The Peach Tree - Children of Cain, Night-Loving Creatures, Prepare Thyselves for 2012 (2011)

Tribal Dancing Kid
Bandcamp
Lastfm

8.6

/Dark folk, Synth noir, Neofolk, Singer-songwriter, Apocalyptic folk, Dark wave, Heavy metal, Electronic, Experimental, Conceptual/

Comment: The Australian Angus Maiden is a busy man, who used to be running the label Tribal Dancing Kid and who has released a bunch of albums under the pseudonym Peach Tree. The recent album is inspired by 21st December 2012 and the Mayan Prophecies. However, through those 11 tracks are represented the dominating dark folk-ish line (those lavish guitar strums), spacious synth noir overthrows, teeth gnashing heavy rock-ish guitar riffs, naive-shiny stompings or primitive burblings, and sweaty chopped-up chords-breakbeats. By the vocal characteristics Maiden does add either dark-tinged manners or high-tempered oppression. An intriguing concept, interesting sounds, and indeed - no sense to be denied- quite rational expectations/conceivable scenarios against this fucked-up world/simulacrum. So let`s see will the whole be restarted or not.

Lule Kaine - Radiation From Futurist Furniture (2007)

Chew-Z
Lastfm

9.0

/Krautrock, Epic, Progressive, Experimental rock, Avant-rock, Motorik, Post-rock/

Comment: Lule Kaine is an eminent experimental rock combo from Turin, Italy having the activities since 2002. They have opened Turin shows for such prominent post-rock/experimental rock groups as Explosion In The Sky, Tarentel, and Girandini di Mirò. However, Radiation From Futurist Furniture is the sophomore album under Chew-Z being accomplished in 2007. The first half of the issue follows the formula of krautrock through precise cadences, metallic echoes, step-by-step evolving through new layers, all in all resembling those proto-industrial whirls by Neu! and Faust conjured up approximately four decades ago. The second half (the last two tracks) is more precisely post-rock, made out through restraint guitar chords, subtle half-orchestrations and dainty electronics. Indeed, it is a convincing workout.

Wonder Bear - Golden Years EP (2010)

Bandcamp

8.7

/Experimental indie, Alternative pop, Glo-fi, Chillwave, Electronic pop, Dream pop/

Comment: Here are represented 5 songs by Ben and Daisy, a pair residing in New York. The handful of skillful outings, though. By its strategy, line-up features, sonic resemblance/its dream-alikeness and female-led vocals, however, the duo can freely be compared to the Canadian miracle fruit Memoryhouse. In true, aboard some rough appearances Ben and Daisy are able to showcase their teeth either. It is a little shameful that only 37 persons are condescended to express their fancy to the EP via Bandcamp (over to Facebook) at the moment.

Fandango - Fandango (2011)

Bandcamp

9.2

/Latin music, Crossover, World music, Improvised music, Psychedelic, Experimental, Tango/

Comment: This is a highly frenzied, 13-track gem from Buenos Aires, Argentina sounding out tango grooves and latin rhythms and world music influences to insertion into more experimental enterprises, including slowed-off, near-drone layerings by bandoneòns, dense, practically exorcised incantations (Tutù-Marambà), simultaneously catchy and arrogantly tootling trumpets, luminous strumming strings (Mentiras Piadosas), some lightening glimpses of surf-based acuteness, and profoundly melancholic, even funeral experience (1976, Mustang Ranch) and epic, slightly dark-hued opuses (Boris Karloff † Ruta Ocho) By its ideological spot, however, Fandango`s soundscape is obviously influenced by Manu Chao`s melting pot, yet there where Balkan vibrations confluence with tango whirls it can be drawn upon indie stars like Beirut, and Bark Cat Bark. By the way, here are decorously presented the covers of The Doors (People Are Strange), Depeche Mode (Personal Jesus), and The Rolling Stones (Paint It Black), giving to those even great tracks an idiosyncratic turn.

Dublicator - Anonym Vectors

Deimost - Space Sadness (2011)

Jamendo

8.4

/Piano, Modern classical, Electronic, Melancholic pop/

Comment: It is Barcelona-based Deimost`s follow-up to his 2010`s issue Mirando en el Baul which was similarly a modern classical appearance. Likewise the brand new one continues its explorations using at times the electronic/new age-esque fringes, restrainted minor key-infused spacious piano chords, reminiscent sometimes of Ennio Morricone`s rich articulations in searchings for blissful sonic sensitiveness. On the other side, Space Sadness might be a case of sore homesickness watched back from the outer space somewhere. A solid accomplishment indeed.

Oláfachada - ePop012 (2011)

EardrumsPop
Lastfm

8.4

/Indie pop, Twee pop, Alternative pop/

Comment: Behind Olàfachada are Ola Innset aka My Little Pony and Bernardo Fachada aka bFachada delivering us two examples of rolling indie pop with changeable pace patterns and a bit buffooning vocal manners, restraint guitar fingerpickings, syncopated rhythm examples, and some ascending transitions. Subsequently, it is a pleasant outing worth enough to be checked out.

Annette Hanshaw - 1930-35

78RPMs & Cylinder Recordings

10.0

/Pop, Classics, Vintage, Jazz/

Comment: (Catherine) Annette Hanshaw (1901-1985) was one of the most profilic recording singers in the late 1920's and early 30's, having been commissioned to represent new directions in the realm of pop and jazz music during the abovementioned timelapse. More detailly, herein are being delivered 5 tracks of essential classics. Those notches from the years 1930-35 do sound really special making out the otherworldly sense of feeling.

Sejdman - Invisible Bells (2011)

Beko DSL

Lastfm

9.6

/Modern classical, Post-rock, Epic, Ambient drone, Organic electronica, Experimental rock, Ambient, Crossover, Chamber music/

Comment: In fact, there has not passed much time since the Swedish duo Ecovillage`s (Emil Holmstöm & Peter Wikström) 2-track (long notches in fact) release had been reviewed at Recent Music Heroes (9.3). However, the Beko DSL did set up the cohesive link between Ecovillage and (Holmström`s) Sejdman. By the other way round, Holmström`s used to continue with similar artistical processes yet having designated more concern on orchestral compartments and less concrete sound-drenched growths. The album can be divided into three parts - the onset section is dominated by the epic ambient movement since it will be superseded by the focal modern classical-tinged minor gorgeousness which by its side will be chiming into a post-rock-ish crescendo and ambience. Altogether, it is an essentially elusive and breath-taking masterpiece indeed.

Fanny + Alexander - Espida de credo

Esterhazy - Helen and the Sea (2011)

Bandcamp

9.0

/Alternative pop, Dream pop, Experimental indie/

Comment: Yeah, Esterhazy (Russell, Eli, and Damon), a combo from the Big Apple has delivererv us a pleasant 3-track outing which is filled in with flawless, airy guitar chords, exhilaratingly catchy progressions, propulsive dynamics, gyratory sonic minutiae-effects and dream-alike yet slightly ironical lyrics. As you have realized it out already, indeed, it is a solid turf via beautifully(or beatifically) tuned chords written out in a calm mood. The kind of redemption. However, this project does not deserve to be let unsung.

Juanitos - Welcome in the House of F.U.N. (2011)

Jamendo
Free Music Archive

8.7

/Psychedelia, Latin rhythms, Easy listening, Exotic pop, Crossover, Dance rock, Trop-rock, World music, Funk soul, Tropicàlia, Rockabilly/

Comment: I like the rock`n` roll music and I like to the cha-cha-cha... . After a bunch of mesmerizing issues (Best Of; Exotica; Soul Africa) Juan Naveira aka mrjuan is back with a new catchy brand of latin rhythms, funky soul (and the way round), fine exotic pop, madman dance grooves based on glaringly psychedelic dust-coated organs, some acute hints at jazz experience, afrofuturism (cos he believes in black music), subtle brass-tinged compartments, declaiming spoken word hums, and suggestive singing course definitely pulled out to the front. Though Welcome in the House of F.U.N. represents a cool easy listening way, however, it is all but superficial. In a nutshell, it comes to a mighty drift demonstrating a way how the music (at least emotive sonic crests) should be made up. Indeed, the issue is a masterful bow regarding the 20th anniversary of (Les) Juanitos. By the way, a sequent eminent cover sleeve is represented over here. Moreover, it might be even the best.

Hobo Cult 2.1 (Hobo Cult)

Hobo Cult

8.6

/Avant-garde, Psychedelic, Post-psychedelic electronica, Experimental indie, Lo-fi, Avant-pop, DIY, Krautrock/

Comment: I have often thought during last years that the pop tradition is used to repeat itself, coming forth as a cyclic appearance. However, this miscellany of 21 tracks represents the nowadays underground situation and consciousness while harking back to be mirrored upon the early days of electronic music and experimental rock. In fact, therein can be met the shadows of CAN, Neu!, Suicide, Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, The Silver Apples and other seminal legends. It is compilated by the Montreal-based label Hobo Cult including such artists as Dirty Beaches, Reedbeds, CVLTS, Quiet Evenings, Jean-Sèbastien Truchy, Panabrite, Relax and Sleep, Body Rush and many others.

Urmal Vesnat – Musics for Near Future Ceremonies (2011)

17 Sons
Jamendo

7.0

/Ambient, Soundscape, Minimal, Drone, Ambient drone/

Comment: This is a case of three long tracks of pulsating ambient sound and "dances", inclinated to show up some metallic vapours and dark-hued shades around it. Despite of some slight progressions within it, however, this does not offer a pivotal turnabout for to be reached upon the next perception level either. Its margins are used to be mostly bleak, furthermore, all of that which is set inbetween its extremities can be detected for in the same simplistic way too. Indeed, business as usual - if to give it the admittance from the average experience of ambient embodiment.

Totally Nebular - Anthony Naples

The Burning Of Eterna City - Dance Till Your Fucking Legs Break EP (2011)

Mediafire

7.9

/Doom, Grindcore, Goregrind, Crossover, Power rock, Electro-rock, Progressive rock, Trance, Avant-garde/

Comment: Indeed, behind this malevolent title can be discovered for even more wicked content of 5 songs, wherein angry electro-driven power rock riffs are being mingled with grindcore/goregrind/doom mandatory elements which are contiguous to some "non-sequitur" minutiae, for instance, including some chiptune-backed beepy elements, progressive rock details, club dance/brooding trance progressions, and spoken word samples. Finally I was able to figure out that the main keywords would be "eclectic" and "bulimic" and those 5 notches are not used to be reflections regarding the love themes somehow (haha!). By the way, the combo comes from the State of Virginia, USA.

Keyboard Choir - Electrical Unity EP (2009)

Lastfm
Brainlove Records

8.7

/Neokrautrock, Experimental indie, Electronic pop, Synth pop, Psychedelic/

Comment: This issue was publicized yet at those times (some years ago) while Lastfm embarked on with the official presentation of new albums under its own umbrella. However, Keyboard Choir, an Oxford-based and Brian Eno-approved combo was an excellent choice, showcasing a potent mix upon synthesized nowadays and yesterday. More concretely, soothing, even inside directed realms were variegated with subtly tumbling krautrock-esque lines, reminiscent sometimes of an impetus similar to Ladytron (Witching Hour, for instance).

Ana Threat - Tug Of War Of Love (2010)

Kill Mommy
Lastfm

7.7

/Primitive pop, Anti-punk, Lo-fi, DIY, Blues, Psychedelic, Weird, Garage rock/

Comment: Ugghhh, what the hell is the coverprint about... . This is a combo from Vienna, Austria offering a weird 5-track set of primitivistic notches. Though being apparently the primitive output, however, such sort of nihilistic approach toward punk, garage sounds, psychedelia makes sense nevertheless.

Isak Goldschneider, Amy Horvey, Jeff Morton - Mille Bayous (2011)

Panospria

8.6

/Electro-acoustic, Improvised music, Avant-garde, Experimentalism, Psycho-acoustic/

Comment: On the first album of this classically trained Canadian trio can be detected for different aspects through electro-acoustic music, improvised jams and hardly definable sonic experiments. In fact, every path in the realm of electro-acoustic activity are so heavily explored thereby it should not be surprising at all if someone has managed to be a little prejudiced toward it either. Fortunately it is a different case (besides this is a short-running issue). However, the best moments on it are closely related to organ-induced passages and treated sonic tissues (warped voice snippets?) and abrasively chiming metallic overthrows evoking more moods and sensibility.

Les Marquises - Samuel Wolff (A Letter To)

LES MARQUISES "samuel wolff (a letter to)" from cartepostalerecords on Vimeo.

Ocelote Rojo - Pacarina (2011)

Bandcamp
Lastfm

8.6

/Psych-folk, Avant-folk, Drone folk, Experimental folk/

Comment: Behind Ocelote Rojo is Francisco Aravena who has managed to sail on this 4-track EP with the help of tenderly fingerpicked and strummed guitars, hypnotic drone, mystically chiming gongs as if sounding from a remote distance and being surrounded by a sort of mystical vapour and found sounds. However, sometimes it seems to have acquired a profound ritualistic disposition, the other time just cutting down its brooding consistency and getting more lighter. First of all, it is a contemplative trip into yourself. The coverprint is grandeur as well.

Vent God - Running Thought (2010)

Radio Hand
Lastfm

8.4

/Grunge, Alternative rock, Power pop, Dream pop/

Comment: Vent God is a trio from Russia being influenced by sleepless nights, heaven and universe. However, this is a four-track EP filled in with vigorous grunge-influenced tunes of being mixed up with catchy yet dream-filled melodies and gears. The singer`s vocal is flavoured with Billy Corgan-alike abrasive tinge which makes really sense anyway. The outstanding track is Stuck In letting the positive final chord to the release. A honest rock and roll case.

MC Cullah - E=MC Cullah (2009)

MC Cullah
Free Music Archive
Lastfm

8.4

/Hip-hop, Rap music, Electro, Experimental hip-hop, Soul funk, Electro pop, Indie-hop/

Comment: MC Cullah is a hip-hopper/electro producer from Milwaukee, USA having released the E=MC Cullah when he was at the age of 18 years old. Despite of his young age, indeed, he is keen to deliver an interesting, multi-faceted set of 15 tracks where obligatory hip-hop/rap repertory are augmented with Rhodes-biased soul funk, delicious autotuned vocals, down-tempo-dominated and chiptune-backed rhythms, synthesized psychedelic buzz girders, rolling-crackling electro synths, and even a bit louchè dance beats. By the way, some tracks do have apparent indie (rock) influences (for instance, Mance Dance - besides the indisputable leading motive, however, does it have another, verbally indicative hint at the Manchester/madchester band James`s huge hit She`s A Star either?)

Brad Sucks - Dirtbag

Magic Places - 2071 EP (2011)

Mediafire

9.3

/Club dance, Deep techno, Electronic pop, Avant-dance, Experimental dance, Cosmic pop, Space synth/

Comment: I made an extract from the following text I have found at Lastfm. Magic Places were form from void some-time in late 2005, when citizen-scientist Paul M. Goerner began to amass a respectable collection of volunteers, some electronic and some biologic, in the anticipation of experimenting with deep space transmission. Indeed, it sounds like pop music in 2071, based upon hypnotic dance cadences, acid-fried synth lines, chopped-up vocal flutterings, high-energized breakbeat-meets-motorik techno strikes, all of which is supplemented by synth lines with cosmic echoes, angelic women voices and much more else. in a nutshell, though all the whole can be considered a part of club dance entertainment, however, the album seems to have some special off-kilter angles and peculiar attitudes to be elevated beyond the recent time and location. A case of experimental club dance indeed.

Sunshower Orphans - Avenue Abyss (2011)

Bandcamp
State Capital
Lastfm

7.8

/Shoegaze, Noe-psychedelia, Dance rock, Crossover, Electronic, Poptronica/

Comment: On their sophomore album the NY-based quartet Sunshower Orphans is used to follow a kind of formula within the basic spot is directed upon dream-alike shoegaze/nugaze sound (like Soundpool, for instance) which often meets with Animal Collective-influenced exultant pop peaks, and at times with danceable neo-psychedelia a la Yearsayer. Although an interesting issue on its own, however, it does lack a (minor) teaser from the roster unfortunately. Or a track called Public Pool Daze would have some hints at bigger potential yet?

jgrzinich – time’s arrow landing (1998/2009)

Maaheli
Lastfm

9.7

/Abstract, Found sound, Drone, Ambient, Musique concrete, Ambient drone, Sound-art, Experimentalism, Non-music, Acousmatic, Avant-garde, Experimentalism, Microtonal, Minimalism/

Comment: John Grzinich comes from USA, though, having shared the residing place between his native country and Estonia during the last years respectively. However, besides being a builder of amplified piano wire instruments he is known as an avid music enthusiast, theorist-philosopher, sound-artist and the organizer of different installations and workshops.

This set of 4 long-running tracks has managed to running on ambient approach, concrete sound-relied fibrillatings and elementally droning hiss-backed sonic tissues (generated with an old sine wave compressor), however, either being lopsided toward different parts or being "pliable" enough to be overgrown into each other at times. All in all, the release seems to be searching for a transitional area between the nature and machines, however, cleansing a listener`s mood and bringing into order his/her thoughts.

Native Bells - Lost in the Sky (2011)

CLLCT
Bandcamp
Mediafire

9.2

/Avant-garde, Doo wop, No Wave, Psychedelia, New Weird America, Acousmatic, Sampledelic, Cut and paste, Experimentalism, Sound collage, Avant-electronica/

Comment: Native Bells (by listening to it, however, I have a permanent temptation to name it as Native Belle) is a New York-based project having played out one of the most refreshing albums of the year 2011 to date. They have managed to specialize in concept records and extended plays making out Faust-esque rhythm structures, Free Design-hued doo wop and a capella choppiness, careless jazz overthrows, carnival whirls and curves, cock-eyed pace outbursts, vanguard electronica/experiments with sine waves, lush ethno/sampledelica notches, in a nutshell juxtaposing all the stuff off somewhere against Animal Collective and Gang Gang Dance and krautrock and plunderphonics and BBC Radiophonic Workshop and the No Wave tradition. People let`s dance.

The Satellite Eye - Animal (2009)

Bandcamp
Lastfm

8.7

/Alt-folk, Indie folk, Folk indie, Singer-songwriter/

Comment: This is the 4-track leadoff EP by the singer-songwriter Bryan Dalle Molle introducing some fine themes of folk music augmented by indie-alike attributs. Suggestive guitar grounds are accompanied by slightly noisy or sunshiny progressions and tapping sounds. Mostly the whole is used to be restrainted, sometimes exploding into a floating wide-scaled choruses veering from introspective minor key outlook to mirthy appearances. The favorite of mine is Consequent through its jubilant rolling. All in all, it is a simple yet effusive effort which was recorded in Molle`s basement.

Federsen - Gravity Mass Weight

Multi-Panel - Retain Mist (2011)

No-Source
Lastfm

9.2

/Folktronica, Electronic, Indietronica, Experimental indie, Indie pop/

Comment: This is Ludo Maas`s fourth release and his second for the No-Source label. However, similarly to his previous workouts the Dutch is not dispensed with limber and mesmerizing electronic-infused folk and indie tunes which sometime sprout, having the growth and subsequently evolving into an orchestrated form of the beauty which being segmented with full- and half-tones and variegated with mirthy and murky shades. And assisted by Pien Feith, of course.

Phillip Wilkerson - New Smyrna (2008)

Clinical Archives

9.5

/Ambient, Downtempo, IDM, Experimental electronica, Minimal electronica, Avant-electronica/

Comment: The US-based producer/musician Phillip Wilkerson started off his recording career in the ending part of 2005 since it being very profilic, i.e having issued more than 10 releases during this short-running timespan. However, this production of 12 tracks refects upon vigorous progressive music ideas within the realm of ambient- and IDM-based experiments. Most of the tracks are used to be long-running ones, toying with minimalist changes, austere grooves and repeated patterns, which at times will develop into full-scaled hypnotic treats. Moreover, it is really tense and gets growing to the point where it is problematic to distinguish the "real" sounds from the manipulations of your consciousness. A high-qualified output indeed.

Teepee - Morals (Deluxe Edition) (2011)

Bandcamp
Lastfm

9.2

/Avant-garde, Psych-music, Avant-rock, Lo-fi, New Weird America, Psychedelia, Experimentalism, Post-psychedelic electronica, DIY, Drone/

Comment: Behind Teepee is in Miami residing Eric Lopez-Zareno who swings behind electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals, drum machines, and flutes. Lopez-Zareon`s sound can be considered as a part of the New Weird America movement, though, if this way it would be a peripherical side of this movement. Besides it there can be detected for tough lo-fi attitude (and pop inside it in the vein of R Stevie Moore), psyched-out rock, tape manipulations and delay- and reverb-drunken experiments, reserved psychedelia, atmospherical lineages and droning sound loops. All in all, it is a kind of nowadays vanguard music having apparent appeal toward pop-induced realms. Zeitgeist music, what else could it be regarded for?

How To Destroy Angels - The Space in Between

Chenard Walcker - Haut Le Coeur (2002/2006)

Free Sample Zone

9.2

/Mash-up, Plunderphonics, Avant-garde, Crossover, Sound collage, Samplecore, Sampledelic, Cut and paste/

Comment: Chenard Walcker was a French artist, thinker, visionary and fervent protagonist for the copyleft movement. He had basically been active in the first half of 00`s before he was diagnosed with the serious health condition. More detailly, he created a blog named Free Sample Zone and having had approximately 30-40 albums on his own account. In fact, a true legend in any cases and one heroes of mine.

This album contains of 18 tracks within 71 minutes, lifting its core from the Gregorian chants, old school soul music, rumbling pace shufflings, film score samples, easy listening, hip-hop, psychedelia, near-ethnic/ethno-pop and much more to be chopped up and re-conceptualized into a new form. Actually any of his tracks would freely be a subject for the quizzes with the purpose to figure out all of those hints coming forth from the concrete track.

brunk - Winter EP (2009)

Resting Bell
Lastfm

9.5

/Ambient, Ambient rock, Post-rock, Musique concrete, Found sound, Epic, Experimental rock, Experimentalism, Microtonal/

Comment: brunk is Bert Vanden Berghe, a DIY homerecording musician and sound artist from Ghent, Flanders, Belgium. Besides involving in various less and more pop-induced groups, however, by his solo enterprises he is known as noisenik (Passive Cable Theory) and as improvisational artist (invertebrata) and as cutting edge musician (brunk) either. However, this release being issued for Resting Bell in the second half of 2009 reflects upon his desires toward more atmospherical point of view (ambient folk/ambient rock/spherical angles-edges of post-rock, concrete sound-infused epic bars). Moreover, those stretched guitar chords which can be found from here at times do evoke similar perceptions to the Labradford, or microtonal, otherworldly pulsating overgrowths into the kind of still life are getting very close to Pan American. All in all, it is a powerful 4-track miracle indeed.

Os Ovni - Beko _81 (2011)

Beko DSL
Lastfm

8.5

/Lo-fi, DIY, Primitronica, Experimental pop, Post-pop, Covers/

Comment: Os Ovni is a duo from Austin, Texas, USA paying a fine tribute to Trish Keenan (1968-2011)/Broadcast (You Can Fall) and Kraftwerk (Radioactivity).

Musket - Musket EP (2011)

Bandcamp

9.4

/Dance punk, Dance rock, Alternative pop, Post-punk, No wave, New wave/

Comment: A period embracing the ending part of 70`s and the first years of 80`s was apparently one of the most interesting periods in the music history, more detailly, as punk-influenced youngsters on the either side of the Atlantic searched densely for innovative crossovers mixing punk skeletons with avant-garde, electronics, dance rhythms and much more. Musket, a combo from Lisboa in obviously influenced by those dynamical, bubblegum-ish bass loops-driven dance vibes and lofty vocal manners of post-punk, reminiscent of Gang Of Four and ESG. Indeed, this 4-track issue makes greatly itself out, so is is our obligation to discover this group and its roots for yourselves.

Human Elephant - Owner Without A Dog EP (2010)

Umor Rex

8.7

/Post-punk, Goth rock, Psychedelia, Dark pop, Singer-songwriter, Experimental pop/

Comment: In comparison with John Edward Donald`s previous work, however, some new influence lines can be admitted. For instance, dark folk influences are mainly replaced with post-punk/gothic and introspective psychedelia. So you can compare it freely with Joy Division and The Doors respectively. Indeed, it is an impressive journey into the past evoking lots of memories from your subconsciousness.

Deadman - Cerebral Frontier (2010)

Umor Rex

9.3

/Experimental folk, Indie folk, Folk indie, Eletronic, Folk noir, Alt-folk, Drone folk, Avant-folk, Baroque folk/

Comment: The Belfast-based musician Jason Mills aka Deadman`s 6-track submission does include oozing-droning folk chords and minimally designed fingerpicked folk formats and whistling careless pop and more or less murky experimental folk/indie pop and orchestrated folk appearances and near-dance occurences and some air-filled attacks from the outer space. Produced by David Baxter aka Filaria. Indeed, it is a near-brilliant workout/or an obscure one as it was used to say in past times.

Azoora - Tension

All Black Everything - Rapt Withal (2011)

Bandcamp

9.0

/Drone, Avant-garde, Noise, Psych-music, Electro-acoustic, Microtonal, Psycho-acoustic, Experimentalism, Acousmatic, Minimalism/

Comment: All Black Everything is back again with a brand new issue after the two excellent releases Gentle Floor, and Revenge Body, respectively. As ordinary as it is used to be by his side, some new tracks to be added with an obsessive concern upon tonality, form, and manipulated moods, embedded more in the tradition of early electronic pioneers (Pierre Schaeffer; Morton Subotnick, La Monte Young), rather than showcasing nowadays approaches regarding the sound.

PJ001 - transmission #01 (2011)

Pjoew

8.7

/IDM, Electronic pop, Indietronica, Drum and bass/

Comment: This is the first and the last issue under Pjoew to date. This is a compilation of 13 tracks based mainly upon spacious IDM-lines and burbling synth-driven electronic pop cores and at times guitar chord-dominated electronic indie as well. However, there are some exceptions as well. For instance, CruizeOfFiction`s Contrail is a subtle drum and bass/dream and bass, or HyeVolture`s Hye walkure, part 1: you're armed (...and your sick shit) resembles somehow those sounds made by Radiohead upon the Kid A. And a kind of shrilling lo-fi electronica made by Olkin Donder (Total Tendencies). Anyway, my favorite is Teebo`s The sound of 1000 growing trees which makes huge sense with slightly psychedelic synth shreds and crescending space around it. A strong output indeed.

Jetman Jet Team - Unfinished Album (2011)

Bandcamp

8.8

/Shoegaze, Fuzz pop, Dream pop, Psych-rock, Alternative pop, Trance rock/

Comment: After a two year hiatus, the former members of The Pop Eccentric Brenan Chambers, Miguel Diaz, Tyler James, and Quin Dickinson have returned, added singer Alisa Dickinson to the line-up, and become Jetman Jet Team. However, this is the debut issue by the Seattle-based group delivering a solid set of shoegaze/newgaze strivings. It might be the strongest notch from this 3-track release is Albatross which is filled in with blissed-out harmonies, up-and-down gears, reminding strongly of Pia Fraus. On the other side, the last track Corrosive merits its name blending Kevin Shields-alike mumbling lullabies with metallic reverbs and trance rock-relied ambience.

Elisa Luu - Ebbrezza (2011)

Laverna

8.5

/Experimental electronica, Art-pop, Indietronica, Ambient, Electronic pop/

Comment: This is Elisabetta Luciani aka Elisa Luu`s follow-up to her masterpiece The time of waiting (2010, La bèl), though, at the time her ambitions are more lopsided toward fluttering electronic-based approach, deliberately convulsive ambient experiments or slightly subdued or introspective feelings brought forth through dreamy electric pianos, rather than exultant indietronica and experimental fusion, respectively. Only the kick-off H1 (feat. Giulio Maresca) hints at her previous habits regarding indie(tronic) sound more detailly. In any cases, those 4 tracks do make out a fine synergy.

Catherine Corelli - Through The Gehenna (2010)

Jamendo

8.5

/Rap, Symphonic metal, Classical music, Metal rap, Power metal, Goth, Glam rock, Ethnic, Crossover/

Comment: An obsessive rap style meets symphonic metal`s riffs and operatic singing meet bombastic glam appearances. Yet, it might be the main line of the album only. Indeed, herein can be detected for some oriental-infused psychedelic lines and piano-driven broken beats and electronic shufflings too. My favorite track is Snow where Corelli`s manner is used to be more restrainted than usual and her voice is induced to drown into dream-alike introspection (retrospection?). A solidly accomplished workout by the artist who has released more than 10 issues during last years.

Clinker - Candy Says (Velvet Underground)

Plusplus - Evils (2011)

La bèl
Lastfm

9.2

/Alt-folk, Folktronica, Baroque folk, Chamber folk, Psychedelic, Dark folk, Neofolk, Post-folk, Avant-folk, Art-folk, New Weird Europe/

Comment: In fact, every new issue under the La bèl label is being a big event to date, though this time the label has "failed" in its attempts to stay for a kind of label concerning only on hallmarks from Italy. Of course, this restriction would be ridiculous on its own, especially if to regard a long-time lapse henceforward. However, Plusplus is Adam Radmall coming from the Foggy Albion and shuffling diverse chords, harmonies and moods into a burgeoning output conventionally considered as a sort of (instrumental) folk sound. Yet, there can be heard lots of intrepid dodges toward electronic patterns, ambient-based textures, apocalyptic (folk) tendencies, baroque-esque progressions, darkwave-ish reflexions, bucolic psychedelic tissues and concrete sound snippets sorrounding all of it. By the speculative side, however, you can imagine the possible ideological platform at Evils in a way as if the 60`s folk psychedelia meets Darkwood meets Daniel Figgis meets Penguin Cafe Orchestra. All in all, this album (of 11 tracks) shall have to be listened to lots of time while being the grower by its nature. It is a highly mesmerizing issue indeed.

Talbot - EOS

Rùnar Magnusson - Vacu Sessions 13 (2011)

Vacu Sessions

8.7

/Abstract, Avant-electronica, Glitch-tronica, Experimental electronica, Conceptual,Post-Psychedelic electronica, Experimentalism/

Comment: This is a track of 26 minutes divided into 6 parts by the Icelandic electronic music legend Rùnar Magnusson. Initially those tracks were arranged for the theater piece The Saviour (2007). This set veers from "fault-induced", permanently repeated electronic patterns to subtly droning organ sessions which particularly makes up a near-psychedelic sense. Besides those slightly pop-alike approaches, however, there are rigidly experimentalism-centered pieces and abstract glitch crackles as well.

Light Leak - Graduation EP (2011)

Bandcamp
Lastfm

8.5

/Chillwave, Electronic pop, Post-pop, Dream pop, Glo-fi/

Comment: This is the sophomore release by Henrik Stelter, a 17-year old German-based chillwave/glo-fi producer. Being continuously instrumental, indeed, this is an instance of the old European eleganz und dekadenz. A fine follow-up to his great debut album Thoughts of Mirth (2010).

Mushroom's Patience - Weird Monsters (2011)

Atro-Fact

8.4

/Electronic pop, Post-punk, Experimental pop, New Age, Art-rock, Dark pop, Progressive/

Comment: Dither Craf aka Raffaele Cerroni delivers a bunch of sphere-filled electronic sounds and New Age-like flute sections apparently drenched with rock/post-punk attitude and darkwave-ish experimentalism, which subsequent classification might be a bit problematic. The favorite of mine is Morel (remixed) - (The spirit of the mountain) which reminds me of The Cure`s Picture Of You. Still, by its main attention it is more close to Durutti Column.

The Sunshine Family - The Sunshine Family (2004)

Hippocamp

8.8

/Experimental electronica, Cinematic, Chillout, Downtempo, Nu jazz/

Comment: The Manchester-based label Hippocamp had been active since 2003, before deciding to finish off their duties in 2009. They released circa 200 albums during this 6-year time lapse, much of them yet waiting to be discovered in the future. There is one, 5-track issue which does flutter between the velvet-covered chords of cinematic (nu jazz) tunes and rhythm-backed ambient (downtempo) numbers. In the ending track can be heard even some funky jazz flowings and undefinable recordings from a distance. At the most time the whole is used to hack around lazily thereby making itself out as a pleasant laid-back output.

Ecovillage - Beko_80 (2011)

Beko DSL

9.3

/Ambient, Post-rock, Dream pop, Chamber rock, Post-rock, Organic electronica, Musique concrete, Progressive/

Comment: Emil Holmström and Peter Wikström aka the Swedish duo Ecovillage started out in 2006 and since it having been blending dreamy soundscapes consisting of chamber rock/post-rock, shoegaze, ambient, organic electronica, found sounds. Of course, they are not being an example of arty-farty artists, being skillful on driving out of beatific progressions, bringing forth of diverse segments and managing them seamlessly fall into each other.

Simon Bird - Simon Bird Sampler (2011)

Simon Bird

9.0

/Avant-garde, Avant-rock, Experimental electronica, Electronic, Neo-psychedelia/

Comment: A DIY-musician from Dublin, Ireland, having re-edited some song versions from his previous EPs. Indeed, here are availabled 4 tracks only, all of which are used to come forth through massive bass stompings, circling synth chords, electronic insertions, epic progressions, abrasive guitar riffs and something else, in a nutshell, coming quite close to such experimental electronic rock acts as Fuck Buttons, Black Dice, and Battles.

WMRI - Voices Of Space (2006/2009)

Jamendo
Lastfm

8.4

/Electronic pop, Kosmische musik, Cosmic pop, Synth pop, Robopop, Progressive/

Comment: This 15-track notch comes from Moscow, Russia, reflecting upon fine configurations of spacious synth tunes, electronic pop, robopop (Kraftwerk`s Radioactivity), more concretely, blasting out torrents of unleashed high-chord synths a la Tangerine Dream and krautrock-esque developments (Can`s Tape Kebab).

Sosos - Abigail (2006)

Bandcamp
Sosos

8.6

/Indie folk, Alt-folk, Psychedelic folk, Folk indie, Chamber folk/

Comment: This is a fine set of calm-sensed and impetus-driven tracks respectively based on folk tunes yet because of its adjacent elements it is not quite ordinary songwriting though. Sosos is a 5-pieced US-group which uses variable elements to enrich their soundscape, more detailly, using psychedelic keyboard passages, gospel-tuned backdrops, and orchestrated, baroque-esque progressions. Thereby the album can be considered as an instance of roots music adapted over to the borders of nowadays situation. Quite similar to Wilco indeed.

EDASI - Die Lügenrächer

The Dark Side of the Moon - The 8-bit Album (2011)

Pterodactyl Squad

8.2

/Chiptune, 8-bit, Conceptual, Experimental electronica, Console music, Tracker music/

Comment: So now it is done. The Pink Floyd`s classic album Dark Side Of The Moon in the full format is covered by chiptune artists like Bit_Rat, Khades, Videogame Orchestra, Echosignal and many others. More concretely, the music on this release was created using sounds from various old games consoles including the Sega Mega Drive and Nintendo Game Boy. By depending on the special sonic characteristics of chiptune sounds, however, the cover versions do sound more rigid and austere, though, on the other side, it has more acid-filled/psychedelic angle in comparison with original ones. An interesting try nevertheless.

Dmitriy Rodionov Experience - Learn To Keep Silence From Trees (2009)

Circlesandlines

9.0

/Experimentalism, Ambient, Avant-garde, Dark ambient, Musique concrete, Avant-industrial, Ambient drone/

Comment: Different subgenres of ambient meet drone meets sound effects-samples (pounding metal, hazy moaning, reverbed metallic sounds, avant-electronics) meets concrete sounds, all of this is forged off by the Russian experimental musician-guitarist Dmitriy Rodionov. Of course, difference on the stylistic level could not have made out any sense if there were no interesting patterns (looping sounds, repeated motives, differentiated guitar playings) and tensity at all. Especially great momentums can be found out at Transformator. On the contrary, this would be a lopsided recommentation regarding the greatness of the whole album.

Our Ceasing Voice - The Inevitable Fall

Hox Vox - The Wanderer (2011)

Hox Vox

Jamendo
Bandcamp
Lastfm

9.1

/Progressive rock, Avant-prog, Sound collage, Crossover, Avant-garde, Jazz, Latin music/

Comment: Gianluca Missero, a prog-head from Venice, embarks on The Wanderer from an ironic point of view - with samplings by Iggy Pop`s Passenger pouring it over with sound effects and a speech line. Upon it the clear-cut cuttings and sudden starts of progressive rock chords and rhythmic revel will be brought forth, including the details from latin rhythms, funky bass thudding, jazz-hued interventions and electronic undercurrents. A hectic business as usual. Just 5 tracks, yet much enough for a spectacular ambience to be evoked and marvelled. Although the whole is aesthetically multi-layered, it is seamlessly elaborated and subsequently accomplished indeed.