Sunday, March 24, 2013

Gnomeadze - S/T (Headway, 2013)


We have a new release over here at Headway Recordings. Gnomeadze is a collaboration between Will Isenogle (Merryl) and David Grubba (Enea). These four tracks contain fifty minutes of pure drone as well as pulsing rhythms in an improvisational setting. Get ready for Prophet heavy synth bliss.

Stream the entire album and purchase the digital or cassette over at our Bandcamp.




Saturday, March 23, 2013

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II (2013, Jagjaguwar)



This album hit me hard. Though, I really wish my first listen had been after dropping a needle on the platter. A band this steeped in nostalgia deserves the courtesy of analog listening.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra evokes a distinct 70's FM radio aesthetic. Their recording is lo-fi but they've thoroughly mastered that sound. With a classic American psychedelic fuzz and funk vibe, a bit of Shuggie Otis, and a hint of the old Kraut sound a la Guru Guru / Frumpy / Birth Control, they deliver it with the expertise of contemporary revivalists, Dungen.

It should come as no surprise that the mastermind behind this project is a New Zealander. Ruben Nielsen must have been heavily influenced by the famous psych fuzz legacy of his own nation's crucial label, Flying Nun.

UMO - II is heavy yet fun music. Its definitely going to play a part of my upcoming spring / summer rotation. Thanks Catherine db.




Read full review of II - Unknown Mortal Orchestra on Boomkat.com ©

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Prostitutes - Crushed Interior (Digitalis, 2013)


Jim Donadio's "Prostitutes" is a perfect introduction to many current trends in the avant garde electronic world. With patience, he begins the album with minimal beats and tones. This builds into ambience, static and   later, a sudden funky beat akin to Cut Hands powering a combustion engine. Further in, there are sludgy sounds that range anywhere from the viscosity of mid-western noise to the grinding gears of Pete Swanson's technoise.

Abrasive, awkward yet somehow consistently accessible, this is one you shouldn't miss, especially if you're already invested in experimental dance music.

 
Read full review of Crushed Interior - PROSTITUTES on Boomkat.com ©


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

R.I.P. Clive Burr (1957-2013)


Clive burr was the drummer on the three classic Iron Maiden records. He was one of the earliest memories I have of thinking drums were cool. He died peacefully in his sleep last night and he will be sorely missed.

Thank you, Clive burr...






Friday, March 8, 2013

Jaye Bartell - Elation EP (Self-Released, 2013)


There are some musicians that cannot be casually heard. And background listening just will not do with the music of Jaye Bartell. His is an ethereal sounding folk aesthetic with a misleadingly simplistic charm. And if your lazy ear is not careful, the result may be a plague upon your house. This haunting baritone vocal and its poetic delivery derives more from literary sources than musical ones. Combined with the slow and pensive song structure, the overall feel calls many ideas to mind. There is anything from romance, beauty, trust and hope; to fear, envy, sexuality and violence. That elaborate conflict is the very essence, and why his music holds such a mystique. This is outsider folk with an original approach.

Along with his own guitar, vocals and drums, Jaye is joined here by J Seger on piano and drums. Look for a full-length LP coming this summer on Headway Recordings.

For information on purchasing this and other albums, visit Pilgrim Bandcamp




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