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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.

Jazz Funeral - self titled moody pop rock compilation

Valerie — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:01:52 +0000

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Lifting their name from a term used in traditional New Orleans funerals where music is played, Jazz Funeral is a pop rock band that entertains as much as they mystify.

Well, to be exact, Jazz Funeral is simply singer-songwriter, self-proclaimed philosopher and avid drinker, Paul Adler.

Essentially rock with a sometimes gritty pop punk (even emo) sound, the album is a nice introduction to the singer's sound. This is a debut compilation for the singer and it seems like much of his philosophy and lifestyle is embedded in the tracks.

The songs in this album are a product of several years of the singer's life. Some of the songs were written as far back as 2008-2009 while the entire record was recorded after Paul graduated from college. It was then released last year on March 2011.

The artist is quoted in an interview with Absolutepunk, stating: "I wrote all the songs myself; I had somewhat of a grand vision for the record and I wanted to put everything I had into it. I wrote ten pages of production notes before I even got into the studio, so I knew exactly what I wanted and I really just wanted it to be me, to have who I am as a person come across in album-form."

Indeed, he seems to have achieved his vision for the record. The tracks in the album range from haunting, Hymn to the melodramatic and emotional single, Coping. It's not all doom and gloom though. Rosary Beads is an upbeat pop punk track that can be mistaken for something that belongs under emo punk group, Taking Back Sunday's roster, only a tad more whiny.

Regardless if you like pop rock or emo punk, you'll probably have fun with this. Once you get past the trippy, sometimes overly emotional singing, you'll easily discover well-written and recorded cuts. Go ahead and grab the download. You'll find this one for free over at BandCamp.

Republic of Lights: Go Rococo - energetic indie new wave

Valerie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:01:24 +0000

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After receiving a huge amount of praise and positive reviews for their album as well as live performances, Republic of Light seems to have had a good start on their musical journey.

These Chicago natives created quite a bit of noise in the indie music world with their album Go Rococo. The crew is composed of Alan on vocals, Brian on guitars, Greg on keyboards and Rosie on guitars.

Combining a flurry of indie pop, new wave, great lyrics and tons of catchy rhythm; the band is easily likable while the record is a great go-to album if you want something to keep your energy up and bouncing.

I'm not going to deny that I enjoyed the album on first listen. There's a fun and exciting energy that emanates from each track. Even though much of it sounds like a mix of new wave with the melodramatic indie pop of Spoon, it's pretty hard to resist them and keep yourself from enjoying the record.

Kicking things off is title track, Go Rococo. It's actually the shortest cut on the album at only 2 minutes. It combines keyboards, hipster style vocals and some catchy beat. The album then transitions into a full blown dance, hipster track, Lotus. With a mix of guitars and steady beat, you'll find yourself toe tapping to this one. Meanwhile, 22centstamp is a fun lovin' cut that extends with great lyrics and a jaunty rhythm. Alan's vocal work is quite something.

Go Rococo is a great record to grab. Although the band's sound quality isn't as polished yet, they're pretty close. They have all the right elements in place; given a bit more time to evolve, they're sure to blow listeners even more with their sound.

You can grab the download over at BandCamp. And if the band is playing near your area, go ahead and see them. I hear they're mindblowing live. Enjoy!

Austin Bucholtz: Fairytale Shadowland - tasteful pop and soft rock tracks

Mona — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:01:58 +0000

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Sincerity is clearly rooted in Fairytale Shadowland, the brain child of Austin Bucholtz and Michael Koch. The EP is composed of three heart-piercing tracks that wonders along pop and soft rock.

Raised in Saint Joseph, Michigan, Bucholtz is a truly talented artist inspired by musicians like Adele, P!nk, Natasha Bedingfield, KT Tunstall and more. He's currently settled in Charleston, South Carolina where he shares his own brand of amazing musical creations.

Jumping atop his piano, Fairytale Shadowland kicks off with playful keys and sparkles throughout. The title track's sing-along vibe is the perfect backdrop for a vibrant Sunday morning.

Room to Breathe, on the other hand, explores the moody territory of breaking up and letting go. Bucholtz's expresses himself through heart-felt verses and an earthly, stripped down delivery. What makes this track stand out from any other break-up song is the incorporation of electronic tunes after an almost-acapella beginning.

FiftyFirst completes the EP and finishes the emotional subject matter that has been spread throughout the album. It contains well-written lyrics and piano keys flawlessly played to perfection.

Fairytale Shadowland is an intricate collection backed-up with accessible soundscapes. There is something beautiful in its piano solos drawing you in with so much passion. It's only a matter of time until Austin Bucholtz finds his place in the music scene.

The Slizzies: Slizzies Going Steady - raw and unpolished punk rock

Valerie — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:01:44 +0000

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The Slizzies came about on a whim. When they first got together, only one of the members had actually played an instrument in their lifetime. Despite this complete handicap, that didn't stop the guys from agreeing to form a band.

The succeeding times weren't easy. From gathering for band practice, to actually learning to play for much of the group; it was certainly a joyride. In the end, the succeeding members actually managed to record a couple of original tracks in true diy fashion. These tracks were recorded from various live performances and rough studio sessions. Hence, don't expect awesome quality but do expect some great punk tracks coming your way.

There are 30 tracks to choose from in this record. As mentioned, most of these were done in shady quality so don't expect a polished, ready-for-the-presses album here. It's essentially true blue underground punk that's equipped with shouty vocals, fast drumming and loud guitars with repetitive lyrics.

According to one of the members, "the songs on this album were recorded with vocal microphones, and a lot of the time recorded as a single mono mixed track of each instrument, leaving little room for modifications. We didn't take any notes while we were doing this, and, more often than not, we had to repeat instrument takes days later since something got screwed up during the recording, which we didn't notice it until it came time to mix a song. We really didn't know what we were doing.

There's a certain rawness to the tracks that translates well to the diy punk mythos. If you enjoy an energy-filled dirty punk rock album once in awhile, you'll have a good time checking this one out. Take a listen and grab the download.

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!

Fiction Fight: I Am a Thief - passionate electronic post-rock tunes

Mona — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:01:39 +0000

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Bursting onto the sky with all the subtlety like a crashing comet, I Am a Thief by Fiction Fight offers a one-of-a-kind astral experience.

Hailing from Coventry, the once solo project has now bloomed into a full-pledged band composed of Christopher Donald, Josiah Gillespie, Rachel Louise Challis, Tim Pitt, Nathan Daniel Leigh and Matthew Donald. They have already shared stages with Newton Faukner, Enter Shikari and rap artist Example.

Gaining strong influences from Björk and Aim , this electronic post-rock group provides a breath of fresh air to the music scene.

My Rescue appeals to the listeners like black coffee on a cold Sunday morning - rough and relaxing. From a soothing blend of chill-out melody and thick muscular synths, the track slowly builds into a cry of confession which is just emotionally perfect.

Uniquely accompanied with soulful horns, Perfect World maintains that chill-out vibe. Meet Me On the Shoreline, on the other hand, evokes more power with its clever mix of moody electronic and tribal beats. The verses were delivered with such passion that you'd want to repeat it again and again.

The album takes a rock-driven road with Love is Brave. I personally liked the fuzzy electric guitars and hooking drum beats. The transition of fast to slower parts are perfectly placed transporting the listeners to a roller coaster treat.

I Am a Thief closes up with the spine-chilling All I Am. It showcases hypnotic vocals and heartwarming violin solos. The band's creativity is maximized in this track, you can recognize their influences but they have managed to create their own brand of music.

Fiction Fight have definitely stirred hearts in this new release. Beautiful in its own majestic way, I Am a Thief will grow into your senses like a garden in springtime.

Moongardening Inc.: A Sky Full Of Killer Whales

Valerie — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:01:14 +0000

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Moongardening Inc. might have an unusual band name as well as an album title, but their music manages to stand out and impress. Creating a solid fusion of pop, jazz, blues and a whole lot in between; A Sky Full of Killer Whales exudes a certain charm.

Only downside is that there's hardly anything about the band online except what's written on their BandCamp page and sparse reviews here and there.

Nevertheless, their music can easily take front and center without much background info about them.

Made up of Sarah van der Meer (voice), Munuera Rodrigo Martin (guitar), Fernando Revuelta (Low), Pablo Oliva (keyboards) and Nano Cañamares (drums); the album mixes folk, indie pop as well as jazz and blues in certain areas. There are even times when progressive rock is introduced courtesy of prolonged guitar riffs and trippy vocals.

Speaking of prog influences, the first cut, The Sky, is a short but chaotic mix of guitars, drums, and distortion. Although you'll hear this trait in some of the songs, majority of the cuts are more folkish pop than anything else. Take for instance the third track, To Have or Have Not; the song is a laid back cut that features Sarah's feminine vocals. With a jaunty tune, it's easy to relax to and perfect for perking up your day.

One of my personal favorites from the album is Big G. It opens with heavy guitars which gorgeously complements the female vocals. Towards the middle part, the boys perform some melodic backup singing and it just brings back so much nostalgia of good old 70s rock. They cap off the entire record with a 10 minute opus titled, The Killer Whale. There's a huge blank sound in the middle with only the first and last parts containing songs. They couldn't have capped the record much better since the song evokes an ethereal feel.

A Sky Full of Killer Whales is one record to watch out for. The fact that the band doesn't really stick to one genre makes it even more interesting. You get one enjoyable track after another; something that's a bit rare to see these days. Go ahead and grab the download. It's available at a pay-what-you-want option.

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.

My Heart To Joy: Seasons In Verse - hardcore plus indie rock goodness

Valerie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:01:25 +0000

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Looking for something loud to start the New Year? You should check out My Hear To Joy and their release, Seasons in Verse. This is the first full album for the group and so far things are looking promising.

The crew is a big one with seven people driving the band's core. Together, these Kensington, CT natives create music that is a mix punk, metal and indie. Complete with short punchy rhythm and in-your-face rockin' these guys know how to capture your attention and get their message across.

This album is a follow up to the EP they released last year, Virgins Sail, where the boys were decidedly more aggressive. This time around, they're taking a loud yet more polished rock path with their sound.

Kickstarting everything with a two minute alternative rock instrumental called, Time Spent Breathing; the song gently sweeps and sways as it starts before building up to a rockish pitch. It perfectly sets the mood for the album and prepares the listeners for a loud and complicated 11 tracks to follow.

Title cut, Seasons in Verse, sounds like a half scream with strained vocals blurting out the lyrics. It features a catchy and intricate instrument work that goes from midtempo to fast rock within seconds. It's this combination of hardcore and mellow/indie rock that helps the band gouge a niche for themselves.

Meanwhile, Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory is a cover track from Guided By Voices. One of those unexpected covers you normally wouldn't associate with a group that had its beginnings in screamo. Finally, they finish off the album with a fitting cut, Watch Me Live. It's epic, containing guitar swells, screaming raspy vocals, and a much louder Coldplay-esque vibe.

Personally, I really enjoyed this record. The complex network of instruments and the hodge podge of rock genres work great for the band. One of those albums you put on if you like to dissect the flesh of songs and not settle for the facade.

You can grab this one at a name-your-price option over at BandCamp. It might be two years old but this one still has everything you need for a rocking great time.