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album can be divided into three parts - the onset section is dominated by the epic ambient movement since it will be superseded by the focal modern classical-tinged minor gorgeousness which by its side will be chiming into a post-rock-ish crescendo and ambience.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