#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