- Daniel McKernan / Jon Whitney
- Albums and Singles
Bella Unionpresents the debut Undark release, originally released in 1996 for alimited time direct from the label, but soon being sent to storesworldwide. The usage of different musicians and combinations from trackto track echoes ideas from This Mortal Coil albums from the 80s,differing styles yet remaining linear from start to finish of thealbum. Some songs that have an avant-garde classical feel, with verysubtle mutations of noises in the background and classical instrumentslayed over. Others, though, are very beat driven with fresh soundingnoises, sampled and noodled around with an attention to detail. Thevocal track "How Safe is Deep?", would also appeal most likely to fansof Eyeless in Gaza. For the most part, however, the album is devoid ofsinging, although often touched with voices and scattered fuzzysamples. Much like the last Undark album, guests include Brian Eno,Bill Laswell, Roger Eno, and David Sylvian. And, of course, the sleeveart and design was done by Mills himself, and showcases a newcomputerized direction for him.samples:
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- Mark Weddle
- Albums and Singles
His output of recent andthe near future is extensive, including 12"s and full lengths onnumerous hip labels: Sigma Editions, Chain Reaction, Max Ernst &Freunde, Phthalo, Force Tracks and here Mille Plateaux. "Entain"combines 4 new tracks with "Kohde" and "Ele" from last year's debut cd"Ele" on Sigma. Each of the tracks, with the exception of 2 briefuntitled segues, are between 15 and 22 minutes in length for nearly 77minutes total of continuous unfolding music. "Kohde" sets the tone witha flow of disjointed micro sounds (bass swells and blips, metallicplucks and pings, minuscule bits of percussion, glitches, pops, clicksand barely discernible human sighs) set against a reverb shroudedambient drone. The sounds gradually slide into a mildly funky rhythm assubconscious melodies also rise up out of the mix. The 22 minutescontinually evolve/devolve, almost inexplicably, and never becometiresome which is remarkable. And it's simply beautiful! "Poiko" and"Notke" are a bit more abrasive, repetitive and structured, the formerfeaturing a glitch loop and the latter a bass throb as centerpieces fortheir duration, while "Ele" is more similar to "Kohde". There is astrong sense/feel of improvisation and controlled chaos within thismusic and it's all purpose suitable to deep, background or REM timelistening. With the glut of artists working within the future musicfields, Vladislav Delay is one to pay attention to. He is trulyextending the boundaries of the electronic frontier with innovative andevocative sounds ...samples:
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- Freida Abtan
- Albums and Singles
South Pacific are Graeme Flemming (drums guitars samples),Joachim Toelke (guitars) and Phil Stewart-Bowes (bass), and if youanswered yes to the above question you really want to hear them play.Constance is South Pacific's first full-length release on TurnbuckleRecords, following their "33" EP - now out of print and increasinglydifficult to find. Full of drifting guitar landscapes and upbeatpercussion, this album is a perfect for days when you would rather havemusic shape the patterns in your head then words. Vocals appear on onlyone track, and even then seem to barely cut through the atmosphere.Almost any of the songs on Constance could have easily fit ontoSlowdive's "Souvlaki" or "Just for a day" because of the driftingquality of the music and the use of similar effects, but South Pacifichave a decidedly different direction to their music. I am finding itvery difficult to put any other albums in my cd player this week.Verdict: Strikingly beautiful music to dream by, don't operate heavymachinery while listening. South Pacific releases can be orderedthrough Turnbuckle at www.turnbuckle.com.Read More
- Jon Whitney / Daniel McKernan
- Albums and Singles
Tarwater return to Mute (US) and Kitty Yo (Europe) with this wonderful 11 part songbook.
Once again, it's a delicate arrangement of beats, electronics and beat poetry influenced spoken/sung words. These post-kraut-rockers step away from the others with their daring choice to sing over the analogue synth-bath. Multitudes of sounds get layered in an almost Arab Strap sounding execution I've been told, but I really can't see it myself. Head bobbing slow cool tunes and pretty melodies litter the entire album, providing a great soundtrack for chilling out or slow dancing. Simple melodies but complex rhythms, percussion, effects and samples. It's lovely, but ends quickly.
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- Mark Weddle
- Albums and Singles
"Pop" is his 4th full-length release as Gasand judging from the artwork it continues the 'forest' theme of thelast few albums. The near 66 minutes are split up into 7 untitledtracks ranging from 5 to 15 minutes in length. Each track has the samebasic formula: loop and repeat, ad nauseum. Voigt uses a variety ofdense and mildly melodic atmospheres somewhere between gaseous andliquid states. They simply flow on repeat for the duration of the trackwith little to no change. Add a simple techno beat to 2 tracks andthere you have it. "Pop" is relaxing but it's also very tedious, evenas 'background' music, due to it's excessive and pointless repetition.Instead of drawing me in it makes me want to play something else that'smore fully developed and more interesting. And the title? You've got me...samples:
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- Michael Holloway
- Albums and Singles
"Red Letters," on theother hand, is to my ears a cohesive, well structured and thoroughlyeffective disc. I'm very pleased with Edward's latest work. The wholealbum has a very slow, somber, moody atmosphere to it, yet "Seeing Red"is a bit faster (though still quite dark). It stirs me, my emotions, mythoughts and has already become one of my all-time favorite Ka-Spelsongs. "Belief on a Breeze," "Red Rock," and "Radio 6," are slow peiceswith plenty of chilling textures circulating around behind the simplemelodies, with Edward's emotive voice at the forefront.A question: Is it just me, or does the progression to "Beleif on aBreeze" sound hauntingly like "Lisa's Seperation" ; and does the pianoprogression in "Red Rock" hint of some song from one of the China Dollreleases...? Of course, it wouldn't be the first time Edward hasre-circulated musical themes.
"The Carrier," "Groovy," "Red Letters," and the latter half of "Beleifon a Breeze" offer the more experimental side of the album -- crunchysounds, clanging percussion, odd vocal samples and other bits of chaos.In a word, *wonderful*. I really like the way on "The Carrier,"Edward's drawled vocals fit perfectly with a very 'non musical'backdrop.
"Swamp Thing" differs quite a bit from the rest; it's musicallybrighter, with peppy keyboard percussion and a catchy chorus of "downboy down boy..." I enjoy the addition of Rachel's voice at the end,too, singing "what you do, you do for love."
Nothing on this disc failed to connect with me. Nice work, Edward!
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- Administrator
- Albums and Singles
These chicks are God awful at times but never anything less than fun. This debut full-lengther pulls some of their previously issued singles, "Glamor Girl" and "Mind Your Own Business" along with 11 other tasty delights. A new split 7" with V/Vm has just come out and another CD of other bits and pieces - "Unreleases" is next to impossible to find at this point. Get this when you see it as it's a fun ride of bored chick electronica with attitude, equipped with titty twisters and a cover of The Normal's "Warm Leatherette." Limited in the release, this CD is due to surface in about a week through the help of EFA distribution from Germany and Caroline in the USA.
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- Administrator
- Albums and Singles
His flavor is a choppity chopped up sonicbubblebath of abrasive beats, quick changes and obtrusive melodies.Many fans of Kid 606 shouldn't go without hearing this fella who's beenplaying in the same Macintosh-powered genre since before Kid could seeR rated movies legally. It's less comical but truly imaginative,talented and thrilling to listen to. Those with existing heartconditions be warned. 60 second sound clips truly don't do this artistjustice as each track has many different movements. Short attentionspan theater, indeed. Note: this disc was released with assistance fromForced Exposure and I've personally not seen it elsewhere...
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- Administrator
- Albums and Singles
Some from other bands as notable asAmber Asylum and Rasputina! Backworld's third album combines masterfulsound arrangement, very pretty melodies and brilliant yet melancholysongwriting to bring you a musical delight. The Death in June influenceis apparent in the song structure of tracks like 'Destroying Angel,'but Backworld's sound quality is far superior. The crisp clean12-string guitar and dulcimer blend so well with violin and cello, andthe vocals are mixed at just the right levels. Remarkably consistent inits high quality, and yet each song has its own unique sound andemotion.samples:
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- Alan Ezust and Dan Levin
- Albums and Singles
For me, most techno is just way too repetitive and irritating.Just because it has a really strong regular dance beat doesn't make itgood! Jean-Michel is an unfortunately confusing band name for this one-manmusical project by Thomas B?cker. It sounds very little likeJean-Michel Jarre, and people keep asking me what's the connection?French? New-age? Nope. Sometimes boppy and dancey, sometimesaggressive, and other times downbeat, blended in with some of the mostbeautiful acoustic guitar and restrained breakbeat you've ever heard.The build-up is long and gradual, but by the middles of the songs,you're drawn into it and there's no getting out. Some of the songs evenhave some jazzy improvisational interludes! 'Supernova,' one of themost brilliant pieces of trip-ambient-intelligent-techno I've everheard, is constantly changing and shifting, yet carrying through theentire piece a kind of energy, mood and melody that is quite appealing.Since the piece is so diverse, it is almost a crime to sample just oneminute of it, so I sampled two! I wish it was more widely available inNorth America; I'd tell everyone to buy it. Fortunately, a couple ofbig mailorder places do at least list it in their catalog now, althoughat very expensive import prices and with a "can backorder" status.
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- Administrator
- Albums and Singles
The thing I hate most iswhen a band comes out with a whole album where each song soundsbasically the same, or a bunch of rock guitars sounding gloomy. Give itup already, it's been done too many times before. What I really likeabout goth music, especially of the kind you find on Heavenly Voicescompilations or some of the recent stuff on World Serpent or MiddlePillar, is when it brings in another musical influence and blends itin, but then sinks a lot of energy into making it sound good. Eastmeets west, old meets new - Qntal and Love is Colder than Death popinto my head here. Twelfth of Never's debut CD, Blowing Bubbles ThroughBroken Windows, is an example of the kind of stuff that turns my crank.Beautiful vocal harmonies, very lush ethereal soundscapes, andoverflowing with brilliant ideas - each song has its own uniquecharacter and beauty to it. The creepy yet pretty song 'The Cycle'could easily score some of Tim Burton's next movie. Lots of crispacoustic sounds, shimmering bells, flute and dulcimers? Wow! Isincerely hope that Hyperium puts Theanna on Heavenly Voices Volume6,... And they're from Boston, no less. Oh, did I mention I liked theartwork too?samples:
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