Recent Music Heroes

1/12/2019

Llankrù – Llankrù (2017)

djummi-records

Post-rock
Alternative rock
Indie rock
Art rock

Comment: Llankrù is a 4-head collective from Dresden, Germany led by the brothers Stefan, and Thomas Weiss. However, the drums are played by a woman called Julia Stephan. Yeah, I like that fact and first of all her playing. Undoubtedly this bunch of 6 instrumental tracks is a fine listening experience for any music adorer who searches for balance between moody progressive guitar treatments and on the other side is a proponent for subtle sonic effects around it. Those electronically sounding effects are conjured up on a sampler. Those guitar chords are truly pastel and sensitive at times following a traditional post-rock pattern leading up to powerful yet cinematic crescendos. The decent release is a part of the discography of a German based imprint called djummi-records.

Roto Visage – Der Golem (2005)

Kikapu

Post-industrial
Avant-garde
Spoken word
Experimentalism
Dark ambient
Illbient
Drone
Noise

Comment: Golem was an artificial mystical monster having been created by a Prague-based rabbi to protect Jews from their bullies. It was closely related to magic and something which could be called a certain sort of programming. The US-based artist Jason Popejoy aka Roto Visage conveys a mystical and frightening ambience which very well provides the topic. The listener can hear the growling and moaning of the monster, the rattling of the chains, ominous sounds running throughout corridors and basements, chainsaw reminding intense sounds. Frequently these fragments are mixed up into each other thereby constituting a cohesive view. Indeed, it is a highly exquisite stuff with ever-changing soundscapes and penumbras. With purpose to magnify the contrasts within it one can hear even serene ambient developments and swaying spoken word snippets. The enchanting 12-notch issue is a part of the discography of Kikapu.

Two Lane Phonebooth – Twisted Rebar (2008)

Two Lane Phonebooth

Alternative rock
Indie rock
Art rock
Avant-rock
Experimental rock
Avant-prog
RIO
Techno rock
Yacht pop
Electronic
DIY

Comment: I guess it happened a bit more than 10 years ago when I had discovered that artist at Lastfm. I like the artist's laconic outlook by sharing his music through his own website (8 albums in total). Even the most sustainable music platforms like Bandcamp, and Soundcloud are put aside. Because of that it can be said TLP is a genuine indie artist by his attitude and format but not in that way only. By listening to this 14-notch release one can hear cutting-edge touch in the music. Basically it is a cohesive, galvanised rock sound based on guitars, drums and electronic keyboards. As the title hints at the issue it is twisted but fortunately it is not an avant-garde for its own sake. Yeah, it embraces uncanny samples, loops, some tracks like Loud Boat, and You The Serpents Made with offbeat, a bit jazzy glimpses as if something coming out from between yacht pop and Frank Zappa. Rumbling Platform is more Zappa than Zappa himself used to be. Amazing avant-prog/noise rock. All You Need Is Blood is an excellent example of integrated techno rock. Obviously it is tautological to add all the tracks are created with a tongue-in-cheek attitude. By contemporaneous artists I would like to compare the artist with Ariel Pink, similarly to the Californian DIY legend I hear those timeless laid-back sparkles in the music. It would sound a bit in a freaky way but this sound would have been ideal for a recent Ariel Pink. What else could be added but listen to this singular one and the other seven ones as well. Simply great.