Keep Your Eyes Off the Prize is the debut EP by American hardcore punk band Spark Is a Diamond, released on November 14, 2006, through Emerald Moon Records. It was produced, recorded and engineered by Paul Leavitt (All Time Low, Thin Dark Line) and mixed by Matt Bayles (The Blood Brothers, These Arms Are Snakes).
| Keep Your Eyes Off the Prize | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | November 14, 2006 | |||
| Studio | Valencia Studios (Brookville, Maryland) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 11:36 | |||
| Label | Emerald Moon | |||
| Producer | Paul Leavitt | |||
| Spark Is a Diamond chronology | ||||
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A music video was made for the track "Check Your Lease, You're In F**k City" directed by Adam Kobylarz.
Background and recording
editWhen the group was formed, they were originally named The Hush Hush until they had to change their name to not be confused with another band with the same name and didn't want to infringe the name. The band ultimately decided to rename themselves Spark is a Diamond on July 16. The group signed into indie record label Emerald Moon Records on June 22 and started production on their debut EP.
It was produced, recorded and engineered by Paul Leavitt (All Time Low, Thin Dark Line) and mixed by Matt Bayles (The Blood Brothers, These Arms Are Snakes), mastered by Michael Fossenkemper and designed by Dan Miller of The JonBenét.[1]
Some of the songs were brought to the band's debut album Try This On for Size on Pluto Records.[2][3][4][5] The EP features Matt Hall on drums before Joseph Crawford and also features Ben Hirschhorn of Moring for the Masses.
Release and promotion
editOn November 10, 2006, the band made a CD release party at the Morningstar Church in Quakertown, PA.
On March 30, 2007, the band released a music video for the track "Check Your Lease, You're In F**k City," directed by Adam Kobylarz. A review form Smother says "a surprising underground hit of manic dance-fueled punk rock that no one would have ever seen coming."[6]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Spark Is a Diamond
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Scandalous, Scandalous" | 1:02 |
| 2. | "Check Your Lease, You're in F**k City" | 2:28 |
| 3. | "________ ________ Has a Deathwish" | 2:48 |
| 4. | "Oh, Captain!" | 2:16 |
| 5. | "Urgent" | 2:16 |
| Total length: | 11:36 | |
Personnel
editSpark Is a Diamond
- Alison Bellavance – lead vocals
- Matt Boylan – vocals and guitars
- Matt Hall – drums
Additional personnel
- Ben Hirschhorn of Morning for the Masses – additional vocals (track 3)
Technical personnel
- Dann Miller of The Jonbenét – artwork and layout
- Paul Leavitt – producer, recording and engineer
- Michael Fossenkemper – mastering
- Matt Bayles – mixing
- Brian Pollock – electronics (tracks: 2, 4)
References
edit- ^ Reinecker, Meg (2006). "Emerald Moon Records update". Punknews. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022.
- ^ Raub, Jesse (January 31, 2008). "Pluto signs Spark Is A Diamond". Punknews. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Pluto Records signs Spark Is A Diamond". Lambgoat. January 31, 2008. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "SPARK IS A DIAMOND Signs With PLUTO RECORDS". Blabbermouth. February 1, 2008. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
- ^ "Pluto welcomes Spark Is A Diamond!". Pluto Records. January 31, 2008. Archived from the original on April 2, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Spark Is a Diamond - Keep Your Eyes Off the Prize". Smother. 2007. Archived from the original on January 20, 2007.