You ever hear a name so much that you really should indeed check them out?
You ever trust alabel given everything they've released you've really liked? Have youever come home drunk, checking email and seeing an announcement of newreleases from an online store and chose things without thinking much?Well, here's a perfect case. This CD single has me confused whether Ithink it's the next big thing or it's so fucking awful I think I willstart peforming stress and endurance tests on it. Loads of 14 year oldsare making music like this in their parents house, although I've heardlots of teenagers making music less weak and cliche than this shit. Ithas some weird enjoyable element to it, all the same... Maybe I justdon't get it. To me,it sounds like discount kitsch, with predictablesimple beats and trashy lyrics. Then again, people do indeed buyterrible music. (Cylob fans will enjoy this.) As for myself, morelistens and I'm more confused. Listen to the sound samples and decidefor yourself.
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You ever trust alabel given everything they've released you've really liked? Have youever come home drunk, checking email and seeing an announcement of newreleases from an online store and chose things without thinking much?Well, here's a perfect case. This CD single has me confused whether Ithink it's the next big thing or it's so fucking awful I think I willstart peforming stress and endurance tests on it. Loads of 14 year oldsare making music like this in their parents house, although I've heardlots of teenagers making music less weak and cliche than this shit. Ithas some weird enjoyable element to it, all the same... Maybe I justdon't get it. To me,it sounds like discount kitsch, with predictablesimple beats and trashy lyrics. Then again, people do indeed buyterrible music. (Cylob fans will enjoy this.) As for myself, morelistens and I'm more confused. Listen to the sound samples and decidefor yourself.samples:
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Well, maybe it's not really Sonic Youth, but it does follow along the whole theme of the Musical Perspectives series.
Number 5 is a full-length collaborationbetween Kim Gordon, DJ Olive and Ikue Mori. The chosen language of thisseries is, of course Japanese, but unlike volumes 1-3, this one comeswith translations. (Sell-out!) From the first minutes of the release,it feels as if the magic is back: the noise, the experimentalism that aguitar band always wants to do. 60 second sound samples do this albumno justice as each song has a multitude of parts and sounds, allentirely wonderful this time around, utitlizing Gordon's voice andguitar work, alongside electronic Japanese fuckery with environmentalsound sources and samples. Leave the pop records behind and exploresome Musical Perspectives today!
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Number 5 is a full-length collaborationbetween Kim Gordon, DJ Olive and Ikue Mori. The chosen language of thisseries is, of course Japanese, but unlike volumes 1-3, this one comeswith translations. (Sell-out!) From the first minutes of the release,it feels as if the magic is back: the noise, the experimentalism that aguitar band always wants to do. 60 second sound samples do this albumno justice as each song has a multitude of parts and sounds, allentirely wonderful this time around, utitlizing Gordon's voice andguitar work, alongside electronic Japanese fuckery with environmentalsound sources and samples. Leave the pop records behind and exploresome Musical Perspectives today!samples:
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The latest in Invisible Soundtracks collections, volume 3, features Rothko, 310, Bass Communion, Bob Ellis and many many others.
Next to each track on thedisc, the artist has listed their favoritecomposer/director/actor/film—whether it is related to their compilationsubmission is unknown by me at this time. I can hear influence forexample in 310's cut on here which gives the nod to Badalamenti/Lynchand the film "The Sheltering Sky." At over 74 minutes, this collectionof instrumentals from 16 excellent artists is worth having for acollection and for study-hall time music this year in school.
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Next to each track on thedisc, the artist has listed their favoritecomposer/director/actor/film—whether it is related to their compilationsubmission is unknown by me at this time. I can hear influence forexample in 310's cut on here which gives the nod to Badalamenti/Lynchand the film "The Sheltering Sky." At over 74 minutes, this collectionof instrumentals from 16 excellent artists is worth having for acollection and for study-hall time music this year in school.samples:
- Susumu Yokata - Fancy Flavour
- 310 - St Mesa Substation
- Rothko - Suddenly Becomes Light
- Bass Communion - Quantico
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Eleven years of German rock comes together for this medium priced sampler from label L'Age D'or.
I can't say I've heard of any of these bands but they sure dorock a lot more excitingly than a lot of the post-kraut-rock to surfaceover the last couple years. This isn't to say that stuff is bad oranything, but there's more to German rock than noodling at keyboardsand bass guitar, keeping your mouth shut. I'm now interested in findingout more about various bands on here like Tocotronic, whose openingsong just jumps out of the speakers with a pop style almost ready forprime time and an electronic element faking skipping sounds, all inrhythm. The energy continues with entertaining interpretations of TheJams' "That's Entertainment" and a 7-banjo cover of Kraftwerk's"Autobahn" by Fink. Look for it, hunt for it and if you give up, harasswww.lado.de.
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I can't say I've heard of any of these bands but they sure dorock a lot more excitingly than a lot of the post-kraut-rock to surfaceover the last couple years. This isn't to say that stuff is bad oranything, but there's more to German rock than noodling at keyboardsand bass guitar, keeping your mouth shut. I'm now interested in findingout more about various bands on here like Tocotronic, whose openingsong just jumps out of the speakers with a pop style almost ready forprime time and an electronic element faking skipping sounds, all inrhythm. The energy continues with entertaining interpretations of TheJams' "That's Entertainment" and a 7-banjo cover of Kraftwerk's"Autobahn" by Fink. Look for it, hunt for it and if you give up, harasswww.lado.de.samples:
- Tocotronic - Jackpot
- Jonas - Grubby
- Fink - Autobahn
- Ostzonesuppenwürfelmachenkrebs - Von Haus Aus Allein
- Workshop - I Wish I Had You
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Two brand spanking new reissues from My Pal God are the rereleases of Drums & Tuba.
Imagine if the tubist and drummer from a high school band got togetherwith a teenage guitarist and decided to record whatever came to mind,and there you have Drums & Tuba. Somehow I get reminded of theKLF's "Fuck the Millennium" ending and three guys running behind themtrying to catch up. The tunes are fun and I'm sure this is a great bandto see live. Box Fetish collects the original 1999 record plus threenew tracks exclusive to this CD release. It starts out high schoolish,but towards the end, the songs become more adventurous with use oftrumpets and other percussives.
Volume 2 of the Water Damage Re-Issues is The Flying Ballerina,recorded in 1998. This disc seems to have more of a jazz influenceright off the bat while rocking out a little more. The formula'sbasically the same yet I find it more charming and variable. Thesediscs are ideal for those students who have to commute on busses ortrains. Certainly some great morning cup of moccaccino-blast heldwithin...
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Imagine if the tubist and drummer from a high school band got togetherwith a teenage guitarist and decided to record whatever came to mind,and there you have Drums & Tuba. Somehow I get reminded of theKLF's "Fuck the Millennium" ending and three guys running behind themtrying to catch up. The tunes are fun and I'm sure this is a great bandto see live. Box Fetish collects the original 1999 record plus threenew tracks exclusive to this CD release. It starts out high schoolish,but towards the end, the songs become more adventurous with use oftrumpets and other percussives.Volume 2 of the Water Damage Re-Issues is The Flying Ballerina,recorded in 1998. This disc seems to have more of a jazz influenceright off the bat while rocking out a little more. The formula'sbasically the same yet I find it more charming and variable. Thesediscs are ideal for those students who have to commute on busses ortrains. Certainly some great morning cup of moccaccino-blast heldwithin...samples:
- Carrots (from Box Fetish)
- Curtains (from Box Fetish)
- Fists of Spaghetti (from The Flying Ballerina)
- The Flying Ballerina (from The Flying Ballerina)
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Fans who love to drone onand on and on will love what they'll get from the new Bright record.Bright, formerly (currently?) based in Boston had a release in Darla's"Bliss Out" series a couple years back.
Since then, I've often wonderedwhat ever became of them. Being in Boston, I never heard of themplaying, but I guess I've simply been missing out. 'Full Negative,' isa solid chunk of a well balanced diet of organic rock instrumentsworking together for the sake of sound, not show, with little need forvocals. From the first song, the sound is inviting and captivating,with dynamics that echo mid 80s Sonic Youth, 70s Wire or even earlyMogwai.
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Since then, I've often wonderedwhat ever became of them. Being in Boston, I never heard of themplaying, but I guess I've simply been missing out. 'Full Negative,' isa solid chunk of a well balanced diet of organic rock instrumentsworking together for the sake of sound, not show, with little need forvocals. From the first song, the sound is inviting and captivating,with dynamics that echo mid 80s Sonic Youth, 70s Wire or even earlyMogwai.samples:
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From Sahko in Finland comes this excellent priced CD from that guy who simply goes by Fred.
You might recognize his name from the Psychic TV days of the 80s orsome remix works he did in the 90s, but try and clear your mind forthis release. This time around, Fred's been working with samples andsources, pulling together tremendous soundscapes for release.'Telepathic Romance' consists of two tracks named Contemplation. Part 1totals just over 30 minutes and incorporates some uneasy low rumblingsblaneted over by comforting lush strings. A perfect soundtrack to athunderstorm on a Sunday afternoon. Part 2 runs just over 12 minutesand can easily be the stunningly beautiful clearing after the storm.Choral samples, low drones clash with heartbeat-esque pulses. Too badthese sound samples are only 60 seconds. Hunt for this one.
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You might recognize his name from the Psychic TV days of the 80s orsome remix works he did in the 90s, but try and clear your mind forthis release. This time around, Fred's been working with samples andsources, pulling together tremendous soundscapes for release.'Telepathic Romance' consists of two tracks named Contemplation. Part 1totals just over 30 minutes and incorporates some uneasy low rumblingsblaneted over by comforting lush strings. A perfect soundtrack to athunderstorm on a Sunday afternoon. Part 2 runs just over 12 minutesand can easily be the stunningly beautiful clearing after the storm.Choral samples, low drones clash with heartbeat-esque pulses. Too badthese sound samples are only 60 seconds. Hunt for this one.samples:
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I figure I should get to this release as it's been staring me in the face since June.
Some mightremember the Live Human release on Fat Cat last year, this is thesecond full-lengther from San Franciscan trio who's music is somewhatof a mix between improvisational play and break beat scratching. It's aperfect release to bop and groove to on your walkman while walkingbetween classes, but it's not a terribly coherent concept. You can stopit and start it anywhere without missing any feeling. While I think thealbum's fairly good and they've got a load of talent with the hypnoticuse of double bass and fierce scratching, it might have been betterwith half the songs and twice the amount of development time for eachtrack. I'd love to find out where this band goes as they do have somegreat potential.
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Some mightremember the Live Human release on Fat Cat last year, this is thesecond full-lengther from San Franciscan trio who's music is somewhatof a mix between improvisational play and break beat scratching. It's aperfect release to bop and groove to on your walkman while walkingbetween classes, but it's not a terribly coherent concept. You can stopit and start it anywhere without missing any feeling. While I think thealbum's fairly good and they've got a load of talent with the hypnoticuse of double bass and fierce scratching, it might have been betterwith half the songs and twice the amount of development time for eachtrack. I'd love to find out where this band goes as they do have somegreat potential.samples:
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Kim Cascone, formerly of Silent Records, has founded the new label Anechoic and this is the debut release.
"Parasites" is, to borrow a few bits from the pressrelease, "a blurring of the line between atomic samples andcompositions ... for either listening or constructing new pieces with".Most of the 20 numbered parasites are in the 6 seconds to 1 and 1/2minute range for a total of about 16 and 1/2 minutes. Each is a merefragment of heavily processed, digital desktop minimalism. It's notreally 'glitch' or any other easily discernible genre, just quick wavesand buzzes of sound. Altogether they form a haphazard collection ofdreadfully similar and not too terribly exciting, almost offensivelydull, music. It's a shame that parasite12 is only 32 seconds longbecause it's the most intense, unique and interesting of the lot. I'mnot normally one to use the "I could do this myself" line but in thiscase I'd have much more fun making my own in an hour with Cool Editthan listening to these. But maybe that's the point? I honestly don'tknow what the point is. The disc itself is the most appealing featureas it's a new 3" square shaped cd format known as 'card discs'. Likemini cds you need a player, such as a Discman, with a spindle in orderto play it. Ultimately what I'm left with is a $10 piece of eye candyto show to my friends after asking "have you ever seen a square cd?" Mymom thinks it's cute. I didn't play it for her though ...
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"Parasites" is, to borrow a few bits from the pressrelease, "a blurring of the line between atomic samples andcompositions ... for either listening or constructing new pieces with".Most of the 20 numbered parasites are in the 6 seconds to 1 and 1/2minute range for a total of about 16 and 1/2 minutes. Each is a merefragment of heavily processed, digital desktop minimalism. It's notreally 'glitch' or any other easily discernible genre, just quick wavesand buzzes of sound. Altogether they form a haphazard collection ofdreadfully similar and not too terribly exciting, almost offensivelydull, music. It's a shame that parasite12 is only 32 seconds longbecause it's the most intense, unique and interesting of the lot. I'mnot normally one to use the "I could do this myself" line but in thiscase I'd have much more fun making my own in an hour with Cool Editthan listening to these. But maybe that's the point? I honestly don'tknow what the point is. The disc itself is the most appealing featureas it's a new 3" square shaped cd format known as 'card discs'. Likemini cds you need a player, such as a Discman, with a spindle in orderto play it. Ultimately what I'm left with is a $10 piece of eye candyto show to my friends after asking "have you ever seen a square cd?" Mymom thinks it's cute. I didn't play it for her though ... Read More
Foreign Terrain is AndrewDiey of Manchester, UK. "LP 1" was originally a very limited cd-rrelease but now it is the readily available debut for SoleilmoonRecordings. Though indexed as 27 separate tracks, most lessthan a few minutes, the nearly 66 minutes total is a singleuninterrupted sonic journey. Diey's music is a smooth and mellowelectro-ambient collage that touches upon dub, techno and hip hop withlaid back beats interspersed every few tracks. Sounds found withininclude many natural environments, snatches of vocals, dialogue,rappers, laughter, rain and running water, footsteps, snoring and theambiance of a tennis match. The 12+ minute mini epic "ObliqueEccentricity" seems to sum it all up best and adds jazzy bass and keys.The influence of friend and fellow Manchester resident the late BrynJones (aka Muslimgauze) is apparent, but not to the point of beingderivative, through several of the track titles, a brief remix of "Handof Fatima" and some of the sounds. In fact, the insert notes "Dedicatedto Bryn Jones, Inspired by Muslimgauze". The overall vibe is indeedsimilar to Muslimgauze, especially the more ominous electronic moments,but Foreign Terrain is also playful and cheery at times. I get a strongsense of motion and travel from this music, almost as if Kraftwerk leftthe Autobahn, picked up Brian Eno and The Orb then headed for thedeserts of the Middle East and rain forests of South America for a fewweeks while listening to a Chain Reaction and hip hop mix tape. "LP 1"is easy on the ears and thoroughly relaxing, music for anytime andanywhere and music to take you away from anytime and anywhere. Thismight just make my top 10 of 2000 list. More releases by ForeignTerrain and another more mysterious Diey project, Black Faction, are tofollow. Stay tuned at www.langmanis.com ...
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samples:
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Four discs have been reissued this round, all of which were originally out on Rough Trade, subsequently released by Play It Again, Sam, WaxTrax! and/or Nettwerk. These four releases are scatterings across the growth curve—represented by 1981's 'Heartbeat', 1988's 'Songs of Love and Lust', and two releases from 1990: 'Trance' and 'Techno Primitiv.'
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Through the years, you can hear the exit from the TG days - breaking free from the noise yet holding on to a charming primitivism. With this, they entered a period along with many other cold-war era electronic musicans who used the machines to paint bleak melodies, more eerie and haunting than anything new released in the last 10 years on Cleopatra or Metropolis. Through the 1980s, the techno-pop period holds a lot of fond memories for many of us who experienced these songs on Nettwerk Sound Samplers and WaxTrax! comps, but the sound is incredibly dated.
Entering the 90s, much of the thin pop wash was being slowly let go - grooves became deeper, heavier and more instrumental, all leading up to their current sound which is one of sheer brilliance, audio mastery and maturity. The more I listen to the "Union" concert CD from 1998, the sadder I feel not having been there. If you're near London on September 1st, they'll be spinning records at the old ICA, a favorite stomping ground for their Industrial days.
samples:
- Heartbeat (from Heartbeat)
- Just Like You (from Heartbeat)
- Driving Blind (from Songs of Love and Lust)
- Talk to Me (from Songs of Love and Lust)
- Tantalize (from Songs of Love and Lust)
- Stolen Kisses (from Techno Primitiv)
- Cowboys in Cuba (from Trance)
- Re-Education Through Labor (from Trance)
- Morning (from Techno Primitiv)
- Misunderstandings (from Techno Primitiv)
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