New Reviews 8/16/2009 The Experimental Addition....
Harvestman- In A Dark Tongue-CD (Neurot Recordings)
Its another journey after a break from being distroed promos from Neurot that I'm very proud to start with another amazing project by Mr Steve Von Till of Neurosis fame. In a Dark Tonue reminds me a mix of Steve's solo material were the organic and folk elements meet with a more prog / space rock vibe. With Harvestman the guitar seems to be the main focus will all else adding the backdrop to the sound. You know its Von Till's guitar sound at once as it has the lazy southern vibe in the mix of the very textural layered guitar chops. I think there is a strong tribute to bands like SubArachnoid Space. I do like the very drone/avant quality going on as well it has a sonic youth. There so much going on here almost in a nature based output as well. I think Steve have become one with the quiet surrounds of is world. This is almost something you would hear in a older avant indie film .There are no vocals at all but it doesnt need it. I almost at time want to call this ethno ambient music but it ebbs and flows to darker and noiser terrain as well. Another stellar release from the San Fran family of Neurot...
http://neurotrecordings.com/
KK Null Oxygen Flash CD (Neurot Recordings)
This is the mastermind behind Zeni Gevi but I have to say this is a very odd electro very far left recording. I reminds be if you mix projects like Aube, Robert Rich, Flux and Kraftwerk together in a blender and just let it come out as it may. very bizarre blips, pops, electro static, radio tones and machine noise all going at random times, levels and mixes. This will have a very limited audience but those of us out that that can get into the ultra avant dark electronic music this is something you just put the headphones on with and take 40 minutes alone to experience the 1st time then have others listen and see there reactions as that will be the most brilliance of Oxygen flash. Seeing what the mainstream make of this. As this is as much art as music, A sound scape for the the mind.... Hats off Mr Null....
http://neurotrecordings.com/
Chord Flora CD (Neurot Recordings)
This is one of the most interesting things to come out in a long time the name of the band is the theory of what that band does ..."CHORD performances consist of each player being assigned one note from a pre-selected chord. They are then expected to consider all ranges of flexibility concerning octave, rhythm, playing style and effect treatments" (off the neurot page). In sound and feeling is very similar to House of Low Culture and Caspar Brotzmann. With a project like Chord you live the sounds they create as it will never be the same twice. The music is eternal and fleeting all at that same time that make it all the more special. It has a very Post rock sound in the way its created as well. The waves of sounds change but the tones all stay very much the same. I would love to see a project like this live in a very dark room with red or purple lights on only and let the waves of sound do the talking for about an hour... I think Chord is a majestic and brilliant project and we need more free thinking in music like this...
http://neurotrecordings.com/
¡M.G.R. y Destructo Swarmbots!-Amigos de la Guitarra-CD (Neurot Recordings)
Do you remember the days of jazzy avant post indie rock yes I know this is a mouthful but labels like Touch and Go, Merge, Matador and Kranky well this is where this band sits with me think Polvo, Godspeed you black emperor, Slint etc and you get a good Ideal where this very minimalist yet epic and flowing Post Music band comes from . It's music for a twisted John Waters or David Lynch movie. You can feel the Sadness, Hope, Desire, Loss and Rebirth with every note that is performed. The Guitar and Ambiance that is needed comes out in full . I release like the delicate nature that comes from this release. The release is just one 42 min track and its funny because it thanks any listener that has the attention span to get through the whole release. Its sad today that most music listener want 3 minute cookie cutter music. This is not for you this is for people that care about the art of music and how it effect one at that very core of the soul... Thank you again...
Lacus Somniorum "Tideshaper" CD (Cyclic Law)
Gustaf Hildebrand and Amanda Votta seem to have created an old school ethno ambient record that would fit in the Hypnos, Projekt or even Staalplaat line up from the late 90's there is a darker side to it as well with a very occult vibe that you got from artist like Sephiroth or Lustmord back in the day... There is a strong connection to Arecibo as well in the sounds of droing space going on here. Cyclic Law likes to have all there ambient release have a very other worldly approach I don't know if that is on purpose or just the releases he gets as the artist are like minded in that skill set. I feel like on a new world for the 1st time but it seems to have been following the same path as Eastern cultures on earth (Oriental in manner). The Dark Drones, Woodwinds the slight static elements are all such a good mix with the windchime effects as I call them. If you have not heard music of this kind it could be an unnerving journey for sure. Another good strong release from The Canadian hope for experimental music Cyclic law....
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