The Orchestra, Sadly, Has Refused

The Brooklyn-based orchestral pop ensemble The Silent League originated as the solo identity of singer/pianist Justin Russo (Mercury Rev, Hopewell, Grand Mal) in the late nineties. While a keyboardist with Mercury Rev in support of the critically acclaimed albums "Deserter's Songs" (which NME called the "#1 Album of the Year" in 1998) and "All Is Dream," Russo was secretly stealing away every available moment to write and record his own fragile, epic, and highly personal statement: "The Orchestra, Sadly, Has Refused."

The resulting debut record by The Silent League -- hailed as a "a masterful blend of sepia-toned chamber pop and sunny-sinister piano balladry" (Bang Magazine), "impressive" and "heavenly" by the Village Voice -- features performances from friends and allies Sam Fogarino (Interpol), Sean "Grasshopper" Mackowiack (Mercury Rev) and Bill Whitten (Grand Mal.