Monday 30 March 2009

mUsistenZ's on vacations!

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Hi folks!
I'm gonna take some time off, so don't be surprised if there aren't any posts in the next few days.
I'll be back soon, probably next week.

Cheers!

Sunday 29 March 2009

The High Llamas - Santa Barbara (1992)
The High Llamas - Gideon Gaye (1994)
The High Llamas - Hawaii (1996)
The High Llamas - Cold and Bouncy (1998)
The High Llamas - Snowbug (1999)
The High Llamas - Buzzle Bee (2000)
The High Llamas - Beet, Maize & Corn (2003)

The High Llamas - Can Cladders (2007)

After Microdisney's demise, in 1988, Cathal Coughlan went on with The Fatima Mansions while Sean O'Hagan formed an amazing group called The High Llamas, after releasing one solo album (intitled "High Llamas").
These are the eight albums the band has released to date.
They are all five star records, although "Hawaii" and "Santa Barbara" may be, possibly, my favourite ones.
Don't miss it!

...The High Llamas' output shows influences including pre-1950s American pop and folk, Brazilian jazz and bossa nova, film composers of the 1960s, and 1990s European electronic music, (...) most frequently includes references to Brian Wilson's psychedelic period and/or kitsch lounge revival. (Taken from Wikipedia)

Friday 27 March 2009

Trembling Blue Stars - Lips That Taste of Tears (1998)

Trembling Blue Stars - Broken by Whispers (2000)

Trembling Blue Stars - Bathed in Blue EP (2005)

Trembling Blue Stars - The Last Holy Writer (2007)

Trembling Blue Stars appeared in London, 1995, formed by Robert Wratten from the ashes of the indie pop groups Field Mice and Northern Picture Library.
Wratten's lyrics often reflect his relationship, and consequent breakup, with Annemari Davies who was with him in both bands and who continues to collaborate with Trembling Blue Stars as a guest singer.
Melancholic pop songs filled with grief, sadness and sorrow.

Wednesday 25 March 2009

Friday 20 March 2009

Perry Blake - Perry Blake (1998)

Perry Blake - Still Life (1999)

Perry Blake - Presque Rien (2000)

Perry Blake - Broken Statues [Live at Cirque Royal, Brussels] (2001)

Perry Blake - California (2002)

Perry Blake - Songs for Someone (2004)

Irish singer and songwriter Perry Blake appeared in 1998 with an outstanding self titled debut album. His career, based on sad and melancholic songs, has known many high and low points since then, but I've decided to post some of my favourite records of his.
Don't miss the three wonderful masterpieces: "Perry Blake", "Still Life" (with Steve Jansen) and "California".
It may appeal to fans of Scott Walker, David Sylvian or Leonard Cohen.

David Sylvian & Robert Fripp - Damage (2001)

Actually, "Damage" was originally released in 1994 including the song "Darshan" wich was here replaced by "Jean the Birdman". The track order is also different.
As for the rest, what can I say? An amazing record with excellent sound and performances especially on tracks like "Brightness Falls", "Every Color You Are" or "Wave".
Enjoy!

Bill Rieflin w/ Robert Fripp & Trey Gunn - Birth of a Giant (1999)

"Birth of a Giant" results from the reunion of avant-garde virtuosos Bill Rieflin (Blackouts, Ministry, Revolting Cocks...), Robert Fripp and Trey Gunn.
Very interesting material.
Hope you like it!
King Crimson - Absent Lovers-Live in Montreal 1984 [CD1] (1998)
King Crimson - Absent Lovers-Live in Montreal 1984 [CD2] (1998)
No great introduction needed on this one.
"Absent Lovers" was recorded in the band's final show of their 1984 tour.
Superb sound and performance by a line-up wich included: Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and Bill Bruford.
Enjoy!

Thursday 19 March 2009

Steven Wilson - Insurgentes (2009)

Multi-instrumentalist, composer, session musician, producer and sound engineer (hope I didn't forget any category!...), Steven Wilson is pretty well known for his inumerous musical projects such as No-Man, Communion Bass, Blackfield and Porcupine Tree, just to name a few. He also has collaborated with Anja Garbarek, Yoko Ono and O.S.I., among others.
Few years ago, it was released a collection of his electronic works wich were recorded throughout the years, but "Insurgentes" is actually the first album of originals to be released under his own name.
An excellent record.
Don't miss it!

Stories From the Moon - Stories From the Moon (2006)

Stories From the Moon is the name of a project by former Miranda Sex Garden guitarist Ben Golomstock. The album is full of haunting, gloomy, eerie melodies with former Miranda Sex Garden lead singer, Katharine Blake (currently of Mediaeval Baebes), giving a little help to her ex-bandmate.
Enjoy!

Anneli Drecker - Tundra (2000)

Anneli Marian Drecker is the vocalist and founder member of the Norwegian dream pop group Bel Canto.
"Tundra" was her solo debut, an interesting record with some good tracks, allthough, in the end, you may feel a certain nostalgia of the Bel Canto good old days.
Still, you should give it a try!

Wednesday 18 March 2009

Lush - Spooky (1992)

Lush - Split (1994)

Before I go any further on this one, I must say that "Spooky" was one of the albums of that era wich marked me for good till nowadays. Of course it has a lot of Cocteau Twins references, not very surprisingly though, since the production was made by Robin Guthrie.
"Split", their second full length, has a different sound, allthough very interesting too.
They've released one more album, "Lovelife", before they disbanded in 1997 after drummer Chris Acland hanged himself in 1996.
Enjoy!

Swallow - Blow (1992)

Swallow was a band formed by Mike Mason and Louise Trehy wich existed through a brief period during the early 90's. The Cocteau Twins were a powerful and obvious influence in the group's sound and being part of the 4AD label didn't help much either.
"Blow" was a much underrated debut, and one of the few recordings they've released, but I think there are pretty good songs in it.
Hope you like it!

Love Spirals Downwards - Idylls (1992)

Love Spirals Downwards - Ardor (1994)

Love Spirals Downwards - Flux (1998)

Love Spirals Downwards - Temporal [A Collection of Music Past & Present] (2000)

Love Spirals Downwards was formed in Los Angeles, 1991, by multi-instrumentalist Ryan Lum and singer Suzanne Perry. Owners of a dreamy ethereal sound, not differing much to that of the 4AD label, they achieved some success, in and out of the States, till the early 00's when the group disbanded.
These are some of their most significant records, including "Temporal", a collection of previously unreleased material such as live tracks, remixes and early songs.