Welcome
One thing you should know is that we used to be called 40k, an odd name, but we were fond of it. That was until we found out that there was a popular video game called 40k-Warhammer. Consequently, an Internet search for 40k brought up 10,000 pages about 40k-Warhammer and nothing about us. We were also about to go on tour in Europe, and the game was especially popular over there. Sooo... we changed our name to Ether Frolics and titled the CD 40k, though our first pressing of the disc was self titled 40k. Read on...

DAILY HERALD, Time Out, June 18, 1999
The best local surprise this year is the debut of the sweet but muscular rock quartet the Ether Frolics. This album recalls the lush mood rock of early R.E.M., or at times, like on "The Upright Clerk," the blustery power pop of Big Star and XTC. Slower songs, like the shimmery "Copies" reflects the scruffy ballads of the Replacements. But enough name dropping - you get the picture, right? The most striking thing about this debut is the sleek interplay between guitarists Steve Fransen and Brian Welsh. Their stinging give-and-take is restrained but remains very tuneful. The winning arrangements on "40k" are also densely textured but never overblown. Even when dueling horns surface over the stormy instrumental "Eleven," it's not so much a surprise but another rich element by this engaging new band. - Mark Guarino

ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER JAN.99
BEST OF THE LOCALS IN 1998 - Ben Kim:.:..

1. All Natural: No Additives No Preservatives
2. American Mars: Late
3. Ether Frolics: 40k
4. The Great Crusades: The First Spilled Drink of the Evening
5. Mudkids: 4track Mind
6. Liz Phair: whitechocolatespaceegg
7. Pinetop Seven: Rigging the Toplights
8. Pistol Whipped: Quality Songs For Quality People
9. Schepack: Latchkey Kid
10. Tortoise: TNT

REGLAR WIGLAR #11
40K: What we have here, people, is an EP of hard edged, intelligent pop music made by ... well, musicians. As worthy of radio play as any of the pop/pap your standard Matchbox 20 / Third Eye Blind.brands are producing for the airwaves, but don't forget, there is no justice in the world. - PC Jones.

CINCINNATI CITY BEAT, VOL 5 issue 20
Hailing from Chicago, the quartet 40k (Ether Frolics) have released one of the most endearing, out-of-nowhere releases in recent memory. And out of nowhere is how it hits you, creeping up like a gentle caress and quietly etching its sprawling melodies and chiming jangle into your brain. 40k (Ether Frolics) are masters of subtlety, an all too forgotten attribute lost on too many young bands today. While there is a kinetic energy to the entire record (reminiscent of The Feelies), the majority of the album is beautifully sleepy and mid-tempo, the textured guitars rising and falling like an invigorating deep breath. The melodies cinch the deal, with Steve Fransen's soulful voice (which bears a passing resemblance to the Violent Femmes' Gordon Gano) lending the songs their emotional core. The absolute highlight of the album, "Copies," sums up what's great about 40k, taking a haunted, spindly melody and coupling it with majestic chord changes, spine chilling harmonies and a sublime pre-dawn mistiness. All in all, 40k is one fantastic debut. -Mike Breen

ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER, Around Hear, Oct.98 (review of 4 song mini disc)
On their four song CD, 40k delivers lilting, fluid pop that reveals subtle melodic and rhythmic textures upon repeat listenings. Though the band lists a myriad domestic and UK influences, 40k imparts a New Zealand feel - an impression supported by the unexpected horns on "Eleven." No big choruses here, just the entrancing interplay between guitarists Brian Welsh and James Warden (both of late Stamen; Warden also played with Bundy Brown on the Directions in Music project). A band to watch. - Ben Kim.