I've got another compilation this week. Much like the Isis album, this is hardly a must have but something nice for completists or people jonesing for some Kylesa (it's been a little over two years and counting we've been waiting for a new album). And this isn't just a bunch of old tracks thrown together. Many of these tracks were worked on specifically for this album. Tracks are really culled from all over the place. There are a few unfinished tracks lying around that were completed. There are a couple updated versions of album and 73 songs. The [...]
We're now over two years since Isis has broken up, and they've released this compilation which serves as a nice coda to their catalog. After releasing two disappointing albums (to me at least) they finished up on a very high note with 20092s Wavering Radiant . This three-disc set compiles some odds and ends they had. It's probably something that's for the more diehard fans, but I really enjoy it and would recommend it. The first disc is comprised of demos. Most of them aren't all that different from the album versions. A little rougher but pretty [...]
"Like a lot of people I know it's hard to figure out where to best donate money and resources right now. To this end I've just arranged a benefit concert for my good friend Nick Honachefsky who lost his home and all of his worldly possessions in the storm. I'm hosting a benefit concert at the Saint in Asbury Park, NJ on Sun Nov. 11-"Dean Ween and Friends" featuring Claude Coleman, Glenn McClelland, Chris Harford, Dickie Moist, and the all of the usual suspects to help Nick get back on his feet. The evening will feature new music and old [...]
Primus is in the midst of their 3-D Tour complete with glasses for their visual show and a surround sound audio setup that they are bringing to the venues. It's a pretty cool gimmick. The 3-D looked like there were bubbles and other random things floating around on the stage. It sounded great. Although the few times I've been to the Hammerstein Ballroom always sounded great. And what really matters is that the music was great. They played for about two and a half hours combined, and really pulled out some cool rarely (if ever) played tunes. I've [...]
Undercover Crops is the new EP from Illinois duo Tweak Bird. Granted their full length isn't really that much longer, but I feel the shorted format plays to their strengths a little better. With songs roughly around two minutes, there isn't room for any padding. Songs are lean and don't meander. There's a pretty weird intro song, then six heavy rockers. And I may call the band weird, but it's weird in a not-weird kind of way. What I mean is that there are some pretty different sound effects and the vocals are pretty unique, [...]
Jim Coleman, most known for being a long-term Cop Shoot Cop member as well as JG Thirlwell collaborator in Baby Zizanie, has recently released his first official solo album. His two previous solo efforts that were released as Phylr. Unlike the electronic loops that composed the Phylr albums, Trees is much mellower and consists of pianos, horns, and strings. It clocks in just over an hour, and is very very cool. Any fans of ambient music should check this out.
This five piece band are from San Francisco and were formed in 2008. They promote themselves as a psychedelic alt country rock band,with wide musical influences including The Doors,The Mamas and The Papas,Jefferson Airplane,The Yardbirds and Nirvana,amoung countless others too numerous to list here. They have recently signed with London-based label Smoky Carrot Records,having toured the east and west coast of the USA,and also the mid-west. This is a REAL reborn 1960s hippy band,whose female vocalist Celeste wears red onstage and boasts Native American Indian history.She and the band are classy and laid-back onstage.There are eleven [...]
First off, I want to mention that I'm not all that familiar with black metal. I've got a couple albums and a few friends that are pretty into it, but I haven't really heard enough to understand the variations and nuance from band to band. Anyway, Dutch band Nihill has a new record which was recently sent to me. It's got some pretty crazy and evil stuff on it. A lot of it is comprised of faster thrash influenced tracks although there are some slower moments. The most unique song on the album is Gnosis Pt IV [...]
A conjoining of the twisting synths led sound of maverick electro manipulators Shy Child, with a stammering and a touch worried, post-mod vocal stance adopted by the likes of The Rakes, ‘Jostle’. Breton boldly chooses to kick off with a calypso-esque intro’. It matches the range and mystery of the Thievery Corporation, before the song settles into a mid-tempo groove for a bit. Then vocalist, Roman Rappak uses his versatile vocal range, to steer the track towards a heavier, almost post-rock direction. This is when the electro tinkering gets more and more robust, making for a moody and uncompromising ending. [...]
Socially bolshie, Chicagoan rock builds around a mildly irritating choral hook and a cyclical guitar grind, ‘Who Do You Think You Are’. Danny Stevens’ vocals possess just enough anguish and belief to pull off a simple, retro rock tugging sort of a track. Despite being four albums in this rugged six track EP represents this quintet’s debut as independent, self-releasing artists. ‘You Make Me Sick’, sticks to the formula of repeating the chorus and, doesn’t really change tack me from the previous offering. That said, some eerie nourish ambience and the rugged bass-lines of founder member Joe Lussa, [...]
Just one month ago I was mentioning here that the double album has become antiquated and now here we are again. Another double album. Only this one's a lot better. As opposed to the last, The Seer really earns its double album status. This one's a behemoth. It clocks in at two hours and truly feels like one piece of work. The opening track Lunacy has the uniqueness and build of what could work as an intro track, but also the depth and sustainability that makes it a completely fleshed out song. [...]
Although a double album format is somewhat antiquated, the impetus behind splitting up Yellow & Green is artistic. Both albums clock in at 75 minutes which could fit on one disc, so there is a feeling of two complete albums. Just as there was a big musical leap between their EPs and Red Album , this is very different from Blue Record . Whereas I feel their first two albums play much much better in their entirety, the new material structurally has a lot more of a pop format and can stand on their own [...]
For anyone who doesn't know, the Melvins have gone through many lineup changes throughout the years. And for the most part, I mean bassist changes. The core duo of King Buzzo (guitar) and Dale Crover (drums) have been playing together since their first release in 1986. Their latest incarnation has been releasing albums as a four-piece the last six years. Freak Puke is a change from that paradigm. Over the past few years, Buzz and Dale have played as a two-piece calling themselves "Melvins Lite." Last summer they added jazz bassist Trevor Dunn the mix. [...]
Ryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen flavoured blues rock tainted vocals revolve around a fuzzed up electric guitar grind, ‘Juarez’. This dusky, homage paying to a Mexican town resting on the South Border of the USA, represents Brooklyn trio, We Are Augustine’s continuing commitment to showcase gems from debut album, ‘Rise Ye Sunken Ships’. Gritty, urban life is uncovered through oxymoronic panache: “I [...]
A four year break between your debut and second album is usually more than enough for the often fickle music industry to forget who you are and what you sound like. However, this is not the case when you spend this time collaborating with the likes of Ulver and Grumbling Fur. For his return under the guise of Mothlite, the delving multi-instrumentalist Daniel O’Sullivan, uses the creeping ambient flavour of a combination of Mogwai, Cocteau Twins, Adem and, to a lesser extent Four Tet. He elects open up an explorative 2nd album, through the haunting gospel lagged, ‘Wounded [...]
An atmospheric, tapping percussion led intro’ decorates the restrained, but demonstratively stammered vocals of Conor Adams, ‘Animals’. Roving keys adds instrumental adventure to contrast with the primal lyrics and overall vibe of the rest of the song. Joker card synths keeps the predictability element at the right level, helping to give a notch of mystery to a track that would be limp if done acoustically. This feral Irish quartet does just enough to keep the intrigue ticking over ahead of their tour supporting Blood Red Shoes and, their first “authentic” album release.
I don't really get many John Zorn albums anymore. It's not that I don't like them. I just have A LOT. Way more than I have time to listen to. So I'm a lot more choosey these days. This one struck me as pretty unique. This is a score Zorn composed for a Polish stage version of Nosferatu . The quartet of musicians includes long-time collaborator Bill Laswell. There's quite a bit of diversity throughout this hour of music. It opens with ambient sounds and textures. There are the louder more abrasive songs that Zorn [...]
Glam yelping introduced, retro splashing together of The Byrds and The Kinks rubbed dry by a psychedelic towel, summarises the jangle percussion shoved, inner-spirit releasing, ‘Shadow’. The versatile vocals take on a bluesy nudge to face-off against the pop-rock revolving guitar led instrumentals, ‘You Want It’. It helps this Atlanta quartet make the statement that with this second album, they will explore some of the different angles alternative rock has to offer. A sharing of vocal duties helps Gringo Star to provide a bit of variety in their exploration of rock gone by. [...]
Gospel undercoated, ambient backing is all that accompanies the longing, echoing and slower than normal cry of Barry Hyde to introduce the adventurous a cappella cover of The Sparks’, ‘The No.1 Song in Heaven’. There is a blasé tongue in cheek element that filters into the lofty vocal approach and playful “de dee didlleeee” backing. Whether it is mockery of Sunday morning praising or they are just giving way to their playful side? Whatever it is, it still leaves you questioning the merits in abandoning their signature guitar hook laden approach. The a cappella [...]
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Fauve ≠ - Blizzard [EP en écoute]
