s a reaction to the modern way music is consumed and listened to,” Drew says of the disc. “The idea of an album with a focused sound and a complete statement kind of gets lost now-a-days. Everyone shuffles around, so I thought ‘why not write an album that does the same thing?’ Luckily, the band did an awesome job of keeping up with it.”

The result is a single album that contains a multitude of sounds from funky falsettos (“Take Me Home”), to Celtic intonations (“Sing Song”), epic anthems (“ABC”), weird pep rallies (“The Wise Ones All Give Up”), two chord experimentation (“Meanderings and Musings”), ukulele folk (“Speak Softly”), and even a campfire sing-along (“While We’re Asleep).

“Hopefully there is still a strong enough sense of our personalities and my quirky style of writing that ties the songs together,” Drew muses.

Tour Dates
12/18 Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool (SPECIAL HOLIDAY SHOW)###
01/10 New York, NY @ Lit Lounge
01/16 Brooklyn, NY Monkeytown
02/21 Harrisonburg, VA @ James Madison University Cool Aid ‘09

###TEAM GENIUS CAST:
Chad Hermiller as Wiseman 1
Chris Hudik as Wiseman 2
Erin Griffith as Shepherd
Drew Hermiller as Joseph
Emma Firth as Mary
Rebekah Allen as Angel 1
Elizabeth Allen as Angel 2
Scotty Dyer as The Christmas Star.

NOTE: We’re not joking. ALSO NOTE: This show is the Jezebel Music feature show of December. More info HERE.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION NOTE: We do not have tiny infant baby Jesus. We encourage anyone interested to come in their best swaddling attire and join us on stage. We also encourage holiday sweaters and moustaches (ladies too!)

RELIGIOUS NOTE: Team Genius officially endorses no religion. Happy Chanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, etc.

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