This week, two singles, two albums, a remix set, and a compilation all fill out a week of listening pleasure.
New Releases:
Inure - The Offering
Label: Metropolis Records
Released: 2/28 2012
Genre: Industrial Rock
This is good, solid music. It sounds industrial, but that's really just the veneer on top of some straight up really good rock and roll. This should be getting all kinds of radio play (I hope it is, at least). None of the songs drag on, all are a good length, without the droning on and on you get from some industrial acts. There's not much else to say beyond the fact that I really dig this album, it's a solid piece of work that'll hang around and be listened to quite a bit.
Recently Released:
Inure - This Is The Life
Label: Metropolis Records
Released: 2012
Genre: Industrial Rock
The seven track single is all remixes, five are the title track, two are other tracks (This Death from the album, and Le Petit Mort, which is the same track with a clever name and another remix).The remixes vary from rave-style club cuts, to the now almost common dubstep version. If you like collecting remixes (which I admit I do to some extent), or are a huge fan of the band, the remix single is worth it. Otherwise, there's no exclusive material or non-album tracks that make this anything special.
Bassnectar - Amorphous Music Mixtape Volume 7
Label: Amorphous
Released: January 2012
Genre: Dubstep, House
This is a free remix set from Bassnectar, about 30 minutes long, it's almost a full set. It pulls from the 90s up through the 00s, grabbing samples from Beastie Boys, P!nk, and others that anyone who spent any time on the dance floor in the last 25 years should recognize. Mixed fluidly with a lot of dubstep wubbing behind it, house beats, and electro styling. The diversity is kept up, changing out frequently enough to prevent you from getting bored with the mix, though not so often you feel like someone's just flipping through channels. If you like Bassnectar (and you should) then go find this and give a listen.
Adding To The Collection
Fortran 5 - Love Baby / Crazy Earth
Label: Mute Records / Elektra
Released: 1990
Genre: EBM, Synthpop
An old single from a early 90s project. Fortran 5 varied from a synthpop kind of sound to very weird experimental EBM. This falls deeply in the dance-EBM synthpop side of things. And it's an EP single with a few remixes. There were a couple versions of the Love Baby single released, this one comes with b-sides of Crazy Earth. There are only 5 tracks making this a mercifully short EP, two remixes of Love Baby, two remixes of Crazy Earth, and one remix of Midnight Trip. All three songs are catchy dance tunes the would slot well into any retro 90s dance list. They aren't timeless tracks, showing a simplistic early 90s techno style - lots of beeps and blips. Good for Fortran 5 fans, nothing spectacular otherwise.
Nekta - Water The Flowers
Label: InfraCOM!
Released: 2006
Genre: Electroswing, Future Jazz
Nekta is one of the bands I picked out of the many on the Electroswing compilations I've got. They're a German based duo and open up to a lot of future jazz and electroswing sounds, not limiting to just the upbeat swing. A lot of the album is heavily jazz laden, though some of it is still the jump style swing you can really dance to. All of it is excellent, a music styling the US desperately needs to start listening to. A little hard to get in the US, or at least moderately expensive, but completely worth it. A breath a fresh style, good music, retro sound, and modern styling.
Cyanotic Presents Gears Gone Wild: Spring Break
Label: Bitriot Records
Released: 2010
Genre: Industrial, Industrial Rock, EBM
This is infinitely better than the regular Gears Gone Wild compilation. The flow is consistent through the remix collection, all of which are done by Cyanotic himself. It's pretty much a complete collection of solid dance floor beats and rhythms. Interesting if you're a big fan of collection remixes, remix collections, or just want some more club songs to drop into your collection. After that, it's just another industrial compilation, without too much to really set it apart.
Next Week:
The Boss, Motörhead, Tom Waits, a couple of compilations, and an EP I picked up at random...
Showing posts with label electroswing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electroswing. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Week Of 2/14 - Blues, Electroswing, Soft Rock, Industrial, Moombahton
This week's new release is all the way from Germany, an acoustic collection with bonus live content, some blues, and a couple compilations. I got a lot of music added in this week, so, on with the show. This week I'm starting up something new - linking directly to a Discogs page with the album in question (where possible, often the bonus tracks aren't officially eligible for the database) so one can see album covers, and other info.
New Releases:
Eisbrecher - Die Hölle Muss Warten
Label: Metropolis Records
Released: 2/14 2012
Genre: Industrial, Industrial Rock, Neue Deutsche Härte
Discogs - Die Hölle Muss Warten US release
For the last couple of years Metropolis has been bringing Eisbrecher's albums over to the US, which is good. One of the many German industrial rock bands that Americans will immediately recognize as the same style of Rammstein. And as much as I like Rammstein they're on the bottom of the pile of bands in this arena. Eisbrecher is very much near the top, formed when one of the members of Megaherz left that band. They aren't as outright heavy and hard as others, which is part of what I like. The oscillate between a crunchy metal sound and a darkwave dance sound. The latest, Hell Must Wait, is no exception, opening with Tanz Mit Mir (there may be a rule about all German bands having to title a song this at some point), it delivers a few heavy punches before calming down and settling into a nice groove. Every album they put out just keeps getting better (though I missed one and have to go back and pick it up).
Recently Released:
Free Dominguez - Unearth (plus bonus Live tracks)
Label: self released
Released: February 2012
Genre: Soft Rock, Rock
Discogs - Unearth
Free Dominguez is the lead singer of Kidneythieves, an industrial/hard rock/darkwave duo. Her solo material is of a decidedly different bent. Soft rock music, most of it just guitar and her singing. Free's voice is easy, flows nicely. She doesn't croon, shout, or attempt to make lighter music sound heavier. It's all very good, very relaxing, very smooth. Most of the tracks on this release are from her previous solo effort, but there's also some newer recordings, and one song specifically for this release. The music spans a great deal of time, and subject matter, but it's all very consistent, very strong.
The live set is available as part of a special order of the album, a three part Acoustic Live set from NYC, on December 29, 2011. It's only available digitally from her website and as part of a package with Unearth. You can hear that it's a rather small intimate setting, and a good clean recording. It's hard to tell if it's from the soundboard and the audience can be heard through the mic, or if it's recorded separately. There's no actual track listing, but she's clear enough you should be able to pick out the songs easily. Very much worth the extra few dollars over buying the CD alone.
Moombah-Thong The New Wave Vol. 2
Label: none (moombah-thong.tubmlr.com)
Released: February 2012
Genre: Moombahton
Moombah! Bass! stripped out of a lot of mid-range noise, not even bothering with breaks and drops sometimes, slowed down house music, often with Latin pieces generously laid over it. Moombahton is one of those extremely dancey genres that can easily make a club night out that much more. Not nearly as fast as the normal pop-dance, industrial, and other club cuts, Moombahton still comes hard and low, and this compilation put out by a bunch of producers is no exception (don't visit their tumblr at work, it's NSFW due to posts always coming with a pantie, or thong, shot. Very clever). The compilation flows extremely well, each song fits next to the other perfectly, a real DJ got a hold of this, not just any old producer. You could put this on and not even worry about it for an hour.
Adding To The Collection:
Joe Bonamassa - The Ballad Of John Henry
Label: J+R Adventures
Released: 2009
Genre: Blues, Blues-Rock
Discogs - The Ballad Of John Henry US release
The Ballad Of John Henry is pretty much an American standard classic song, or tale rather. Because there are literally dozens of variations on it. Most of them retell the folk story of John Henry vs the steam hammer. But not all, like the opening track here, which is about a man who doesn't want to end up the same as John, dying by the hammer. After that the album rolls on into Bonamassa's solid blues style. Heavily guitar driven, with Joe's unique voice over it. He even does a solid cover of Tom Waits' Jockey Full Of Bourbon. Fun fact on Waits songs: even when the song is a completely unique cover, you can hear Wait's cadence behind it, Joe does a good job of not mangling this. An excellent album, good, loud blues rock. If you're a fan of the Black Keys, you'll want to be a fan of Joe too.
Electroswing III
Label: Wagram Records
Released: 2010
Genre: Electroswing
Discogs - Electroswing III
In the US it's just easier to get the compilations, and usually a little cheaper too. This is the fourth compilation of the genre I've picked up, the last of the big ones currently out, and the third in this series. This one, unlike the first two, is much more coherent. The songs fit together better. Instead of simply a collection of tracks taken almost at random, someone took a moment to make this compilation flow. And it's got some really really good tracks on it to. The now obligatory Caravan Palace ends the album. Movits! makes an appearance, as does Tape Five (twice!) - both standards on the scene. But a few new names popped up that had me checking around for decently priced imports. In-Grid who is a French pop-star that apparently decided to go full swing for at least one album. Dirty Honkers, a three piece based out of Berlin (but from Israel, Canada, and France). So, with a bunch of compilations under my belt, now it's time to dig around and see if I can't get this stuff in the US...
Next Week:
A bunch of digital EPs I've had hanging around my hard drive looking lost and wanting into the playlist, more blues, some psychobilly, and rumba from the Congo, and some Synth-Pop out of Canada.
New Releases:
Eisbrecher - Die Hölle Muss Warten
Label: Metropolis Records
Released: 2/14 2012
Genre: Industrial, Industrial Rock, Neue Deutsche Härte
Discogs - Die Hölle Muss Warten US release
For the last couple of years Metropolis has been bringing Eisbrecher's albums over to the US, which is good. One of the many German industrial rock bands that Americans will immediately recognize as the same style of Rammstein. And as much as I like Rammstein they're on the bottom of the pile of bands in this arena. Eisbrecher is very much near the top, formed when one of the members of Megaherz left that band. They aren't as outright heavy and hard as others, which is part of what I like. The oscillate between a crunchy metal sound and a darkwave dance sound. The latest, Hell Must Wait, is no exception, opening with Tanz Mit Mir (there may be a rule about all German bands having to title a song this at some point), it delivers a few heavy punches before calming down and settling into a nice groove. Every album they put out just keeps getting better (though I missed one and have to go back and pick it up).
Recently Released:
Free Dominguez - Unearth (plus bonus Live tracks)
Label: self released
Released: February 2012
Genre: Soft Rock, Rock
Discogs - Unearth
Free Dominguez is the lead singer of Kidneythieves, an industrial/hard rock/darkwave duo. Her solo material is of a decidedly different bent. Soft rock music, most of it just guitar and her singing. Free's voice is easy, flows nicely. She doesn't croon, shout, or attempt to make lighter music sound heavier. It's all very good, very relaxing, very smooth. Most of the tracks on this release are from her previous solo effort, but there's also some newer recordings, and one song specifically for this release. The music spans a great deal of time, and subject matter, but it's all very consistent, very strong.
The live set is available as part of a special order of the album, a three part Acoustic Live set from NYC, on December 29, 2011. It's only available digitally from her website and as part of a package with Unearth. You can hear that it's a rather small intimate setting, and a good clean recording. It's hard to tell if it's from the soundboard and the audience can be heard through the mic, or if it's recorded separately. There's no actual track listing, but she's clear enough you should be able to pick out the songs easily. Very much worth the extra few dollars over buying the CD alone.
Moombah-Thong The New Wave Vol. 2
Label: none (moombah-thong.tubmlr.com)
Released: February 2012
Genre: Moombahton
Moombah! Bass! stripped out of a lot of mid-range noise, not even bothering with breaks and drops sometimes, slowed down house music, often with Latin pieces generously laid over it. Moombahton is one of those extremely dancey genres that can easily make a club night out that much more. Not nearly as fast as the normal pop-dance, industrial, and other club cuts, Moombahton still comes hard and low, and this compilation put out by a bunch of producers is no exception (don't visit their tumblr at work, it's NSFW due to posts always coming with a pantie, or thong, shot. Very clever). The compilation flows extremely well, each song fits next to the other perfectly, a real DJ got a hold of this, not just any old producer. You could put this on and not even worry about it for an hour.
Adding To The Collection:
Joe Bonamassa - The Ballad Of John Henry
Label: J+R Adventures
Released: 2009
Genre: Blues, Blues-Rock
Discogs - The Ballad Of John Henry US release
The Ballad Of John Henry is pretty much an American standard classic song, or tale rather. Because there are literally dozens of variations on it. Most of them retell the folk story of John Henry vs the steam hammer. But not all, like the opening track here, which is about a man who doesn't want to end up the same as John, dying by the hammer. After that the album rolls on into Bonamassa's solid blues style. Heavily guitar driven, with Joe's unique voice over it. He even does a solid cover of Tom Waits' Jockey Full Of Bourbon. Fun fact on Waits songs: even when the song is a completely unique cover, you can hear Wait's cadence behind it, Joe does a good job of not mangling this. An excellent album, good, loud blues rock. If you're a fan of the Black Keys, you'll want to be a fan of Joe too.
Electroswing III
Label: Wagram Records
Released: 2010
Genre: Electroswing
Discogs - Electroswing III
In the US it's just easier to get the compilations, and usually a little cheaper too. This is the fourth compilation of the genre I've picked up, the last of the big ones currently out, and the third in this series. This one, unlike the first two, is much more coherent. The songs fit together better. Instead of simply a collection of tracks taken almost at random, someone took a moment to make this compilation flow. And it's got some really really good tracks on it to. The now obligatory Caravan Palace ends the album. Movits! makes an appearance, as does Tape Five (twice!) - both standards on the scene. But a few new names popped up that had me checking around for decently priced imports. In-Grid who is a French pop-star that apparently decided to go full swing for at least one album. Dirty Honkers, a three piece based out of Berlin (but from Israel, Canada, and France). So, with a bunch of compilations under my belt, now it's time to dig around and see if I can't get this stuff in the US...
Next Week:
A bunch of digital EPs I've had hanging around my hard drive looking lost and wanting into the playlist, more blues, some psychobilly, and rumba from the Congo, and some Synth-Pop out of Canada.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Week of 8/30 Industrial, Dubstep, Klezmer, Electroswing, Ambient
Crawled all over the spectrum this week, good diverse set. A last minute addition of an Electroswing compilation, a Klezmer compilation, took a shot at Skrillex's EP, and a Combichrist album from a couple years back. But, again this week, nothing new at all. Really slow month for new stuff in August. September is going to more than make up for that....
Adding To The Collection:
Marc Broude - Medecine
Labek: No Zen Records
Released: 2011
Genre: Ambient
This gem, I picked up along the way when the artist contacted me. My last release from this artist was effectively death metal. This, not so much. Dark ambient, moody. Good headphone music here, as there's some complex things going on with it. But, honestly, nothing extra-ordinary. There isn't quite the depth I'm used to with this kind of headphone ambiance, it almost reaches the likes of Controlled Bleeding's ambient offerings. But falls just ever so slightly short. Less complexity is only part of it, there's a certain emptiness behind it, like you're only catching part of what it wants to be. All that aside, though, it's a good background album, something a little darker than your average ambient offerings, less tinkling bells and more dark atmosphere.
Combichrist - Today We Are All Demons
Label: Out Of Line
Released: 2009
Genre: Industrial/EBM
I don't make a great distinction between Industrial and EBM personally (I'm sure someone out there is annoyed with me...) - but then I don't make a lot of genre distinctions sometimes. This actuallly falls closer to the EBM side of things, but it's got enough heavy bits to be good Industrial. I picked up the bonus 2-CD version of the German release. The second disc is another 8 tracks of songs, some of which seem like incomplete tracks or demos. Honestly, the second disc turns a great club album into something less, not really adding much onto the package. The album itself, though, is excellent. The first six songs alone are beyond awesome, truly pounding anthems for any dance floor. After that things go hit or miss, the EBM roots showing through heavily. Pick up the single disc release of this one.
Skrillex - Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites
Label: Big Beat / Atlantic
Released: 2010
Genre: Dubstep
Like any good pure-dance music this is mostly breaks, beats and bass. Though for an EP is contains seven tracks and only three remixes, which is a good hefty bit of new music for a non-album. The first track is a really good song for a dance mix, has everything you need from the build up intro to a good outro (not faded thankfully). After that the album is a bit generic, nothing really stands out above what's out there. But it does move, and moves well. Good to have around to fill out the set, or night, just to keep things bouncing right along without pausing. It's priced like an EP, which makes it a definite grab.
Electroswing II
Label: Wagram
Released: 2009
Genre: Eletroswing
All the electroswing is still in Europe, and all the best stuff is still put out by French label Wagram. Which makes it a good buy to pick up these compilations if you're in the US. This goes a little more diverse than most compilations on the genre, pulling in some rock influence, some hip-hop influence, a little house appears, and the always present stand-by bands, Nekta, Caravan Palace and Lyre Le Temps. Everything here is good, everything is so completely listenable. Electroswing is all fun, all the time. It's a genre you need to a grab a partner to and just move on the dance floor. It's impossible not to, and this compilation delivers in spades.
Rough Guide To Klezmer
Label: World Music Network
Released: 2000
Genre: Klezmer
Klezmer is a uniquely Jewish style of music, most usually seen at weddings. This Rough Guide goes from the European origins to the US Revival of the genre. Grabbing traditional songs and new ones from recent groups. A lot of Klezmer, to me, would fi right in with a barn-dance set. It has the same kick-up-your-heels dance feel, and good time all around style to it. Other than that, unless you need a disc to keep on hand for a Jewish wedding, this is mostly a really interesting look at another culture. Not an album you put on to listen to just because.
Next week will be a Hank III fest as he releases three new albums all at once. I'll find something else to throw in the mix to balance all that out though....
Adding To The Collection:
Marc Broude - Medecine
Labek: No Zen Records
Released: 2011
Genre: Ambient
This gem, I picked up along the way when the artist contacted me. My last release from this artist was effectively death metal. This, not so much. Dark ambient, moody. Good headphone music here, as there's some complex things going on with it. But, honestly, nothing extra-ordinary. There isn't quite the depth I'm used to with this kind of headphone ambiance, it almost reaches the likes of Controlled Bleeding's ambient offerings. But falls just ever so slightly short. Less complexity is only part of it, there's a certain emptiness behind it, like you're only catching part of what it wants to be. All that aside, though, it's a good background album, something a little darker than your average ambient offerings, less tinkling bells and more dark atmosphere.
Combichrist - Today We Are All Demons
Label: Out Of Line
Released: 2009
Genre: Industrial/EBM
I don't make a great distinction between Industrial and EBM personally (I'm sure someone out there is annoyed with me...) - but then I don't make a lot of genre distinctions sometimes. This actuallly falls closer to the EBM side of things, but it's got enough heavy bits to be good Industrial. I picked up the bonus 2-CD version of the German release. The second disc is another 8 tracks of songs, some of which seem like incomplete tracks or demos. Honestly, the second disc turns a great club album into something less, not really adding much onto the package. The album itself, though, is excellent. The first six songs alone are beyond awesome, truly pounding anthems for any dance floor. After that things go hit or miss, the EBM roots showing through heavily. Pick up the single disc release of this one.
Skrillex - Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites
Label: Big Beat / Atlantic
Released: 2010
Genre: Dubstep
Like any good pure-dance music this is mostly breaks, beats and bass. Though for an EP is contains seven tracks and only three remixes, which is a good hefty bit of new music for a non-album. The first track is a really good song for a dance mix, has everything you need from the build up intro to a good outro (not faded thankfully). After that the album is a bit generic, nothing really stands out above what's out there. But it does move, and moves well. Good to have around to fill out the set, or night, just to keep things bouncing right along without pausing. It's priced like an EP, which makes it a definite grab.
Electroswing II
Label: Wagram
Released: 2009
Genre: Eletroswing
All the electroswing is still in Europe, and all the best stuff is still put out by French label Wagram. Which makes it a good buy to pick up these compilations if you're in the US. This goes a little more diverse than most compilations on the genre, pulling in some rock influence, some hip-hop influence, a little house appears, and the always present stand-by bands, Nekta, Caravan Palace and Lyre Le Temps. Everything here is good, everything is so completely listenable. Electroswing is all fun, all the time. It's a genre you need to a grab a partner to and just move on the dance floor. It's impossible not to, and this compilation delivers in spades.
Rough Guide To Klezmer
Label: World Music Network
Released: 2000
Genre: Klezmer
Klezmer is a uniquely Jewish style of music, most usually seen at weddings. This Rough Guide goes from the European origins to the US Revival of the genre. Grabbing traditional songs and new ones from recent groups. A lot of Klezmer, to me, would fi right in with a barn-dance set. It has the same kick-up-your-heels dance feel, and good time all around style to it. Other than that, unless you need a disc to keep on hand for a Jewish wedding, this is mostly a really interesting look at another culture. Not an album you put on to listen to just because.
Next week will be a Hank III fest as he releases three new albums all at once. I'll find something else to throw in the mix to balance all that out though....
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Week Of 6/21 - Psychobilly, Blues, Pop-Techno, Electroswing
This week I loaded a 4-disc compilation, unintentionally ended up with two new releases instead of one, and threw down with some Hank 3rd. Pyschobilly is effectively the mash of Punk Rock with Country - and you can't go wrong with that, I've been sitting on Hank Williams III latest since it came out in May, only took me a month to load it up and really listen. I had intended to only buy one new release (based on some reviews no less) but while I was in the record store found myself browsing just so I could hear what they had playing in the overhead - bit of a sign that was. So I bought Dave Alvin's latest after sticking around for the first five tracks. Totally worth it. And then there's the 4-Disc box set, I didn't listen through it as many times as I'd have liked though, but it is 4 hours of music...
New Releases:
Dave Alvin - Eleven Eleven
Label: Yep Roc Records
Release: 6/21 2011
Genre: Blues, Americana
Dave Alvin is credited with helping to start up, Roots Americana. This album, though, is a pretty solid Blues album. In both music and feel. The slow opener 'Harlan County Line' is a basic lost-love song, and very catching. It speeds right up with 'Johnny Ace Is Dead', slows down for a few tracks, and rides through on a bit of a downtempo style to the end. Several tracks are of the more Americana style than straight Blues, the two that stick out the most are 'Gary, Indiana 1959' - a classic blue-collar hard luck story - and 'Two Lucky Bums' - a great upbeat tale of life being good despite some hard luck. As a bonus, there's an included download card for an extra bonus track that should have made the album itself. This is a great album, a worthy addition to modern Blues music.
The Japanese Popstars - Controlling Your Allegiance
Label: Astralwerks
Release: 6/21 2011
Genre: pop-techno, dance
I picked this up because several places pulled the nostalgia card and compared it to mid to late 90s records from Chemical Brothers, Juno Reactor, Crystal Method and their compatriots. Being a fan of that, I took a chance. Well - they lied. It misses in both feel and overall cohesiveness. One of the big things the really big names in Electronica did, and did well, were put together solidly cohesive albums. If you're going to compare something to Crytal Method's "Vegas" or (Gods help you) Juno Reactor's "Beyond The Infinite" it better step up. This, does not. It's not a bad album by any means - it's decent pop-techno you could toss onto the dance floor. But it's not great, and it's not cohesive. It's solid middle of the road listening here. A couple tracks really stand out though, the opener 'Let Go' is a really good kicker, and 'Destroy' really does capture the late 90s Electronica sound. 'Falcon Punch' almost makes it, but needed more solid surrounding tracks. Overall, it's good, and definitely listenable. But there's better out there.
Adding To The Collection:
Hank Williams III - Hillbilly Joker
Label: Sidewalk Records
Released: 5/17 2011
Genre: Psychobilly
I've always been a fan of Hank Williams, and Jr. And Now the III has caught my attention. I'd always held him out there, not disliking him, but not really interested enough to start collecting. But I caught a listen of part of this album and knew this was the place to start if you want so really cranked up country-rock. Psychobilly appeals to the punk rocker in me, in a big way. And this album feels like a great punk album, just a very country one. It just rips through things, short and sweet, and doesn't stop until the outro (which, could have been dropped - a minute of squealing pigs and that one line from Deliverance... bad choice). It's about 30 minutes of pure speed. I recommend it.
Electro Swing Fever
Label: Wagran Music
Released: 2010
Genre: Electroswing
This 4-Disc set is a massive collection, compromised of tracks from the labels "Electro Swing" series and a few other tracks. Each disc is 15 tracks, giving about 4 hours of nonstop swinging club bounce. You really could just throw it on for the night and not worry about the music for a while. Nothing in this genre slows down below Dancing. Some of the best stand outs are Nekta (you bet I'll be going to find their releases), two Rum & Coca Cola mixes made it on (I just like that song a lot), Funky DL adds a song "1947" which is heavily hip-hop influenced without losing the swing beat, and Rube & Dusty added "Big Band Jump" which is half electroswing half dubstep and all bounce. And there's more, lots of tracks in here, sixty of them! Yep, compilations are good for finding new bands, and this one is awesome.
Short this week, mostly due to that 4-disc monster, because I really try and give everything 2-4 listens through before forming opinions on it (though I only made it through the compilation twice.. but it made an impression). And that's the week in sound. On Tuesday Theivery Corporation releases a new album, and I can't wait for that.
New Releases:
Dave Alvin - Eleven Eleven
Label: Yep Roc Records
Release: 6/21 2011
Genre: Blues, Americana
Dave Alvin is credited with helping to start up, Roots Americana. This album, though, is a pretty solid Blues album. In both music and feel. The slow opener 'Harlan County Line' is a basic lost-love song, and very catching. It speeds right up with 'Johnny Ace Is Dead', slows down for a few tracks, and rides through on a bit of a downtempo style to the end. Several tracks are of the more Americana style than straight Blues, the two that stick out the most are 'Gary, Indiana 1959' - a classic blue-collar hard luck story - and 'Two Lucky Bums' - a great upbeat tale of life being good despite some hard luck. As a bonus, there's an included download card for an extra bonus track that should have made the album itself. This is a great album, a worthy addition to modern Blues music.
The Japanese Popstars - Controlling Your Allegiance
Label: Astralwerks
Release: 6/21 2011
Genre: pop-techno, dance
I picked this up because several places pulled the nostalgia card and compared it to mid to late 90s records from Chemical Brothers, Juno Reactor, Crystal Method and their compatriots. Being a fan of that, I took a chance. Well - they lied. It misses in both feel and overall cohesiveness. One of the big things the really big names in Electronica did, and did well, were put together solidly cohesive albums. If you're going to compare something to Crytal Method's "Vegas" or (Gods help you) Juno Reactor's "Beyond The Infinite" it better step up. This, does not. It's not a bad album by any means - it's decent pop-techno you could toss onto the dance floor. But it's not great, and it's not cohesive. It's solid middle of the road listening here. A couple tracks really stand out though, the opener 'Let Go' is a really good kicker, and 'Destroy' really does capture the late 90s Electronica sound. 'Falcon Punch' almost makes it, but needed more solid surrounding tracks. Overall, it's good, and definitely listenable. But there's better out there.
Adding To The Collection:
Hank Williams III - Hillbilly Joker
Label: Sidewalk Records
Released: 5/17 2011
Genre: Psychobilly
I've always been a fan of Hank Williams, and Jr. And Now the III has caught my attention. I'd always held him out there, not disliking him, but not really interested enough to start collecting. But I caught a listen of part of this album and knew this was the place to start if you want so really cranked up country-rock. Psychobilly appeals to the punk rocker in me, in a big way. And this album feels like a great punk album, just a very country one. It just rips through things, short and sweet, and doesn't stop until the outro (which, could have been dropped - a minute of squealing pigs and that one line from Deliverance... bad choice). It's about 30 minutes of pure speed. I recommend it.
Electro Swing Fever
Label: Wagran Music
Released: 2010
Genre: Electroswing
This 4-Disc set is a massive collection, compromised of tracks from the labels "Electro Swing" series and a few other tracks. Each disc is 15 tracks, giving about 4 hours of nonstop swinging club bounce. You really could just throw it on for the night and not worry about the music for a while. Nothing in this genre slows down below Dancing. Some of the best stand outs are Nekta (you bet I'll be going to find their releases), two Rum & Coca Cola mixes made it on (I just like that song a lot), Funky DL adds a song "1947" which is heavily hip-hop influenced without losing the swing beat, and Rube & Dusty added "Big Band Jump" which is half electroswing half dubstep and all bounce. And there's more, lots of tracks in here, sixty of them! Yep, compilations are good for finding new bands, and this one is awesome.
Short this week, mostly due to that 4-disc monster, because I really try and give everything 2-4 listens through before forming opinions on it (though I only made it through the compilation twice.. but it made an impression). And that's the week in sound. On Tuesday Theivery Corporation releases a new album, and I can't wait for that.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Week Of 6/7 - Blues Rock, Punk, Electroswing, Industrial, Shamisen
I have a huge pile of music to work through since The Wife gifted me a bunch for our anniversary. On top of the few I had already ordered. This months new selection is also a new band - Tedeschi Trucks Band. The musicians aren't new, but the ensemble is and their debut is some good slow Blues Rock. The first of the Electro Swing compilations as well, plus some other fun stuff.
New Releases:
Tedeschi Trucks Band - Revelator
Label: Masterworks
Release: 6/7 2011
Genre: Blues Rock
Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi have been around a while, in 2010 they got together, pulled in an 11 piece ensemble and set to work. The result is a very low-key, Blues Rock sound, with Susan's smooth voice in the lead. Her vocals don't get the usual guttural sound a long of female blues singers have, and they aren't the poppy-soaring vocals of most acts either. Just in the middle, good singing. The band itself, despite being a large ensemble, doesn't step all over itself, they manage to not sound like they're an overwhelming force. The horns are subtle, only coming out when they work best, and stepping back to the rhythm after that. Overall, it's a great first effort from the group, hopefully this isn't a short lived project.
Adding To The Collection:
Agatsuma - En
Label: Domo Records (Japan)
Released: 2007
Genre: Shamisen (traditional Japanese), Jazz
Agatsuma is another modern Tsugaru Shamisen player - a form of Shamisen from the northern most island of Japan - mixing traditional Japanese with modern styles. This album has a heavy jazz influence, a few tracks are outright jazz pieces with a Shamisen in them. All of it is excellent music, light without being lowkey or downtempo. Worth a listen if you're a jazz fan looking for something fresh injected into it.
Dropkick Murphys - The Singles 1996-1997
Label: Hellcat Records
Released: 2000
Genre: Punk
This collects all of the B-Sides, Live tracks, demos, and other assorted bits from the first two years of DKMs life, all with original singer Mike McCoglen. It was released in answer to a European release of similar nature since the early 7"s and Singles were way out of print by the time DKM gained following there, it omitted some bits, and added some other bits. The early demos and b-sides are nice, but really the gems are the live tracks, DKM always puts on a good show, and it's evident here they've done so right from the start. Good if you're a new DKM fan, or are missing some of the really early stuff if, like me, you just managed to never pick it up.
Iszoloscope - beyond within and so on
Label: Ant-Zen
Released: 9/7 2010
Genre: Industrial, Experimental, Noise
Iszoloscope is a very experimental industrial act, heavy and noisy sounds. Very unclub without being completely outside the dance zone. Some of the tracks on this release verge into ambient soundscapes that remind me a great deal of Controlled Bleeding, without being derivative of it. It's also a free release through either Amazon or Bandcamp - making it a cheap way to introduce yourself to modern electronic industrial. The album is nice and crunchy and grindy - and the best part is a short track 'unplugged' that is literally a recording of the artist hitting the buttons on the machines.
Electro Swing - compilation
Label: Wagram Records (France)
Released: 2009
Genre: Electroswing
The French took American Swing from the 20s to the 40s, plus London House/Big Beat and mashed 'em together in a wonderful up-swing sound of dance music. Seriously, this stuff is cool, upbeat, really kickin' on the dance floor. And this one-disc compilation is the perfect place to start. It has a smattering of all the little bits Electroswing has added in, scratch&wobble (turn tables scratched), hip hop MC over the swing, heavy bass lines, and even remixes and refits of old stuff - Fred Astaire gets a work over on his Puttin' On The Ritz classic. Twenty tracks of dancing goodness.
Next Week - since I have a lot of musics, I can plan ahead. Bella Morte's new release (already in hand, it's great Gothic Rock), more Shamisen, 1950s Cambodia gets an indie rock makeover, and some Industrial Rock plus a random surprise.
New Releases:
Tedeschi Trucks Band - Revelator
Label: Masterworks
Release: 6/7 2011
Genre: Blues Rock
Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi have been around a while, in 2010 they got together, pulled in an 11 piece ensemble and set to work. The result is a very low-key, Blues Rock sound, with Susan's smooth voice in the lead. Her vocals don't get the usual guttural sound a long of female blues singers have, and they aren't the poppy-soaring vocals of most acts either. Just in the middle, good singing. The band itself, despite being a large ensemble, doesn't step all over itself, they manage to not sound like they're an overwhelming force. The horns are subtle, only coming out when they work best, and stepping back to the rhythm after that. Overall, it's a great first effort from the group, hopefully this isn't a short lived project.
Adding To The Collection:
Agatsuma - En
Label: Domo Records (Japan)
Released: 2007
Genre: Shamisen (traditional Japanese), Jazz
Agatsuma is another modern Tsugaru Shamisen player - a form of Shamisen from the northern most island of Japan - mixing traditional Japanese with modern styles. This album has a heavy jazz influence, a few tracks are outright jazz pieces with a Shamisen in them. All of it is excellent music, light without being lowkey or downtempo. Worth a listen if you're a jazz fan looking for something fresh injected into it.
Dropkick Murphys - The Singles 1996-1997
Label: Hellcat Records
Released: 2000
Genre: Punk
This collects all of the B-Sides, Live tracks, demos, and other assorted bits from the first two years of DKMs life, all with original singer Mike McCoglen. It was released in answer to a European release of similar nature since the early 7"s and Singles were way out of print by the time DKM gained following there, it omitted some bits, and added some other bits. The early demos and b-sides are nice, but really the gems are the live tracks, DKM always puts on a good show, and it's evident here they've done so right from the start. Good if you're a new DKM fan, or are missing some of the really early stuff if, like me, you just managed to never pick it up.
Iszoloscope - beyond within and so on
Label: Ant-Zen
Released: 9/7 2010
Genre: Industrial, Experimental, Noise
Iszoloscope is a very experimental industrial act, heavy and noisy sounds. Very unclub without being completely outside the dance zone. Some of the tracks on this release verge into ambient soundscapes that remind me a great deal of Controlled Bleeding, without being derivative of it. It's also a free release through either Amazon or Bandcamp - making it a cheap way to introduce yourself to modern electronic industrial. The album is nice and crunchy and grindy - and the best part is a short track 'unplugged' that is literally a recording of the artist hitting the buttons on the machines.
Electro Swing - compilation
Label: Wagram Records (France)
Released: 2009
Genre: Electroswing
The French took American Swing from the 20s to the 40s, plus London House/Big Beat and mashed 'em together in a wonderful up-swing sound of dance music. Seriously, this stuff is cool, upbeat, really kickin' on the dance floor. And this one-disc compilation is the perfect place to start. It has a smattering of all the little bits Electroswing has added in, scratch&wobble (turn tables scratched), hip hop MC over the swing, heavy bass lines, and even remixes and refits of old stuff - Fred Astaire gets a work over on his Puttin' On The Ritz classic. Twenty tracks of dancing goodness.
Next Week - since I have a lot of musics, I can plan ahead. Bella Morte's new release (already in hand, it's great Gothic Rock), more Shamisen, 1950s Cambodia gets an indie rock makeover, and some Industrial Rock plus a random surprise.
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