Artigos

As we all know the music we listen to is not stagnant but rather a fluid function of our ever-changing tastes. So what bands/songs influenced the music you listen to most?

I'm 19 now, if that helps but the years in perspective.

"End of the World" by Cold - ~2003
Cold isn't too proficient, however this song opened the door to the softer, more emotional side of music for me. Prior to this I listened to absolutely terrible hard rock/nu-metal.

"3 Libras" by A Perfect Circle - ~late 2005
Opened the door for my more progressive music tastes. Before this I was pretty much a nu-metal/generic rock radio type of kid. Heightened my appreciation for slower songs that required more of an attention span to listen to. The closing croon of "You dont, You dont, You dont see me" is tear-inducing.

A Perfect Circle - ~late 2005
APC is the band that completely changed everything. Probably my first favorite band to not suck. I loved the way they used vocal melody and atmosphere to stir emotion. I heard of them in the years prior, but never had the mindset to listen to them and appreciate their music.

"Any Hopeful Thoughts Arrive" by Hood - July 2006
By now I was starting to broaden my horizons but was still strapped into traditional rock stylings. I heard this song on XM's indie station one rainy day over summer break in 2006 and loved it instantly. This song really opened me to electronic/experimental rock. This experience was integral in my (much) later discovery of artists such as M83.

"Cote" by Karnivool - November 2006
By now I was starting to scour last.fm and myspace for good bands. Karnivool, as well as Cog, were two good aussie bands I found. I instantly fell in love with "Cote". Absolutely killed this on itunes/ipod, accruing something along the lines of 150 plays in two months. Built upon the art rock foundation that A Perfect Circle started, and taught me that you can really find good underground music if you search enough. Still though, even after APC and the 'Vool, I still listed Stone Sour and Korn among favorite bands.

"Sempahore" by Jakob - December 2006
If you guys want a good post rock band/song, check this out. Jakob is a New Zealand-based post rock band that opened me up to music without vocals. I found their myspace via Karnivool's and was initially turned off by the lack of words, however post rock is one of my most played genres today and I consider "Semaphore" a top 10-15 song of all-time.

dredg - February 2007
After APC, dredg was the next big step in my progression. I remember previewing Bug Eyes randomly on itunes once and liking it a lot. I bought a couple songs off Catch Without Arms and El Cielo. "Whoa Is Me", "Same Ol Road", "Bug Eyes", and "Ode to the Sun" was my first dredg exposure. I was hooked. Quickly, and not surprisingly, my dredg discovery was followed by bands such as Codeseven, Kaddisfly, Rishloo, The Mayan Factor, Strata, and others. These progressive/art/melodic rock bands were the stepping stone to what my taste is today.

Clann Zu - ~Spring 2007
The Irish band from Australia is still one of the most original bands I've ever heard. And that's precisely what this band taught me to appreciate: originality. Varied instrumentation, obtuse song structures, dramatic vocal crescendos. Clann Zu had it all. Unfortunately they've been broken up for almost four years, however their music ingenuity will never cease to exist.

"Slice Paper Wrists" by Poison the Well - July 2007
I always liked hard rock when I was younger, but what I thought was hard were bands like Disturbed and Stereomud. The breakdown in this song completely changed my perspective on screaming/hardcore music, which I had previously detested. Poison the Well is now one of my top five favorite bands and lead me to acts such as Botch and Dance Gavin Dance.

If you have your own story, feel free to post.

Sat 7 Mar – M83 with The Los Angeles Philharmonic

The opening set, Anthony by himself, was the best part. What were those songs? We've never heard them before! And they were awesome! The classical stuff the phil played was alright, although I think they could've selected something bigger, louder, a little more grandiose. Now the final set, well...

The last set was:

1. The Highest Journey
2. Moonchild
3. Bloc Party - The Pioneers (M83 remix)
4. In The Cold I'm Standing
5. Lower Your Eyelids To Die With The Sun

It was ok, not great though. I thought playing with an orchestra would make these songs sound even more epic than they already are. Instead they somehow managed to make M83 sound small and quiet. The choir was way too small. They needed to have like 50 more people singing. And Anthony really didn't do much except throw in some sound effects here and there. My girlfriend fell asleep. "In the cold I'm standing" was my favorite of the set, probably because it's mostly strings and horns. Still it sounded, I don't know, weaker than the album version. I think it was a good idea not to play anything off Saturdays=Youth, but they should've done "Run Into Flowers", "Unrecorded", and "In Church".

My girlfriend remarked afterwards that you really had to be a big fan of either M83 or the L.A. Phil to appreciate it. I agree. I liked it, especially the first part. But it wasn't as good as when I saw them at the Echoplex last year. At that show I met hella people who didn't even know M83 before and they loved it.

I just want to inform you all, that there are still copy’s available of my debut album Messierobjekten.



After the Techno, IDM -trips of The Mental Attack, I decided to produce a concept album as Distant Fires Burning. Where I live I can watch the stars for hours, despite the pollution of light from the nearby city (Mechelen, Belgium). This resulted in “Messierobjekten”. Each track represents a feeling and an image. With this album the concept isn’t over yet because there are loads of other feelings and images.

Influences are Biosphere; Global Communication, Pete Namlook, Brian Eno

This album is about bringing closer things / constellations / feelings … that are far away or seem unreachable. The Messierobjects (In Dutch: “Messierobjekten”) are constellations that are several lightyears away from us. But Charles Messier could see them through his simple aperture telescope.

It’s fully streamable here so you can have a free listen and if you really like it you can buy it from http://www.doorchaser.tk
I’m asking 9 EUR for a pressed CD in a 8 page digipack. Shipping costs are 2,50 EUR ( even if i have to send it to the other end of the world)

You can also buy it for 10 EUR (shipping costs included) on http://www.electrobel.be/eshop.php if you buy it there you’ll support the Belgian independent electronic music portal “Electrobel” for 1 EUR. Cheers

And let me know what you think of it!

Gert

Hi I decided to focus a bit more on my favorite music and decided to start the group Belgian Ambient. There are really great Belgian Bands and artists in this genre. And it would be a waste to let hem drown in the overload of electronic music on the net.

So you're all free to join, discuss, recommend, listen, ... . . .



http://www.last.fm/group/Belgian+Ambient

Cheers

Another year... For me it was the year of ambient and modern classical sounds but also of good minimal music. As in 2007 it was very, very hard to choose and place all the albums of 2008. This year from 170 records I chose a hundred, so it was harder than a year ago when I placed albums in Top 50. So here we go:

100
SYCLOPS
I've Got My Eye On You
[DFA]
Leftfield, House, Future Jazz, Disco



099
THE MATTHEW HERBERT BIG BAND
There's Me And There's You
[Studio !K7 / Accidental]
Big Band, Jazz



098
MILOSH
III
[Studio !K7]
Leftfield, Downtempo



097
SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS
Alpinisms
[Ghostly International]
Indie Rock, Shoegaze, Ethereal



096
HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR
Hercules And Love Affair
[DFA]
Disco, Leftfield, House



095
LADYTRON
Velocifero
[Nettwerk]
Synth-Pop



094
PIGEON FUNK
The Largest Bird In The History Of The Planet... Ever!
[Musique Risquée]
House, Deep House, Tech House



093
AKIKO KIYAMA
Seven Years
[District Of Corruption]
Minimal Techno



092
JAMIE LIDELL
Jim
[Warp Records]
Funk, Soul



091
POLDER
Poldermodel
[Intacto Records]
Minimal Techno



===============================================

090
ATLAS SOUND
Let The Blind Lead Those Who See But Cannot Feel
[Kranky / 4AD]
Indie Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Shoegaze, Experimental



089
KENNY LARKIN
Keys, Strings, Tambourines
[Planet E]
Techno, IDM



088
MURCOF
The Versailles Sessions
[Leaf]
Ambient, Modern Classical



087
LEE JONES
Electronic Frank
[Aus Music]
Tech House, Minimal House



086
POPNONAME
Surrounded By Weather
[Italic]
Tech House



085
SCSI-9
Easy As Down
[Kompakt]
Minimal, House, Techno



084
HIGH PLACES
03/07 - 09/07
[Thrill Jockey]
Experimental, Alternative Rock



083
THE BUG
Lonodn Zoo
[Ninja Tune]
Dubstep, Dancehall



082
NINE INCH NAILS
The Slip
[The Null Corporation]
Alternative Rock, Industrial, Ambient



081
FUNCKARMA
Vell Varganz
[n5MD]
IDM, Dubstep, Experimental



===============================================

080
ALVA NOTO
Unitxt
[Raster-Noton]
Glitch, Experimental



079
GLISSANDO
With Our Arms Wide Open We March Towards The Burning Sea
[Gizeh Records]
Post Rock, Ambient



078
HELIOS
Caesura
[Type Records]
Post Rock, Modern Classical, Downtempo, Ambient



077
MOTIONFIELD
Optical Flow
[Somnia]
Ambient



076
HEADHUNTER
Nomad
[Tempa]
Dubstep, Techno



075
MATMOS
Supreme Balloon
[Matador]
Glitch, IDM, Experimental



074
DAVID BYRNE & BRIAN ENO
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
[Todomundo]
Alternative Rock



073
KETTEL
Myam James Part 1
[Sending Orbs]
IDM, Downtempo, Acid



072
ANDY STOTT
Unknown Exception (Selected Tracks Vol.1)
[Modern Love]
Dub Techno, House, Minimal, Electro, IDM, Dub



071
THE MOLE
As High As The Sky
[Wagon Repair]
Deep House, House



===============================================

070
PROSUMER & MURAT TEPELI
Serenity
[Ostgut Tonträger]
Deep House, Tech House, Acid House



069
I AM ROBOT AND PROUD
Uphill City
[Darla Records]
IDM, Experimental



068
TV ON THE RADIO
Dear Science
[4AD / Interscope Records]
Leftfield, Indie Rock



067
MINILOGUE
Animals
[Cocoon Recordings]
Minimal, Tech House, Ambient



066
BACHELORS OF SCIENCE
Science Fiction
[Horizons Music]
Drum'n'Bass



065
VENETIAN SNARES
Detrimentalist
[Planet Mu]
Breakcore, Jungle



064
LOS UPDATES
First If You Have Please
[Cadenza]
Minimal, Tech House



063
RUDI ARAPAHOE
Echoes From One To Another
[Symbolic Interaction]
Modern Classical, Ambient



062
BENGA
Diary Of An Afro Warrior
[Tempa]
Dubstep



061
LINELAND
Logos For Love
[Audio Dregs]
IDM, Downtempo, Experimental, Ambient



===============================================

060
DANIEL MAZE
Red After Image
[Serein]
Ambient, Abstract, Experimental



059
GROUPER
Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill
[Type Records]
Folk Rock, Shoegaze, Drone, Ethereal, Ambient, Experimental



058
Ø
Oleva
[Sähkö Recordings]
Minimal, Experimental



057
2562
Aerial
[Tectonic]
Dubstep, Techno



056
GANG GANG DANCE
Saint Dymphna
[Warp Records]
Abstract, Psychedelic Rock, Tribal, Experimental



055
HATCHA VS KROMESTAR
Brothers Grim
[Aphex Recordings]
Dubstep



054
KLAUS SCHULZE & LISA GERRARD
Farscape
[Synthetic Symphony]
Ambient



053
SCARLETT JOHANSSON
Anywhere I Lay My Head
[ATCO Records]
Ethereal



052
AVROCAR
Against The Dying Of The Light
[Make Mine Music / Guidance Records]
Ambient, Leftfield



051
EZEKIEL HONIG
Surfaces Of A Broken Marching Band
[Anticipate Recordings]
Ambient, Abstract



===============================================

050
ODD NOSDAM
Pretty Swell Explode
[Anticon]
Leftfield, Ambient, Experimental



049
AUTECHRE
Quaristice
[Warp Records]
Glitch, IDM, Abstract, Experimental



048
AUTISTICI
Volume Objects
[12k]
Minimal, Ambient, Experimental



047
CHRIS WATSON
Cima Verde
[Fondazione Edmund Mach / LoL Productions]
Field Recordings



046
SIGUR RÓS
Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
[XL Recordings / EMI Recordings]
Post Rock, Alternative Rock, Neofolk



045
LINDSTRØM
Where You Go I Go Too
[Smalltown Supersound]
Disco, Deep House



044
FLYING LOTUS
Los Angeles
[Warp Records]
Instrumental Hip Hop, Leftfield, Experimental



043
KANGDING RAY
Automne Fold
[Raster-Noton]
Glitch, Minimal, Abstract



042
PETER BRODERICK
Home
[Type Records / Bella Union]



041
HEADLESS HEROES
The Silence Of Love
[Fargo Records]
Indie Rock, Psychedelic Rock



===============================================

040
LOCO DICE
7 Dunham Place
[Desolat]
Minimal House, Tech House



039
THE INVENTORS OF AIRCRAFT
Unknown Language
[Serein]
Ambient, Abstract



038
ROBIN SAVILLE
Peasgood Nonsuch
[Static Caravan]
IDM, Ambient



037
HECQ
Night Falls
[Hymen Records]
Modern Classical, Ambient



036
ANDERS ILAR
Sworn
[Level Records]
Minimal, IDM, Techno



035
TAKAHIRO KIDO
Fluersy Music
[PLOP]
Modern Classical, Ambient



034
PORTISHEAD
Third
[Universal Island Records]
Trip Hop, Downtempo, Experimental, Folk Rock



033
THE FUN YEARS
Baby, It's Cold Inside
[Barge Recordings]
Abstract, Ambient, Experimental



032
CLARK
Turning Dragon
[Warp Records]
IDM, Techno



031
STEN
The Essence
House, Minimal, Tech House
[Dial]



===============================================

030
MIKKEL METAL
Peaks And Troughs
[Echocord]
Dub, Dub Techno, Minimal



029
SHED
Shedding The Past
[Ostgut Tonträger]
Dub Techno, IDM, Techno



028
THE BLACK DOG
Radio Scarecrow
[Soma Quality Recordings]
Minimal Techno, IDM



027
HIGH PLACES
High Places
[Thrill Jockey]
Indie Rock, Experimental



026
LULU ROUGE
Bless You
[Music For Dreams / Voices Music & Entertainment (VME)]
Dub Techno, Dub, Ambient, Downtempo



025
NEAR THE PARENTHESIS
L'Eixample
[n5MD]
Ambient, IDM



024
MAX RICHTER
24 Postcards In Full Colour
[130701]
Modern Classical, Ambient



023
LIBRARY TAPES
A Summer Beneath The Trees
[Make Mine Music]
Modern Classical, Ambient



022
M83
Saturdays=Youth
[Virgin Music (France) / Mute Corporation]
Shoegaze, Downtempo, Ambient



021
KOEN HOLTKAMP
Field Rituals
[Type Records]
Field Recordings, Ambient, Expreimental



===============================================

020
MOVE D & BENJAMIN BRUNN
Songs From The Beehive
[Smallville Records]
Minimal Techno, Deep House, Ambient



019
WINDY & CARL
Songs For The Broken Hearted
[Kranky]
Drone, Post Rock, Ambient



018
GOLDMUND
The Malady Of Elegance
[Type Records]
Modern Classical



017
JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON
Fordlandia
[4AD]
Modern Classical, Ambient, Experimental



016
NEWWORLDAQUARIUM
The Dead Bears
[NWAQ]
Dub Techno, Deep House, Ambient



015
DEADBEAT
Roots & Wire
[Wagon Rapair]
Dub Techno, Reggae, Dub



014
JACASZEK
Treny
[Miasmah / Gusstaff]
Modern Classical



013
PHILIP JECK
Sand
[Touch]
Ambient, Experimental



012
PETAR DUNDOV
Escapements
[Music Man Records]
Techno, Minimal



011
MATTHEW ROBERT COOPER (ELUVIUM)
Miniatures
[Gaarden Records]
Modern Classical, Ambient



===============================================

010
THE SIGHT BELOW
Glider
[Ghostly International]
Ambient, Dub Techno, Minimal



009
BON IVER
For Emma, Forever Ago
[4AD / Jagjaguwar]
Folk Rock, World & Country



008
XELA
In Bocca Al Lupo
[Type Records]
Ambient, Experimental, Industrial, Noise



007
BRUNO PRONSATO
Why Can't We Be Like Us?
[Hello? Repeat]
Minimal House



006
AIDAN BAKER AND TIM HECKER
Fantasma Parastasie
[Alien8 Recordings]
Drone, Ambient, Noise, Experimental, Abstract



005
PAAVOHARJU
Laulu Laakson Kukista
[Fonal Records]
Neo Folk, Experimental, Leftfield



004
QUANTEC
Unusual Signals
[Echocord]
Dub Techno



003
RICARDO VILLALOBOS
Vasco
[Perlon]
Minimal Techno



002
LAWRENCE ENGLISH
Kiri No Oto
[Touch]
Drone, Ambient, Field Recordings





And the WINNER OF THE YEAR 2008 Is...


001
FENNESZ
Black Sea
[Touch]
Ambient, Drone, Experimental



Happy New Year and Lots Of Good Sound in 2009!

:-)

MARTIN

FenneszLawrence EnglishRicardo VillalobosQuantecPaavoharjuAidan Baker and Tim HeckerAidan BakerTim HeckerBruno PronsatoXelaBon IverThe Sight BelowMatthew Robert CooperEluviumPetar DundovPhilip JeckJacaszekDeadbeatNewworldaquariumJóhann JóhannssonGoldmundWindy & CarlMove D & Benjamin BrunnMove DBenjamin BrunnKoen HoltkampM83Library TapesMax RichterNear The ParenthesisLulu RougeHigh PlacesThe Black DogShedMikkel MetalStenClarkThe Fun YearsTakahiro KidoPortisheadAnders IlarHecqRobin SavilleThe Inventors of AircraftLoco DiceHeadless HeroesPeter BroderickKangding RayFlying LotusLindstrømSigur RósChris WatsonAutisticiAutechreOdd NosdamEzekiel HonigAvrocarScarlett JohanssonKlaus Schulze & Lisa GerrardKlaus SchulzeLisa GerrardHATCHA vs KROMESTARHatcha Vs. KromestarHatchaKromestarGang Gang Dance2562ØGrouperDaniel MazeLinelandBengaRudi ArapahoeLos UpdatesVenetian SnaresBachelors Of ScienceMinilogueTV on the RadioI Am Robot and ProudProsumer & Murat TepeliThe MoleAndy StottKettelDavid Byrne & Brian EnoDavid ByrneBrian EnoMatmosHeadhunterMotionfieldHeliosGlissandoAlva NotoFunckarmaNine Inch NailsThe BugSCSI-9PopnonameLee JonesMurcofKenny LarkinAtlas SoundPolderJamie Lidellakiko kiyamaPigeon FunkLadytronHercules and Love AffairSchool of Seven BellsMiloshThe Matthew Herbert Big Band

1. M83 - Saturdays=Youth

'Saturdays=Youth' is another step in the natural progression of electronic artist M83, moving from the ambient soundscapes and bombastic percussion of previous albums to synth-laden 1980s pop on this most recent entry. The album is a fresh take on a long-forgotten and much maligned genre, crafting catchy hooks and foot-stomping rythms while staying true to the etheral core that makes M83 what it is. Highlights of the album include "We Own The Sky", "Kim & Jessie", as well as "Couleurs", an 8:34 disco-era cut that is quite a treat to see live.

2. Portugal. The Man - Censored Colors

Taking cues from acts such as the Beatles, The Mars Volta, and what seems like several Southern Baptist Choirs along the way, Portugal. The Man has crafted a truly soulful and poignant album in 'Censored Colors'. Because of a shift to a folk/soul-like sound, the salt of the earth vocals of John Gourley are the focal point of the album, earning high praise on tracks such as "1989", "Created", and "Colors". If a record that combines melodic acoustic arrangements, powerful vocals, atmospheric keys, and the occasional choral backdrop sounds like your thing, then pick up 'Censored Colors'. The aforementioned "1989" and "Created" are good starting points, as is "Lay Me Back Down".

3. Woven - Designer Codes

Woven's 'Designer Codes', while bested by the two previous albums, is perhaps the most original and chilling release of 2008. You won't find any cheap hooks or recycled beats in 'Designer Codes', instead expect to find fourteen tracks that will hone your listening ear and send chills down your spine. "Perception Whore" sounds like a Trent Reznor creation at its most perverted, while the CD closer "She Blows My Amplifier" is a wonderfully brilliant take on '( )' era Sigur Ros. 'Designer Codes' has drawn some underground comparisons to Radiohead's landmark 'Kid A', and I would not give it such high praise, however the originality, emotion, and complexity is certainly there to justify the claim. Do not listen to individual tracks, as you would be depraving yourself of the true experience, instead listen to the entire album.

4. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Perhaps more than other years, 2008 has been a time for many bands to look back through annals of music history for artistic influence. With the 'The '59 Sound', The Gaslight Anthem has turned back the clock to a time when Bruce Springsteen anthem-rock was at the heart America's musical conscience. There is nothing particularly complex or original about 'The 59 Sound', except for the fact that it's able to meld catchy guitar hooks and rhythmic drum lines with the enveloping voice of frontman Brian Fallon in a way that hasn't been done since the Boss' hey-day. "The '59 Sound", "High Lonesome", "Film Noir", and "The Patient Ferris Wheel" are the best of the best on this consistent and well-rounded album.

5. Moving Mountains - Pneuma

Westchester, NY-based rockers Moving Mountains are utterly in touch with how to make, not to be redundant, moving alternative rock. Every one of the songs on their debut effort "Pneuma" packs an emotional punch, particularly the massively epic closer "Ode Will Bury Ourselves". Much of the instrumentation in the choruses' and bridges' uses post-rock elements such as crashing drums and sonic guitar walls, while the vocals are high-pitched and draw comparisons to Thursday's Geoff Rickly. I anticipate that fans of dredg, Kaddisfly, Circa Survive, and The Appleseed Cast will take to 'Pneuma' very well. "Ode We Will Bury Oursevles" is the best song of the year and an absolute must listen.

6. Apes & Androids - Blood Moon

About three tracks into 'Blood Moon', it becomes quite obvious that Apes & Androids are cut from a different sort of cloth than most other bands today. Catchy, non-sensical, and over-produced, the Queen-infused glam rock espoused on 'Blood Moon' is delightfully entertaining. Beat machines, synthesizers, and outlandish, Freddy Mercury-esque vocals are at the core of Apes & Androids, and help produce standout tracks such as "Golden Prize", "Nights of the Week", and "Doyle Is Dead". If you want a truly original and fun listening experience, check out 'Blood Moon'.

7. Thrice - The Alchemy Index, Vols. III & IV: Air & Earth

What do you get when Dustin Kensrue and the rest of Thrice are allowed to explore their experimental sides? The 'Alchemy Index' of course, more specifically, Vols. III & IV: Air & Earth, a double album that complements the 2007 release of Vols. I & II: Fire & Water. The first half, 'Air', contains six songs that are slower and highly reminiscent of "Red Sky", a hit off 2005's 'Vheissu'. The latter half, 'Earth', is pure acoustic and piano-laden folk. The top song off of 'Air' is "Daedalus", while "Child of Dust" closes out 'Earth' beautifully. Hopefully Thrice continues their foray into the world of experimental rock, as this material is easily some of their best.

8. Lower Definition - The Greatest Of All Lost Arts

When I saw the last two songs of Lower Definition's set at a Dance Gavin Dance concert this past July, I had little idea what I was getting myself into. In the following days I listened to their debut "The Greatest of All Lost Arts" and was blown away by the versatile vocals of lead singer Matt Geise and his ability to shift from a melodic emo croon to a blistering scream in seconds (a trait which was still present live). Punchy guitar hooks, as well as chugga-chugga breakdowns are present throughout the album, and complement Geise's vocals to a tee. If anything, Lower Definition should strive to keep their versatility, but increase their diversity, as much of 'The Greatest of All Lost Arts' is hard to differentiate. "The Ventriloquist" is the stand out track, along with "To Satellite" and "If We Speak Quietly".

9. Damiera - Quiet Mouth Loud Hands

Damiera's 'Quiet Mouth Loud Hands' did not initially resonate with my musical senses, so I disregarded the album at first. Lest, upon further inspection, I found 'Quiet Mouth Loud Hands' to be a pleasing amalgamation of catchy bass grooves, quirky vocals (sung almost in a RHCP style at times), and prog-influenced guitar hooks. The album manages to stick to the same formula throughout without sounding repetitive or tired, building around tracks such as "Quiet Mouth Loud Hands", "Nailbiter", and "Teacher, Preacher", which facilitates thoughts of a Justin Timberlake pop tune. The entire experience clocks in at a manageable 31:31, with no tracks topping 3:43.

10. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

For whatever reason I was a little late to the MGMT party, only listening to this album in the last month. However, that did not stop me from becoming intoxicated by the silky smooth synth-pop afforded by 'Oracular Spectacular'. "Electric Feel", "Time To Pretend", and "Kids" each summon images of running through a field of dandelions on a hazy summer day. Other songs on the album, such as "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters" and "The Youth" give off a more Pink Floyd-esque, psychedelic feel. And yes, I am cognizant of the fact that 'Oracular Spectacular' was released digitally in October 2007, however this list goes off the date of the label release!

11. Dance Gavin Dance - Untitled

Warning: pretentious indie intelligentsia move along. Dance Gavin Dance is not for the close-minded, or perhaps even for the open-minded, they are simply an acquired taste who offend the senses of many given their grating screamer and idiosyncratic lyrics. Dubbed 'The Deathstar Album' (notice the album art), DGD's latest release doesn't quite measure up to 2007's 'Downtown Battle Mountain', however makes up for it by fusing some more progressive elements into the music. "Caviar", featuring Chino Moreno of Deftones, is a highlight of the album and shows the more mature side of DGD, while "Hot Water on Wool" is complete with a minute long instrumental intro and sounds akin to Circa Survive. There are some throwaway songs, "Buffalo!" especially, however the album does a good job of differentiating itself from much of the ubiquitous post-hardcore genre.

12. Underoath - Lost In The Sound Of Separation

The Florida-based Christian rockers Underoath have churned out another solid effort with 'Lost in the Sound of Separation', effectively taking a baseball bat and repeatedly slamming the listener over the head with it. The album opener, "Breathing in a New Mentality", is the best track and provides one of the most brutal breakdowns this side of Sky Eats Airplane's "Disconnected". "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures", "The Only Survivor Was Miraculously Unharmed", and "Anyone Can Dig A Hole But It Takes A Real Man To Call It Home" continue the sonic beatdown, juxtaposing Dallas Chamberlain's abrasive vocals against crunching guitars and the occasional Aaron Gillespie melodic verse. Perhaps the main fault of 'Lost in the Sound of Separation' is that Chamberlain's vocals, while intensely satisfying, can be become tedious by the latter portion of the album.

13. Foals - Antidotes

Foals' 'Antidotes' will immediately resonate with fans of British dance-pop, notably those who enjoy bands like Bloc Party and Late of the Pier. "The French Open", "Red Sock Pugie", and "Olympics Airways" contribute to this label and succeed in making the album an enjoyable listening experience. However, Foals sewed their seeds in math-rock, and that influence is clearly present on songs like "Heavy Water", "Like Swimming", and "Tron", with guitar loops suggestive of math-rock darlings Battles. The CD is solid from top to bottom, with many good but very few great tracks, nevertheless be sure to check out "Big Big Love (Fig.2)".

14. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

'Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust' is Sigur Rós' most accessible work to date, abandoning some of the minimalistic aspects of their previous music in favor of some more (relatively) conventional song structure. This is not to say that the ethereal aspects of Sigur Rós are lost, as "Festival", "Ára bátur", and "Fljótavík" serve as extensions of the slow-motion rock of '( )' and 'Takk...' However, the strongest songs on the record come in the way of "Gobbledigook" and "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur", tracks that are centered around fanciful and stimulating rhythms that could garner the interest of even the most myopic audiophiles. Overall, 'Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust' is another worthwhile release from the Icelandic ensemble that will appeal to those with broad and limited palettes alike.

15. Neon Neon - Stainless Style

'Stainless Style' is certainly an ambitious concept - pit Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys and electronic artist Bloom Bip together along with a host of guest musicians to create a 1980s-sounding disco anthem about famed car designer John De Lorean. The foray was largely successful, as Neon Neon has crafted a multi-faceted and danceable record that is especially strong in the first fifteen minutes, with tracks such as "Dream Girls", "I Told Her On Alderaan", and "Raquel" setting the plate nicely. From there, Neon Neon enlists the services of Spank Rock, Fatlip, and Yo Majesty for some hit and miss rap ditties, the best of which is "Trick For Treat". Anyone looking for a catchy 1980s experience should definitely give 'Stainless Style' a listen, most notably the songs "Dream Girls" and "Michael Douglas".

Mon 13 Oct – A Silver Mt. Zion

Obsiahlý článok na portáli Music4U.SK z mojej klávesnice

8.5/10

Hip-hop's earliest records often relied on faded, scratchy source material run through entry-level equipment. Even as technology advanced, the grain and the gristle stuck around-- sometimes out of necessity, sometimes as an extra ingredient. Over time, those aged, decaying sounds burrowed their way underground to crop up in pockets of IDM, dubstep, and indie hip-hop, resulting in music, built around texture more than bass or treble, that often sounded ragged at birth.

With his second album, Flying Lotus (aka Steven Ellison) has mastered this texture. Los Angeles is filled with the crackle of static, but there's something about this ambient noise-- a nuisance to audiophiles, a sign of weakness in radio signals-- that feels oddly comforting. Rather than audio damage or interference, this deceptively entrancing record (stick with it, it's a grower) feels like nature; it's almost as though Ellison went out of his way to digitize and filter the sound of rain hitting a sidewalk to accompany its beats. Opener "Brainfeeder" bristles with sharp rattling taps, while "Breathe. Something/Stellar STar" transmutes it into boiling-water burble, and even the 1960s sci-fi foley-room chatter on the 43-second "Orbit 405" is underpinned by snarling, distorted, pre-amp buzz. It sounds less like an album built on damaged, beat-up, pre-existing vinyl loops than a clean, shiny new LP put through four decades' worth of wear and mishandling.

The static, of course, is just a single (if crucial) ingredient in the character of Los Angeles: What this album relies on specifically is the way that crackle and buzz reacts to the rhythm at the core. Flying Lotus shares passing similarities to the late J Dilla and fellow Cali beat creator Madlib in the way he puts together his beats, and it's not hard to hear touches of James Yancey's Ummah-era production tricks infused with the same off-kilter slipperiness you might find on a recent Beat Konducta release. And in Ellison's hands, these tricks are stridently odd where they could have been safely derivative, revealing a deep affinity for psychedelic lushness and digital distortion that puts him in his own class.

Los Angeles is also prone to letting its beats hang loosely in the air. Ellison often slips empty space inside the rhythm (another place where the ambient static comes in handy), and even when the tempo accelerates past the album's typical leisurely pace and finds itself driving a track packed with wall-to-wall bass, little of it seems hectic or jarring-- even the jittery tweaker-electro of "Parisian Goldfish" smoothes out into a pleasant pulse once it sets in. At its most stirring moments, the music can be soothingly meditative, though the booming low-end, sharp drums, and all that crackle and fuzz keep it from sounding too polite. With its accomplished fusion of debris and warmth in a place somewhere between b-boy head-nod and laptopper experimentalism, Los Angeles is a big step forward for a still-young career, an album well worth revisiting years from now-- preferably on vinyl, where the pops and clicks can only multiply.

* MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/flyinglotus

- Nate Patrin, August 29, 2008

here's the link..

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/144656-flying-lotus-los-angeles