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The Stalactites: Dark Matters - ambient progressive rock

Valerie — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:01:58 +0000

If you're looking to get your progressive rock fix, The Stalactites' Dark Matters could help you in this department. Made up of Johnny B. (guitar), Rudy Hellio (piano, guitar, programming), and Sophie Hebbelynck (violin), The Stalactites is actually a virtual band; making use of the internet and sending each other recorded files from miles away.

Dark Matters is the second compilation for the group. It was released back in August 2011. Don't expect crazy progressive riffs in here though, the album dwells more on the atmospheric/ambient side, combining hazy guitars with moody violin work and great programming.

As mentioned, the guys are essentially a virtual band; recording their own parts from different places and combining these into one cohesive track for the album. So far, the formula is proving a success. Dark Matters exudes this otherwordly vibe that's both soothing and relaxing.

From the opening track, Kryptonited, you can sort of guess that you're in for one moody, spacey trip. The song is a bit somber but it does set the mood perfectly for the rest of the compilation. Occasionally, heavier guitar riffs do come into play such as in SOL and Paranoid Bones, but there are also melodic piano work in tracks like Nova. In the end, you get this ethereal rockish sound from the record which is easily likable, even if you're not a complete prog rocker.

Dark Matters is perfect for anybody who has a taste for experimental music. Prog isnt' exactly everybody's cup of tea but for those who love it, this one should be an easy winner. Take a listen.

Stadtmusikantin und Sterntaler (Traveler's Diary): The Traveler and The King

Valerie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:01:28 +0000

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Don't be fooled by the long and complicated looking name, The Traveler and The King is actually a pretty lovely record for many jazz alternative folk lovers out there.

Originally calling themselves, Stadtmusikantin und Sterntaler, the band now goes by the easier to pronounce name, Traveler's Diary.

This is a debut record for the band. It was released in BandCamp on December 2010 and features a whole range of sounds. You can expect some acoustic percussions, a slight touch of prog, jazz and even folk sprinkled on here.

Title track, The Traveler and The King kick things off. The song has a lounge feel while at the same time adding a hint of alternative rock. Although it's not as catchy as I hoped, it still captures the listeners attention and opens the album nicely.

Showcasing their dynamic capacity, the band follows it off with a more mellow track, Strangers. The song has a nice world music feel to it and incorporates odd bits of sound here and there. The third cut, Lies on the Run begins as an instrumental piece filled with trippy Flamenco style guitar playing. It then elaborates into a midtempo vocals infused cut. Perhaps my favorite off the album, Fools is a jazzy single that has lovely vocals and a sweet lounge club sound.

Overall, the album is worth having. There's good variety to be found here especially if you like to explore different sounds.

The Traveler's Diary is made up of trio The city musician - vocals/ guitar/piano/compositions; Daniel Vargas - double bass and Fiete Wachholtz - drums, percussion. Download the album and enjoy.

Existance - Miles Apart EP A free release from Cut

Valerie — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:01:47 +0000

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Greeting 2012 with a free release, Cut Music is offering a brand new mini EP. Injecting a slightly new feel compared to their usual releases, Miles Apart EP from Existance, slightly exudes a more R&B electronic dubstep feel. This short 3-track compilation features smooth rhythms and hypnotic vocal samples.

Although it's short, the tracks in the record are easily likable, thanks to skillful mixing and just a knack for creating some fine, easy-listening beats.

From the first single, Miles Apart; listeners are treated to a smooth mix of sounds. Like a big jigsaw puzzle finding the right pieces, each beat, vocal and synth fit comfortably against each other. It's hard not to enjoy the track even if you might not consider yourself a big electro dubstep fan.

Meanwhile, Uninhabited is a bit closer to tracks previously featured under Cut. The song is a bit dark with an eerie 'walking-down-a-dark-alleyway' vibe. On the other hand, you'll find the last song, Pelennor Fields, a bit more melodic with moody drums, bass and pianos peppering the background.

Each of the three songs have a completely different feel to them but they all resonate with an overall equation; that is a good and catchy beat. You can grab the download over at BandCamp or head over to the Cut Music website. Give this a listen.

Night Reports: You're All Out - moody and somber indie rock

Valerie — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:01:26 +0000

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Another band that you wouldn't think is composed of only two people at the helm; Night Reports create beautiful indie rock music with a touch of soul.

Long time friends, Derrick Brown and Beau Jennings, have both collaborated in various projects before. However, they've never tackled anything similar to Night Reports. Although the collaboration started out slowly, with both of them passing MP3s and recorded files via email and voice message; they eventually compiled what has become You're All Out.

The record is a concept album of sorts, as it revolves around an athlete who is down in the dumps and living (and reliving) his life in his glory days.

You're All Out is one of those records you can pop into your player if you're feeling a little moody and want the perfect music to keep you company. It's somber and a bit melancholic yet filled with beautiful stories that can serve as your lullaby.

Opener, Are You On My Team? is a solemn little cut that comes with sad vocals and wonderful piano work. It's one of the most likable tracks on the record and after hearing it once, you'd be looking forward to hearing it again once you finish the entire album. French Kicks (World Music is the Real Criminal) changes pace and adds a slightly upbeat tempo to the mix. The song is filled with a catchy chorus, occasional handclaps and an overall happier atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Hang On Me Darlin' features a collaboration with songstress Samantha Crain and her hypnotic, quirky vocals. The song is a 3 minute stunner that gently weaves between a piano ballad to an indie melancholic love song. You Were My Pete Rose is a haunting love song that features Derrick's expressive vocals cooing and silently urging his "sweetness" to return to him.

Overall, if you love the likes of Damien Rice, then you'll have plenty of lovin' for this record. It's an album that masterfully combines hauntingly melodic folk music with that of slightly uptempo indie rock. Definitely makes a great balance. Check it out!

Awake! Awake!: We've Been Strangers - infectious indie rock

Valerie — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:01:20 +0000

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Even though this debut record from the band is a few years old, it's fast paced indie pop rock goodness certainly makes We've Been Strangers a download not to be missed. Made up of David Johnson on lead vocals, Andrew Goodwin on guitar, Taylor Powell on drums, and Chad Turner on bass; Awake! Awake! hails from Murfreesboro, TN.

Inspired by bands like Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, MuteMath and classic artists like U2 and The Police, their sound is certainly a nice compilation of feel-good indie rock and melodic power pop.

We've Been Strangers was recorded independently "inside a bonus room from a college home." Despite this DIY process, the record comes out with a clean and polished feel.

Starting with the two minute opener, The Dawn, you get a warm and moody welcome to the album. The song flourishes with melodic guitars that ebb and swell like a morning tide. It's a nice opener although a bit misleading since you're in for an indie pop rock fest in the next few tracks.

Daylight and Ocean are both examples of infectious indie rock music from this band. They're the type of songs you can play and enjoy without much thought. By the fourth track, Quickly I Take My Time, Awake! Awake! exude a more Jars of Clay vibe. Although they don't point out that they are a Christian band; the song is nevertheless a beautiful and uplifting cut. They perfectly cap things off with a closet demo done in acoustic titled, All I Hold.

One of the best things about this album is that even though you can say their sound is "typical indie rock" they do add a certain touch. From pop rock to a slightly more electro-ambient sound, Awake! Awake! covers their bases well and create music that's thoroughly enjoyable without much coaxing. Take a listen and grab the download.

One Lick Less: We Could be Quiet - an intense compilation worth a listen

Valerie — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:01:15 +0000

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One Lick Less proves that you can do so much with just drum & bass and the occasional vocals. We Could Be Quiet contains music that hovers around free-ranging blues, progressive improv and even "spectral math rock."

When you listen, it's not hard to see all this. The album is an intense, sometimes instrumental, compilation full of eclectic bits and pieces all cohesively working together.
The result is impressive, in terms of range and style. It's also something difficult to describe since it's rare to hear such a unique sound.

One Lick Less is made up of duo Julien Bancilhon and Basil Ferriot. Together they create a sound that's trippy and complicated yet pleasant to the ears. Most of the time, it's the instrument work and beat that takes center stage with vocals thrown in the mix. They admit to being influenced by a myriad of artists including Nirvana, John Coltrane, Jesus Lizard, Tetsuki Akiyama and Miles Davis to name a few. As a result, the album is a hodge podge of blues, grunge, and rock all rolled into one.

We Could Be Quiet starts with the upbeat, Alameda. The song is danceable one with a nice blues jazz touch and great guitar playing. It's easily one of my favorites in the record, as it conjures up images of Spanish guitars and dancing to some moonlit campfire in a foreign land. Fuzzy Rats, on the other hand, is among the tracks that feature voice. The melodic, somewhat detached, vocals are accompanied by slow but expert guitar picking and builds up to an uptempo wave of beautiful drumming.

Closing song, Vastly Phial, has a nice haunting, Sonic Youth influence in it. There's the jangly, distorted guitars with chanting vocals that add to the dark atmosphere of the track.

In the end, the album is a unique one that's worth watching out for. Grab the download and take a listen. It's available as a free download over at BandCamp, but you can opt to help out the group by purchasing a physical copy of their record as well.

Magentaa: Pulse - lush eclectic electronica

Valerie — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:01:19 +0000

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One of the many faces representing underground electronica from Munich, Germany; Magentaa releases his latest record, Pulse. This 7-track compilation carefully fuses different elements to create a cohesive album guaranteed to make it the perfect go-to record for midnight parties or quiet lounging at your apartment.

There's not much personal info about the artist online, except that he has released several titles and compilations prior to this one. Most of his songs are an eclectic mix of sounds; with drum machines, electronic pianos, voice and field recordings making an appearance. It's this unusual combination that's making his electronic sonatas quite interesting to listen to.

Pulse opens up with Houche, one of the longest tracks in the record. It runs for about 8 minutes and fills in listeners with what is essentially a hodge podge of synths, electronic, overly auto-tuned sounding vocals and a quirky drum beats. Even though it's a bit long, the sound is pretty consistent and doesn't make you feel like you're swimming under a senseless mix of sound.

On the other hand, tracks like Hazie and Tubb, delve deeper into the dark atmosphere, coating it with generous psychedelic vibes and even a slight touch of hip-hop.

According to the artist, Pulse is "about bits & pieces. Single parts, repeatedly demixed, modulated, filtered, chopped and newly formed into structures. It's music, that functions like a multiple repainted picture. To listen to makes you an adept. The room between abstract sound and concrete noise is measured here. When tones become noise, images will be available, that aren't completely medially tied yet."

Indeed, Magentaa creates a sound that is both mystical and relaxing. Pretty much, you could play this record in the background to whatever it is you're doing and just enjoy it. The album is currently available as a free download. Take a listen.

Worst by Magentaa

Sigmafly: Tetrachrome EP - a free release from Cut

Valerie — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:01:59 +0000

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Ever since their start, Cut Records has become a musical haven for anybody looking for some awesome electronic ambient releases. The best part is that each of their releases is available as a free or 'pay with a tweet' download. Truly a great treat.

This time around, they're featuring Sigmafly's first release under the label, Tetrachrome EP. Filled with 7 moody electronic singles; it mixes atmospheric beats with carefully chosen samples.

Sigmafly is the moniker for Manchester-based Tom Holmes. For this compilation, he incorporates various aesthetics, even borrowing from Cut artists like Great Skies to create this stunning piece that should be worth checking out.

Opening subtly, the album starts with, And We Begin With Color. The cut mixes piano work with bits of samples here and there. Although it's not an in-your-face-track, it does manage to stay within the confines of your attention. It carefully provides you with a gentle and cool hug as you begin listening to the record.

Other tracks like Radio Sleep are dreamy, giving off that faint midnight-run atmosphere. This is the longest cut on the album. There's something weirdly spectral about it; makes you feel as if you're floating and running at the same time. On the other hand, title track Tetrachrome is a nice blend of semi-upbeat melancholia and spacey rhythm. Occasionally, you'll hear sample singing in the background which adds to the mystical feel of the track.

Overall, the record becomes another great addition to the Cut Music roster. Sigmafly's sound is enchanting on its own and definitely generates a great mood. If you enjoyed all of the other Cut music releases, this one will be a shoe in for your playlist as well. Grab the download.

Thefft: The Primer EP - mesmerizing low-tempo dancefloor electronica

Valerie — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:01:30 +0000

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The newest release from ambient electronic netlabel, Cut Records, is from Thefft. It seems the artist has been brewing underground for awhile and now he's ready to show off his skills with his EP, The Primer.

Much of the hype is warranted though as the album skillfully intertwines beats, bass and synths to create a delightful fusion fit for some good old dancing in a bar or club.

The man behind all the glorious beats is Jack Robertson aka. Thefft. Although he's not a full newcomer, he's definitely making the rounds this time and causing a stir. Born in London, he's currently based there ~~in New York~~ and hangs out in New York whenever he gets a break, creating and producing sonic tracks that are worthy of a listen.

Opening with No Match for She, the song is a great sample of what you can expect from the artists' sound. It's filled with a catchy rhythm and various bits and bobs that make it refreshing to listen to. Whether you play it in a jam packed dancefloor or simply listen to it over your headphones, you get this distinct sound that's easy to like.

It's followed by Gammy Crazy, an eclectic mix of synths and samples topped with a good bass beat. The short 3-track EP is then finished off by Stares, which starts off with various clicks before slowly transforming into a sculpture of sound.

Overall, it's one short record to check out. Thefft definitely has a knack for creating a fresh spin on traditional electronic beats; making you want to check out more of his work. You can grab most of his works right over at his BandCamp page.

Nueva Noventa: Colors - lush indie electronic rock

Valerie — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:01:03 +0000

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A product of years of work and countless rehearsals; Colors by Nueva Noventa contains a lushness that only time could have filled and created.

Nueva Noventa is a four piece indie rock crew from Santiago, Chile. Their sound focuses on indie pop rock but also introduces elements of electronica once in awhile.

There's nothing much out there about the band or the members themselves. It seems they're among the few bands who like to let their sound do all the talking instead. Frankly, this works just fine as their music is capable of communicating and reaching out to its audience.

Starting somber and slow with Young Winters, you can almost expect the band to be an electronic, ambient group after listening to this one. The track is purely instrumental and filled with soaring guitars, twinkly piano work and epic swells. It's this capacity to capture emotion in an instrumental track that really defines the band for me.

Other tracks like, Between Raindrops and Connections, sees the band embrace their full-on indie rock persona. This time around they incorporate vocals to a nice mix of alternative rockish guitars and some melodic sound. Meanwhile, title track Colors, is a beautiful landscape of sound that showcases acoustic guitars along with some emotional singing.

Even though there are times when the singing comes off as a bit too whiny, the underlying music manages to make up for it. The band has a knack for creating this lush swirl of sounds that you can easily get lost in if you want to. Give the album a listen.