[Artists] The Womb

The Womb
23 Seconds
Myspace
Lastfm

Southern Shores Grande Comore / Mauna Loa (BadPanda)

Southern Shores is a duo from Halifax (the same city, the hockey star Sidney Crosby comes from), Canada while residing in Europe (Berlin, Germany) now. Their 2-track single at BadPanda Records is overtly opened for different stylistic interpretations and point of views, on the first place beavering away at subtle glo-fi (yet not being hypnagogic pop on its own) and poptronic moods being compared to Air France and Washed Out, on the other side it could be viewed through lush, synth-relied baroque pop and chamber pop and tropicalia pop workout expressions as well. In a more detailed way, it is full of warbling vocal-based hitches and high-voltage-loaded brass orchestrations wrapped up by seething synthezised paces. Partly because of having obvious references to different places around the world (Grande Comore is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa; Mauna Loa is a Hawaiaan volcano) it can be considered as a soundtrack of voyage music as well. All in all, undoubtedly this kind of sonic mould does represent nowadays pop essence still waiting for the highest chart tops to be conquered once in the future.

Listen to it here

9.8

Wings Of Icaro Andirubio (Jamendo)

Wings of Icaro is a project from Priego do Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain, more concretely, a project of José Rodríguez who is also known from another project Other Track. All the action began in the late of 90`s while Rodríguez was studying physics in an university, so it was his way to balance himself through expressing concepts, ideas or occurrences which were distorted inside him in the meantime. The spaniard`s first issue called Imbalance (2008, Jamendo) contained the section of tracks from the first half of the 00`s, being stilistically poised between soothing downtempo, chillout, and IDM-esque beats.

The follow-up Andirubio is much shorter, being represented with 5 tracks (within 23 minutes) only, yet, noting the change upon new frontiers and influence realms. However, the soundscape is more richer and sophisticated, which is partly set off by lots of collaboration acts by other musicians for sure. By supplied with vast amount of air, indeed, let`s enter and make acquaintance with subtle folktronic fingerpickings and arpeggios, soulful commitment of female vocal affections, trip-hop grooves and turns (often reminiscent of Portishead). At times the beats will be evolved into a more idiosyncratic approach, for example at Hazardous Waste, which is made out by the interplay between sublimely dark-hued flutes and massive rhythm shuffles turned out as an example of neofolk-ish shivering. Or the last track Wild Guess which at its noir-ish outlook seems to obviously be influenced by the Bond theme and the aforementioned Bristol-based trio again. And not only by them. In a nutshell, a really impressive accompaniment indeed.

Listen to it here

9.5

[Compilation] Between Two Waves – Vol. C (EardrumsPop)

Actually it did not happen much time ago when I reviewed one compilation (Between Two Waves - Vol. A) under EardrumsPop which consisted fundamentally of two-sided collaborations. In any cases, I am not able to put the temptation aside for not reviewing another one too because of my orthodox indie nature was came to the forefront with those 14 songs again. In a word, here is another great collection of songs shuffling inbetween jangle pop, dream pop, slightly folk-driven indie pop and also some more contemporary sounds are thrown over here (of course I referred to dream-alike electronic/chillwave undercurrents here). Although without whimsical tricks basically, in principle, the whole seems to be really virtuous in the vein of old indie tunes having lots of catchy angles and edges and refreshing air letting you feel yourself free. No doubt, you need to be relaxed and having some distance from effect-loaded pop experimentalism at least for some time. Here is one track that really imprisoned me during last days. Indeed, The Hurries (Sundae + Girl Alliance)`s Not That Easy sounds out as if hinting at a neutral zone between Pet Shop Boys and Mojave 3 somewhere.

Listen to it here

New Animal New Animal (New Animal)

New Animal is a duo from Atlanta, consisting of Kris Hermstad and Derek Burdette. Recently the duo issued their self-titled album, compiled of 15 tracks. Actually their similarity with Animal Collective is not incidental on the name level only as having much broader touch through shimmering soundscapes and blissful milieu as well. Of course, they are more contemporary (i.e blissfully arranged) group incorporating a little chillwave and glo-fi elements as well. All of it can be seen via psychotic singing manners, repeated psychedelic loops, and impressive (even epic) overdrives, all in all, those mixed electronic pop currents and acoustic folk indie grounds do make out a subtle post-crossover (or post-Animal Collective) approach. Apparently it could be called as animated indie or spiritualized disco too. Really outstanding/transcending moments are embodied in such songs as All I Want Is Gone, Grow Back Out, They Don`t Know, Kill The Lights. In fact, something similar happened about one year ago as well when another duo named as Magic Man released their Real Life Color. Indeed, New Animal might be one of the best candidate for the top album of 2011 at today`s hour already.

Listen to it here

9.7

[Artists] Vermilion Club

Vermilion Club/Bandcamp
Myspace
Lastfm

The Womb Purity Test (23 Seconds)

The Englishman Alan Driscoll embarked on in 1998, at the time when the 90`s Britpop movement started to getting to its closure. From the aforementioned year off to this day he has released approximately 10 albums, including one publication named as Britpop as well. Thereby regarding all those facts and the main characteristic of the recent issue, indeed, for all of those people who had grew up within the glamorous touch by Pulp, Suede, Auteurs and the others acts Purity Test should be meaningful enough. Moreover, by being demonstrated an Ultrasound`s vinyl record on the coverprint, how could it have a reference somehow otherwise?

Purity Test is a double album, or at least an album with shitloads of bonus songs (all in total 10+10). First of all, it is a case of whimsical lyrics with hints at escapism, womanizers, and even a kind of obsession. By the background it is full of great synth-based thrills and orchestral progressions, catchy soulful disco tunes, synthetic pop arrangements, diverse rhythm roundabouts and outstanding song performances with eccentric postures. Despite of all those diversities, however, all seems so evidently sounding under the Britpop regime yet. My favorite notches are some dark-hued, even a bit creeping introspections being not sporadically represented here. Rosanna Woolett, Junalyn Corre, Chloë Reeves and Simon Gray are up here to offer their important collaboration over to the release.

Listen to it here

9.5

[Artists] Blackbird Blackbird

Blackbird Blackbird
Blackbird Blackbird/Bandcamp
Plancha
Myspace
Lastfm

Coolrunnings Babes Forever EP (Dracula Horse/Bandcamp)

The Knoxvillian trio Coolrunnings by Brandon Biondo, Forrest Ferguson and Elliott White have published two EPs (Buffalo; Babes Forever) during the August of 2010. However, I like the latter one more - the discussion is not going only around the coverprint. Here can be drawn out some essential characteristics which will be occurred via magic runs on (post-)psychedelic ecstasy and (pseudo) religious hysterics. It can be imagined as if a formula consisting of 40 percent on Animal Collective and Arcade Fire and 20 per cent on The Dandy Warhols respectively. Indeed, although both releases include wide-range musical imageries as broadly as the same, seems Babes Forever to be a more fluid and organic one. Moreover, the borders between the illusions, dreams and reality are blurred through encapsulated lyrics having added much impression to the whole contribution. The issue is full of essentially sublime moments, for instance the track like Better Things When I Got High With You shining out in a bombastic manner. Or Trippin` Balls At Der Wienerschnitzel which embarks on arrogantly rough synths similar to The Ganglians thereafter developing into the sublime rise of symphonic accompaniment on ecstatic drive. In fact, between those mentioned drifts can be found out for much more minutiae and detailed expressions. Or the self-titled song`s hypnotic drumming introduction and the followed sudden change of direction, and subsequently its re-formation again. The ending notch Slumberland is going on about the quintessential evidence once again to be commended through the orchestral brass arrangements being finally resulted in highly potent loftiness. In other words, a kind of vanguard pop which on the other side betrays the trio`s healthy desire toward the charts. Indeed, the six tracks form a whole which is plentiful of pop potential. In any cases, I will keep my fingers crossed.

Listen to it here

9.5

[Compilation] Various Artists - 23 Evergreens Vol.2 (23 Seconds)

The Gothenburg-based label 23 Seconds has been a crisscrosser of different indie styles or at least strongly indie-infused electronic pop genres for some years. Here represented 23 tracks released inbetween 2008-2010 do offer a proper overview about the backbone of the label. No doubt, the selection compiled by H Johan Lundin and Jesper Larsson is decent enough reflecting upon some exceptions as well - hip-hop (Dynamo 414; Conspiracy of Mind) and trance-induced bubblegum rave (Clone DJ) and post-metal (The Big Sleep In Search Of Hades). The other artists include Henrik Josè, Azoora, Jenifer Avila, Shampoo Tears, Azeda Booth, Adam & Alma, Ixtlan, Danish Daycare, Cosmic Spring, The Womb, Azoora, Can`t Stop The Daggers, and Emerald Park.

Listen to it here

Pinkle House Plants (Aaahh)

Let`s still continue with some handsome sounds from Chicago (the previous time was dedicated to the (post-)psychedelic experimentalism-drenched ensemble Crouching_World) this time it is focused upon the singer-songwriter Bryn Martin aka Pinkle`s follow-up to the Invertible (2009, self-released/Jamendo) and shitloads of albums previously released on Jamendo. Beside it he is used to upload and show up his works in progress and a bunch of completed songs on his home page.

By studying himself in Lausanne, Switzerland, Europe the 13-track album House Plants is released under the German-based label Aaahh Records, obviously not incidentally though, as Martin`s music is getting really close to the mid-European indietronic/folktronic tradition. The restraint acoustic guitar/ukulele loops are mingled together with his soulful, half-filtered vocals and mostly sublime electronica (using legendary electric/electronic keyboards like the Mini Moog synth and the Farfisa organ among the vast array of acoustic instruments), sometimes letting come forth some abrupt sonority as well, by this way, reminding of Beck (Alibi). In general, it can be resumed up to be more album-oriented music.

In conclusion, by supposing him as a kind of simple (not simplistic at all, though) and gentle musician as a person on his own, in any cases, his music is really worth to get a try to letting you to be thrown away from disturbingly surrounding accidental noise over to the middle of grass and flowers.

Listen to it here

8.9

Helado Negro Pasajero (Asthmatic Kitty)

Helado Negro is Roberto Carlos Lange, a musician from Florida being part of the famous Asthmatic Kitty roster. Those 8 tracks, only 2 of them are the kind of original songs, represented here are up to a mesmerizing mix of contemporary indie music influences and Lange`s Latin (Ecuadorian) roots. In addition to the Latin-based rhythms and catchy melodies he sings in Spanish at times being assisted by Isaac Lekach (voice, guitar), Julianna Barwick (voice), Jason Ajemian (banjo), Jacob Champagne Wick (Trumpet), Jamie Reeder (violin), Shannon Fields (clarinet, accordion). By filled in to be astonishingly suggestive, sometimes even down to heartbreaking, longing-infected baroque pop tunes which initially were intended to be a gift for Lange`s parents. In fact, all the set of minutiae do make the full range sense, particularly because of austere yet sublime electronic undercurrents. Besides covering the songs of Los Iracundos, Eduardo Mateo, Roberto Carlos, and Leo Dan, he gives a new and modern touch for Pink Floyd`s Goodbye Cruel World. All in all, this set is a great example of how sexy could the Latin music be played out actually. My heart is gone indeed.

Listen to it here

10.0

[Compilation] Between Two Waves – Vol. A (EardrumsPop)

As I said once, the Norwegian-based EardrumsPop has been one of the finest single and compilation records around the world to date. (Unfortunately the first compilations are being down for a while because of purposed to save space for future issues. I hope those will be uploaded somewhere else, at Archive.org or Bandcamp, for instance). The music under this label does proof out as a voice of nowadays and classical sensed indie conscience. More profoundly, it does veer from jangle, twee pop, dream pop, baroque pop and sunshine pop currents to poptronica and electronic pop, and shibuya-kei notches (lots of artists represented herein come from Japan). Yet, in principle, the indie pop under EardrumsPop is rather a retrospective appearance, for sure, having avoided to be a hype-centric one (which is also very important!), instead aspiring for great classical melodies and astonishing harmonies to shuffle seamlessly the (theoretical) gap between nowadays and the previous decades.

On Between Two Waves - Vol. A (released in April of 2010) are represented 14 tracks by the following artists like Boa Constrictor vs The Honeydrips, Baffin Island (The Very Most + The Hermit Crabs), Suspicious for the Winter (Casa Murilo + Like Spinning), Jacob Borshard and Cake on Cake, Starlight Recorder (Dylan Mondegreen + Alex Rinde (The Margarets)), Leaving Rio (Cineplexx + Onward, Chariots), Peacock Dreams (Shelby Sifers + Spirituals), Saturnalia (The Lost Cavalry + We Walk On Ice), Kubot (Martin Gustafsson (Boy Omega) + Martin Bergström (New Beginnings/Sin Närmiljö)), Early to Bed (Wisdom Tooth + Me And The Horse I Rode In On), En handvändning (Solander + Jerker Kaj), Johnny Favourite and the Exs (Johnny Favourite + little xs for eyes), Dizzie Bird (The Marble Man + Angela Aux), and Broken Motion (Paragraphs + Me And My Arrow). As it can be witnessed for, regarding the collection title and concerning on the artists`specific juxtaposition to each other, each song in principle consists of a blend of (at least) two artists or musicians (can it somehow be related to the abandoning of the kind of snooty eccentricity, though?). The miscellany is full of great songs, though, some of them are outstanding - Baffin Island (The Very Most + The Hermit Crabs)`s You Make Two Weeks Two Days which is a fine ukulele-based troubadour pop reminiscent of some workouts by Jens Lekman and Sondre Lerche; Jacob Borshard and Cake on Cake`s Summer Will Have Its Way is a Belle & Sebastian-esque warble; Leaving Rio (Cineplexx + Onward, Chariots)`s Vanish does involve delicious doo wop harmonies, sung the first half in English, and the ending side in Spanish, respectively.

Listen to it here

Atlas Sound Bedroom Databank Vol. 2 (Atlas Sound)

This release is my personal favorite exemplar of the 4-part Bedroom Databank series. 16 tracks do show up a crafty balance between strumming, guitar-relied pop and computer-processed electronic experiments, or thirdly, a mix of both which, more detailly, reminds on its fluctuant approach of Deerhunter`s Weird Era Cont. (2007, Kranky). No doubt, Bradford Cox is a hero between so-called established, commercial music and free webaudio world. Moreover, his special juxtaposition to those realms does not even make so much sense as much of his workouts under the moniker Atlas Sound and Deerhunter-related deeds which can be considered as one of the most essential hallmarks on contemporary indie music. Obviously his later profilic approach occurred in letting out music from his old tapes might closely be related to his health condition. By having managed to push down more musical fingerprints over into the present, past, and forthcoming future, by this point of view, his action may have a metaphysical and religious background. As I noticed above the album is a fluctuant integration of both electronics and natural strings realized off into a warble, merry-go-round-alike whole, being at times folk-ish, the second time blues-infected, on the other hand, the last track Here Come The Trains is an embarassing cosmic blues-y, krautrock-heeled notch.

Listen to it here

9.2

[Compilation] Totokoko Christmas Compilation (Totokoko)

Here is a compilation of 19 tracks from Japan, though, more concretely, if to check out for the names, not all the artists are the Japanese heritage by their roots. For instance, Ryan Cohen, who offers opportunity to Ron Sexsmith`s Maybe This Christmas. This is a compilation which is dedicated to the Christmas (as the Christmas present with music, drawings/illustrations/photos and one video by the Totokoko label) showcasing a vast array of diverse indie spheres, veering from restrained keyboards-driven indie pop and folktronica/fingepicked guitar pop wrapped in by glockenspiel chords and accidental concrete music sounds to more shibuya-kei-touched dynamic outputs, chamber-alike infused progressions, lo-fi-inflected sonic backbones, creeping, capella-near notches and some instrumental, piano-relied "interludes". The only exception is the closure track Wallpaper of the Soul by Kraffa which is used to be a 100 percent-electronic one being deep(ly) techno(-)reflected and even slightly dubstep-hued. The favorites of mine are [.que]`s Silver Light, Wool Strings`s Sleep Green, and AMERICAN GREEN`s The Clock Tower And The Fountain, and Ibuki Yushi`s Noel Readying Experience.

All in all, in fact, it may be seem at times that the compilation is not pretended to be upon the highest aesthetical level because of the natural restriction of conceptual thing on its own, on the other side, it is filled with heartful touches for the biggest red-letter day and quiet times.

Listen to it here

[Artists] Mon Insomnie

Beko DSL
Bandcamp
Lastfm

[Old but important] Werewolves Dance Raincoat Dress (BNS Sessions)

I tried to analyze and find out for myself the main intention hidden behind the name of a US-based 5-piece ensemble, of course, in correlation with their multicoloured musical approach. It might be realized out that the title "Werewolf" is appropriate enough for reflecting upon the difference between the main core and lateral shreds of their musical conception, drifting between the mainstream and peripherical murky areas relied upon the nowadays and past experiences of (alternative) pop music. In a more concrete way, the 12-track album released at the end of 2009 does have a lot of references biased heavily toward the head-on psychedelic swayings of old school monsters (Vanilla Fudge; Manfred Mann, early Pink Floyd, ) and some later hypes (Kula Shaker), groovy drone-infused motorik rock a la Spacemen 3, Brian Jonestown Massacre and early Spiritualized, and Neu! as their precedessor, on the other way, their tie-up to the mainstream currents reminiscent at times of the likes of Franz Ferdinand, and Keane does build up a gleamy backbone based upon joyous guitar gears and distinct even manifesting/shouting vocal lines or hovering below the piano-based soulful soft-rock ideas. Last but not the least - I am really fascinated by the ending track House Of Anarchists which does satisfy my very need for Spiritualized and Bobby Gillespie`s apathetic fuck-off posture. All in all, Werewolves did play out via Dance Raincoat Dress a magnificient whole without any weak examples thereby being one of the most dynamic, completed rock releases you could find out from the the last years. As they have said at their home page that the only way to support revolution is to make your own.

Listen to it here

Cody England The Monotony Monopoly (Rack & Ruin)

First off, the description "Cody England from USA" met at the record site sounds very amusing way, isn`t? By this way, I can remember for that Dallas, the Estonian indie frontband by 90`s was also made fun of it the same way at times ("Dallas from Tallinn"). However, the Arkansas-based musician is described as "a part-time assistant librarian and a full time creative", which actually says much about his dedication to the creating process. He made his debut this year, having released two issues to date. The debut The Metal Band from Hamburger Land (an apparent reference to his previous employment) showcased his adoreness toward minimal songwriting approach with deeply lovelorn lyrics and taking on some bittersweet arrivings at memories. Yet, the conception of his opening album was a bit too fragile and loose, where the parts of it were set apart from each other, sounding sometimes as a set of the Christmas songs for the lo-fi crowd.

No doubt, the sophomore one is much better evolved into the impressive output, though, based upon the same instrumentation as the previous time. His music is played up with cheap yet magnificient effect-drenched Casio synths (I have at home an example of the first series, namely Casio Tonebank SA-1 bought for 300 EEK/ca 25 USD and being properly worked out during the last 10 years), and home organ GEM H-400 as well. His warm, dream-alike voice does make up lots of great resonances with mild organ drones and programmings on the slow-paced/middle-paced/fast-paced mode. Being sometimes serious, sometimes sad, and sometimes funny the only "weakness" is a fact the record is too short (5 tracks within circa 10 minutes). Searching for soul mates Cody England`s approach can be compared to the aesthetics of his home label Rack & Ruin the first place, though, which generalized sonority has lots of common roots with the bedroom music pioneering by The Russian Futurists and keyboard-drones-based-austereness-drowned-into-harmonies of Beach House as well. A strong workout, indeed.

Listen to it here

9.1

[Artists] Werewolves

Werewolves
Archive.org
BNS Sessions
Myspace

Raindeer Raindeer EP (Bandcamp)

Raindeer does consist of three lads - Charlie Hughes (vocals, synth), Devin Byrnes (synth), and Beau Cole (guitar, bass) - coming from Baltimore, Maryland, a town being once home for Animal Collective. Vis à vis with Collective, besides the trio`s aesthetical heritage originating from similar (post-)psychedelic breeds and DIY-based conceptions and lo-fi-infused common ground their start, however, is not a less impressive opening at all compared to the very launch by Avey Tare-Panda Bear circa 10 years ago, more concretely, being soaked in a rousing mix of electronics and indie pop and subtly nudging at their boundaries and zones. Yet, those 6 tracks of the debut issue are remarkably more extrovert and pop-oriented encompassed by broad yet intelligent postures and caustic keyboard (under)currents, the kind of reminiscent of those played up by the English innovative pop group Space in the last years of the Britpop-era (the track The Green Lights), and MGMT as well. Of course, there can be found out some similarities with the later-era Animal Collective, which drove some obduarate Collective`s fans to despair (Dark Place). On the other side, fortunately, Raindeer is able to avoid this kind of ostentatious artistical shelves cranking out of emotions being anchored at a subject`s genuine sensitiveness. No doubt, the trio is able to master crafty pop numbers, for instance, the ending This Is My Last Transmission which at the outset is intentionally restrained to come off into a catchy even hysterical explosion.
A solid debut, indeed.

Listen to it here

9.2