Bardo Pond Live at Metro Cafe on 1999-12-09 (1999)

Archive.org

9.2

/Doom rock, Post-metal, Doomgaze, Shoegaze, Experimental rock, Post-rock, Stoner rock, Crossover, Psychedelic rock, Drone rock, Avant-rock, Live session, Improvised music/

Comment: Bardo Pond is a musical collective which obviously needs not to be introduced for the fans of experimental rock at all. Throughout the last 2 decades this Philly-based experimental juggernaut does have explored the realms of psychedelic and drone rock, doom and stoner rock through the eyes of demented shoegazers. Along with Jessamine, The Dylan Group, Labradford, and Tortoise the quintet redefined the term "rock" in the US-based underground scene in the 90s. More concretely, additionally to the abovementioned styles the listener can detect post-metal elements on this 8-piece gig, which are fringed below and on the lateral sides with thick psychedelic grooves and bold hooks and epic riffs. All these long (or very long) progressions can be reduced to the model of cyclic, psychedelic rock revs. Really hope they will sometime come to the Northern part of Europe either.

Lebensjunge - Lebensjunge (der junge Tag) (2004/2009)

Accessory Takes
FMA
Bandcamp

9.3

/Noise, Avant-garde, Experimentalism, Non-music, Rhythmic noise, Abstract, Powerelectronics, Cut and paste/

Comment: I have always loved to variegate my listening habits with listening to noise music-induced compositions because most of these proponents are intended to get rid of feelings and not being burdened with melodies and harmonies. For instance, this album with a handful of arrangements are about sonic explorations, showcasing its ability to think in the categories of pure mind and transcendent realms.I think Immanuel Kant would have loved it. On the other side, the album does have its more pop-appealed (or more recognizable) moments within it, though. For instance, Lebensjunge (a project from Moscow, Russia) involves the aspects of near-ethnic music at 9:17.58 and the issue will be ended up with a cut and paste-alike act by using the samples of highly suggestive library music (4:12.10). If to emanate from the point of view of kindred souls, however, the likes of Kanin Krusete, Dror Feiler, Psovod, and Edgeist should be mentioned at least. A highly convincing enterprise indeed.

[Teaser of the day] Nick Rivera - Horn Y Orgy

The Juliets - Perfect Season (2011)

Bandcamp

9.2

/Indie pop, Alternative pop/rock, Chamber pop, Vaudeville pop, Art pop, Experimental indie/

Comment: The Juliets, a Detroit-based combo is back with their sophomore album, called Perfect Season, a follow-up to their vastly fascinating self-titled release, which was one of the most remarkable notches in 2010. While this 12-track set does not include such frenetic teasers as Sweetheart, Sunday Song, or Evolved Into, the quintet used to be still enough enjoyable, providing idiosyncratic, melodramatic yet a little bit more straightforward pop pieces, having some similarities with the likes of Arcade Fire, The Antlers, The National, and Beirut and Sufjan Stevens. For instance, it chimes even a little better than the last one by Arcade Fire. All in all, enjoy this lovely music made by lovely people.

Jayne Lakissova - Pam-Param

Vulcan Sessions - Vulcan Sessions (2011)

Clinical Archives

8.6

/Improvised music, Electro-acoustic, Experimental, Avant-garde, Free jazz, Live session, Dark ambient, Ambient drone/

Comment: before the listening of this album I had listened to If, Bwana`s (the project of Al Margolis) enthralling Assemble.Age (2010, Mutable) which is a microtonal, improvised noise/electronica/drone embellished with the elements of classicism (I shall have to say thank you to Tiit K, who allowed me the album). However, the Vulcano Sessions does have similarities with the abovementioned so I can admit the continuation of the same path. The album was recorded in Tenerife by the most eminent Spanish improvisers (including the members of Trio Antimanierista who, by the way, have appeared many times in the roster of Clinical Archives before it. More concretely, minimally "orchestrated" or squeaking strings (cellos) are intertwined with brass-wind instruments, and live electronics. The last two tracks (Mi Patio (third); La Particula) used to deviate from the usual template of the issue, providing a poignant vision based on a kind of sharp-edged electronica/droning, vowel experiments and dizzy phase and chord changes, and the washes of massive ambient drones, respectively. Ultimately the listener can conclude this album with 7 tracks is an asylum for old and modern, for traditional and innovative.

Anitek - Sae Yeon (2011)

Jamendo

8.8

/Nu jazz, Trip-hop, Urban music, Dub, Sampledelic, Chill out, Big beat, Crossover/

Comment: Anitek is a producer from Morristown, New Jersey, USA who has released approximately 20 albums at Jamendo. His influences involve Rachmaninoff, DJ Krush, Bonobo, and Fat Jon. Indeed, Anitek`s sound is profoundly eclectic and sampledelic, however, providing lots of warm memories and feelings appearing after many listening times. More concretely, it veers away the basin of nu jazz, shapes of dub and reggae, and the paces of smoky nu jazz and bold big beat. The lovely coverprint is there as well.

[Teaser of the day] Scarlet Leaves - The Last Romance

gnyonpix - Place for a lost boy (2011)

Elegirl

9.1

/Primitive electronica, Lo-fi, DIY, Alternative, Chill out, Electronic pop, J-pop/

Comment: gnyonpix is a Japanese project which showcases how the memories (from childhood?) should be proceeded in a way to shape a reliable folder of songs. Indeed, the primitive kind of concept is made up of joyous yet poignant accents and convincing counterpoints laid down within the concept of infantile pop. The lopsided yet suggestive motive of the last track (requiem for memories) seems to be even a little bit boozy. Not an ordinary publication at all.

Barbagallo - Mediocre