Les Poissons Autistes – Mal Foutu (2007)

Midinette

• Ambient noise 
• Ambient 
• Epic 
• Shoegazetronica 
• Abstract 
• Post-rock
• Alternative
• Ambient rock 
• Leftfield
• Experimental rock
• Avant-rock

Comment: one can use these 7 tracks either to blast off or calm down. For me, it is a sort of ideal pop music where ambient music used to change into majestic symphonic music and even into abstract appearances and post-rock and shoegaze panoramas are propelled by dance-appealed rhythms to enter into next “post” formations. The flanges of the compositions are frayed and the centre of the compositions is permanently movable in and out of focus once in a while. In spite of it, at Les Mains Plates the artist exploits the aesthetic of minimal music in a fairly elegant way. In general, one can feel the sounds that are cranked up yet subjugated to more hypnotic algorithms. The issue contains a bunch of minor details that are expertly refined to make difference either by standing alone or integrated into a track. By kindred souls there can be drawn parallels by the likes of Pan American, Slowdive`s Pygmalion, Flying Saucer Attack, Labradford, Ou Où, and many artists related to Silber Records. Top tier.

Globoscuro & Roberto Maldoror Manfredini – Ginnungagap (2007)

Dadaist Audio

• Dark ambient
• Acousmatic music
• Illbient
• Experimentalism
• Drone
• Post-industrial
• Dystopbient
• Neoclassical
• Avant-garde
• Electro-acoustic
• Minimalism
• Microtonal
• Psychedelic

Comment: in this collaborative album a couple of long-running compositions are expertly presented. All those microscopic and minimalist changes in timbre and motives, overlapping droning and electro-acoustic elements create something of a drunken mood. At times the changes are remarkable and clean-cut, for instance at Gaping Gap at a 12 minute when cathedral-alike organ layers will be added to the mix. Indeed, the change is formidable as if an example of reversed/black church music. Later on, some concrete sounds/sea waves will be added to the mix thereby the track will end in a tranquil mood. Kaleidonoise deserves its name thoroughly because a shitloads of sonic elements will be added to the track. For instance, the listener could discern wind-up sounds juxtaposed against faint symphonic progressions which thereafter will be changing and rendering into different patterns. The listener could listen to many thought-provoking sonic combinations which frequently sound psychedelically. It is more indie music by its nature than most of those ensembles considered under the tag stylistically. Moreover, it is a vivid drift between conscious and subliminal levels, between the visible and hidden. In a word, the result is a spellbinding glimpse into an universe where no one could feel himself/herself safely. Apparently. The issue is a part of the discography of Dadaist Audio. 

Beeches of Madame Ess - While We're Away (2007/2008)

Rack And Ruin

Bandcamp

• New Weird America
• Experimental folk
• Electronic music
• Indie folk
• Musique concrète
• Free folk
• Avant-folk
• DIY
• Improvised music
• Weird folk
• Americana
• Lo-fi
• Found sounds
• Freak folk
• Folk indie
• Primitivism

Comment: Beeches of Madame Ess`s 12-track issue is a thought-provoking issue both by its sounds and concept. It was recorded while the Pennsylvania, US-based quintet was travelling to arrive at Nova Scotia, Canada. They recorded while staying at various campsites in Bangor Maine, Cheticamp, and Blomidon. All the soundscape which consists of freaked-out yet heartfelt lo-fi folk and indie compositions, warped electronic appearances (especially The Gather of Sticks) and some field recordings were created by using acoustic and electric instruments and battery powered synthesizers. The issue was created even as there had been the highlight of the so-called New Weird America movement since the first half of the 00s. These ditties are expertly conceived surfacing the pristine nature of a natural world where is left no place for the temporal categories but pure beauty of nature seems to overwhelm all what used to be inside it and around it. However, at Flora And Fauna slowed-down, slightly murky electric guitar progressions do tingle one`s pure sensations to have emerged previously from elemental sounds. Evening of Bliss might remind of early experiments by Animal Collective though the Beeches of Madame Ess`s experiment is more incisive in its obvious primitivism which reminds of an old-fashioned computer game or something. It cannot be wrong to say the amalgamation of natural sounds and artificial sounds provide invigorated impulses to the whole. The outing was initially released in 2007 and a year later on Rack And Ruin (it is catalogued as rrr096 in the discography of the label) which had been a definitive imprint within the webaudio world from 2008 to 2011.

Abel – Through EP (2007)

Schall-Netlabel

• Dub techno
• Techno
• Club dance
• Tech-house

Comment: Abel`s Through EP is the first issue under the now defunct imprint Schall-Netlabel. The record label had spread music which used to operate at margins of techno, house, and dub vibes with less hints at other genres. Indeed, the 3-track issue used to meet each other in different combinations and thence disparate moody varieties and colours to be sprinkled around. Indeed, one could perceive lots of changes in the architecture of the rhythms and varieties regarding the beats per second. Finally it could be said all the aforesaid elements create together pretty much synergy and intention to visit a local club dance.

Super Multifaros - Jan Telefon (2007)

Candy Mind

• Chiptune
• Primitive electronica
• Bitpop
• Tracker music
• Chipbreak
• 8-bit
• Electronic pop

Comment:  Super Multifaros is a Swedish artist whose composition of a handful of tracks has been produced in the way of pushing tongue in cheek. Who invented the telephone actually? Was it either Graham Bell or someone else? In fact, the artist prefers to laugh about this fake problem by using joyful speech samples for consideration. Furthermore, one could find himself/herself to move across the soundscapes of primitive pixel-shaped rhythms which are adorned with rough synthetic layers and robotic odds and ends here and there. The whole is propelled by catchy melodies. In a word, it is a simple but nice listening session. The issue is a part of the discography of Candy Mind.

Deek Hoi – The Golden Country (2007)

Bandcamp

/Alt-folk, Indie folk, Americana, Dream folk, Psych-folk, New Weird America, Folk indie, Free folk/

Comment: I discovered this Knoxville, Tennessee, US-based combo thanks to mesmerizing 1^st Borrowdeer Records compilation of involving such artists as Wooden Nickle, Samo, Forsa, Burnt Shielafante, Queens College Organs, Diacon-Panthers, Workhouse Industries, Khemo Rabbit, Leopard Meat, Fresh Cherries from Yakima, Cemetery Cemetery, Fast Money Music, Ginger Minx, Wrapping Paper, Happy Veterans Day, Chauchat, Animauled, Courtney Short, Accordion+Tetris. The miscellany embraces  a bunch of tendencies related to the New Weird America movement. Indeed, there was also represented Deek Hoi`s California which is the opening track on The Golden Country. It is pre-eminent Americana/indie folk album with hints at cosmic and dream pop. Indeed, the combo used to experiment with different forms, droning sounds and some electronic debris while upholding the album`s organic touch throughout the course. Indeed, all these songs are craftily built up resulting in striking melodies and harmonies. The lyrics are profound putting the listener think of essential things in his/her life (for instance, Dear Child; Eiea; Family Song). For instance, the latter composition makes you longing and searching for warmth and a halcyon state of mind. I suggest to shed light upon the other issues of the combo either (all the package can be found at Bandcamp). They are truly worth to be discovered again.

CJ Lavoire – The First Of The Year (2007)

Bad Panda

Free Music Archive

/Electronic pop, Tropical pop, Alternative dance, Poptronica, Electro-indie, Alternative pop/

Comment: CJ Lavoire is the nom de plume of Rome, Italy-based composer Valerio Franchi and the current track The First Of The Year comes out of his self-released issue Jump. Indeed, there is up just one though, lengthy six and half minute track. The issue involves brisk rhythms mixed up with some sonic effects and a guitar sustained part. All these elements are subordinated to the catchy melody line which is soft and slightly exotic and sultry on its own. The composition is the second one in the discography of Bad Panda Records. In a nutshell, are you ready to enjoy a solid pop ditty?

Irish – Destructions LP (2007)

Jamendo

Negative Artwork & Sounds 

/Experimental electronica, Lo-fi, Synth industrial, Breakcore, Drone, Avant-garde, DIY, Drum and bass, Leftfield, Psychedelic/

Comment: I wrote about Kengo Miyazaki aka Irish`s previous issue, called Manufactures (2006, MinusN) for almost four months ago. Similarly to Manufactures Miyazaki continues to explore electronic borders and churn electronic dark matter by positing electronic rhythms next to synthesiser induced whiffs, though, both of these compartments are being warped in a way to create psychedelic sensations and kind of whirling feel. All of that is subject to many stylistic turns and phase and pitch shifts. I cannot understand is he doing it tongue-in-cheek or having serious attitude. Throughout the course inferior lo-fi sounds are running alongside with “serious” industrial drones and even epic progressions (the last one third is truly bewitching of the ending track Welcome Home (Hulot)). For instance, listen to Broken Smile and just trying to understand it – is it jungle/drum and bass music or not at all? If it is the fact then in which way it used to relate to other drum and bass/jungle artists? Miyazaki as a sonic hooligan used to destroy gravitational mass around the listener to free him/her to get ascended and veered away. However, the geniuses are not objects to be judged. Holy shit as you have already understood.

Ekleipsi Net-Label Halloween Compilation (2007)

Ekleipsi

Free Music Archive

/Neofolk, Dark folk, Funeral metal, Neoclassical, Space rock, Post-classical, Dark Wave, Shoegaze, Breakbeat/

Comment: honestly, what kind of music could be expected from the Halloween compilation else but dark-hued, doleful, ominous and overwhelming aesthetic examples pouring out from any chord and rhythmic staple. Furthermore, no one can blame this compilation of having blanched outfit and nature (except the bloof, of course, thought to be delivered to witches and other supernatural beings). More profoundly, there are represented 30 tracks of disparate edges of the spectrum replete with black and grey-filled shades, extensive dread appeal, and phantasmal murmurs here and there. At times it is solemn and epic, at times rhythm and echo centred. There are represented such artists as Darrell Waters, Blue Skies Bring Tears, Shadegrown, Noctiflora, The Light Beyond, The Silence Industry, Jupiter Make`s Me Scream, Art Of Empathy, Aesis, Aritus, CriadCrias, Schattenwald, Comascape, Surrain, Milkrun. By the way, most artists on it have two tracks represented. In a word, goth kids come over here to grab it for yourselves.

.Khi -I Had A Dream (2007)

Bump Foot

/Electro pop, Breakcore, Leftfield, Noise, Alternative, Minimal electro, Experimental electro/

Comment: there are up six tracks extending over 22 minutes. .Khi is the project by Hugo Murutar, an Estonian producer whose dream is quite multi-faceted. It is mainly electro-based although heavily infiltrated with noisy undercurrents and disparate sonic debris, occult chants, and tweaked sonic manipulations. Thanks to multiple and unexpected changes (i.e collage-like nature) the whole seems to have saturated a feral feeling which is fairly positive and giving it a particular feeling. At times those electro propulsions are highly catchy (Let`s Jam!), at times remarkably minimal, haunting and stalking. Eventually it can be said the result is mind-provoking and cool.            

Zero a m m 0 - Temporary Shades Of Gray (2007)

Resting Bell

/Post-rock, Avant-rock, Crossover, Modern classical, Spoken word, Electro-acoustic, Chamber music, Art rock, Experimental rock, Ambient/

Comment: Zero a m m 0 is a combo (Mathieu Graveline, Benoit Panneton) from Montréal, Quebec, Canada showing up a distinct sound exploration being so characteristic for the section of Montrèal based music collectives mainly related to Constellation Records.  Indeed, the duo exploits post-rock layers and nowadays sonic manipulation devices to design their sound. More concretely, those guitar based currents are channelized through the algorithm of reverse effect, chord loops, pitch bending and on the other side varicoloured with spoken word snippets and piano keys ranging from stomping to volatile ones. Because all of this this batch of 3 tracks can be considered as a transitional one trudging into the electro-acoustic, ambient and modern classical music territory. Furthermore, there is distinctly represented also interplay between sound and silence, between sonorous de-escalation and growing louder into elemental, noisy peaks. The result is enjoyably consistent and worth of any bit of it.        

Landing Swabs – Fucking Melt EP (2007)

Clinical Archives

/Noise, Experimentalism, Improvised noise, Psychoacoustic, Avant-garde, Improvised music, Non-music/

Comment: Landing Swabs` 2-track issue insinuates a feeling as if you are listening to inner processes of an industrial proceeding in the factory building. The result is a tumultuous blend of noisy grits and demented noise torrents. All of that results in brown noise waves and violent sonic brushes appearing in the middle and periphery of layers. On the other side, the release can be tagged as improvised music because these elements follow somewhat chaotic and unpredictable path. Furthermore, there can be heard some impulses by such noise rock/experimental music combos as Black Dice, Battles, Hella, Black Pus, Lightning Bolt. The album is issued on legendary Moscow label Clinical Archives.    

The Utica Flower Company - The Utica Flower Company (2007)

Quixodelic

Daydream Generation

Lastfm

/New Weird America, Free folk, Space rock, Acid rock, Indie folk, Psychedelic folk, Drone folk, Trance rock, Experimental folk, Folk indie, Psych-folk/

Comment: this 14-track issue is a decorous example of the so-called New Weird (America) movement. The album was released in 2007 which was the heyday of the style. More profoundly, expressive but ecstatic singing is tightly surrounded by burbly guitar twanging, spacey drones, and solfeggio choruses. At times folk tunes are to progress and metabolize into hazy trance rock templates thereby conjuring up psychedelic flashbacks and dilated self-realization. Certainly it is a wondrous experience to stop by and listen and be part of it. Indeed, those times were unforgettable ones because anyone called the shots and believed he/she can provide something precious to the world. The collective was related to such labels/platforms as Quixodelic Records and Daydream Generation which in turn were closely related to such wondrous music platform as it was Indiana-based CLLCT, of which involving hundreds of DIY projects. I really hope it is possible to recover it sometime.                      

Los Subwoofus – El23 (2007)

Hamsterloco

Lastfm

/Avant-pop, Leftfield, Noise rock, Experimental indie, Krautrock, Chill out, Electro-indie, New Age/

Comment: actually it is quite problematic to categorize El23 because of having hints at different directions and compartments. It is simultaneously poppy and cutting-edge thereby reminding of such combos as Stereolab, Pram, and Broadcast, for instance. However, Los Subwoofus` concept is generally a little bit harsher and more noise music reflecting and on the other side showing up more skidding chill out, filter-heavy house music, Latin influenced and New Age music drenched music (more concretely, talking about the ending track Un Tema). In detail, this 10-track issue does have flirtation with glistening analogue synth driven pop music, kraut inspired rhythmic power, howling and soothing space music edges, noisy climaxes, sampledelic insights, big beat and breaks centred cadence labyrinths and even adding hirsute scratches and hip-hop paces to the mix. Listen to it and try to catch this weird beast!

Beast, Please Be Still - Beast, Please Be Still (2007)

Lastfm

Bandcamp

/Dark folk, Medieval, Americana, Post-folk, New Weird America, Indie folk, Drone folk, Folk indie, Art folk/

Comment: beast does not behave quite in a way how the title would like to see. More profoundly, this 7-track issue is an artsy interplay between silence and ascending and expanding (indie) folk numbers having hints at different folk music periods and locations – from hysterical, Arcade Fire-esque indie outbursts and joyous burlesque interludes to more restraint, even medieval/pagan folk-induced alike shards, beguiling Americana elegies and going to Appalachian at times. Even some post-rock alike scraps are presented in the periphery. The ordinary instrumentation is laced with compelling glockenspiels, overdriven synths and sublime accordions. Their soundscape is filled with emotive charge to the very last seconds of the issue. Beast, Please Be Still is a 7-head collective from Seattle, Washington whose music can be compared with the likes of Arcade Fire, Anahita, Espers, and Darkwood, for instance. In a word, it is an outstanding effort by any means.                      

He Is Watching Over Us - In Defence Of Disgusting Animals (2007)

23 Seconds

Lastfm

/Indie folk, Folktronica, Lo-fi, Post-rock, Epic, Art folk, New Weird Sweden/

Comment: He Is Watching Over Us is the Swedish duo of Erik Gröndahl, and Johan Mattson whose 8-track instrumental issue is a calmed down, even picturesque moving with the assistance of predominantly restrained arpeggios and organically successive chords enchanted from acoustic and electric guitars which are varicoloured with droning organs and diffuse electronic explorations, and some anthemic orchestrated panoramas on the top. Stylistically the whole has been managed in a way to meander between post-rock-ish ambition, folktronic crispiness, and lo-fi-esque cosiness. The collective`s melancholic nature is very appropriate for listening to it recently, as the summer has passed by and the autumn just began. Least but not last - there is no disgusting animals, though, animals need to be protected more with strenuous activity.                

Irrlicht Project – Accident (2007)

Irrlicht Project

• Acid electronica
• Speedcore
• Chiptune
• Breakcore
• Digital hardcore
• Gabber
• Crossover
• Chiptune
• Leftfield

Comment: Irrlicht Project is a producer from Berlin, Germany being active since 2004. He has issued 8 albums so far, the last one Dat Fuzz this year. Accident consists of more or less danceable music because of its very hectic nature veering into different genres and manipulating with diverse stylistic elements and playing with rhythm patterns and at different speeds and pitches. Of course, he recruits mostly electronic sounds though some samples and progressions seem to be acoustic and concrete sounds either. At times the artist`s intention sounds very straightforward, at times more flickering or spaced-out. The mood is changeable throughout these 12 compositions. In a word, the artist does not underestimate the listener thereby we don`t give him a heck as well.            

Pequeña Fiera! - Gha(e)ur

Mr Duke – I Can`t Find My Keys (2007)

Earth Monkey Productions

Lastfm

• American Primitivism
• New Weird Wales
• Weird folk
• Post-folk
• Free folk
• Indie folk
• Experimentalism
• DIY
• Anti-folk
• Freak folk
• Ambient folk
• Psych-folk
• Avant-garde
• Electro-acoustic
• Lo-fi

Comment: Mr Duke is a Welsh busker/musician Gwynfor Dafydd Edwards (born in 1983) who had previously played in a London-based prog band, Elysium Field, before he decided to embark on his solo project. His debut album under the excellent label Earth Monkey Production kicks off (Bikes Piss Past My Window) in the vein of so-called American Primitivism providing restrained guitar chords, simple countryside feeling and little changes in chords the long-running track throughout. However, the next compositions (with some exceptions) used to surprise with intense experimentalism and with-it feeling. More concretely, the tracks are filled with guitar chords and vocal lines turned inside out, schizoid stereophonic and reverb effects and uncanny noises and bleak ambient-tinged (or not) electronic/electro-acoustic coming out from both channels. Of course, Mr Duke stylistically seems to be related to the anti-folk and New Weird movements, though, his ideas might ideologically derive from the experimental concepts of krautrock either (for instance, reminding of Faust-esque sonic mayhem). Highly impressive. Finally, I do recommend to listen to such artists as Chad Golda, Felicia Atkinson, and Speculativism as well.

Fabrizio Cacciamali – When In A Crowd I Feel Lost (2007)

Noise-Joy

• Electro-acoustic
• Improvised music
• Experimental electronica
• Avant-garde
• Glitchtronica
• Dystopbient
• Micronoise
• Illbient

Comment: Cacciamali`s sound drifts along bleak labyrinths of electro-acoustic experiments, cacophonic impulses of glitch music, muffled noise explorations, however, all of that is wrapped up in illbient-filled vapour. Moreover, all of that described above used to subject to the formulae of improvised music. Pleasurable in its chirpiness.