#50

Bruce Langhorne – The Hired Hand lp

I was really drunk when I bought this, which explains why I'd buy the score to a movie I've never seen, nor even heard of. I guess having not watched the flick, it allows me to approach the music without the bias of the visual connection. Anyhow, the first few listens, the sparse guitar, banjo, and sitar melodies didn't really click with me. I thought they sounded nice and all, but not really worthy of being reissued on vinyl. However, as I've played it more, I've begun to appreciate Langhirne's soundtrack increasingly. The dreamy, minimalistic, americana tunes are accented with just the faintest hint of 60's psychedelic vibe that really makes the works stand out. Not the thing for everyone, in fact, probably not the thing for most. But, for a discerning few, you'll love this.

Scissor Tail Editions

Crank Sturgeon/RedSk/Jason “EVIL” Covelli – split cd-r

This three way split kicks off with 9 tracks of non-music from Crank Sturgeon. Harsh noise, static pulsations, and looped vocalizations (think gargling and vomit sounds) are all patched together into what resembles a 3^rd rate rendition of Collapsed Arch. RedSK follows with 9 tracks of rumbling, piercing noise, that has the slightest drone influence. Noise isn't my deal these days, so it didn't do anything for me. Finally there's a rambling spoken word track by Jason “EVIL” Covelli debating weather he needs anger management or therapy. Consisting of constant threats of physical violence, endless profanity, and claims of how he's smarter than everyone around him, it's one of the most annoying, pointless things I've listened to. An all around yawn fest.

TRASHFUCK Records

Kutomo – Valon Kuolema cd-r

Simply put, Valon Kuolema is pure sonic bliss. The kind of album my words won't do justice, because the music Kutomo composes defies attempts at categorization. Elements of ambient, folk, experimental, and psychedelic are seamlessly blended together to produce a sound that's unique to the artist. It's celestial waves of audio excellence rolling over you. Fucking rad, with out a doubt. It's limited, so better get your copy quick.

The Wool Shop Productions

Oblitus Memorias – As One, We Will Be With the Stars cd-r

Billed as “melancholic black metal,” in reality, Oblitus Memorias is just another ambient group attempting to create dark soundscapes. The style on As One, We Will Be With the Stars is rather simplistic; one high pitched, warble-y, electronic note at a time. It sounds like the soundtrack you'd hear in some b-grade, Euro horror flick from the 70's. You get the feeling Oblitus Memorias is trying to produce a mysterious, spooky ambiance, but it falls short. Not a terrible release, just kinda meh.

Smell The Stench

Petrified – Same 2012 cd-r

An unusual experimental work here mixing dark ambient synthscapes, medieval-ish percussion loops, and distorted, ritualistic spoken vocals. Wish I spoke French so I knew what the dude was chanting. While there's only three tracks over 10 minutes, Petrified manages to craft a highly foreboding and eerie atmosphere with Same 2012. Hopefully this isn't a one off project and we'll hear some more from the one man act. Release is limited to 40, so you better get on this while you can.

Smell The Stench

#49

Coyotes In the Room – Uppers & Downers c57

Having some members of Bad Creeps, I'd figured Coyotes In the Room would have a similar sort of sound. NOPE. Uppers & Downers is a collection of 24 short tracks of mellow garage rock with hints of folk and psych. At first I was kind of nonplussed with this, but I think that's 'cause I went in expecting something completely different. The more I've listened to this, the more I'm digging it. Relaxed tunes that won't harsh your buzz. Check it out.

Tent Revivalist Tapes

In Excelsis – Castrum Tigernum cd-r

Niiiice. With over an hour of instrumental, medieval, Western European folk music, you know I'm liking Castrum Tigernum. This isn't any corny, Renaissance Fair guy playing a fife type stuff. There's a mysterious feel to In Excelsisis' music and the drumming gives some of the songs an interesting militaristic edge. Rad stuff.

Smell The Stench

Kheta Hotem – Live at Yläkaupungin yö 2011 c60

Generally I tend to avoid live releases, but I've been itching to hear some more from Kheta Hotem after their awesome Meri vaahtolaine cd-r. The performance starts off very subdued, with a faint, ominous sounding sax and distant tonbak (or some type of Mideastern hand drum). Stringed instruments and faint vocalizations drift in and out, but the vibe remains quiet and hypnotic throughout the A side. On the flip things take a turn toward chaotic improvisation and free jazz; the wailing sax and throat singing are especially prominent. Definitely worth snagging a copy.

Jozik Records

Niao – Prayer lp

Oh man, I'm totally diggin' everything that Prayer has got going on. Niao's got this psychedelic tribal trance-out thing going that's just incredible. Native American sounding chanting, electric organ groves, and eastern percussion all blend seamlessly to make some rad jams. You're into psych-experimental-world music-whatever? Then yea, you gotta snag a copy of this album.    

Sailing Records

Vanyar – Reawakened Cultic Practise c26

Playing black metal that manages to be both raw and epic, Vanyar's fucking killing with this demo. There's a slight doom undertone to Reawakened Cultic Practise and it adds a nice complexity to their sound. They also used decent recording techniques, so the tape isn't drenched in hiss and static. Not much more to say about this, aside from go get it.

Red Light Sound

V.A. – Ultimate Trash cd-r

Consisting of seven groups I'm completely unfamiliar with, this comp kicks off with a few tracks of industrial from Kaustikutt. If this was the early 90's, Wax Trax! would be salivating to release a 12' ep of them. Not my scene, but I ended up liking it well enough. Next up up is Dental Work, which has a whole 'μ-Ziq on meth, playing noise' feel, that I'm not really into. Fabrict follows with a few tracks of dark, plodding electronic music. It's ok sounding, but the music doesn't really go anywhere, just kind of aimless beats and sounds. Then there's Adam Sapphire with three tracks of experimental sounds with rambling, spoken accompaniments. Meh. RedSK and Unauthorized Fatal Operation belt out some noise and the cd gets rounded out by the amateurish, playful mathrock of Running To Earth. Not a bad compilation or anything, it's just bands playing styles of music that I'm not particularly keen on.  

TRASHFUCK Records