For the love of music
Hellish nightmares, tender dreams and all that’s in between are dramatically evoked in this collaboration between Italian composer Teho Teardo and German musician Blixa Bargeld. The two originally worked together on a song for a film soundtrack and went on to produce a whole album over two years. It’s an album that encapsulates qualities of … [Read more...]
In the modern world, These New Puritans are a bunch of pale, skinny, serious 20-somethings championed by NME and groomed by Dior, but it's probable that they exist in another dimension altogether, free of pop culture excess. Initially, it would have been easy to dismiss TNP as merely another hype band who, by the skin of their teeth, clenched the … [Read more...]
Post-dubstep is a trite title, really. A genre that was supposedly pioneered by London duo Mount Kimbie, it’s a moniker that doesn’t do them any justice at all. Why? Because dubstep has always been, to put in clichéd terms, all style over substance. It has become is emotionally destitute, save physical interplay, born and bred on the dance … [Read more...]
Toronto’s Emorie are singer-songwriter and keyboardist Hunter and violinist Adm. After meeting at a show they began a fruitful collaboration. Their debut album is a mix of electronica, R ‘n’ B, disco, and indie pop. Violin, vocals and synths work well together on smooth opener "Change". The mood darkens a little on "Pink Dolls" and the … [Read more...]
After such an avalanche of new albums across April and May of this year - not to mention the biggest ever Record Store Day - it’s been a pretty exhaustive and exhausting time for keen record buyers. With some relief it seems that the summer months ahead look a tad thinner on the long-player front, allowing time to pause and reflect on an … [Read more...]
A band with the name Casual Sex ought to turn a few heads and leave the sensitive listener dubious over what sleazy attitude and music they employ. Glaswegians are known for their dry wit and humorous observations of society’s ills: underage drinking, track-suited neds, and of course, shameless one night stands. This Scottish four-piece engage … [Read more...]
These days, supergroups and guest appearances are very commonplace in the progressive rock realm, so it comes as no surprise that the self-titled debut by Lifesigns contains both. Featuring the talents of Robin Boult (John Young Band), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Thijs Van Leer (Focus) and Jakko Jakszyk (King Crimson), the record is at once familiar … [Read more...]
Julia Holter's Ekstasis was one of the most underrated albums of last year: an avant-pop masterpiece shamefully excluded from critics' year-end lists. If that record was a direct hit, then the Californian singer / songwriter's 2011 debut Tragedy was a near miss, only through its fractured, wavering nature. It found Holter marking her territory … [Read more...]
Brooklyn based singer-songwriter Shawn Waters preaches in earnest and sings of love, sin and God on this eight song debut. His voice blends Nick Drake’s tenderness with the rough edge of Johnny Cash. He also acknowledges the influence of Tom Waits, Michael Kiwanuka, and Justin Townes Earle and you can add to the list just about anyone else … [Read more...]
For the greater part of a decade, and for die-hards much longer, The National has immensely impressed with album after album of ridiculously comforting highs and words that best some of the current great authors' purposes. The band's music has always prevailed on what many would claim to be simple measures of technique but what the real lovers … [Read more...]