Bizarre - Cafè De Flor (1996/2008)

Bizarre
Forwards
Rahva Raamat

10.0

/Dream pop, Shoegazetronica, Chamber pop, Electronic pop, Experimental indie, Art pop, Crossover, Alternative pop/

Comment: Tartu indie combo Bizarre`s Cafè de Flor is absolutely favorite album of mine ever made on the ground of Estonia. It was issued in 1996, during the tumultuous period in the midst of 90`s when the Estonian indie/alternative scene reached its peak (Dallas; Metro Luminal; Dreamphish; Chance; Vennaskond; Lobsand Dorje; Una Bomba) but this 8-track album was just an idiosyncratic gem. Furthermore, I have had a loads of bittersweet memories related to this album (initially issued as the cassette format only) from these nostalgic times. How would it be described for? It is very simple actually - you could imagine it as a possible and logical follow-up to MBV`s seminal album Loveless. More profoundly, lots of sultry dance beats, gooey jungle pathways, picturesque dream pop-ish overthrows, formidable yet heartbreaking guitar waves and glides, sensual and seductive vocal lines above it function to glimpse like a Morgan le Fay or a blissed-out flashback. Every piece on it does have potent virtue on its own - the issue is a never-to-be-forgotten legacy conveying the harmony between the realm of idea and shape. One of the biggest albums of 90`s and all times waiting to be appreciated in the future.

Bob Ostertag - Motormouth (2011)

Free Music Archive

9.5

/Abstract techno, Experimental electronica, Breakbeat, Conceptual, Avant-garde, Experimental techno, Minimal techno/

Comment: legendary academically trained electronic music composer Bob Ostertag (born in 1957) is back with his brand new one. Here are represented 10 tracks based mainly on propulsive, thudding bass gears which by its structure are quite restraint, however, playing the effect through the merest changes and craftily hidden basic algorithms. All in all, it is a sort of intellectual techno and adhesively experimental breakbeat-ism thought for those melomans who used to adore the sound by Autechre, Future Sound Of London, and Aphex Twin. By the way, all the sound is played up with the help of one modification of the legendary Buchla synthesizers.

Echelon Effect - Debris

Pumps - Pin in the Map (2011)

Death To False Hope
Bandcamp

8.2

/Happy punk, Pop punk, Hardcore punk, Easycore/

Comment: Pumps is a quintet from Brooklyn, Big Apple, pumping up the grids of pop punk and hardcore punk all of that mixed up together. More concretely, just shouting verses in chorus are flung out backed up by the hum of lots of noodling guitars. Very straightforward and without any surprises and compliments (except one man desperately crying "f.ck you" at City of the Damned).

United Consumer Fuckers - Prepare For Revolution (2011)

Anonymous Archives
EnoughRecords
Lastfm

9.0

/Mash-up, Plunderphonics, Cut and paste, Sound collage, Conceptual/

Comment: a challenging political manifesto by an unknown artist who is intended to step against the worsening situation pertaining of economical and moral situation and political decisions in Europe and elsewhere in the world. The album functions to create a cutting mix of diverse artists and albums, all of that is managed to create fifteen short-running tracks. It veers away golden age disco, post-punk, electronic pop, hip-hop, and even hair rock-ish noodling. The timespan of recycled tracks extends from 1968 to 2009. By the way, this is the first record issued on the EnoughRecords`s sublabel Anonymous Archives.

Puffin On My Side - Lech-Lecha (2011)

Inglorious Ocean

9.4

/Post-rock, Epic, Instrumental rock, Ambient, Ambient rock, Chamber rock/

Comment: Puffin On My Side is a solo project of the Rome-based Alessio Mecozzi who is known as a member of the rock group Mokadelic. In fact, similarly to Mokadelic this album of 5 tracks consists mainly of the elements of instrumental post-rock interwoven with atmospheric plateaus, amusing spoken word interludes and attaining its objective with dream-charged milieus. All I can say about it is just amazing. The album is a dignified sequel to the issue Early Morning (2009). In addition to Inglorious Ocean I recommend listen to artists released on such labels as Futurerecordings, Dedicated, and Wise Owl.

Transhuman Apocalypse - Ambient Anonymous (2011)