Wednesday 31 December 2008

Fennesz - Black Sea (2008)

"Black Sea" is the new record of the austrian musician Christian Fennesz. Great experimental stuff, much in the vein of Oval, Main or Microstoria.

Johnny Dowd - Temporary Shelter (2000)

Visceral and gloomy, the work of Johnny Dowd can show us the darker side of America. "Temporary Shelter" is, in my opinion, the best effort by this amazing southern songwriter, who released his first record when he was 50 years old.

Tuesday 30 December 2008

Spell - Seasons in the Sun (1993)

In 1993, Boyd Rice and Rose McDowall released in Mute Records the album "Seasons in the Sun", their only record as Spell. This album is made, exclusively, of cover versions such as "Seasons in the Sun", "Lullaby-Rosemary's Baby", "Big Red Balloon", "Stone Is Very Very Cold", "Our Own Way" and a lot more of 60's/70's tunes. Enjoy!

Non Credo - Happy Wretched Family (1995)

Avant-garde weirdness with remniscents of Diamanda Galas here and there. A record of strange beauty.

Steve Reich - Music for 18 Musicians (1978)

Made of a 56 minute long single piece, "Music for 18 Musicians" is one of my Reich favourites.

When this recording was released in 1978, the impact on the new music scene was immediate and overwhelming. Anyone who saw potential in minimalism and had hoped for a major breakthrough piece found it here. (Taken from AMG)

Monday 29 December 2008

Leo Kottke - Peculiaroso (1994)

Guitar virtuoso Leo Kottke is well known for his skills in what concerns to acoustic folk guitar techniques and that's pretty obvious in such instrumental themes as "Peg Leg", "World Made to Order" or "Room Service". What a great record!

Marc Ribot - Soundtracks II (2003)

Avant-garde wizard Marc Ribot, who is credited here for the guitars, trumpet, horn, sequencer, loops and sampler, gathered what we may call "the usual suspects" to record this second volume of film music. One more item from the John Zorn's Tzadik catalogue.

Dot Allison - We Are Science (2002)

Dot Allison, former member of the Manchester group One Dove, has released three solo albuns to date. "We Are Science" is her best effort and one of the best alternative/dance pop records of this decade.

Karl Biscuit - Secret Love (Compiled Electropop Works 1984-1987)

Here's a compilation of the three records that Karl Biscuit made for Crammed Discs. Excellent gloomy neo-romantic electropop, with contributions of Blaine Reininger and Winston Tong from Tuxedomoon.

The Lotus Eaters - No Sense of Sin (1984)

The Lotus Eaters were formed in Liverpool by Jeremy Kelly (The Wild Swans) and Peter Coyle (The Jass Babies) and "No Sense of Sin" was their first (and best!) record. This is the new version with extra tracks, perfect for fans of Care and The Wild Swans.
Enjoy!

Sunday 28 December 2008

Cranes - Cranes (2008)

After a four-year absence, Cranes are back with a self titled new album. Far from being one of their best efforts, yet, it's listening can be an overwhelming experience.

Long Range - Madness and Me (2007)

After Paul Hartnoll's reappearance in 2007, his brother, Phill, returned also that same year with a new project and partnership.
He's now working with Nick Smith, along with other musicians that collaborate in this recording.
It's a great record, though the good old days' creativity is a bit far by now. If you're an Orbital fan, don't miss it!

Belong - October Language (2006)

A magnificent work of distorded ambient guitar from the New Orleans duo Belong.
An album that combines My Bloody Valentine, Fennesz and Brian Eno in one unique recording.
Enjoy!

Saturday 27 December 2008

Tristeza - A Colores (2005)

Tristeza are a californian post-rock quintet based in San Diego and "A Colores" was their 3rd release. Excellent instrumental stuff.

The Happy Family - The Man on Your Street (1982)

The Happy Family was the band that first showed us the prominent Nick Currie (a.k.a. Momus). This is a great 4AD post-punk release, highly recommended for fans of early eighties groups such as Josef K or The Smiths.

Friday 26 December 2008

Stephen Emmer - Vogue Estate (1982)

An excellent synthpop mini-album by the dutch musician Stephen Emmer. Released in 1982, "Vogue Estate" has the participation of the late Billy Mackenzie (The Associates), Martha Ladly (Martha and the Muffins) and cellist Jan Insinger, among others.

Sunday 21 December 2008

Denison/Kimball Trio - Soul Machine (1995)

Ex-Jesus Lizard members Duane Denison and Jim Kimball began releasing records as Denison/Kimball Trio in 1994. "Soul Machine" is their second album and my favourite one.

Ulrich Schnauss - Goodbye (2007)

It's pretty obvious that this Berlin producer has an undeniable passion for such shoegaze/dream pop acts as the Cocteau Twins or Slowdive. "Goodbye" finds Ulrich Schnauss creating all those lush, ethereal soundscapes, along with an ambient-electronica feeling wich he does so well.

Saturday 20 December 2008

Nuno Canavarro - Plux Quba (1988)

The portuguese composer/producer Nuno Canavarro started his career as a musician in the early eighties with the Street Kids. This record was his first solo effort and, if you're into experimental electronics, "Plux Quba" is a fine work of art for you to (re)discover:

This record was a strong influence on the sound of many postmodern electronic musicians, including Mouse On Mars and Jim O'Rourke, the latter of whom re-released Plux Quba on his own Mokai label in 1999. (Taken from Wikipedia)

Virna Lindt - Shiver (1984)

A great, great record by this swedish singer who, unfortunately, released only two albuns.
An essential recording for all the new wave/synthpop lovers.
Her second album, Play/Record, will soon be here too.
Enjoy!

Rise and Fall of a Decade - Rise and Fall of a Decade (1990)

Rise and Fall of a Decade are a french pop group formed in 1988 that makes dark melancholic music, full of acoustic sounds and wonderful orchestrations. Here is their debut album, which I highly recommend.

Wednesday 17 December 2008

Pierre Vervloesem - Rude (2005)
Pierre Vervloesem is a belgian guitarist/producer who, among other things, has played with X-Legged Sally and has produced the first record of the belgian band dEUS.
"Rude" is a real schizoid/avant-garde/sonic experience, that surelly will blow you away just like that.

Monday 15 December 2008

Pajo - Pajo (2005)

David Christian Pajo is a musician related to such excellent projects as Tortoise, Aerial M and Papa M. In 2005 he released the first record under his own name, which was (in my humble opinion) one of the most beautiful releases that same year.
Enjoy!