Hailing from Scotland's capital Edinburgh, Emporium formed in the winter of 1998 and released three albums by 2002. 'Silver Brainwaves' was actually their fourth record, but has been given a second shot at stardom with a digital re-release. On listening I can understand why Silver Brainwaves didn't quite take off in 2005. With the likes of Akon, Crazy Frog and James Blunt dominating the Charts, Emporium's sound was just way before its time.

Cut to six years later, Silver Brainwaves should find an approving audience with its fantastical ethereal, trippy feel. It is a very unique listen and I myself needed multiple replays to fully appreciate the delicacies of each track accompanied with the easy-biting vocals. Although music is ageless, I would very much like to hear Emporium's new studio works as I am sure they have used their exceptional flair to polish and develop their talent further.

On this release, my personal favourites were Mind Games, Whimsical Theme, Fragments of Knowledge and Wild Star.
Jenness Mitchell   (3 stars)
http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/review/5725/Emporium_Silver_Brainwaves_Album_Review.html

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Originally released in 2005 with sponsorship from the Scottish Arts Council, Edinburgh band Emporium have just digitally re-released their fourth studio album ‘Silver Brainwaves’. Formed back in 1998 and having released three studio albums by 2002, the three-piece have received much acclaim over the years from being featured on European radio shows to appearing on end-of-year lists for BBC Scotland. With ‘Silver Brainwaves’ not quite receiving the attention it perhaps deserved following its original release, it’s understandable why the trio have decided to give it another shot. The album features an almost 60s vibe and is fairly unique sounding, drawing influence musically from a number of different sources. Tracks like ‘The Feeling’ and ‘Dice Man’ are made up of lovely and interesting pop melodies whilst the piano-led ‘Mind Games’ shows a softer side. Ewan McKenzie’s vocals bring to mind a mix between Brian Wilson and Nick Drake and of course, the harmonies work very well indeed for example on ‘Rock For Sand’. The album drifts nicely to a close with final track ‘Sixes And Sevens’ which has some soft and slightly eerie instrumentation. Ultimately, ‘Silver Brainwaves’ is well-produced and a tad different; two factors which make it a worthwhile listen for anyone looking for something with a little bit more of an individual flavour.    (7 out of 10)

http://www.shout4music.com/album-reviews/emporium-silver-brainwaves/
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This band has a unique and yet hauntingly ‘familiar’ sound. This seems to be a very successful combination for huge bands of the past. I feel the "Brit" influence and almost hear a little Supertramp flavour, and that really makes the songs easy to digest. Great beats and rhythms, and when the vocals come in to tell the story you can really tell this group spent some quality time with the audio engineer during mix-down.

First up on my play-list was "Wasted". This one is nice. I liked the way it was put together and the beat was consistent. This song has a rich grouping of instruments and gives me a nice vacation back in time. It reminds me partly of the sixties and partly of the British invasion while floating a little bit around an eighties electro pop sound. It is difficult to say what the strongest influence is because the song is very unique and strong in its own way.

Next up was the song "Mind Games". This one seems a little somber and translates well with a powerful piano riff and some kind of ambient overlay. Very effective in a simple and understated way as well as entertaining, and the story makes you want to know more as it unravels. We all know there is no where to hide and this song gives a glimmer of acceptance while remaining independent. Very good track.

"Dice Man" starts with a simple yet strong vocal. This singer is very talented and sings on key without and apparent "auto-tune" effects -  refreshing as there are so many bands that attempt to do what this group makes seem effortless. That is the right formula if they expect to grow an audience. Another quality track by this band.

Overall, I would give these guys the thumbs up and recommend them to anyone who really appreciates great music. The time it takes to make a good record is well spent with this band and one can hear that they all know what they are doing. The talent is there, the unique sound is there, and these performers should have no problem gaining a solid fan base.

-Mr. Lee
CEO, Absolute Media   July 6th 2011
http://absoluteceo-musicreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/emporium-silver-brainwaves-album.html

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Sublime 1960's-influenced pop

'Silver Brainwaves', the inspired 2005 album from the Edinburgh based band Emporium, has just been re-released. Formed in 1998, Emporium centres on the songwriting of singer Ewan McKenzie. 'Silver Brainwaves', the band’s fourth studio effort is melodic pop, shimmering and engaging, exploring a similar direction to the work of bands like the High Llamas.

The song 'The Feeling' is warm and welcoming, very nostalgic and very 1960s, echoing the musical beauty of that classic era. The lyric expresses mixed emotions: “Something unseen is tugging at me… the feeling is dying.” Cautious optimism nevertheless accompanies an upbeat sound: “We’re looking for better days.”

'Dice Man' explores a repeated theme of luck on the album: “Go with the flow… Any way that you play, you just can’t lose.” Meanwhile, the sound, with lovely harmonies and layered instrumentation, brings to mind the influence of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys.

'Wasted' expresses hints of melancholy, while 'Blackened Blue” is moody and thought provoking. 'Mind Games' is likewise a sombre tune, with distinctive piano playing. The lyric reflects the tone: “Still the storm’s inside my head/It will linger till I’m dead.”

Emporium’s work has received some notable critical acclaim and their songs are at once sun-soaked, trippy and enchanting. Like the High Llamas, their music is more indicative of the 1960s and California than either the current charts or their U.K. home.

'Wild Star' tells the story of a shining girl who, burning brightly, “torched the heavens every night.” 'Mystic Angela' is distinctive psychedelic-tinged pop with flowing instrumentation. The band meanwhile captures a healthy touch of magic in the sound they create.

'Sixes and Sevens' is the mellifluous closer, returning to the subject of luck: “You can rest in heaven/You can toast in hell/It’s all sixes and sevens/How we know it so well.”

In the end, 'Silver Brainwaves' is a novel effort from Emporium and a worthy re-release.

Carl Bookstein   (4 stars)
http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/CatPages/CatItem.aspx?id=78679
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This album is being re-released from 2005 and, on first listen; it’s kind of hard to see why.  The band hasn’t become world-beating superstars since then, no one member has gone on to win a Grammy.  Or an Oscar.  Then, it all slowly clicks into place.

The Beach Boys are finally giving Smile an official release after years in the vaults and this album has several sonic similarities with it.  Both are filled with guitar lines that are curved and long and seem to go on forever.

Both are also drenched in sweet harmonies that give your spirit a little lift every time the disc is spun.  This album is, effectively, one song spun over 40-odd minutes but when the song is as diverse in mood and style as this, then who’s complaining?

Beach Boys-influenced these guys may be but their own voice shines through completely in the effort and emotion on display here.  They have really become one solid (note: not stolid) unit who know how to give each other their own little moments in the sun.

And yet, they know they work best when they come together as a whole.  Which they do here, on many joyous occasions.  ****

©JONATHAN MUIRHEAD 2011  http://www.isthismusic.com/emporium

 *** Singles of the Week ***

Edinburgh based Emporium have been on the go since the late nineties, when they put out their first album, "A Fine Fine Line". It's been a bit stop and start since then, but here there are with another fine batch of sixties tinged pop songs.

It's the kind of rosy, psychedelic tinged material that delights fans of XTX and Garfields Birthday, with nods back to the harmonies of folks like the Beach Boys. In fact, it's the harmonies that really make this album as even on a couple of the lesser songs, they pull things right round. Add is some excellent arrangements and orchestrations, and it always ends up listenable.

However, when the songs live up to the harmonies and the arrangements as they do on the title track, the fabulous ballad, 'Bluebell Wood' and the single, 'The Umbrella Shop', it really is a delight. They avoid most of the pitfalls of the indie scene by remembering that writing good songs and singing them well is what makes a record.

http://s14.zetaboards.com/Zeitgeist/topic/6715697/1/  

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This is a band that isn't "happening", hip or otherwise. Longevity is the keyword here, a band carving a niche outside the mainstream with layered songs about going nuts in a gentle way (Mindbender) and being afraid to go to sleep (Magical Things). The Afterlife might not be skyscraper, but it is built to last. Emporium is waving the flag of smart pop.

http://blogger.xs4all.nl/werksman/archive/2013/01/02/801734.aspx (HERE COMES THE FLOOD)

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HMM, SEMINAL ECTOPLASMPIC PUDDING

EMPORIUM "THE AFTERLIFE" (WHIMSICAL RECORDS)

RELEASED? Out now.

SOUNDS LIKE? Is a question that has more answers than either of us would like and without being even lazier than usual, I can tell you most of what you need to know about Emporium by saying that top notch, eccentric, pop and pomp-pop and dance-pop and quirko-pop all co-exist in the weirdly coherent and consistent sound that is Emporium. Of course, Emporium would probably hate the idea of being consistent, even when placed near the word 'excellent', but screw 'em, I've already spunked a weeks worth of hypens on one sentence.

IS IT ANY GOOD? Please listen to them, Emporium are very, very good, I even looked up how to spell 'seminal' and they've split up now, so even more seminal.

WHERE IS IT? www.whimsicalrecords.co.uk

http://www.unpeeled.net/albums.html 

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Scottish band Emporium announced their break-up in December, have left us with a final album, ‘The Afterlife’, which was put together by the band's lead singer Ewan McKenzie. The songs for the album were written and recorded between 2010 and 2012, and after they released a compilation record, 'From Another Planet - The Best of Emporium', in the spring of last year. They relive the 70’s psychedelic voyages of their past on ‘The Afterlife’, but it is immersed in a sea of other influences as well us that includes Britpop and garage rock and also throws in various 80's synthesiser melodies from decades gone by. 

Originally formed as a three-piece in Edinburgh in January 1998, Emporium released their first album, which was made largely from home recordings and entitled 'A Fine Fine Line' later that year, but they chose to remain studio-based for most of the years that followed that. They have released various other recordings, including critically acclaimed albums such as 'It's the Thought that Gets You High', 'Hallucinations' and 'Silver Brainwaves'

On first listening, I couldn't fathom out where we were musically. Were we in the 60’s, 70’s 80’s, 90’s or noughties? The sound was so diverse, yet held together quite nicely with spatterings of Spector’s wall of sound or a smidgen of Weller or a trickle elsewhere of 80's electronic bands such as Blancmange or OMD. 

Wherever they gleaned their music from, it certainly takes its roots from the 60’s and Britpop, but it also had its feet wading in the New Wave and Futuristic movements.

The album itself won’t break any records, but don't get me wrong here. This is an album you will keep coming back to again and again as its lyrics and themes are totally addictive. Despite all their retro influences, ‘The Afterlife’ is very much about the feelings of today. Many a time I (and perhaps you as well) have thought I was going off the path a little and starting to go a bit crazy, and the piano-driven 'Mindbender' nails that feeling for me with its lines of "Making me think/I'm trying not to break/ In case you crawl beneath my skin." 

The message of the synth-laden title track is brought home from the start with a distorted answer phone message at its beginning - "Welcome to the afterlife/Life has flashed before your eyes." The simple things we all suffer from time to time like suddenly wanting to just go to sleep sometimes and not knowing why is brought to life on 'Magical Things'. Other standout tracks include 'Umbrella Shop' and the short but enthralling dreamscape instrumental, ‘Return of the Lost Tribe'.

While they may not break any records with ‘The Afterlife’, it should however raise a few eyebrows with the critics and pick up some more well-earned final applause for Emporium. And quite rightly too.... 

http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8831

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'GLOOMY SHADOWS'  - single released November 6th 2015 - PRESS RELEASE:

Emporium have an eclectic collection of recordings and releases behind their back. Their music is kaleidoscopic and diverse, as they keep finding new ways to express themselves through a broad sonic palette.

Originally formed in Edinburgh but now London based, composer and producer Ewan McKenzie is finalizing a new Emporium mini album and working towards some live dates with a full band.

New single Gloomy Shadows is a very engaging track. On one hand, the title might suggest a dark and mellow mood, whereas the song is actually pretty cheerful and uplifting.

The melodies and tempo have a very 60s feel, with a slightly psychedelic pop twist. This song makes me think of The Beatles jamming with Tangerine Dream.

Emporium have once again managed to come up with a catchy track that still has depth in terms of arrangement and composition. 

(Peter Vidani)idani)

 ''He is a painter, adding layers to create a picture where technicolor an darkness are taking turns at getting the upper hand. Neither of them can ever claim a decisive victory and that's a good thing. The inherent tension is a sure fire guarantee for undivided attention from the listener''  (THE ELECTRIC EMPORIUM review on Werksman Blog)