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Brieviews 20

8/2/2017

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Aidan Baker & Karen Willems - Landlos

drone / ambient / jazz / krautrock
Midira Records 
Aidan Baker
Karen Willems
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Another cooperation between Aidan Baker and a drummer, this time Karen Willems from Belgian experimental band Inwolves. Together, the duo recorded two tracks which both showcase the drone ambient we all know Aidan Baker for, but also take on elements from krautrock and jazz. Of course, neither of both musicians go for a conventional way of playing their instruments and in this case, that leads to a strange, mildly psychedelic trip. The overall tone is rather calm and soothing. Of course, this comes highly recommended for all drone ambient fans. You simply can't go wrong with Baker & Willems.

Derby Derby - Love Dance

drone / krautrock / experimental
Ormo Records
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This debut album by French improv-experimentalists Derby Derby is quite an interesting one. Split into two parts, this thirty minutes lasting blend of krautrock and drone reeks of jazz, without losing itself in the chaotic approach of free jazz. Part one, 'Love' reminds me of Caudal, but with trumpets instead of guitars. It's slow, repetitive and immersive, and perfectly suited for all fans of Aidan Baker and company. The other track, 'Dance', is wild, energetic and psychedelic. Both are absolute recommendations for those who love to wander in elaborate musical landscapes, that is a fact. 

Noemie Nours - Songs From The Life Of Bears

singer-songwriter
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These are four of the saddest, most fragile songs you'll ever hear, seemingly recorded somewhere in a bedroom. There is nothing complex or overproduced about this ep, on the very contrary. This is an introvert singer and her instrument, completely locked into herself, into the subdued correlation between the two. The result is an exceptionally minimal singer-songwriter ep that breathes the spirit of folk activism and protest.  Amplified and extended with other instruments, these tunes could become immersive shoegaze songs and I kinda want to hear that happen, but for now, this surely is something to listen to while shedding some tears...

Fen / Sleepwalker - Stone And Sea / Call Of Ashes II

doom / dark ambient
Ksenza records
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A dark and haunting split between Russian one-man act Sleepwalker and UK's progressive black metal act Fen. Sleepwalker opens the split with three amazing pieces of music, ranging from shoegaze to post-rock and doom to dark ambient. Opener 'Somnambulistic Trance' alone is worth the effort of buying the album, an immersive piece of work, like The Cure meets A Swarm Of The Sun. Then there are three Fen tracks, two epic progressive black metal pieces and one calm, acoustic track. Obviously, all six tracks are worthy of a spot in your collection. This simply is an awesome split album, period.

Assent - We Are The New Black

metal / metalcore
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Aah, the French, such a bunch of stubborn experimentalists. Once again a French act comes up with something that defies all classification. This project, created in 2015 by Aurélien Fouet-Barak (vocals, bass, drums programming) blends a bunch of metal genres, including groove metal, black metal, metalcore, progressive and heavy metal, into a whirlpool of heavy, violent, technical and blasting music. With all these different elements, obviously this is a well-varied album. Yet, in all honesty, I do have to say that only trained metal ears will be able appreciate this. For other people, this is just too weird and exhausting, not for me though...

Raptor King - Dinocalypse

thrash metal / hardcore
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We're not done with the weirdness of the French yet, and apparently that also counts for the level of variation and the number of different genres. Here, thrash metal goes fist in fist with hardcore, black metal, stoner doom, heavy metal and whatnot. The result is an ep that rips on your eardrums and stomps your stomach. My personal favorite is the blackened 'Fight 'n Roll', but I would recommend the entire thing because of two good reasons. One, it fucking rocks, and two, the front man is a dinosaur who survived the meteor impact and the following extinction 74 million years ago. I know, it sounds weird but in France, everything is possible...

Nula - Kenoma 

doom / sludge
Black Bow Records
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Hailing from Serbia, Nula comes with a different and refreshing approach to doom and sludge metal. not only are the vocals in Serbian, which is already pretty unique I think, but Nula also brings a sense of melody to their rough and intense sound. Furthermore, it seems like black metal has been one of Nula's influences, along of course with several sludge doom bands. 'Silazak U Prah' is my personal favorite but I'm quite positive that all three songs on this album will eventually end up in my heavy playlist. I suggest you do the same, check out this album, let these Serbians surprise, shock and awe you. You know damn well you want to...

Adrian Pain & The Dead Sexy - Mixed Messages

metal / metalcore 
All-Core
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Canada delivers another slab of musical aggression with metal hybrids Adrian Pain & The Dead Sexy. Here, we have something between metalcore, death and progressive metal, as if Alexisonfire or Funeral For A Friend combined forces with Deftones, Ill Nino or Incubus. In a way, this ep can be seen as a gateway, something to lure younger rock fans into the massive world of metal and core. Honestly, this isn't really my cup of tea, as I'm not a big -core fan, but I have to admit that there are some awesome tunes to be found and that 'Say It Like You Mean It' is a world class song. So, youngers, meet your new favorite...

Soothsayer - At This Great Depth

doom / sludge / black metal
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Hell yeah, a huge dreamy post-rock/doom passage, followed by nutsack ripping black metal and sheer brutality. Normally, those sudden outbursts of aggression cause me to go 'meh' but in this case, I'm definitely sold. These Irish doomers have released a stunning ep, with two long tracks, heaps of variation and some psychedelic passages. This is sludge metal at its best, intense as fuck and immersive as hell. And then the second song still has to start. Doomers, doubt no longer, this will provide you with multiple eargasms, or it will make you go absolutely insane, which is just as good...

Illimitable Dolor - Illimitable Dolor

doom
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From Australia comes arguably one of the most beautiful doom metal albums of the year. This album is a tribute to Gregg Williamson, a deceased band member, and perhaps one of the most emotional tributes I've ever heard. The album contains for deep and sorrowful doom anthems, somewhere between the funeral doom of Evoken and the doom death of bands like November's Doom. If you are nostalgic for those glorious nineties and its awe-inspiring bands, you definitely need this gem in your collection, right next to My Dying Bride, Saturnus, Officium Triste & Shape of Despair. Get it now, you will not be disappointed, I promise...

Radien - Maa

sludge / doom
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Oh damn, this is a massive doom monster with fierce claws, perfectly prepared and willing to rip you shreds. Finnish sludge doom horde Radien comes up with a very nasty and gritty version of the genre, seemingly also inspired by the punk scene. The two tracks on this ep are horrifying pieces of music, and that is actually a compliment. Throughout the two songs, I've been thinking about Winter, Skullflower, Dopethrone and the complete uselessness of our existence. Besides, usually, I'm not so high on sludge metal vocals, but this one is awesome. These guys are on their way to become one of my favorites in a precarious scene...
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Brieviews 18

14/1/2017

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Hurray, the first edition of Brieviews of 2017 is here and once again it's a damn varied one. From shoegaze to grindcore and from techno to djent, it's all in here. I'm sure that there is something you like in here. Enjoy...
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Blushing - Tether

shoegaze / dreampop
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Two husbands and wives making music together, that's always a better idea than go on a joint bicycle trip while wearing similar fluorescent bike-wear, not? Well, it certainly proved to be an excellent time spending idea for these four Americans, making blissful dreampop and shoegaze. In these four tracks, they easily please fans of Slowdive and Cocteau Twins while also coming with with some gritty grunge sounds. Opener 'Tether' is a damn catchy tune, one that might easily get stuck in your head. The other songs are perfect shoegazing tunes, once again highlighting in 'Mess'. This truly is a recommended ep.

88 Mile Trip - Blame Canada

stoner rock
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Another neat idea comes from Canadian stoner rockers 88 Mile Trip. During a beer drinking and record spinning session, they discovered some awesome songs from their home country and decided to cover the ones they like the most. That results in groovy stoner rock versions of songs by Bachman Turner Overdrive, Red Rider, Doug and The Slugs, Neil Young and Stampeders. Yet, the band manages not only to cover the songs but to make them their own, eventually resulting in a surprisingly coherent sounding ep. Although, as good as the ep is, I can't help but continuously singing South Park's 'Blame Canada'. Perhaps a cover idea for the future? 

The Empire Line - Syndicat de la Couture

electronic / ambient
Avian
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Scandinavian multi-disciplinary artists Jonas Rönnberg & Christian Stadsgaard come up with some haunting electronic ambient like only experienced techno producers can do. Opening with the creepy 'Fragrance Arpege', this ep is as atmospheric as it is varied. 'Cafe Anglais' drives on electronic percussion and unidentified noises while 'Jewelry Armoire' is post-apocalyptic soundtrack material with eerie soundscapes. Closer 'Syndicat de la Couture' eventually brings out the analog beats and techno influences, but in a good way, a trancy and somewhat hypnotic way. Nice little gem, certainly recommended.

Movement Of Static - Novelty Seekers

post rock
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We also have something nice for fans of post rock, namely the Greek band Movement Of Static who have released their quite promising debut ep. Although, ep, the whole thing last over half an hour, which gives us plenty of time to get acquainted with these beautiful tunes. In four songs, Movement Of Static provides the listener with an excellent blend of post rock and ambient with some heavier passages and loads of atmosphere. Opener 'Telomeres' is a brilliant piece of work, dark, creepy and immersive, like Godspeed meets Deftones.  If you like well-varied post rock music, you just can't go wrong with this ep.

Cowards - Still

black metal / hardcore
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Somewhere in the extreme spectrum of the musical universe, we find French horde Cowards and their brand new ep 'Still'. With a blend of black metal, hardcore and sludge, this act plans a vicious assault on your sanity. The music is gritty, noisy and more in-your-face than you can imagine. Pulverising riffs, blasting drums and a vocalist who seemingly feels like he doesn't need his lungs, this thing is out for nothing less than utter destruction. However, they do have a sense of humor, brilliantly covering The Horrorist's 'One Night In NYC', which actually is one of the coolest covers I've ever heard. Anyway, if you want music to murder you, this ep might be worth a shot

Dead Neanderthals - Dolphin

heavy jazz / noise rock
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Dutch heavy jazz combo Dead Neanderthals are seemingly doing everything in their power to make something unique. As a gift to their fans, they uploaded this eleven minutes lasting epos of sax, drums, chaos, intensity and insanity. It's stuff like this that connects the jazz scene with the grindcore and noise rock scenes and I have no idea what most jazz fans will think about this. That aside, I would recommend checking it out, preferably at a ridiculously loud volume and start throwing things against the walls. It therapeutic, I promise, you'll feel a lot better when it's all over. Rare jongens, die Nederlanders...

The Stone Cox - Blackboard

alternative rock
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Hell yeah, time to rock 'n roll  and for that French combo The Stone Cox are the perfect companions. On this ep, they come up with three high energy rock tracks, influenced by everything between Led Zeppelin and Foo Fighters. The first two are heavy and groovy rockers that can get every party started. Closer 'Not Going Home (Hard Red Sun)' somewhat reminds me of a band like The Scabs and shows a more musically gifted side of this band. Anyhow, rockers of all ages can easily appreciate this ep and I hope that soon this will be followed by a full-length. 

Death Metal Pope - Harvest

doom metal
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Imagine that, a death metal pope, growling his yearly "urbi et orbi" from a black and red painted Vatican. Would be funny. However, this Death Metal Pope has nothing to do with Christianity and just barely with death metal. This is a doom metal band which often comes very close to Black Sabbath and on other occasions blasts some guttural grunts and some psychedelic passages in your face. Although I still had my doubts in title track 'Harvest', 'From The Dust Returned' convinced me that this is an awesome ep, one that is certainly worth your attention if you're into old school doom. A must-have for doom fans, that's for sure.

Ben Blutzukker - Analog Blood

heavy metal
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German one man electro band Blutzukker becomes German one man metal band Ben Blutzukker and comes up with something surprising. As you can see on the cover, one of the influences is Guns 'n Roses but the whole thing sounds more like an Abbath side project, exploring the massive history of heavy metal. The four songs on this ep are quite gritty metal songs, reminding me of acts like Venom or Motorhead. Not bad for songs that were initially electro/industrial tunes. My favorite is 'Red' but I'd certainly recommend every open minded metalhead to check this out and compare the songs to the originals.

A Cunning Man - Practical Applications Of Theurgy

power metal / heavy metal
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Another one man project, and one with a quite unusual twist. A Cunning Man describes his act as "One man metal project with a strong Scottish accent", something I can't deny. Of course, the Scottish accent makes the whole thing sound somewhat weird and drags it into the world of pagan metal. Yet, the music feels like a mesmerizing amalgamation of metal styles, from the power metal of bands like Hammerfall over black and death metal to modern day arena rock. The ep contains three songs which certainly deserve your attention, especially if you want something familiar yet unique. 

Beneath A Godless Sky - ​Beneath A Godless Sky

hardcore / progressive
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French djent-act Beneath A Godless Sky comes with a debut that will pierce you in more ways that you could possibly imagine. Now, personally, I'm not a connoisseur of the whole djent scene, which to me makes this whole ep sound like something between Meshuggah, Periphery and Tesseract. I guess that's not a band list of bands to be compared with. I do know that the songs on this thing are loaded with energy, intensity and brutality. Besides, some passages here are damn immersive and most riffs are well-worth of an intense headbanging session. In its entirety, I know that this is nothing for me but for fans of progressive hardcore and djent, it is definitely a must-have.

Elusion - Desert Of Enticement

symphonic meal / gothic meal
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This debut by Belgian band Elusion does not sound like a debut, far from it. If you told me that this was a new effort by After Forever or Epica, I might have believed you. The three songs on this ep are high quality symphonic metal songs, played by seasoned musicians and sung by a talented  woman. What's more, these songs rock, making them perfect headbanging material. Personally, I didn't really follow this particular genre anymore but I'm damn sure that these three tunes, especially the folky closer 'Facade' will appear in my day-to-day playlist quite often from now on. They should appear in yours too if you're into this genre.

Rumah - A View To The Sea

techno
Wolfskuil
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At festivals, I often wander into the dance hall, even though I do not consider myself a techno fan. However, I usually enjoyed these sonic adventures for a while, which is exactly why I sometimes decide to review a techno ep This one comes from English producer Rumah and contains four high energy dance tunes, mainly inspired by the Detroit scene of the nineties. The first act that came to mind to compare this ep with, was Joey Beltram and you can add people like Jeff Mills or Dave Clarke to that list as well. So yes, this is a recommended release if you're in for some decent, old school dance music.

American Anymen + Lise - Oui

alternative / singer-songwriter
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From the United States comes a nice cooperation between anti-folk act American Anymen and singer-songwriter/keyboardist Lise. In four songs, both acts seem to explore the possibilities of this get together. Opener 'Nobody Made Me Smile Like You Did' is an excellent ballad while 'Less Complex' and 'Does Anybody Still Think Of Me' are uplifting rock songs, driving on acoustic guitars. Closer 'H' is another ballad, but probably my favorite track on this album. I wouldn't really know who to compare this ep with, Beck maybe? But then again, nice pop songs like these don't need comparison, they just need to be listened to.

The Vomiting Dinosaurs - Exoplanets

death metal / thrash metal
Grimoire Records
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And we end this edition of Brieviews with a short but destructive assault by American thrash-death horde The Vomiting Dinosaurs. In mere  fifteen minutes this trio blasts nine songs of gore and brutality over their listeners and I'm sure those listeners will enjoy the abuse.  Most of the songs drive on fierce hardcore punk tempos and issue an array of guttural growls and screams. If this stuff doesn't get your grindcore party started, you are not having a grindcore party, that's for damn fucking bloody sure. A favorite? Nope, this whole thing is only fifteen minutes long, which makes the entire thing well suited for a session of audible SM.

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Anthony Rausku - 1984

23/11/2016

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rock / pop / singer-songwriter
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We remain in the realm of singers-songwriters a little longer, this time with Finnish artist Anthony Rausku. According to the accompanying biography, the seven songs on this album were recently rediscovered on a tape. Originally recorded in 1984, Rausky forgot about them for over thirty years. For this album, he re-recorded them, this time including a new alto saxophone. The result is a rock album that is just as relevant today as it was back in those days.

As you might recall, in 1984 was a year of fear as new nuclear missile technologies entered Europe. Tensions greatly increased between the major world powers with both sides becoming more militaristic. In fact, there isn't that much difference between that "second cold war" era and the one we are living in today. Tensions still are high today. Allover the globe, many people still live in fear of war and terror. 

So in a way, the seven songs on this album are equally relevant today, and so is the music. With a blend of blues, folk rock and grunge, Rausky knows how to create compelling songs which remind me of people like Bowie, Cave, Dylan or Waits. The whole is quite rough and gritty, somehow perfectly illustrating the mood, or Zeitgeist, the artist was in while writing the songs. I guess protest-songs are a timeless thing.

It's hard to pick out a favorite track on this album, but if you make me, I think I'll pick the rocking 'Lipstick Vaccine' or maybe the gloomy 'Sparkling Vision'. Yet, all songs show excellent songwriting skills and a flair for writing timeless protest songs. Although I do recommend this album to all fans of singer songwriter and decent rock music, I hope Rausku doesn't have to release these again in thirty years. I hope by then the world is a better place...


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Klein - Bengal Sparks

12/8/2016

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indie / alternative / pop / singer-songwriter
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Well, I guess it's time to get this review online. In the past month or so, I've spent several hours listening to the album and rewriting the whole article, only to have it end up in the drafts, waiting to be published. Why so? Well, this simply is a difficult album to describe. For starters, the album reminds me a lot of one particular act but I can't remember which one and that is bloody frustrating. Second, this takes a dig into my entire non-metal musical knowledge, especially the alternative corners of the pop music industry.

First things first, Klein is German multi-instrumentalist Lutz Nikolaus Kratzer. According to the biography, he loves all the instruments in the world, except panpipes. 'Bengal Sparks' is his third album under this moniker, one on which he surely comes up with a heap of instrumentation and electronics. He throws all of those instruments into nifty pop songs, here and there aided by either Mr Vast or Kuoko. 

Throughout this album, an massive load of bands come to mind, from Massive Attack over Ween to Sonic Youth. There are elements from shoegaze, from noise, from trip-hop and even some grunge licks. Yet, all of those elements have been blend into uplifting songs. It's not hard to start shaking your ass to 'Lowride', 'Parking Lot' or 'Nicotine Princess'. Speaking about 'Lowrider', this song is the indie rock version of an electro clash song. You know, Ween plays Goldfrapp, or something like that.

Come to think of it, I'm starting to believe that my little problem is solved. The band I couldn't remember, which is described in the opening paragraph, is probably Ween. The blatant disregard towards genre boundaries, the cheek-in-tongue approach, the joyful yet often gritty sound, this might have well been a Ween album. That also explains why I wasn't very fond of the album at first but love it now. It's the same with everything recorded by Dean & Gene, it needs to grow and gradually show its true brilliance.

So yes, I've grown quite fond of this one. It has become an excellent companion for my daily chores. The trippy 'Silly You' is one of my favorites and 'Ghosttown' definitely deserves a mention because both Massive Attack and Tricky completely forgot to write this beauty. Or how about 'Neon Fog', an americana tune, interlaced with soundscapes and shoegaze and I don't know what else. This is too good to be ignored, this whole album is. 


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Exec - The Limber Real

15/1/2016

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classical / singer/songwriter
Tambourhinoceros

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There comes a time in everybody's life when a person has to do things differently, tone down and take a step back from the bustle and racket from everyday life.  Over the years I've seen many musicians suddenly take on a different approach, usually minimalistic and serene.  Like the death metal drummer who suddenly rediscovered the piano at his grandmother's house and started playing it.  That man is now widely successful and praised for his work.  That man's name is Olafur Arnalds.

There's quite a similar story to be found on this album.  Exec is Troels Abrahamsen, most notable for being the vocalist for Danish electro-rock band Veto.  He too rediscovered the piano, a instrument he knew very well as a child.  Fascinated by the warm, analog sound of this instrument, he started working on new songs, featuring nothing but the piano and his distinct voice.  The result is this splendid album, a solo performance in the best possible way.

There's another Olafur Arnalds reference.  The songs on this album remind me a lot of some of the ones on 'For Now I Am Winter', more specifically the ones with vocals.  Both excel in creating an atmosphere of solittude and often complete loneliness.  But not necessarily in a bad way. It feels a bit like sitting near an open fire in the heart of winter, cozy and soothing.  It's both modest and emotional.

My advice? Well, fact is that Mr. Abrahamsen has a distinct voice which might take some getting used to at first.  However, it still is a strong voice with plenty of timbre and dynamics to carry this album to a high level.  I do recommend this album to any fan of his work in Veto and as a vocalist in Kölsch and Audion.  The album shows a different style, one that I like a lot.  I wouldn't be surprised if Exec shows up on some of Europe's jazz-festival stages this summer, or in large theater venues. 


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Kentin Jivek - Junky Prophet

31/12/2015

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dark folk / dark ambient
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Several months ago I had the chance to review 'Arsenal' by French folk noir singer/songwriter Kentin Jivek (read).  Now he returns with a surprising album. Surprising because of the professional approach to this usually quite bedroom-sounding genre.  Surprising also because of certain elements that remind me of totally unexpected bands.  Yes, this might be one of the most professional and mature sounding folk noir albums I've ever heard, and possibly also the most approachable one.

Dressed down, you can see the songs on this album as dark ambient soundscapes and drones on which a number of folk songs are being sung.  At first, it takes some getting used to the distinct voice of Kentin but gradually it starts growing and references start coming above.  These references aren't the least. Andrew King and Current 93 come first, soon after followed by Anathema and Pink Floyd.  At one point in opener 'Last Light', I feel a similar atmosphere as I felt while listening 'The Wall' by Pink Floyd, that growing insanity, remember?

Besides drones and soundscapes, there seems to be some place for experimental electronics as well, but only if they can enhance the strange atmosphere of the music. Another important instrument is the acoustic guitar, hence possibly the folk-edge.  It's hard not to get immersed in this strange atmosphere, which feels a bit like sitting around an open fire during a camping trip in a haunted forest.

By the end of my previous review for Kentin Jivek, I mentioned that his 'Arsenal' album could use some more instrumentals to be complete.  Kentin didn't do that but still managed to come up with something that exceeds the previous album.  There are some awe-inspiring pearls on this album, highlighting in 'The Forbidden Truth' and the dark and eerie 'Qop'.  So if I recommended the previous album, I certainly recommend this one.  This act is getting better and better...


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Hackmonocut - The Sum of My Parts

10/9/2015

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pop rock / singer-songwriter
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Singer-songwriters seem to appear more often on this website, and with good reason.  There's some interesting stuff to find in that genre, especially when it's combined with a number of other musical influences.  I've always admired people who dare to climb on stage without a backing band, even if they use electronics to complete the music.  At least, when you're in a band, you always have someone to blame when things go wrong.  Luckily, there's no one to blame on this album since it's pretty damn good.

Hackmonocut hails from Linz, Austria and has been a solo-act since its inception in 2012.  Basically, it's a man and his guitar but there are other instruments used on this album as well. The basics of guitars, drums, bass, piano and orchestral arrangements are all present, making this a decent piece of music.  Lyrics include dark humour, love stories and social criticism.  When I read that, I got interested immediately and I was right to do so.  This is a splendid rock noir album, but let's go over the songs.

The album opens with 'We Better Look Away', a strong rocker which reminds me a bit of bands like The Pixies or Sonic Youth.  This recipe is often repeated, mainly in great songs like 'Used Love' and 'Leech'.  Yet, Hackmonocut combines those elements with a strong story writing ability, a bit similar to people like Nick Cave.  Especially the vocal lines remind me of the God of rock noir, making them a very welcome addition to my music collection.

If we're talking about Nick Cave, we have to talk about ballads as well.  And that's where Hackmonocut is at his best.  'Now' shows a bit of that quality but it's in songs like 'The Ripper', loaded with strings, and the piano driven 'Scarlet' that the album reaches highlights.  These are beautiful songs, filled with emotion and the deep, raspy vocals which add a lot of melancholy to the whole.   Finally, 'Love Letter' quickly becomes the strongest ballad on this record, definitely inspired by mr. Cave.

'Dead Born Sister' differs a bit from the other songs by incorporating what seems like electronic percussion and nudging a bit toward the trip-hop scene.  You know, Johnny Cash meets Massive Attack or something like that.  The album closes with the dubby country song 'Days Of Roses' which also has a dark rock edge, a strange combination that works quite well, I might add.  

I'm not sure how Hachmonocut does this thing live, perhaps with a band of friends.  However, I do know that I really want to see this on stage.  This could make up for a solid performance, often causing a dark grin on the faces of the audience members but always in this gloomy atmosphere.  In all, this really is an interesting album, highly recommended for every melancholic, raw pop-rock fan out there. 


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Angéline - Back to Pike Place 

21/8/2015

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singer / songwriter / soul
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In my opinion, there's two different kinds of music: music that irritates me and good music.  I really do not care about genres, techniques or other points of discussion.  When the music doesn't annoy me, it has the potential to be played often in this household.  Besides, usually I look beyond the music, I listen to the heart, mind and soul of the artist and try to capture the story he or she is trying to tell me.  

Today I found a gem that will probably find the way to the media player a lot from now on.  It's way different from most things you can find on this website but it has a lot of heart and certainly a lot of soul.  The artist's is named Angéline. She hails from France but studied music in England.  This record was initially composed from sounds from everyday activities, like tapping on desks and such.  From their she recorded the demos and eventually the e.p. was gradually being born.

The e.p. opens with the beautiful song 'Black Butterflies'.  This song fits perfectly in the current wave of female electronic artists like Banks, Austra or Emika.  However, as I mentioned before, there's a lot of soul in here and names like Lauren Hill or Mary J. Blige aren't far away.  'Si J'avais La Choix' repeats that quality, be it in a darker, eighties electronic fashion.  Mainly because of the French vocals in this song, I'm reminded of Lara Fabian.

'Aama' is a beautiful song, seemingly borrowing from trip-hop or at least perfectly fitting in that genre.  The song was initially recorded for a Nepal relieve charity fund and features a lengthy ocarina solo.  Well, I think it's an ocarina, it reminds me of an ancient tape I bought for my father decades ago.  'Ghost Dance' then takes things down to a calm, intimate level and quickly becomes one of my favorite electronic ballads in a while.  'Kohly' is a strange intermission, consisting of recorded bird sounds.  

Closer 'While I Was Away' returns the earlier soul-feeling with very strong vocals and a dubby bass line.  It feels even more organic than the previous songs and shows hints of traditional African and Caribbean music along with the droning electronics.  This is the stuff heard on world music festivals around the world and I'll be sure to keep an eye out for when Angéline appears on one of those places.  This is beautiful music with the heart in the right place.  Respect!


Serge
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Ric Gordon - Busking Out

20/8/2015

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Years ago, I visited one of the biggest festivals in Belgium, named Rock Werchter.  In fact, I was a frequent audience member in my teens and twenties.  One of the most memorable concerts over there was Luka Bloom, who was armed with an acoustic guitar and his voice in front of a heavy rock minded army of fifty thousand people.  His gig was so intimate and so beautiful that I immediately bought some albums when I was back home.  Since then, I've always had an admiration for singer/songwriters who dared to do their thing completely alone.

These days, things are a bit easier for these people.  Drum machines and computers have been able to add a lot to live music, lowering the intimite feel.  But then again, sometimes it sticks.  If you ever witnessed a Bain Wolfkind gig, you'll know what I mean.  And I have a feeling that Ric Gordon is another one of those solo performers who are able to get stuck in your head on a very, very personal level.  The EP is his homage to a summer he spent busking out on the streets with his old guitar.  It includes three new songs and several reworks, and it sounds so great I think it's time for another song-by-song thing.

'The Death of Queen Jane' is an acoustic folk rock songs that combines the vocals qualities of Luka Bloom with the storytelling abilities of Nick Cave.  At this point, the camp fire is lit and the marshmellows are being impaled.  Yes, impaled, that's what you people do when you eat marshmellows at a camp fire.  'You Always Stayed' adds a bit of background percussion to the intimate sound and becomes a bit of a happy punk rock song that way.  Here, the people around the fire are clicking their fingers.  This is becoming a great night.

'Never Wanted You' turns the whole thing into a soft rock parade.  Somehow a name like Fleedwood Mac suddenly comes to mind but I'm not sure why.  Maybe because this is an excellent piece of songwriting and simply a damn good pop rock song.  Another sudden reference is The Cure, also because this is just a very, very good song.  'I You Two' drives on a dubby bassline, which is quite entertaining while also returning the intimacy that makes this music so pleasurable.  Yet, after a while it become clear that Gordon doesn't shun the effect pedals but that only adds to the fun.  People are dancing now.

And they continue to dance to the classic pop rock sounding 'Find Your Way Home'.  This is a bit of a tearjerker, influenced by both classic rock and nineties grunge and, of course, with this music the ghost of Johnny Cash is never far away.  Neither is Conway Twitty, who we all know from Family Guy and is quite possible the only country singer most of us know.  Closer 'For You' comes closer to Bain Wolfkind by mixing clean guitars with electronic, almost industrial drums.  That amount of variation rare in singer/songwriter albums so I welcome it very much.  This just a great piece of work for a talented artist.



Serge

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