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| ACTIVE: | 2000s - | | FORMED: | 2001년 / 미국,Athens, Georgia | | DEBUT: | 2001년 / Azure Ray | | MEMBERS: | | | STYLE: | | | MANIADB: | | |
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INTRODUCTION
한국에서는 여러 영화 사운드트랙에 곡이 수록되면서 일반 애호가들에게도 본격적으로 인기를 얻기 시작했던 미국 드림팝 듀오 애줘 레이(Azure Ray)는 마리아 테일러(Maria Taylor)와 오렌다 핑크(Orenda Fink)로 구성되어 있다. 이들은 15세 무렵 알라바마 예술대학(Alabama School of Fine Arts)에서 만나는데 둘은 애줘 레이에 앞서 리틀 레드 로켓(Little Red Rocket)이라는 밴드를 결성했다. 팀은 베루카 솔트(Veruca Salt)와 자주 비견되곤 했으며 게펜(Geffen)에서 90년대 중, 후반에 두 장의 음반을 발표하기도 했다.
애줘 레이는 조지아 주에서 시작됐지만 네브라스카에서 활동하면서 씬에서 주목 받았다. 친밀하고 고백적인 가사를 통해, 그리고 조근조근 하면서 적당히 서늘하고 슬픈 사운드를 통해 자국은 물론 전세계의 인디뮤직 팬들에게도 큰 호응을 얻었다. 처음에는 웜(Warm)과 계약하면서 셀프 타이틀 앨범과 두 번째 정규작 [Burn and Shiver]를 발표하는데 이후에는 새들 크릭(Saddle Creek)으로 거처를 옮기면서 대표작 [Hold on Love]와 [November EP]를 공개하면서 화제의 중심에 떠오른다. 미국의 얼트 컨트리와 미니멀한 일렉트로니카를 잘 버무려 냈다는 평가를 받으며 이들의 작업물들은 꾸준한 관심을 불러 일으킨다.
애줘 레이의 두 여성들은 같은 새들 크릭 출신의 밴드 나우 잇츠 오버헤드(Now It's Overhead)의 멤버로도 활동하고 있기도 하며 새들 크릭의 수장인 브라잇 아이즈(Bright Eyes)의 다수의 곡에 참여하기도 했다. 모비(Moby)의 앨범 [18]에서 [Great Escape]라는 곡을 함께 만들었으며 마리아 테일러는 웜 시절의 레이블 메이트인 크룩드 핑거즈(Crooked Fingers)의 앨범에 참여했고, 오레다 핑크의 경우엔 저팬케익스(Japancakes)와 작업하기도 했다.
애줘 레이는 2004년도에 해체를 결정한다. 오레다 핑크가 먼저 팀을 떠났으며 마리아 테일러는 자신의 솔로 작업과 여러 다른 프로젝트에 착수하기 시작했다. 마리아 테일러는 2005년 5월에 자신의 솔로 앨범 [11:11]을 공개했고 뒤이어 오레다 핑크 역시 2005년도 8월에 [Invisible Ones]를 발표하면서 좀 더 개인적인 작업물들에 집중했다. 두 앨범 모두 새들 크릭에서 발매됐으며 마리아의 앨범은 74번째, 그리고 오렌다의 앨범은 75번째 발매된 새들 크릭의 카탈로그로 기록됐다. 마리아 테일러의 솔로 앨범에 수록된 [Song Beneath The Song]은 미드 [그레이 아나토미(Grey's Anatomy)]에 삽입됐으며 오레다 핑크의 솔로 앨범에 수록된 [Blind Asylum]은 역시 외화 시리즈 [The O.C.]에 수록되면서 소소한 관심을 모았다.
애줘 레이의 곡들은 영화 사운드트랙에도 자주 수록되곤 했다. [윈터 패싱(Winter Passing)]과 [숏버스(Shortbus)], [악마는 프라다를 입는다(The Devil Wears Prada)], 그리고 외화 시리즈 [식스 핏 언더(Six Feet Under)]와 같은 곳에 줄줄이 삽입되면서 더욱 내밀한 감성을 덧입히는 도구로 사용되곤 했다. [Hold on Love] 앨범에 수록된 [Across the Ocean]의 경우엔 한국에서 폭풍과도 같은 인기몰이를 했던 [커피 프린스 1호점]에 수록되면서 한국의 일반 음악 팬들에게도 친숙하게 다가가는 계기가 됐다.
Orenda Fink
오렌다 핑크는 아이티섬에서 경험한 영적인 체험을 바탕으로 첫번째 앨범을 만들었는데, 그녀가 만들어낸 몇몇 트랙들에서는 아이티 포크의 냄새가 풍기기도 한다는 평가를 얻기도 했다. 페인트(The Faint)의 멤버인 토드 핑크(Todd Fink)와 결혼했으며 2006년에는 새들 크릭의 다른 친구들과 함께 아트 인 마닐라(Art in Manila)라는 밴드를 결성하기도 했다. 그리고 이들의 데뷔 앨범 [Set the Woods on Fire]은 2007년 8월에 공개되기에 이른다. 굿 라이프(The Good Life)와 네바 디노바(Neva Dinova)의 뮤직비디오에 출연했으며 서브 팝 출신의 일렉티드(The Elected)의 앨범 [Me First]에서는 백업 보컬로 참여하기도 했다. 2009년 10월에도 [Ask the Night]이라는 제목의 솔로 앨범 또한 발표한 바 있다.
Maria Taylor
마리아 테일러의 경우에는 기타의 맨 위에 있는 6번 줄(E 코드)을 제거하고 연주하는 것으로도 잘 알려져 있다. 2007년에는 두 번째 솔로 앨범 [Lynn Teeter Flower]를 발표하는데 역시 [No Stars]와 같은 노래들이 미드 [원 트리 힐(One Tree Hill)]에 수록되기도 하면서 꾸준한 리퀘스트를 받는다. 2009년 3월, 넷베르크(Nettwerk)로 이적한 이후 [LadyLuck]이라는 제목의 새 앨범을 발표한다. 특히 앨범의 마지막 트랙인 [Cartoons and Forever Plans]는 R.E.M.의 마이클 스타이프(Michael Stipe)가 함께하기도 했다.
Re-Union
2008년 11월 30일, 로스 앤젤리스에서 단 한번의 재결성 공연을 성황리에 마쳤다. 그들의 EP 제목이기도 한 [November EP]에 걸맞게 11월의 마지막 날에 공연일정을 잡아놓았다. 나우 잇츠 오버헤드의 앤디 리매스터(Andy LeMaster)와 틸리 앤 더 월(Tilly and the Wall)의 닉 화이트(Nick White) 또한 함께했다. 그리고 2009년, 마리아 테일러가 KCRW의 프로그램 [Morning Becomes Eclectic]에서 밴드가 재결성 했으며, 자신들의 개별활동과 마찬가지로 팀 또한 영원히 지속될 것이라고 언급했다. 솔로 활동에 갈증을 느꼈던 애줘 레이의 팬들에겐 무척 반가운 뉴스였을 것이다. 굳이 이것을 요즘 유행하는 재결성 트렌드에 끼워맞출 생각은 없지만 솔로 활동을 했던 과거 아티스트들이 특히나 요즘들어 유난히 다시금 재결합해 투어를 돌고 앨범도 만드는 광경을 자주 목격하게 되는 것 같다. ....  .... 
MAJOR SONGS
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3:15 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
You held my hand
Led me to the water
You pushed me in
I went under
They were your firm hands
That made me falter
You held my hand
Led me to the altar
You wept for me
Lord, absolve her
They were your weak hands
That made me stronger
You held my hand
Led me homeward
I looked for you
You were nowhere
Holding tight my hand
Was my own
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5:21 |
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from Azure Ray - Azure Ray (2001)
Today i'll crawl out of bed
I can't stand your shadow is too heavy to lift
Maybe we'll go for a ride
You said you'd take me nowhere
I said that suits me just fine
I know you've always been near
Whispering secrets
i know i'm not supposed to hear
Hold your heart with two hands
Give it to me only to disappear
Look how low i've sunk
Don't ask me to rise
I'll only lose you when i'm high
All alone in the dark
Love survives only when we are apart
Your voice still sounds in my ears
Soft explosions that blossom
with the beat of my heart
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3:39 |
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from Azure Ray - Hold On Love (2007)
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4:14 |
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from Azure Ray - Azure Ray (2001)
We met on that wednesday night
I was down but you were so bright
I remember that wednesday night so well
We played guitar all those afternoons
Heard records on the floor of your room
I knew that i would fall in love with you
When you told me my surprise
I looked and asked you why did you tell me now
We were sitting in the chair
You whispered in my ear
Let's go home now
I'm thinking of the 4th of july
Holding hands looking up at the sky
I remember the 4th of july so well
I know that you're always with me
I feel the strength you're giving me
I know this love will never die
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from Azure Ray - Hold On Love (2007)
It's all in the eyes
The reckless way we dream to die
Our past is our future
The present lies
Somewhere between our hearts and minds
For those with no future
We'll touch hands on the street
Smile and keep moving on towards the heat
So keep this a secret our lot in life
They are elephants we are mice
We'll walk this earth somnambulant kin
With broken hearts that cannot mend
Losers first and second men
We'll do our best to blend in
You could reach out for my hand and i yours
Deliver water to soothe the burn
We'll drink our tears and thirst for more
It's our lot in life
They are elephants we are mice
So keep this a secret
Keep this a secret
We are mice
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2:39 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
you said to write you a song
so here this is for you
so as you toss through those lonely nights
just know there's someone thinking of you
everyone's waiting for the timing to be right
and we hope it's coming soon
so just rest your eyes and we'll be in love again
oooo ooooo oooo oo
we talked and the moon was bright
your words were glowing as they drifted out of sight
and now the change of season sets in
nothing nothing feels just right
we fear these nights and then we compromise
and the morning always comes
so just rest your eyes and we'll be in love
oooooo oooooo ooooo ooooo
so just rest your eyes and then we'll be in love
just rest your eyes and then we'll be in love again
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4:10 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
Still, I think of you baby
And how I grew old with you then
In the summer
You'll go maybe
And act as if we were old friends
You'd say, "How are you, baby?"
I'd say, "It's raining in Athens"
It's raining in Athens
And to this day I miss the fever
That spoiled my poor heart
And I've mastered
The art of dealing
Slipping away
Without falling apart
So in the summer
You'll call maybe
And ask how I've been
I can be honest
And answer plainly
"Since November it's been raining."
It's raining in Athens
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2:46 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
we exchanged words
through smoke-filled mouths.
and then we found our bodies
speaking loud
and our hearts rest against the flesh
trading stories of loves
pain, doubt, and rivaling insecurities
when did we learn to speak without works
and in tongues
maybe we should just stop here
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1:42 |
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from Azure Ray - Drawing Down the Moon (2010)
Baby
Now I can tell you my secret
Don't turn around you might miss it
Graceful and proud like a sunset
Baby
I'm scared to let go if you're leaving
All that we see isn't bleeding
Hard to believe it was worth it
Baby
You took my heart I was sleeping
Now I don't know I was losing
I didn't make reminiscing
Wake up
Wake up
This is only a dream
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4:57 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
With the brushing of our shoulders
I lived a life with you
We had a son or daughter who had my eyes
And your laughter echoed after you
All of this in a brief stare
A fleeting glimpse of happiness shared
That made our bodies burn and shiver
As we passed each other unaware
I am not to think of your face, of your name
For when i do, you are there
Lying next to another
I can only wonder
Lesse mon cour vous abondonne
Depuis je suis encore jeune
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2:40 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
i'm saving all i'm not giving
but it's overflowing evaporating in the air
as i'm walking and no i'm not breathing
i'm not breathing only air
cuz it's filled with words once spoken
by people everywhere
and i can hear all the whispers
that have lived a thousand years
it just took me being open
for them to reach my eager ears
now they've reached my eager ears
and i hope i'll be ready when my life
when my life divides
when my life divides
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3:16 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
I never expected you to love me the way I loved you
I never expected you to love me the way I loved you
To have you near was all I wanted to just to have you near
It's funny how you can forget there's a world outside yourself
Or the trees keep growing and the cars keep moving without you there
It's funny how you can forget how there's a world outside yourself
Or the one who loves you keeps on living without you there
I never expected you to love me the way I love you
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4:14 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
And you tread on the water,
when you know you can touch the bottom now.
It's the southern way, said your mother,
"Stay in shallow, shallow water, don't touch the ground."
But then a slithering, sliding form,
catches you before you reach the shore.
And as he strikes full of venom, you reach out towards the trouble.
You've got him now, but how.
And you thrust him to the sky.
Arms raised high you make a Y.
There is no fear, there is no pain inside,
as you twist and ride.
This is how you remember yourself;
This is how you remember yourself.
Arms raised high, needing no help,
this is how you remember yourself.
And you know you can't keep this steady goes,
must release him somehow.
As you loosen your hold, find you felt it is all over now,
his body lifeless and cold, you throw him down.
And you raise your arms up to the sky
Raised high you make a Y.
There is no fear, there is no pain inside,
as the sun still shines, on these drying eyes.
This is how you remember yourself.
This is how you remember yourself.
Arms raised to heaven, needing no help,
this is how you remember yourself.
Oooo (x3)
This is how you remember yourself. (x8)
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3:13 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
Just an hour and we'll be home
With my family that i chose
You're my family
And on the pavement still gripping the phone
You came and wrapped your arms around my soul
And we were shaking and you're so much a part of me
And so this is why i'm here
When we called you
You came so fast
And sat beside me while hours and days past
I'll always thank you for that
And there you were
With your heart made of gold
So strong, the only thing holding us up
And we knew you would always be so close
And so this is why i'm here
And then there was you
You always made us laugh
And you would help us to find the right path
And there is no one as full of life
And so this is why i'm here
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3:35 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
Seven Days of low worth
Keep me hovering above the ground
The nights just blend into the morning
Definition is the first to go down
If I were to stay here between us
I might forget where I'm bound
So I can't stay in between us
Guess I'll walk away
I'm here to read the future
But forced to breathe out the past
And too many conversations
To uncover what was purposefully lost
I know we all look so desperate
Showing the guidance that we lack
And we used to be so wistful
I guess we feel it's safer holding back
If I were to stay here between us
I might forget where I'm bound
So I can't stay in between us
Guess I'll walk away
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3:44 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
We pried open my window
And let the summer rush in
And we laughed with the new air
Now i lay and watch the green leaves
Dance and whisper sweet breath
A promise of a new year
Ooooh
On this day
Ooooh
On this day
We were born into the new year
And after the winter broke
We held hands and we ran
And we agreed that it had been a long one
Ooooh
On this day
Ooooh
On this day
We were born into the new year
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3:44 |
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from Azure Ray - Burn And Shiver (2003)
So it's grey, well so are my favorite cities
And we have, we have all the time in the world here
We'll just stay tucked in the shade and our eyes they can't be blinded
We'll just stay tucked in the shade
So it's grey, well so are my favorite cities
And the sky on such a memorable night
And we have, we have all the time in the world here
That's a lie, that's a lie...
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from Azure Ray - The Drinks We Drank Last Night [single] (2005)
It's all in the eyes
The reckless way we dream to die
Our past is our future
The present lies
Somewhere between our hearts and minds
For those with no future
We'll touch hands on the street
Smile and keep moving on towards the heat
So keep this a secret our lot in life
They are elephants we are mice
We'll walk this earth somnambulant kin
With broken hearts that cannot mend
Losers first and second men
We'll do our best to blend in
You could reach out for my hand and i yours
Deliver water to soothe the burn
We'll drink our tears and thirst for more
It's our lot in life
They are elephants we are mice
So keep this a secret
Keep this a secret
We are mice
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from Azure Ray - The Drinks We Drank Last Night [single] (2005)
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3:39 |
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from Azure Ray - Drawing Down the Moon (2010)
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