Theoretically, yes. Honestly, no.

(OHR-003 / Release Date: 03-03-09)
Order Now.

Four years ago The Southern Sea quietly released the six-song EP, "Simple Machines for Complex Problems"—a painstakingly intricate project that was completed by sheer will and a blood pact between the founding members. The positive response from an ever-growing fan base and some much-deserved attention from the far edges of the online universe justified the blood lost.

"Theoretically, yes. Honestly, No," the band's first full-length offering and first release for Texas-based, Old House Records, is less bloodletting and more of a joyous celebration of that which came before.

Two years after releasing "Simple Machines," one of the founding members, Billy Hale (Vocals/Guitar), left North America and headed for Cambodia. Before he left, the band got some more music down on tape. In the midst of an ice storm, holed up at IBC studios in Irving, Texas, with some engineering help from Michael J. Scheuchzer, five new songs were born. Over the course of the next two years, in various home studios throughout the state, four additional songs were birthed, cared for and nurtured into maturity.

With the new band line-up, Brad Wofford (Vocals/Guitar/Rhodes/Banjo), Marc Atkinson (Guitar/Theremin/Bells), Cory Phifer (Drums), Chad Spier (Bass/Vocals) and Samantha Spier (Vocals/Tambourine) and these nine new songs, plus a closer, that has been with the band ever since TSS's debut, "Nina and the Wrong Note", The Southern Sea were set to unveil their new record. Beginning four years after "Nina," and ending four years after "Simple Machines"... this record occupies time.

Continuing on themes familiar to TSS fans, the songs document family unrest, the fears of playing live and respect for the natural world. While references to Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys still apply, and the banjo, Theremin and bells still find their way to center stage now and again, this record is a step forward. There is now an urgency to the music and a feeling that this is no longer a "project", but is now a living, breathing band.

So, with another record crafted with loving hands, and some brilliant mixing from T. W. Walsh (Pedro The Lion, Headphones, Soft Drugs), The Southern Sea offers "Theoretically, Yes. Honestly, No" as a blood pact between them and you.
RIYL: Dr. Dog, Deerhoof, Page France, Flaming Lips, Grandaddy

You can pre-order Theoretically, yes. Honestly, no. now!
It will be shipped to you on or before 03-03-09!

Tracklisting

These things always end badly (2.9 MB unzip after download)
Foxhound and the red riding overcoat
How my computer became my friend (IIci)
Quarks passing through a hypochondriac
Blood spilled in a coastal village
Nature Rules
Trucks are roller-skates
On holiday in the American Southwest (Vacation)
I bought a used camera from a website
Girl at terminal B

Reviews/Props/General hype

"Theoretically, Yes. Honestly, No. is an extremely intricate and well-crafted album full of wonderfully cool modern progressive pop tunes."
"These songs are not predictable and yet...they are extremely easy on the ears (and mind). Smooth and just slightly different...Theoretically, Yes. Honestly, No. hits the bull's eye dead on. Cool tracks include "These Things Always End Badly," "Quarks Chasing a Hypochondriac," and "I Bought A Used Camera From a Website" (gotta love them song titles). A super nice album from start to finish...really nice warm sound quality courtesy of producer T. W. Walsh. Recommended. (Rating: 5++)"

-babysue® (read the whole review)

 

"There's a subtle humor to the song (these things always end badly), though, given the optimistically lush sonic soundscape its deft instrumentation and arrangement paints. And this duality—subtly optimistic takes on somber themes—is actually the common thread that strings this delightful indie-pop disc together."
"...On its first full-length release, Greenville's best-kept secret firmly establishes itself, quite capably, among the premiere indie-pop outfits in the region."

-Dallas Observer (read the whole review)

 

"I didn't know anything about The Southern Sea when they approached me about mixing their record. But when the tracks started coming in, after a few days, I found myself singing the songs in the shower. If Death Cab for Cutie and Grandaddy had a lovechild, it would sound like this."

-T.W. Walsh (About mixing the CD)

 

Simple Machines For Complex Problems EP

This was our maiden voyage in recording more than four songs. We started out with about twelve and narrowed it down to six in the interest of time. We recorded everything ourselves. We tracked at Bill's house, a church and in my garage. We found a choir to sing and clap for "Hotel Mishaps are Sad", a violinist for "There is a Fountain" and kept some pretty mean thunder that bled through a take on "The Mighty Cottonwood Creek". Lance Orton from Blue Couch Studios mixed and mastered this cd for us and we think he did a fine job. Our good friend Chris Bartos did the illustrations used on the packaging and we were really pleased. I think you'll like this cd so give it a listen at Myspace or Audio Lunchbox and if you like it place an order!

Tracklisting

1. The Iowa Mountain Tour (04:04)
2. Hotel Mishaps are Sad (04:54)
3. Viva la Guadalajara Bob (03:34)
4. There is a Fountain (03:53)
5. The Mighty Cottonwood Creek (04:48)
6. Philosophy (02:27)

Reviews/Props/General hype

"Refreshing effervescent pop. We are pleased to have received this little EP because it features what many other discs do not: Great songs. Recorded in the band's home studios in their home state of Texas, Simple Machines for Complex Problems features six stunning pop tunes. The arrangements are simple and understated...and serve the basic purpose of supporting the band's cool, gliding melodies..."

-babysue® (read the whole review)

 

"Each song is orchestrated with tiny bells, and delicate synth warbles alongside live strings and hushed voices -- it's a wonderful little thing."

-music (for robots) (read the whole review)

 

“...a gorgeous collection of dreamy and airy indie-pop songs. While the same attention to detail, solid songwriting, and light mood that appeared on Nina and the Wrong Note appears on Simple Machines for Complex Problems, the band has obviously grown by leaps and bounds in terms of their confidence, songwriting, and overall music vision.”

-Brent Diaz (www.somewherecold.com) (read the whole review)

 

“your music is beautiful..”

-Damien Jurado (comment at myspace)

 

“I love my copy too much to take the shrinkwrap off!”

-Gary Forney (of The Iowa Mountain Tour)