And Then Nothing Happened is the new album from Bay Area folk-rock band China. Working on the same vintage MCI console from Muscle Shoals that Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, and Cat Stevens used, producer David Glasebrook recorded the band live-in-the-studio to analog tape in order to capture the natural chemistry of the group. The band was encouraged to experiment and use auxiliary instrumentation to bring their new songs to life with distinctive character—‘Bitter Sailor’ paints its refrain with mandolins like some lost sea shanty, ‘Carnations’ is buoyed by a horn section straight outta Memphis, and Side B opens with a psychedelic swirl of sound.
Once again, the collection of songs revolves around the cinematic songwriting that has become the band’s trademark. This time the characters are a bunch of beautiful losers caught in a freeze frame hovering somewhere between mundanity and epiphany like something out of a Raymond Carver story. In the album’s opening track ’Marnie’ the narrator looks back at a love that’s gone but not forgotten, wondering if it’s really all over for good; on the title track ‘And Then Nothing Happened’ the narrator comes to terms with his broken dreams and the reality of a life where there’s nothing left for him after last call.
After each listen, the takeaway slowly sinks in, like a starry eyed revelation on an all night drive. These songs are about all of us, our uncertainty and doubt, our successes and failures, our struggle to find meaning in a world that’s often meaningless. And there’s something beautiful to that, like carnations springing up from a cracked concrete sidewalk or a couple of friends staggering home from the local bar.
Michael James Tapscott-Lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Jeff Moller-Lead vocals on “Last Straw” and “Until Then This is the End”, backing vocals, bass guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, organ, piano, wurlitzer, percussion
Jacob Aranda-Pedal Steel, electric guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
Raphi Gottesman-Drums, percussion
Additional Musicians:
Simon Beins-Trumpet on “Carnations”
David Glasebrook-Backing vocals on “Crossing the Ohio”
and “Carnations”, tape loops on “Satan’s Got A River”, acoustic guitar on “If I Had to Move”
Adrian Michna-Trombone on “Carnations”
Geoff Morris-Saxophone on “Carnations”
Andy Pastalaniec-Honda Motorcycle on “If I Had to Move”
Rob Reich-Accordion on “St Jerome”