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July 27, 2010
HOT FOG / Wyvern And Children First EP / Self-Released / 2010
RONNIE JAMES DIO may be gone, but he’s far from forgotten. A whole new generation of geeky Dungeons and Dragons-playing metalheads are keeping the dream alive, steeped in Olde English Pagan mythology and rhythmic bass-string boogie. The lyrics are written in Gothic typeface, and the back cover of this 45RPM 12” vinyl offering includes the classic comment, “I’m gonna kill you in the face.” It will make the adolescent male nerd in you start jerking your cervical spine violently!
SOUNDS LIKE:DIO, SCORPIONS, MOTORHEAD
SUGGESTED TRACKS:
1 “Dwarf King Of The Sovereign” (can’t get more D&D than that!)
3 “Blood Wedding” (serious ‘70s metal vibes)
4 “Death Killers” (the sequal to “Killed By Death”?)
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WIMPY DICKS / Home Grown Terror CD / Bopp’N’Skin Records / 2010
It’s like I stepped into a time machine and am suddenly back to 1982, listening to hardcore punk bands practicing in someone’s mom’s basement. This release actually captures that naïve and spontaneous feel that made hardcore so appealing back in the day
SOUNDS LIKE:
D.R.I., M.I.A., J.F.A.
SUGGESTED TRACKS:
3 “Congressional Body Bag” (anti-war anthem)
7 “Unknown Soldier” (the M.I.A. classic)
10 “Natural Causes” (shades of SUBHUMANS UK)
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July 26, 2010
Morcheeba/ Blood Like Lemonade/ Pias
The atmospheric new album by Morcheeba, “Blood Like Lemonade,” leaves you with its haunting prescence and wanting more trip hop eclectic mixes of shadowy songs narrated by the soulful voice of Skye Edwards. From somewhat melancholy singing to straight instrumentals with record scratching here and there and melodic drums, this album is complete with its irresistable beats that can put Portishead to shame. The album begins highlighting Skye Edward’s vocals and dark sound. Later in the album (and my personal favorite) begins the instrumentals with a more trip hop feel that is reminiscent of older Sneaker Pimps. This album is a great showcase of Morcheeba’s electtic mixes of tip hop, soul, electronica, blues, and will definitely capture many with its hypnotizing beats.
Track picks:
8. Cut To The Chase
9. Self Made Man
10. Beat of the Drum
For fans of: Sneaker Pimps, Hooverphonic, Massive Attack, Portishead
FCC Friendly
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ANDY GASSAWAY / Hellfire CD / Indian Casino Records / 2010
A real one-man effort, with Mr. GASSAWAY playing practically all instruments on the 10 songs here. Twangy garage psychedelic country roots skronk from way up there in Seattle recorded lovingly at home. Hard to place in space and time, which I consider a good thing!
SOUNDS LIKE:
SADIES, BYRDS, NICK LOWE
SUGGESTED TRACKS:
1 “Hellfire” (herky-jerky country pop hit with wacked harmonica)
4 “Primrose Freeway” (sounding like a lost MOBY GRAPE track)
7 “Come On Back” (DAVE EDMONDS move over)
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July 19, 2010
Miss TK & The Revenge/ The Ocean Likes To Party Too/ Ernest Jenning Recording Co
With sweetly seductive vocals smooth as honey (and like a less volatile version of Karen O) backed by disco punk sounds with catchy drummings and 80s type new wave synth, Miss TK and The Revenge concocts the perfect dance album, The Ocean Likes To Party Too. Fun and upbeat, the album is almost reminiscent of an older Le Tigre album as it captures the sane electronic elements mixed with sassy girl vocals and punk elements.”Hotter and Sweeter” sounds like an updated version of “ I Know What Boys Like” by the Waitresses, as later in the album “Shimmy Sha” sounds like a bonus track off of MIA’s last album with kitschy and catchy raps. The ultimate product is a divine combination of 80s synth, funky drums beats, dance punk origins, and sensual, singable vocals.
Track picks:
3. Kids
7. Saturday
8. Cities on the Beach
9. Shimmy Sha
13. Wanna Dance For fans of: New Young Pony Club, !!!, Le Tigre, Santigold, Blondie, Tom Tom Club
FCC clean
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MUSIC FROM THE FILM / Playfully Abrasive CD / Self-Released / 2008
Eclectic, minimalist and experimental, mostly instrumental, with home-made instruments and plenty of inventiveness. Like a more laid-back instrumental CAPTAIN BEEFHEART, with structured jams that sound familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. For the more adventurous DJs out there.
SOUNDS LIKE:
SQUIDS, UNREST, JOHN & YOKO
SUGGESTED TRACKS:
2 “Scene One” (spacey banjo drone)
6 “Sillybear” (like some of DEVO’s early basement work)
14 “Consume” (hilarious exploration of chain-store manipulation)
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July 13, 2010
Ceschi “The One Man Band Broke Up”
Review by Salex
I am a major fan of hip hop artists breaking away from the catchy hook and drum machine beat cliché, and producing something that surpasses genre barriers. . His LastFM page quotes that “The One Man Band Broke Up” is a hip hop album for non hip hop listeners. I think he goes farther as he reaches into the hearts and ears of hip hop and non hip hop listeners with no boundaries. Ceschi, a multi-instrument musician has been writing music, playing in several bands and singing since the ’90’s. “The One Man Band Broke Up”, is the one man band, Ceschi, playing most of the instruments, and sampling dialogue from film, and classic soul, 70″s psychedelic rock, jazz, and funk records. This album is a fusion of all those music styles and beyond. Ceschi has a smooth, articulate quality to his voice when he sings, and the rhythmic choices he makes as he spits rhymes is impressive. He weaves from acoustic folk and rock into ‘gangsta rap” seamlessly. He adds strings, horns and pianos into the mix of many of the songs, which adds complexity and depth to the overall feel of the album. The tone throughout the record is dark and edgy. Guest musicians and MC’s add extra flavor to the mix as well.
Genres: Hip Hop, Rock, Experimental
For fans of: Aesop Rock, ? ? I was pretty stumped on additional similar artists.It is extremely hard to find artists just like Ceschi, but he is also a member of the band Toca, Anonymous Inc., Dead by Wednesday, Knuck Fest + more
My Picks:
# 1 - The One Man Band Broke Up
# 4 - Half Mast
# 5 - Fallen Famous
# 9 - Bad Jokes
# 12 - Swallowed Salt
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July 11, 2010
Baths / Ceruleans / Anticon / [2010]
This is some beautiful electronic music. Sometimes the emotionalism is dripping out of the speakers, and it may not be for everyone. The album has clear influences, and it’s constantly making of you think of similar artists. But Baths makes it all his own just be sheer talent, quality, and depth. The album opens with Apologetic Shoulder Blades, an Aphex Twin like mash up of beats with textured vocals. Lovely Bloodflow follows with chill hip hop beats and soft lyrics that’s just so easy to get lost in. Maximalist is next, and it really sums up the album for me. Perfectly arranged beats, beautiful chords, and a groove to bob your head to. Another one that stands out is Rafting Starlit Everglades, which hypnotizes you with its minimalism and piano riffs. Ceruleans rounds out with more chopped up vocals and warbling basslines, but always maintaining that tangible beauty and ambient sensibility. Highly recommended.
For fans of: Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, Joris Voorn, Lamb, Zero 7, Brian Eno
Choice tracks:
02 Lovely Bloodflow
03 Maximalist
06 Rafting Starlit Everglades
07 Hall
10 Indoorsy
11 Plea
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SUNDOWNER / We Chase The Waves CD / Asian Man Records / 2010
When an emo punker goes acoustic folk Americana it can be an iffy proposition. There are a few nice surprises on this debut featuring a couple members of LAWRENCE ARMS, but mostly it sounds like clunky ELLIOTT SMITH outtakes. Sad, because it was recorded just a few blocks from where I used to live in Chicago, in a very diverse and vibrant neighborhood. The surroundings just didn’t rub off on this music.
SOUNDS LIKE:
IRON AND WINE, FRUIT BATS, AVI BUFFALO
SUGGESTED TRACKS:
4 “As The Crow Flies” (slow and catchy)
5 “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” (nice pedal steel)
6 “All Prologue” (short and sweet
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