Stefi del Cosmos – Stefi del Cosmos (2016/2019)

Death Roots Syndicate

Bandcamp

• Stoner rock 
• Psychedelic 
• Hard rock
• Rockabilly 
• Heavy psych 
• Grunge 
• Doom rock 

Argentiinlanna Stefi koos kahe abilisega (Lucas Kapovic, Pablo Genuardi) manamas raskema sammuga rokki sellel viieloolisel üllitisel, mille on oma kaitsva tiiva alla võtnud Death Roots Syndicate (esimest korda reliisiti 2016. aastal). Igati õnnestunud jõudemonstratsioon kitarridel – rifid, rifid ja rifid ning jõuline naisvokaal esiplaanil. Aga see on ühtlasi ka tagaplaan. Või siis tagaplaan üleüldse puudub. Eks meenuvad aeg-ajalt tuntud amatsoonid rokilavadelt nagu Shirley Manson, PJ Harvey ja Justine Frischmann Elastica eesotsas. Kohati lastakse muusikasse ka psühhedeelseid allhoovusi, kohati kõrbeliiva sõõrmetest sisse tuisata. Ühte äärmusesse jääb doom ja teises otsas on velvetine Americana, aga need on ajutised, mis kuigi kauaks püsima ei jää. Vahele ka rockabilly`t. Miski siin žanriliselt kaua ei püsi. Tõele au andes. On see siis grunge`i valem?  Hea asi, hästi mängitud ning produtseeritud. Vana kooli rokk noh. 

The Mussy Cluves – Wet Pain (2019)

Death Roots Syndicate

Bandcamp

• Alternative rock 
• Indie rock 
• Lo-fi 
• Acid rock 
• Psychedelic 
• DIY 
• Shoegaze 
• Rockabilly 
• Space rock

On ilma peal olemas selline plaadifirma, nimeks Death Roots Syndicate, mis koondab enda alla alternatiivrokki, psühhedeeliat, folki, Amerikaanat jpm, ainult et eesliidetega "gothic", "dark", "death", "doom". Stiliseeritud müstiline realism, mis on nii ja naa – nii on siis, kui see on orgaaniliselt loomupäraselt tehtud ja kogutud sarnastega kokku; naa on siis, kui see on punnitatud, et sobituks millegagi kokku või millegi alla. "Märg valu" kompab muidu täissulis roki arhetüüpsust elektrooniliste efektidega nagu moonutatud vokaal, pingestatud sündivool-voog ja edasi-tagasi ludistavad elektroonilised efektid nagu äraeksinud prussakas öisel a'al valamus paaniliselt pagemas. Loomulikult lähtub St Louis'st pärit muusikaline projekt isetegemise ja madala helikvaliteediga esteetika valust ja võlust, mis siinkirjutaja arvates ongi viimased kümnendid USA muusika tugevus olnud, kui mõelda seesugustele artistidele nagu Daniel Johnston, Ariel Pink, Vic Chesnutt, Sparklehorse ja Devendra Banhart. Eks vaba/veiderfolk ole samuti vähemalt ühe jalaga selles esteetikas kinni. Aga seesuguseid artiste on Ühendriikides kümneid tuhandeid. Võtke Bandcamp, võtke suvaliselt mingi suva linn ja te ilmselt ei jõua ühe päeva jooksul selle koha kataloogi läbi lehitseda. 16-loolisele albumile ütlen jah. Hape ja psühhedeelia on vägagi tasemel, mis ujub välja kitarri elektrifitseeritud hinge sügavustest (nt "Red Mist Apparition", "Shroom Orgy", "The Cellar"). Meenutab Hawkwind`i; või purjakil Hawkwind`i (mis teeb tegelikult sama välja).

The Jerusalem Mules – Pulling Out of the World (2019)

Death Roots Syndicate

Archive.org

• Americana 
• Singer-songwriter 
• Roots music 
• Blues

Comment: it is obviously one of the most austere releases I have heard so far under an immersive imprint, Death Roots Syndicate. The group consists of Matt Borczon, and Steve Brown who together play old time music with raw punk energy. A navy sailor cigarbox guitar and a cookie tin banjo used to conjure up rotely running tunes emitting a highly blank glimpse coming out of the eyes of the players. As if a slave playing in front of other enslaved ones at those few idle moments. There is no the aforementioned raw punk energy in direct sense though on the other side it is certainly something about blues as a musical style and tradition has handed down its tortured ideological tradition and tough standpoints to a subsequent contemporary artist. Thorough simplicity and the feeling of transience. As if a reflection of people being trampled down by unrighteous ones but ready to stand up again and again. Nice.

Carcass Brook – A Good Day To Die (2018)

Death Roots Syndicate

Bandcamp

• Gothic folk 
• Americana 
• Singer-songwriter 
• Roots music 
• Appalachian music 
• Death country 
• Music hall 
• Vaudeville music

Comment: Jamie Landsborough's sophomoric album is a glimpse into Americana and roots music through murky lenses which could be described with such prefixes as "gothic", "dark", "death". Indeed, within this set of 11 compositions one can hear all the scope of profoundly America related sounds from a bit buffoonish vaudeville and music hall-induced rays to ominous noise rock and ghastly country instances. Technically it rings as if "normal" songs were played through distortion block with an additional reverb application. In fact, some compositions do sound exactly like new interpretations of oldie ones (End of the World, Crazy Fool). I have heard something like that before for sure. Given that there is no need for a gargantuan effort to create something truly otherworldly and mind-bending. Just up the ante for strong melodies and right sonic effects. It results in all being imbued with a strong emotional and emotive impact, full of sadness and grieve. It makes one`s soul to be scratched and a bit torn. Jamie Landsborough is helped by friends who mostly play electr(on)ic keyboards to add a sustainable droning effect to the mix. The relevant point is about how it works on the listener at a moment. The impressive outing is a bit in the discography of Death Roots Syndicate.

Beelzebub Jones – A Good Day To Be A Bad Guy (2019)

Death Roots Syndicate

Speak Up Recordings

• Gothic Americana
• Singer-songwriter 
• Art blues
• Noir rock
• Art rock 
• Cinematic
• Alternative rock

Comment: by following titles of this 13-notch outing (Working For The Devil, Sinners Last Request, Revenge Is My Only Friend, Nicotine, Liquor & Blasphemy, Never Take Me Alive) one can admit the dark, adeptly stylised nature of the songwriter who is obviously influenced by such artsy juggernauts as Tom Waits, Nick Cave, and Johnny Cash whose aesthetics used to hark back to the blues music/delta blues at a more or less extent. On the other side, all these reclusive somber themes are appropriately backed up by sublime orchestrations, reverberant and sustained string chords and accentuated stretched singing manner with rich timbre as if providing an impressive depiction of the apocalypse. In fact, there is no difference either regarding personally or in general. One of the tags of the album is "cinematic" based on Spaghetti Western-alike/Morricone-esque exalted threads. I do not know is it the sign of the recent time and age but it fits in very appropriately to this ill-omened age with a little perspective to survive and evolve in an organic way and be in concordance with the universe. We can freely depict ourselves as a little cottage in Outer Space while being burdened with responsibility to tide it up and manage it rationally (we are subconsciously even more burdened by the alleged first sin and the fall of man). For still able to preserve our human-alike face rather than devolving to a fucked-up transgressive diabolical being (unfortunately I am a bloody dick by the way). However, one must not reclaim him/herself as a prophet to foresee hard times to come very soon when supposedly anyone must do very crucial decisions on the base of conflicting moral incantations and survival intentions. It may be happening like our beloved Johnny Cash sang at Wanderer /I went out walking/Through streets paved with gold/Lifted some stones/Saw the skin and bones/Of a city without a soul/. Partly because of that, it is a befitting listening leg and partly because of being somehow ennobling and purgative despite the doom-laden lyrics. The marvellous, schmaltz-free outing is a part of the discography of Death Roots Syndicate, and a part of the roster of Speak Up Recordings. By kindred souls, additionally to the abovementioned ones and artists from within the imprint, it is recommended the listening of Moses Luster.

Jessica Worms – R I S E (2017)

Death Roots Syndicate

• Punk rock 
• Art punk
• Speed metal 
• Hardcore

Comment: Jessica Worms is not a physical woman in reality because behind it are two men, Gregory Debaco (voice, guitars), and Lincoln Tomazzoni (the drums) who demonstrate one quite ideal way of how punk should be interpreted and showcased. In truth, there is a woman on the sleeve but it is the embodiment of the devil. Lots of key chords, powerful yet vivid guitar riffs, low frequencies, and intense drumming, and all the aforementioned elements are channelized adeptly into a synergistic whole. The permanent whirlpool around the listener's brain. The 6-track album was recorded in Brazil under the Brazilian imprint Contrabandeando Discos and the US-based imprint Death Roots Syndicate. The Stooges, Motörhead are those introducing ghosts at the threshold. The really surprising and exceptional track is the starting one, Pipeline (Jaguara Thunders Versão), thought for the surfboarding people in the first place. All in all, it is an honest, convincing and creditable record, I guess an additional value may be gotten from a live session.

Koti & Thee Immigrants – The Relaxing Sounds From Tinsley Prison (2012/2017)

Death Roots Syndicate

Bandcamp

Fon-Fon

• World music 
• Acid pop 
• Mood music 
• Psychedelic 
• Alternative pop 
• Psychobilly 
• World fusion 
• Art pop

Comment: we are listening to an album from Brazil under the fantastic California, US-based imprint Death Roots Syndicate. Koti & Thee Immigrants´ 10 track issue was initially released under Fon-Fon Records approximately five and a half years ago so it is quite surprising yet welcome to hear it under an imprint which has used to release issues being dark and gothic (yet playful and artsy). The Relaxing Sounds From Tinsley Prison is predominantly a psychedelic case with fluid dusty organ lines and suggestive singing. There is up a song called Gipsy Man with hints at the life of Romani people so could I presume these 33 minutes are about the life of the ethnicity with some dodges into other culture`s layers either? All this Balkan and Gypsy music influenced music has been a mainstream for more than 10 years largely thanks to motion pictures by Emil Kusturica. By listening to the final instrumental track Tinsley House Tea Time you can admit the collective`s tongue-in-cheek attitude with regard to Music Hall-alike buffoonish loosely sequenced rhythms and the acidic organ and Tiki Music drenched improvistation which funny facet can be generalized over the course.  The more I listen to it the more I hear similarities with Juan Naveira aka Mr Juan aka Juanitos aka Limbo Deluxe aka Miss Emma. That's hugely important especially for a starting weekend. In a word, this album is strongly recommended for all those music lovers who enjoy an artsy challenge and a moody aspect within one bound.

Seuora – The OddBeats (2014)

Death Roots Syndicate

Bandcamp

• Vaudeville 
• Balkan music 
• Art rock 
• Blues 
• Music hall 
• Avant-folk 
• Cabaret 
• Crossover 
• Comedy 
• Dark folk

Comment: the US-based imprint Death Roots Syndicate keeps having impact upon me because it surprises with its twists in its discography. Recently I commented about an Italian dark folk/neofolk/apocalyptic folk/neoclassical project L'ira dell'Agnello`s Coprofonia (2014). Seuora is a disparate turn because of coming from Finland and making music with a tongue-in-cheek attitude because of incorporating different styles such as vaudeville/music hall, Gypsy music, and cabaret with roots-driven styles as blues, bluegrass, and folk in an amusing way though involving more murky elements as well (at 34512, for instance). Indeed, it is a hellish crossover issue of a musical direction of which the most famous representative is Tom Waits undoubtedly having its roots both in the Beatniks, 20<sup>th</sup> century beginning Dadaist movement and delta blues, Romani culture, and music hall. However, you could not underestimate the influence of contemporary and past Finnish underground music being the most potential and intriguing in the Scandinavian peninsula (for instance, the so-called forest folk/New Weird Finland movement, Erkki Kurenniemi, M.A. Numminen, Pekka Airaksinen, Keuhkot, Pan Sonic, Vladislav Delay etc). Before the quartet was conceived some members played in such group as Northern Antarctican Non-Flying Flying Circus where they played a similar sort of music. Their handwriting implicates to an organic connection between the storytelling, and a musical backup, between saying yes to our withering life from one`s egoistic perspective and then revealing more misanthropic tendencies and appeal towards the darkness and evil. In a word, the result is highly striking embracing 10 compositions within a span of 33 minutes.

L'ira dell'Agnello – Coprofonia (2016)

Death Roots Syndicate

Bandcamp

• Neofolk 
• Dark folk 
• Epic 
• Apocalyptic folk 
• Neoclassical 
• Avant-garde

Comment: by listening to dark folk/neofolk music one could mostly assume – always different, always the same. Indeed, the bottom of these 50 minutes are made up of arcade guitar strums and ill-omened chants and murky yet majestic storytelling which are at times variegated by ringing electronic hovers, suggestive orchestrations, gritty electro-acoustic sounds and gently stomping rhythmic backups. The artist comes out of Italy and all the lyrics is represented in Italian. On the cover print you see a donkey who obviously will make or has already made...shit because the title is denoted as Coprofonia. Does it mean the music on it is arranged for shit? It reminds me of Coil because one of the duo`s earliest issues was titled as Scatology. It is not surprising at all that for such kind of artists it is important to accentuate contradictory elements with their concept. In a word, it is a very beautiful issue under the imprint Death Roots Syndicate.

The Mussy Gluves - Pelu Green Puns (2014)

Death Roots Syndicate

Bandcamp

Lastfm

/Avant-rock, Americana, Dada music, No Wave, Psychedelic rock, Avant-blues, Art rock, Noise rock, Experimental rock, Space rock, Leftfield/

Comment: in fact, it is hardly classifiable music on its own because the artist`s purpose is to deliberately contort possible initial sources and premises laid out to create this 12-track issue. However, if to listen to it you can hear some hints at Americana and roots music which in turn are crossed with provocative dadaist`s ethos. More concretely, those layers are injected with uncanny flickers and, acute electronic bursts and noisy interventions. Furthermore, the listener can perceive spaced-out and delta bluesy compositions as well, though, witnessing serious aesthetical “injuries” and errors within it. Frequently vocal layers are twisted in a way to create a perception of alternative belonging or disparate world colliding with each other. This album is strongly out of pop. Provoking yet enthralling made up by the duo Matt Heitman and Danny Barton from Missouri, USA. There can be drawn parallels upon such artists as Captain Beefheart, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Royal Trux, and The Residents. But  make no mistake the duo`s sound is highly idiosyncratic.