Welcome to the land of TAO.

TAO is proud to play alongside some of the areas most rockingest band at a benefit for Amnesty International at Gonzaga High School (19 Eye St. NWDC)--come out and support those fighting for human rights and bang your head a bit. TAO is on at 7!

"Somehow I missed this DC quartet's 2005 debut 'The Unimpeachable EP,' despite whispers of influences from My Bloody Valentine, David Bowie, Radiohead, and Ride (curses!). But on their inaugural LP, there's precious little of that; instead, it sounds like they've steeped themselves in their own town's rich indie music traditions. In fact, were 'Happening' recorded by J. Robbins, Ted Nicely, or Ian McKaye with Don Zientara at Inner Ear (where AO formerly worked) and released on Dischord, it would be instantly hailed as a great post-punk indie rock burner in the tradition of the third wave Fugazi/Jawbox/Shudder to Think/Highback Chairs/Severin/Gray Matter tradition. It's got urgent, tightwound post-punk guitars, ultra-rhythmic, propulsive bass and drums, Gavin Dunaway's forceful, highly enunciated vocals, and tunes. Not surprisingly, this reviewer digs it, and hopes that its lack of affiliation with the above won't prevent it from wider recognition."

Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover

TAO is the first band to be featured in the new What's Your Problem? column in the Washington CityPaper. Our problem? Sound familiar?

"The Order’s four-piece is often a de facto three. Guitarists Gabriel Fry and Gavin Dunaway, along with bassist Kate Rears Burgman, share vocal duties but can’t seem to hold on to a drummer."

Enjoy!

The Alphabetical Order makes difficult music, sounds that aren´t nearly as orderly as the group´s name implies. This four-piece is from Washington, DC, a region that also gave us the equally challenging Fugazi. Maybe it´s in the water.

This CD´s title, I Am Magically Happening!, brings to mind either a hippy, psychedelic band, or a Lucky Charms cereal slogan. Neither of which apply, however. Members include Kate Rears Burgman (bass, vocals), Cavin Dunaway (guitar, vocals), Gabriel Fry (guitar, synths, vocals), and Ashraf Younes (drums). [The CD also lists Jeff Miller as a member, although his name is excluded from the band's biography].

Critics like to throw around terms like "angular" when describing complicated bands such as this one. But the word brings us no closer to imagining what the music actually sounds like. The track "Submarine" is a charging rock song, which is relatively straightforward when contrasted with the rest of this disc. But within it, the vocal melodies are rough around the edges, rather than smooth. Also, its instrumentation is busy and just ominous enough to keep the listener from feeling free and easy. "Adderall," with its odd time signatures, pounding drums, and paranoid vocal, is more representative of The Alphabetical Order´s sound. It´s harder than 70s progressive rock, yet softer than forbearers like Mission Of Burma....

This disc will likely hold appeal for lovers of guitar sounds. The six-string interplay of "Foundation," for example, is something truly beautiful to behold. This is clearly not a quartet of kids thrashing it out in the garage.

Read it here.

Don't forget: Friday, Dec. 28 at Velvet Lounge w/ Fox Japan, Can Joann, and Erik Bradford.

Amplifier magazine:
This [Washington-DC-]based quartet seems like they have a hell of a lot of fun. This is saying a lot considering all the odd time signatures, changing keys, etc that often rob music of that passionate quality on display throughout their first full length release. Sounding a bit like Gang of Four at moments, and a bit like the Fall at times they gather steam around the third cut, with a pounding, relentless four on the floor and plenty of guitar riffing. They maintain this momentum for the most part, only occasionally getting a bit too distracted by complex arrangements. They display a good balance of chops and energy generally and basically just rock.
--William Carey

The ChickenFish Speaks:
The Alphabetical Order - I Am Magically Happening!
This is one of those releases that's really hard to categorize. It's like a post punk / college rock explosion full of songs that take a while to get used to listening. The melodies jump around and it's impossible to casually listen to their songs. The Alphabetical Order demands your attention and they assault your ears to get it. I'm sure many people don't have the patience, but if you listen carefully you are treated to a number of interesting experiences. Each song is like a journey into a story about a far away land with people whose lives you never imagined. At times I'm reminded of an updated Ziggy Stardust era Bowie, like on "Dress Up, Dress Down". The one song that stuck in my head was "A Mockery of Taste" with its insanely catchy guitar line and glam rock chorus. This band was a pleasant surprise and a great addition to my musical selection.
-- Grog Mutant

Update: Kate sez: "The Alphabetical Order: you can fuck us casually, but you can't listen to us casually!"

We return to the Fire in Philadelphia Saturday, Oct. 20 to join Brass, once known as North Star Infinite--for more info, visit shows.

"I Am Magically Happening!" is now available on iTunes.

For making our CD release at the Black Cat thoroughly awesome! It's wonderful to have such great fans--we doubt every band could say the same.