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.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Week of 6/14 - Gothic Rock, Jazz, Industrial, Rock
This weeks new addition is Bella Morte's latest release 'Before The Flood' - a great Gothic Rock album, plus some Dengue Fever bringing back the sound of the 1950s quite handily, a spattering of Industrial musics, and a Rough Guide Compilation.
New Release:
Bella Morte - Before The Flood
Label: Metropolis Records
Released: 6/14 2011
Genre: Gothic Rock
Bella Morte has the ability to take all the best parts of 80s Gothic Rock and leaving behind all the worst parts (namely, having to have been around in the 80s). Great guitars, light on the synths and samples, and Andy's voice is just an amazing fit for the genre. If you are or were a big fan of Gothic Rock before the 1990s started to change the genre up then you really want this album, it fits right in without feeling dated. Definitely modern rock, definitely something new. Bella Morte managed to capture the feeling without sounding like a bad copy. Lights In The Sky is a massive stand out track, as is Falling Star. It's not all dark and moody, the rock here is above the norm, way better than your average radio play rock group.
Adding To The Collection:
Dengue Fever - Escape From Dragon House
Label: M80 Music
Released: 2005
Genre: Rock, Indie-Rock
Dengue Fever takes average indie-rock and kicks it up a notch by adding a Khmer (Cambodian) singer. Her vocals are excellent, and the album has a very old-rock/lounge feel to it. The whole sound (and even album art) feels like they're channeling the rock of the 1950s, a bit lounge, a bit jazz, a bit rock, all good. And the vocals in Khmer make you feel like you're listening to it in a bar in the jungle heat, I file this kind of thing under Summer Music, good music, hot air, long days, great feeling to it.
Turnbull A.C's - Let's Get Pissed
Label: Out Of Line
Released: 2008
Genre: Industrial, EBM
Turnbull A.C's, named after the gang from the movie Warriors, is a side project for Pontus Stålberg (of Spetsnaz), whose main goal is to create EBM as heard in the 80s. Less crunch, more reliance of the beat, and a little more repetition of chorus. Let's Get Pissed is a pretty good party-album, throw it on when the party needs something loud, catchy and danceable in the background that isn't very noisy or guitar-distorted. All the songs do suffer from sounding a little too alike, the lyrics really stand out as the shift in song. Man Made Modern Machines stands out as a club-style classic, and We Can Drink Without Having Fun is an awesome track - fun and loud.
Rough Guide To Brazilian Lounge (w/ Bonus Axial album)
Label: World Music Network
Released: 2009
Genre: Jazz, Bossa Nova, Lounge
I love these Rough Guides, really. This one, though, is interesting. The entire thing is really light, lounge jazz. It's an entire RG of what I end up putting on in the background to allow me to focus, not really listening so much as letting the music block other noise. It's not loud, it's not particularly catchy sing-a-long type music. But it is really good, the jazz here is fused solidly with Bossa Nova rhythms - or rather Brazilian sounds are given a slight jazz flair.
Axial - the bonus disc by this band - on the other hand, is even more down the downtempo road, even lighter. While still really good music, it's the kind of stuff you take it really easy to, afternoon nap or reading material. Non-intrusive music, Sandra's voice is hypnotizing, it does demand some attention, making you pause and Listen to the music.
A good compilation, but fairly downtempo, I wouldn't pull this out to dance to.
Bonus Album:
Caustic - Born This Way
Label: none
Released: May 2011
Genre: Industrial
This little four-track gem was given away on Caustic's Facebook page. It's a couple remixes of Hiroshima Burn, and one each of The Saint Of Fuck-Ups, and White Knuckle Head Fuck. I think these remixes were done but not chosen for any specific release, and Caustic is one of those 'it was made and must be heard' type guys. If you've 'Liked' his Facebook page you can go grab a copy of this. Very club-oriented remixes, but honestly nothing really awesome. Just a fun little four-track bit that is good to throw into a big mix.
New Release:
Bella Morte - Before The Flood
Label: Metropolis Records
Released: 6/14 2011
Genre: Gothic Rock
Bella Morte has the ability to take all the best parts of 80s Gothic Rock and leaving behind all the worst parts (namely, having to have been around in the 80s). Great guitars, light on the synths and samples, and Andy's voice is just an amazing fit for the genre. If you are or were a big fan of Gothic Rock before the 1990s started to change the genre up then you really want this album, it fits right in without feeling dated. Definitely modern rock, definitely something new. Bella Morte managed to capture the feeling without sounding like a bad copy. Lights In The Sky is a massive stand out track, as is Falling Star. It's not all dark and moody, the rock here is above the norm, way better than your average radio play rock group.
Adding To The Collection:
Dengue Fever - Escape From Dragon House
Label: M80 Music
Released: 2005
Genre: Rock, Indie-Rock
Dengue Fever takes average indie-rock and kicks it up a notch by adding a Khmer (Cambodian) singer. Her vocals are excellent, and the album has a very old-rock/lounge feel to it. The whole sound (and even album art) feels like they're channeling the rock of the 1950s, a bit lounge, a bit jazz, a bit rock, all good. And the vocals in Khmer make you feel like you're listening to it in a bar in the jungle heat, I file this kind of thing under Summer Music, good music, hot air, long days, great feeling to it.
Turnbull A.C's - Let's Get Pissed
Label: Out Of Line
Released: 2008
Genre: Industrial, EBM
Turnbull A.C's, named after the gang from the movie Warriors, is a side project for Pontus Stålberg (of Spetsnaz), whose main goal is to create EBM as heard in the 80s. Less crunch, more reliance of the beat, and a little more repetition of chorus. Let's Get Pissed is a pretty good party-album, throw it on when the party needs something loud, catchy and danceable in the background that isn't very noisy or guitar-distorted. All the songs do suffer from sounding a little too alike, the lyrics really stand out as the shift in song. Man Made Modern Machines stands out as a club-style classic, and We Can Drink Without Having Fun is an awesome track - fun and loud.
Rough Guide To Brazilian Lounge (w/ Bonus Axial album)
Label: World Music Network
Released: 2009
Genre: Jazz, Bossa Nova, Lounge
I love these Rough Guides, really. This one, though, is interesting. The entire thing is really light, lounge jazz. It's an entire RG of what I end up putting on in the background to allow me to focus, not really listening so much as letting the music block other noise. It's not loud, it's not particularly catchy sing-a-long type music. But it is really good, the jazz here is fused solidly with Bossa Nova rhythms - or rather Brazilian sounds are given a slight jazz flair.
Axial - the bonus disc by this band - on the other hand, is even more down the downtempo road, even lighter. While still really good music, it's the kind of stuff you take it really easy to, afternoon nap or reading material. Non-intrusive music, Sandra's voice is hypnotizing, it does demand some attention, making you pause and Listen to the music.
A good compilation, but fairly downtempo, I wouldn't pull this out to dance to.
Bonus Album:
Caustic - Born This Way
Label: none
Released: May 2011
Genre: Industrial
This little four-track gem was given away on Caustic's Facebook page. It's a couple remixes of Hiroshima Burn, and one each of The Saint Of Fuck-Ups, and White Knuckle Head Fuck. I think these remixes were done but not chosen for any specific release, and Caustic is one of those 'it was made and must be heard' type guys. If you've 'Liked' his Facebook page you can go grab a copy of this. Very club-oriented remixes, but honestly nothing really awesome. Just a fun little four-track bit that is good to throw into a big mix.
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.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Week of 5/31 - Jazz, Industrial, Ambient, Gothic Rock
A couple of this weeks selections are short, I probably should have added one more to make up for it. But I'm sticking to Five Per Week anyway. The new release, Eliane Elias is one of those artists I probably should have known about all along, being a moderately famous Jazz singer and pianist (famous in Jazz circles at least), from Brazil she's got a lovely voice, has been recording since 1984, and is completely new to me. Sometimes I wonder how I miss artists like this. Especially considering the number of jazz aficionados in my family.
New Releases:
Eliane Elias - Light My Fire
Label: Concord Music Group
Released: 5/31 2011
Genre: Jazz (Latin, Pop, Lounge)
Eliane Elias hails from Brazil, and her music is in both Portuguese and English, Light My Fire bounces around the arena from a very Latin Jazz sound (usually in her own writing), some lounge (or Nightclub, however you want to call it) jazz perfect in those after hours jazz clubs, and a pop-music sound. This album has a few covers on it, chiefly the title track is a cover of the The Doors (doing the song some actual justice and in my mind proof that Jim should have been writing for other people from the begimning - he can't touch the elegance of Eliane's rendition), and Stevie Wonder's "Ma Cherie Amour" which is a beautiful sounding cover. If you're not a fan of jazz with too many horns, I definitely suggest this, it's quiet, elegant and brings just enough bounce to keep you paying attention - maybe even dance.
Filling Out The Collection:
Combichrist - Throat Full Of Glass
Label: Out Of Line Records (German Release)
Released: 2011
Genre: Industrial
Combichrist are one of the work-horses of the Industrial world, they always seem to be either on tour or in the studio, and they've got the fanbase to show for it, and the catalogue to back it up. This particular single is the German release, because it includes the video - and the American release had to be censored (it shows breasts and violence, God help us all, they edited out the breasts....). The title track and four remixes are here. Each remix is a very different take on the track. There's a standard heavier dance beat, a sped up version, a dub version, and a slowed down version. The last track is a remix of Industrial Strength which is very club friendly. Pretty much exactly what you expect out of an Industrial genre single. The song itself - can't for get that - is catchy, the hook and chorus are infectious, it's almost radio friendly in that regards.
Bella Morte - Undertow
Label: Metropolis
Released: May 2011
Genre: Gothic Rock
Bella Morte is one of those modern Gothic Rock groups that would have easily fit right in with the 80s genre kings. A distinct vocal sound, and excellent composition. This two track digital single has one track from their upcoming album, and a cover of Celine Dione's "My Heart Will Go On" which they take out of pop-hell and give it new life, known for covering it live at shows, they finally recorded it. And with their darker sound, low guitars, and Andy's distinct vocals make it a much darker song that before. The new album is out June 14, 2011.
Panda Bear - Tomboy
Label: Paw Tracks
Released: April 2011
Genre: Ambient
Panda Bear is an ambient (and almost by nature of ambient electronica highly experimental) artist, his latest release Tomboy fully explores a low energy, and mellow, environment. It's very good for putting on in the background and just letting the room fill up, though it doesn't have some of the multiple layers that some ambient artists fill their sound with. It's very stripped, very simple, mostly bass and vocals throughout. His vocals are treated to sound somewhat distant, buried in the underlying beat. The album comes with a digital download of a live set played in 2010, unlike some artists in the genre the live set isn't as improvised, mostly straight renditions of album tracks. The album also comes on vinyl (which has a digital download of the full album + the live album), and it's white vinyl which I think makes it look more interesting than other colors bands choose.
16 Volt - Beating Dead Horses
Label: Metropolis
Released: May 2011
Genre: Indutrial
Long standing duo, 16 Volt, latest is an Industrial-Rock power house, dark and gritty. Exactly what you want from these guys, as the years have progressed their sound gets heavier, grittier, and more aggressive. Beating Dead Horses delivers 13 tracks of pure club-friendly industrial rock, with no slowing down. The standout tracks are the title track (which opens the album), Sick Sick Sick, and We Disintegrate. The rest is good, but nothing really extra-ordinary, to be honest. It fits right into a playlist or set list to keep things moving smoothly along to a heavy guitar laden beat. I definitely recommend it for fans of the genre.
New Releases:
Eliane Elias - Light My Fire
Label: Concord Music Group
Released: 5/31 2011
Genre: Jazz (Latin, Pop, Lounge)
Eliane Elias hails from Brazil, and her music is in both Portuguese and English, Light My Fire bounces around the arena from a very Latin Jazz sound (usually in her own writing), some lounge (or Nightclub, however you want to call it) jazz perfect in those after hours jazz clubs, and a pop-music sound. This album has a few covers on it, chiefly the title track is a cover of the The Doors (doing the song some actual justice and in my mind proof that Jim should have been writing for other people from the begimning - he can't touch the elegance of Eliane's rendition), and Stevie Wonder's "Ma Cherie Amour" which is a beautiful sounding cover. If you're not a fan of jazz with too many horns, I definitely suggest this, it's quiet, elegant and brings just enough bounce to keep you paying attention - maybe even dance.
Filling Out The Collection:
Combichrist - Throat Full Of Glass
Label: Out Of Line Records (German Release)
Released: 2011
Genre: Industrial
Combichrist are one of the work-horses of the Industrial world, they always seem to be either on tour or in the studio, and they've got the fanbase to show for it, and the catalogue to back it up. This particular single is the German release, because it includes the video - and the American release had to be censored (it shows breasts and violence, God help us all, they edited out the breasts....). The title track and four remixes are here. Each remix is a very different take on the track. There's a standard heavier dance beat, a sped up version, a dub version, and a slowed down version. The last track is a remix of Industrial Strength which is very club friendly. Pretty much exactly what you expect out of an Industrial genre single. The song itself - can't for get that - is catchy, the hook and chorus are infectious, it's almost radio friendly in that regards.
Bella Morte - Undertow
Label: Metropolis
Released: May 2011
Genre: Gothic Rock
Bella Morte is one of those modern Gothic Rock groups that would have easily fit right in with the 80s genre kings. A distinct vocal sound, and excellent composition. This two track digital single has one track from their upcoming album, and a cover of Celine Dione's "My Heart Will Go On" which they take out of pop-hell and give it new life, known for covering it live at shows, they finally recorded it. And with their darker sound, low guitars, and Andy's distinct vocals make it a much darker song that before. The new album is out June 14, 2011.
Panda Bear - Tomboy
Label: Paw Tracks
Released: April 2011
Genre: Ambient
Panda Bear is an ambient (and almost by nature of ambient electronica highly experimental) artist, his latest release Tomboy fully explores a low energy, and mellow, environment. It's very good for putting on in the background and just letting the room fill up, though it doesn't have some of the multiple layers that some ambient artists fill their sound with. It's very stripped, very simple, mostly bass and vocals throughout. His vocals are treated to sound somewhat distant, buried in the underlying beat. The album comes with a digital download of a live set played in 2010, unlike some artists in the genre the live set isn't as improvised, mostly straight renditions of album tracks. The album also comes on vinyl (which has a digital download of the full album + the live album), and it's white vinyl which I think makes it look more interesting than other colors bands choose.
16 Volt - Beating Dead Horses
Label: Metropolis
Released: May 2011
Genre: Indutrial
Long standing duo, 16 Volt, latest is an Industrial-Rock power house, dark and gritty. Exactly what you want from these guys, as the years have progressed their sound gets heavier, grittier, and more aggressive. Beating Dead Horses delivers 13 tracks of pure club-friendly industrial rock, with no slowing down. The standout tracks are the title track (which opens the album), Sick Sick Sick, and We Disintegrate. The rest is good, but nothing really extra-ordinary, to be honest. It fits right into a playlist or set list to keep things moving smoothly along to a heavy guitar laden beat. I definitely recommend it for fans of the genre.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
New Musics - punk, dubstep, North African journey
This week is several flavors of punk rock, another take on dubstep, and a compilation covering North Africa. Finally completed my Avril Lavigne discgraphy (the studio releases at least), and filling out some Dropkick Murphys.
New Releases:
Art Brut - Brilliant! Tragic!
Label: Cooking Vinyl Records
Released: 5/24/11
Genre: Punk
Art Brut sometimes gets lumped into the UK Indie Rock scene, over here in the US I consider them firmly in the Punk Rock genre, and this album especially. The whole thing reminds me of early clash - stripped down, good guitar riffs, and songs about life and people. The album actually feels like it might be from two sides of a single relationship, which puts half the songs from the girls perspective. An excellent example of punk rock that isn't all noise and bluster.
Filling Out The Collection:
Bassnectar - Underground Communication
Label: Om Records
Released: 2007
Genre: dubstep
Bassnectar is one of the 'big names' in the dubstep genre, spilling out across multiple genres actually. Here sees the inclusion of a lot of hip-hop elements, especially the MC, on top of the dubstep beats that drive the music. The lyrics come with a social message involving the increasing lack of media integrity. The beats, themselves, are top notch.
Dropkick Murphys - Blackout
Label: Hellcat Records
Released: 2003
Genre: punk
DKM has long been a favorite of mine, though I lost track of picking up releases in the early 2000s so I've got some back catalogue to fill. Blackout has a lot of now standards on it, and sounds as good as they ever have. Songs about life, drinking, working, fighting, and getting on with it. This is the album with 'Fields Of Anthenry' which is one of the best DKM versions of a Traditional out there. And the track 'The Dirty Glass' is awesome in that it's not just about a bar, but they got guest vocalist Stephanie Dougherty to sing from the point of view of the bar. Punk Rock Drinking Songs.
Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby
Label: RCA Records
Released: 2011
Genre: punk (pop punk)
The latest release from pop-punk queen Avril. It sounds more like Under My Skin, but more refined, cleaner. She's still focused on the good and bad of boys, which isn't a bad thing but one wonders how many more albums she can make on the topic. One thing missing with the more experienced sound is the grit of her first two albums, which was part of her charm. For pop-punk rock, though, this album is really good and one of the better pop- albums out there.
Rough Guide To North African Cafe
Label: World Music Network
Released: 2007
Genre: (many)
This regional compilation crosses over many genres, from blues to pop and rock. The languages also cover the entire region. Morocco, Egypt, Tunisian and Algerian artists dominate the fourteen tracks. Very little English is here, some French, but mostly native languages and instruments. Not all the artists here are from North African, or based there anymore, but all the sounds are influenced heavily by that region. Like all Rough Guides, it's a place to start to get interesting new artists.
New Releases:
Art Brut - Brilliant! Tragic!
Label: Cooking Vinyl Records
Released: 5/24/11
Genre: Punk
Art Brut sometimes gets lumped into the UK Indie Rock scene, over here in the US I consider them firmly in the Punk Rock genre, and this album especially. The whole thing reminds me of early clash - stripped down, good guitar riffs, and songs about life and people. The album actually feels like it might be from two sides of a single relationship, which puts half the songs from the girls perspective. An excellent example of punk rock that isn't all noise and bluster.
Filling Out The Collection:
Bassnectar - Underground Communication
Label: Om Records
Released: 2007
Genre: dubstep
Bassnectar is one of the 'big names' in the dubstep genre, spilling out across multiple genres actually. Here sees the inclusion of a lot of hip-hop elements, especially the MC, on top of the dubstep beats that drive the music. The lyrics come with a social message involving the increasing lack of media integrity. The beats, themselves, are top notch.
Dropkick Murphys - Blackout
Label: Hellcat Records
Released: 2003
Genre: punk
DKM has long been a favorite of mine, though I lost track of picking up releases in the early 2000s so I've got some back catalogue to fill. Blackout has a lot of now standards on it, and sounds as good as they ever have. Songs about life, drinking, working, fighting, and getting on with it. This is the album with 'Fields Of Anthenry' which is one of the best DKM versions of a Traditional out there. And the track 'The Dirty Glass' is awesome in that it's not just about a bar, but they got guest vocalist Stephanie Dougherty to sing from the point of view of the bar. Punk Rock Drinking Songs.
Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby
Label: RCA Records
Released: 2011
Genre: punk (pop punk)
The latest release from pop-punk queen Avril. It sounds more like Under My Skin, but more refined, cleaner. She's still focused on the good and bad of boys, which isn't a bad thing but one wonders how many more albums she can make on the topic. One thing missing with the more experienced sound is the grit of her first two albums, which was part of her charm. For pop-punk rock, though, this album is really good and one of the better pop- albums out there.
Rough Guide To North African Cafe
Label: World Music Network
Released: 2007
Genre: (many)
This regional compilation crosses over many genres, from blues to pop and rock. The languages also cover the entire region. Morocco, Egypt, Tunisian and Algerian artists dominate the fourteen tracks. Very little English is here, some French, but mostly native languages and instruments. Not all the artists here are from North African, or based there anymore, but all the sounds are influenced heavily by that region. Like all Rough Guides, it's a place to start to get interesting new artists.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Week Ending 5/21 - Rock, Dubstep, Gothic Rock, Japanese Trad.
This week is largely a selection of work my wife picked up, which makes it a little less hard and a little more diverse. Also, the new selection has a story behind it; Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi set out to record a soundtrack the way the Italian's did in the hey-day of the Spaghetti Westerns, right down to methods and technology and even finding some of the musicians who recorded music forty years ago. There's no movie, just a soundtrack. I've also throttled back a bit, adding only five albums a week to my collection, which is a good number for me to actually listen to them all at least twice through.
New Releases:
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - Rome
Label: Capital Records
Released: 5/17 2011
Genre: rock
The album cover bills this as Starring Jack White and Norah Jones, both of whom lend their voices to this work. It does sound like a soundtrack to a movie, songs specifically recorded for specific scenes. It's not a narrative, it doesn't tell a story, just feels like it's part of one. The music itself is mellow, soaring at times, low key at others, very light. It's also very short, at thirty five minutes it feels both too short and just perfect. Any longer and they might have lost the magic, but you still want it to go on - just like a good story. This is definitely in the top ten of the year so far.
Filling Out The Collection:
Bauhaus - ...And Remains
Label: Beggars Banquet
Released: 2009
Genre: Gothic Rock
This little gem is actually a small set of leftovers from the Bauhaus Omnibus Editions of their re-releases. Three new studio mixes are included: a new mix of Bela Lugosi's Dead, another mix of Terror Couple Kill Colonel, and an early studio mix of Double Dare. Then there's three live tracks from a halloween show at the University of London Union in 1980. It's straight from the soundboard, and you can hear the mix is off a little - bit this is history. And lastly there's a Poem that Peter Murphy ended a show with early on. It's a short little EP of bits for die hard fans, a little bit of Gothic Rock history here.
Yoshida Brothers - The Best Of, Tsugaru Shamisen
Label: Domo Records
Released: 2008
Genre: Japanese Traditional, Rock
The Yoshida Brothers take a traditional Northern Japanese style and instrument, and fuse in a bit of western style with it. It's very much a traditional sound, but it feels like rock and roll when they play it. This collection puts together some of their best tracks over the previous ten years, a good place to start if you're interested in them. Both brothers play the Shamisen, there are very few other instruments on the album anywhere.
Blow Your Head: Diplo Presents Dubstep
Label: Mad Descent / Downtown Music
Released: 2010
Genre: Dubstep
This compilation covers the entire gamut of Dubstep, from the hard fast stuff to the low end stuff. Dubstep encompasses a whole suite of tricks, all of it manipulated music. One track is vocals with nothing but a clap and snare hit behind it, another is a lot like very standard trance music - though it's all basslines and drum hits. One track is even just called 26 Basslines - and it is just that and only that. All of it's danceable (which is the point), some of it more so than others. As I'm just getting into the genre this really feels like it was a great place to start.
Rough Guide To Paris Lounge (with Bonus Disc: Marianne Dissard "Paris One Takes")
Label: World Music Network
Released: 2011
Genre: Traditional, Pop, and many others
Paris Lounge doesn't focus on a style of music (as some Rough Guides do) but a region, in this case Parisian musicians, of all sorts. From pure pop music to electro-swing. Ballads, rockers, dance tracks and styles going back to Paris' lounges of the sixties. This is a good cross section of musicians recording and playing in France today.
Marianna Dissard is from Paris, but based in the US now, the bonus disc on this compilation was recorded in Paris during a one day break in her tour, it's a series of new takes from her debut album and a few cuts from her upcoming album. Her sound blends French Euro-Pop with Americana, it fits well in the Indie-Rock scene if you're looking to expand that horizon, but it's distinctly not that. Her voice melodic and soft, the songs are mostly of an upbeat bouncy nature.
New Releases:
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - Rome
Label: Capital Records
Released: 5/17 2011
Genre: rock
The album cover bills this as Starring Jack White and Norah Jones, both of whom lend their voices to this work. It does sound like a soundtrack to a movie, songs specifically recorded for specific scenes. It's not a narrative, it doesn't tell a story, just feels like it's part of one. The music itself is mellow, soaring at times, low key at others, very light. It's also very short, at thirty five minutes it feels both too short and just perfect. Any longer and they might have lost the magic, but you still want it to go on - just like a good story. This is definitely in the top ten of the year so far.
Filling Out The Collection:
Bauhaus - ...And Remains
Label: Beggars Banquet
Released: 2009
Genre: Gothic Rock
This little gem is actually a small set of leftovers from the Bauhaus Omnibus Editions of their re-releases. Three new studio mixes are included: a new mix of Bela Lugosi's Dead, another mix of Terror Couple Kill Colonel, and an early studio mix of Double Dare. Then there's three live tracks from a halloween show at the University of London Union in 1980. It's straight from the soundboard, and you can hear the mix is off a little - bit this is history. And lastly there's a Poem that Peter Murphy ended a show with early on. It's a short little EP of bits for die hard fans, a little bit of Gothic Rock history here.
Yoshida Brothers - The Best Of, Tsugaru Shamisen
Label: Domo Records
Released: 2008
Genre: Japanese Traditional, Rock
The Yoshida Brothers take a traditional Northern Japanese style and instrument, and fuse in a bit of western style with it. It's very much a traditional sound, but it feels like rock and roll when they play it. This collection puts together some of their best tracks over the previous ten years, a good place to start if you're interested in them. Both brothers play the Shamisen, there are very few other instruments on the album anywhere.
Blow Your Head: Diplo Presents Dubstep
Label: Mad Descent / Downtown Music
Released: 2010
Genre: Dubstep
This compilation covers the entire gamut of Dubstep, from the hard fast stuff to the low end stuff. Dubstep encompasses a whole suite of tricks, all of it manipulated music. One track is vocals with nothing but a clap and snare hit behind it, another is a lot like very standard trance music - though it's all basslines and drum hits. One track is even just called 26 Basslines - and it is just that and only that. All of it's danceable (which is the point), some of it more so than others. As I'm just getting into the genre this really feels like it was a great place to start.
Rough Guide To Paris Lounge (with Bonus Disc: Marianne Dissard "Paris One Takes")
Label: World Music Network
Released: 2011
Genre: Traditional, Pop, and many others
Paris Lounge doesn't focus on a style of music (as some Rough Guides do) but a region, in this case Parisian musicians, of all sorts. From pure pop music to electro-swing. Ballads, rockers, dance tracks and styles going back to Paris' lounges of the sixties. This is a good cross section of musicians recording and playing in France today.
Marianna Dissard is from Paris, but based in the US now, the bonus disc on this compilation was recorded in Paris during a one day break in her tour, it's a series of new takes from her debut album and a few cuts from her upcoming album. Her sound blends French Euro-Pop with Americana, it fits well in the Indie-Rock scene if you're looking to expand that horizon, but it's distinctly not that. Her voice melodic and soft, the songs are mostly of an upbeat bouncy nature.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Week Ending 5/14 - Jazz, Gabber, Industrial, Metal
Slowing down on how many albums I look through in a week, gives me a nice long backlog of music sitting on my desk taunting me. This week I scored a Charlie Parker box set for 6$, the new Skindred finally arrived from the UK, some old GabberTrance, and brand new Industrial from the legendary Ogre.
New Releases:
OhGr - Undeveloped
Label: Metropolis Records
Released: 5/10/2011
Genre: Industrial
Ogre is one of the originals on the scene in the 1980s when it broke into the clubs, from Skinny-Puppy through KMFDM and Ministry. He's been everywhere, this is his third solo released under ohGr. It doesn't show off the more modern guitar and crunch laden Industrial, it feels old school, early 90s Industrial, though you can tell there's the experience of time behind it. Some of the songs feel a bit repetitive in the chorus, not everything is club-friendly. But there are a few really standout tracks (Crash being my favorite). It's a good album to put on to get things started, an opening salvo for the day.
Filling Out The Collection
Charlie Parker - The Yardbird Suite: The Ultimate Charlie Parker Collection
Label: Rhino Records
Released: 1997
Genre: Jazz
Charlie Parker is without a doubt one of the greats of Jazz through the 40s and 50s, and even beyond as his sound carried onto the next generation. Bird is a timeless classic. This 2-Disc set covers his entire career from his time with Dizzy Gillespie at the start to his various bands - quartet, quintet, and sextet, septet, all-stars, and orchestra. A little bit of everything is here. It comes with a booklet that hi-lights his career along the way, some of the ups and downs. In total the 38 tracks here going right up to the unfortunate end of his career in 1955 with his death. If you want a wide selection of The Bird's work to get started with, or even just a box-set that you can put on this is an excellent resource to track down.
Skindred - Union Black
Label: 7PM Management / BMG
Released: April 2011
Genre: Metal, Ragga-Punk
Skindred are part punk rock, part heavy metal, and part ragga. Born out of London, lead singer Benji carries the group to a new level with his vocals. Always loud, always rowdy, this is their fourth release, and it's the first release since their move back to the UK after several years trying to take off in the US. They're sound is bigger, bolder here. The first single Warning is just that, it attacks with ferocity, and delivers the opening salvo an an album that doesn't slow down. The whole thing comes off awesomely, a few tracks go above and beyond. The defiance of Own You and Game Over almost make them anthems, while Guntalk and Bad Man Ah Bad Man just rock along in a danceable beat rarely achieved in anything related to metal. Skindred consistently tops out as one of my favorite bands.
Ultimate Gabber Trance, The Beats From Hell
Label: Hypnotic Records
Released: 1996
Genre: Gabber, Trance, Techno
The early 90s saw a rise of trance music, and when it hit raves it got sped up a little. And sped up a little more. Eventually it reached 180+ Beats Per Minute, that was Terror Trance. At over 200BPM it shifted into Gabber Trance, a hard, fast, twitchy, all rhythm style of beats. It's hard to imagine just how fast this music goes, how much it throws you onto the dance floor. Hard to find on releases even back when it was just getting into the mainstream dance scene. This ten track compilation is full of choice high-BPM cuts. Not particularly good to listen to all at once, though it does blend nicely into the background if one is laser-focused on something. But taking a few tracks and dropping them into the middle of a playlist is sure to break things up, keep things moving, and make sure the listener is always paying attention. If you want really fast and hard techno go out and find some Gabber.
New Releases:
OhGr - Undeveloped
Label: Metropolis Records
Released: 5/10/2011
Genre: Industrial
Ogre is one of the originals on the scene in the 1980s when it broke into the clubs, from Skinny-Puppy through KMFDM and Ministry. He's been everywhere, this is his third solo released under ohGr. It doesn't show off the more modern guitar and crunch laden Industrial, it feels old school, early 90s Industrial, though you can tell there's the experience of time behind it. Some of the songs feel a bit repetitive in the chorus, not everything is club-friendly. But there are a few really standout tracks (Crash being my favorite). It's a good album to put on to get things started, an opening salvo for the day.
Filling Out The Collection
Charlie Parker - The Yardbird Suite: The Ultimate Charlie Parker Collection
Label: Rhino Records
Released: 1997
Genre: Jazz
Charlie Parker is without a doubt one of the greats of Jazz through the 40s and 50s, and even beyond as his sound carried onto the next generation. Bird is a timeless classic. This 2-Disc set covers his entire career from his time with Dizzy Gillespie at the start to his various bands - quartet, quintet, and sextet, septet, all-stars, and orchestra. A little bit of everything is here. It comes with a booklet that hi-lights his career along the way, some of the ups and downs. In total the 38 tracks here going right up to the unfortunate end of his career in 1955 with his death. If you want a wide selection of The Bird's work to get started with, or even just a box-set that you can put on this is an excellent resource to track down.
Skindred - Union Black
Label: 7PM Management / BMG
Released: April 2011
Genre: Metal, Ragga-Punk
Skindred are part punk rock, part heavy metal, and part ragga. Born out of London, lead singer Benji carries the group to a new level with his vocals. Always loud, always rowdy, this is their fourth release, and it's the first release since their move back to the UK after several years trying to take off in the US. They're sound is bigger, bolder here. The first single Warning is just that, it attacks with ferocity, and delivers the opening salvo an an album that doesn't slow down. The whole thing comes off awesomely, a few tracks go above and beyond. The defiance of Own You and Game Over almost make them anthems, while Guntalk and Bad Man Ah Bad Man just rock along in a danceable beat rarely achieved in anything related to metal. Skindred consistently tops out as one of my favorite bands.
Ultimate Gabber Trance, The Beats From Hell
Label: Hypnotic Records
Released: 1996
Genre: Gabber, Trance, Techno
The early 90s saw a rise of trance music, and when it hit raves it got sped up a little. And sped up a little more. Eventually it reached 180+ Beats Per Minute, that was Terror Trance. At over 200BPM it shifted into Gabber Trance, a hard, fast, twitchy, all rhythm style of beats. It's hard to imagine just how fast this music goes, how much it throws you onto the dance floor. Hard to find on releases even back when it was just getting into the mainstream dance scene. This ten track compilation is full of choice high-BPM cuts. Not particularly good to listen to all at once, though it does blend nicely into the background if one is laser-focused on something. But taking a few tracks and dropping them into the middle of a playlist is sure to break things up, keep things moving, and make sure the listener is always paying attention. If you want really fast and hard techno go out and find some Gabber.
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