ALBUM REVIEW | Sexores – Red Rooms.

ARTIST: Sexores

RELEASE: Red Rooms

RELEASE DATE: 17/07/16

RECORD COMPANY: Coypu Records.

Following on from their stunning full length album release entitled ‘Historias de Frió’ back in 2104, the brilliant Barcelona based darkwave outfit ‘Sexores’ have returned with a blissful six track release entitled ‘Red Rooms’. With an intriguing sound thats full of noisy ambient swirls, ethereal vocalisations and dark repetitive percussive arrangements all gloriously intertwined with soaring walls of layered reverberating guitars, ‘Sexores’ have the ability paint stunning sonic pictures with their music. The band are made up of Emilia Bahamonde – vocals/guitar/programming & David Yépez – drums/programming with various touring members and guest musicians (including Alexander Kretov of UMMAGMA fame) appearing on the album. ‘Red Rooms’ was released back on the 17th July 2016 via Coypu Records and is available to buy/download on various formats right now from: sexores.bandcamp.com

READ ON –

 

Ethereal vocals coupled with a wall hazily layered guitars announces the arrival of track one ‘Sasebo’ and we’re instantly pulled into a beautiful world of sneaking drum patterns, underlying synth swells and hypnotically cascading piano progressions. The vocals are simply mesmerising as they cut through the swirling instrumentation and instil a gentle calmness over proceedings. Up next, ‘Sea Of Trees’ is a classic slice of beautifully arranged dream pop thats centred around a cascading synth line, a repetitive drum pattern and another blissful vocal performance courtesy of Emilia Bahamonde. ‘Me And The Void’ saunters into earshot riding an explosive drum pattern, dark throbbing bass frequencies and synth swells to die for. Emilia’s vocals shine as they pulse wave after wave of golden hued frequencies through the controlled reverberation and on into the maelstrom of fuzzy tempestuous guitar lines.

‘U.S.S.R Girls’ leans more into the realm of dark electronica with its sequenced synth progressions and repetitive drum patterns whilst the albums penultimate track, the impressive ‘Daywalkers’ instantly flatters with its floating boy/girl vocal attack, courtesy of Emilia & Alex Kretov (Ummagma), coupled with those beautifully arranged synth lines & its glorious instrumentation breaks. The album closes out with the highly atmospheric instrumental piece – ‘Loner’. A dark & foreboding reverberating drone opens proceedings before we’re treated to a slow, repetitive drum pattern and stuttering piano stabs. ‘Loner’ sounds like it belongs on a late 70’s sci-fi soundtrack as it deftly meanders through ambient sonic peaks and throughs, never losing its edge and all the while building slowly into a stunning cacophony of blissful atmospheric noise.

A fitting end to an absolutely stunning album!

4/5

LINKS:

sexores.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/sxrsxrs

twitter.com/sexores

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the Unsigned or Small Independent Label based Shoegaze, DreamPop, PostPunk, PostRock & PsychRock genre’s of music from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.

ALBUM REVIEW | Dead Rabbits – Everything Is A Lie (Fuzz Club Records).

ARTIST: Dead Rabbits

RELEASE: Everything Is A Lie.

RELEASE DATE: 05/09/16

RECORD COMPANY: Fuzz Club Records

Southampton’s ‘Dead Rabbits’ have been wowing us ever since the release of their stunning debut album (The Ticket That Exploded) back in 2013, followed closely by their eponymous follow up (Time Is Your Only Memory) back in 2014. Their meticulous brand of infectious neo-psychedelia, blended perfectly with expressive shoegaze and driving post-punk has permeated down through the many layers of this modern day new school psych/gaze scene, influencing each new emerging band with their heady sonic brew. Now they have returned with brand new musical behemoth in tow. Fantastically titled ‘Everything Is A Lie’, this latest full length album gets its official release on the 5th September 2016 via one of the ‘Go To’ labels in this modern day fuzzy psych/gaze scene, the brilliant London based ‘Fuzz Club Records’.

READ ON –

 

The album opens up with the stunning ‘Everything Is A Lie’. This is a gargantuan warbling beast who’s percussive assault shudders and pulses on a reverberating wave of sonic delight. Its bass lines are addictive, underscored with soaring synth swells and melodic vocalisations that are all held fast within the whirlwind by shimmering layered guitar progressions. ‘Honestly’ arrives like a sullen child. It’s bass lines are incredible and full of post-punk promise whilst vocally this track is sublime and reminiscent (dare I say it?) of late 1980’s Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays). It’s a masterclass in song creation and probably my favourite track on this entire release. Up next is the albums lead single! ‘Get Me Over There’ rumbles and growls on a bed of fuzzy jangling guitars, swirling pulsating bass frequencies and skittish percussion as the howling vocals ride a raging sonic twister into the ether. It’s one of the best tracks this year by far and definitely recommended listening.

The album takes a subtle swerve into experimental territory on ‘All Your Little Lies’. Pounding drums and screaming surf-psych guitars take centre stage as those brilliantly executed vocal progressions meander in and out of the hazy instrumentation. ‘Someday’ jangles into earshot on stabs of reverb induced guitars as melodious snaking bass frequencies creep between the drum hits like some huge stalking animal. Vocals wail as synths soar throughout the chorus parts, building in momentum as they rise, leading us into a surging sonic finale. The metronomic swing of ‘I Don’t Want To Die Today’ hypnotises us as it works through its musical gears, deftly building and adding to each sonic layer as it climbs. Vocally sublime and explosive at times ‘I Don’t Want To Die Today’ surges and culminates into an incredible maelstrom of sound.

The albums penultimate track is ‘That Was Then But This Is Now’. Melodically repetitive guitar lines meld with dark pulsating bass frequencies before another impressive vocal performance cuts through proceedings, dragging the steadying drum track with it. Swathes of reverb induced guitars attack the chorus as swirling, droning synth patches lurk menacingly beneath. ‘That Was Then But This Is Now’ thunders through the sonic landscape cutting massive swathes through layer after layer of expertly constructed reverberation. Screaming guitar squall and blistering feedback heralds the arrival of the albums closing track before we’re treated to pounding drums, melodic bass lines, soaring golden synth swells and a glorious vocal track. ‘You Already Know’ is a tremulous beast that takes no prisoners as it beats down on the senses and hypnotises you into submission. A stunning finale to an absolutely immense album.

Bravo ‘Dead Rabbits’……

5/5

‘Everything Is A Lie’ gets its official release on the 5th September 2016 and is available to pre-order right now from Fuzz Club Records.

LINKS:

fuzzclub.com

facebook.com/deadrabbitsuk/

twitter.com/DeadRabbitsuk

deadrabbitsband.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the Unsigned or Small Independent Label based Shoegaze, DreamPop, PostPunk, PostRock & PsychRock genre’s of music from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.

ALBUM REVIEW | SPC ECO – Anomalies (Saint Marie Records).

ARTIST: SPC ECO

RELEASE: Anomalies

RELEASE DATE: 19/08/16

RECORD COMPANY: Saint Marie Records

Wow, another release from the prolific SPC ECO, the father-daughter duo consisting of Dean Garcia (Curve) and his daughter Rose Berlin. Let’s get one thing out of the way, OK? The band can’t help but remind listeners of Curve; it’s in Dean’s bones, he’s never really escaped from his musical past. And that’s cool, because Curve was an amalgamation of shoegaze with psychedelic-drenched dance beats, and nobody else did it better. So now we have the current project, and it contains less of the hard edges you’d expect from this team, and more of the softly blurred dream pop that they do so well. And thankfully, not a voice synthesizer in sight. I have to mention that, because they erred in messing with Rose’s beautiful voice on last year’s Dark Matter.

READ ON –

 

So what do we have here? Another solid, darkly inflected release of dreamy trip hop. “Out of My System” is an obvious single, with its catchy melodies and spacey sonic backdrop. It’s the most like their earlier material, which means total ear candy, but it’s not a big step forward. Whereas “Incomplete” is richly layered melodic architecture, slow and sultry as Rose’s breathy vocals roll over the musical waves. It’s quiet and slightly sinister, and ever so beautiful. “Bare To Lie” is bleak dark wave, yet at its core it’s a stunning piece of work. I could totally see this used as a film score, it has that noirish feel I love so well. “Your Own Way” is gorgeous, gauzy dream pop, another killer tune that you need to hear immediately. This is yet another example of how perfectly suited this pair would be for film scoring. “Silent Maybe” reminds me of vintage Curve, and please know that is the highest compliment from me. It’s all about the heavenly vocals and the nearly symphonic landscape that Dean paints around Rose’s voice.

“Think Twice” is icy, slow burning and could be the soundtrack for your favorite spy flick. The lyrics are empty and sad, and leave you wondering what it’s all about. “Revived” is alive with bubbling synths and an upbeat feel, despite the feeling that it’s about the aftermath of a break-up. “All In Time” is heavier synth pop under a starry sky, bits of light sprinkled against velvety darkness. “Lost In a Crowd” closes out this set of songs, and it’s much quieter than the other songs, a great showcase for Rose’s lovely vocals. It’s all rather solemn and almost like a chant. So, what you can expect is another really good album from this duo with a variety of tones, beats, and moods.

‘Anomalies’ will be available to buy/download on the 19th August 2016 via: saintmarierecords.bandcamp.com

4/5

LINKS:

spceco.com

facebook.com/Spc.Eco

twitter.com/SPCECO

spceco.bandcamp.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Music has always been a driving force for Elizabeth Klisiewicz, which she days “continues to define my existence”. During and after her college years, she ran a weekly radio show at WMUA FM Radio and also at a community station in Springfield, MA, in addition to writing music and concert reviews for the college newspaper. At present, she writes for The Big Takeover Magazine and The Active Listener Blog, and recently began producing a semi-regular Mixcloud-based show called The Kitchen Sink. In the real world, when not writing technical manuals, she gets her thrills from reading mysteries, birdwatching, and can always be found with a camera and a maxed-out storage card full of music.

ALBUM REVIEW | Holy Monitor – Golden Light / Aeolus.

ARTIST: Holy Monitor

RELEASE: Golden Light/Aeolus

RELEASE DATE: 16/07/16

RECORD COMPANY: Ongakubaka Records

Hailing from the sunbaked Mediterranean shores of Greece, experimental neo-psych / krautrock space rockers ‘Holy Monitor’ have had both of their two previous self-released digital EP’s ( Golden Light & Aeolus) seamlessly brought together on one fantastic full length album courtesy of Virginia based independent record label ‘Ongakubaka Records’.  ‘Holy Monitor‘ blend a stunning mix of neo-psychedelic krautrock & soaring space rock with motorik rhythms and dreamy hypnotic vocalisations that collectively form soundscapes so lusciously inthralling, they will have you hooked from your very first listen. The album is available to buy/download right now with a limited number also available on cassette from: ongakubakarecords.bandcamp.com

 

Like a pulsating beacon of musical promiscuity the opening motorik bars of track one, ‘The Way Out’ ripple outwardly, like some magical pre-ordained mantra, as the piece meanders through throbbing bass lines coupled with hypnotic rhythmic percussive patterns, surging synth swells and a magnificent vocal attack. This is a truly wonderful opening track as it sucks you into the collective mindset of ‘Holy Monitor’ and introduces you to their blissful acid-drenched musical landscape. Up next, we’re treated to a swirling repetitive guitar line intertwined with snaking bass frequencies and another impressive vocal performance. ‘Golden Light’ is full of eastern esoteric influences as its menacing organ swells and stunning reverberation loops and arc’s throughout, painting sonic pictures and instilling shimmering atmosphere.

‘Cacti’ charges into ear shot on a bedrock of pounding drums, swirling guitars and soaring synth swells that are constantly building in tempestuous fashion and continuously circumnavigating that fragile vocal track. It builds from the off adding layer after layer of stunning instrumentation as it deftly skips along its chosen sonic path. Up next, ‘Bend In The Trees’ gracefully glides in on a droning synth progression and a highly addictive guitar line. This track bathes in swathes of stunning reverb as its hushed vocalisations take centre stage continuously urging the instrumentation to keep up with the pace. A brilliantly executed track and possibly my favourite on this entire release. Track five, ‘White Sands’ slows proceedings down a tad initially as a golden cascading organ progression enters audible range. A steady beat is added to the maelstrom before the hypnotically charged vocal arrives and we’re treated to a masterclass of neo-psychedelic discovery.

The EP’s closing track is a thing of beauty. ‘Winterlong’ growls as its supercharged guitar lines expertly protect the immense vocal. Wurlitzing organ progressions swirl as throbbing bass lines add weight to the metronomic swing of the entire track leaving the listener wanting more.

A fitting finale to a stunning release!

5/5

LINKS:

facebook.com/holymonitor

facebook.com/OngakubakaRecords

ongakubaka.com

twitter.com/OngakubakaRcrds

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the Unsigned or Small Independent Label based Shoegaze, DreamPop, PostPunk, PostRock & PsychRock genre’s of music from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.

ALBUM REVIEW | Miss Mobile Home – Glimmer Down.

ARTIST: Miss Mobile Home

RELEASE: Glimmer Down

RELEASE DATE: 24/06/16

RECORD COMPANY: Unsigned

New York based dreamgazing duo ‘Miss Mobile Home’ have unleashed their highly anticipated full length follow up to 2014’s immense ‘Phototaxis EP’. ‘Glimmer Down’ see’s the band continue to deliver shimmering reverb laced soundscapes coupled with stunningly dreamy vocal progressions that collectively manifest a modern edge to a well worn & highly respected musical genre. The band are made up Chris Stoddard – Guitars, Drums, Synth, Writing & Mixing and Samantha Ritter – Vocals & Synth. ‘Glimmer Down’ had it’s full release on the 24th June 2016 and it is available to buy/download right now from: missmobilehome.bandcamp.com

 

A swirling maelstrom of repetitive droning noise ushers in ‘Fine Machine’, the album’s opening track and its not long until we’re introduced to a beautifully ethereal vocal courtesy of Ritter, blissfully wrapped within entrancing metronomic percussion and some brilliantly hypnotic guitar lines. Up next, ‘California (Run On)’, begins with a layered wall of reverberating guitar, closely followed by minimal percussive hits intrinsically permeated by wave after wave of beautifully translucent swirling vocal progressions. A stunning track that weaves and arc’s all over the sonic ether. ‘Sleepwalker’ charges into ear shot on rumbling bass frequencies intertwined with a solid foundation of thundering percussion. It soars into its chorus progressions with aplomb and carries the listener with it, daydreaming into the shimmering ether. ‘Hazel Witch’ begins with a subtle psych-gaze twist as those psychedelically induced guitar progressions swirl intently within a dark creeping reverb induced haze. The vocal track wades into the mix pulsing ripples of dreamy frequencies into the melting pot as the track explodes into its chorus parts. Another stunning track thats worthy of your ears.

Up next, ‘Castles’ slows proceedings down considerably as we step off the edge of the world and float on wave after wave of beautifully executed & highly melodic vocals, steeped in spacious reverb and intensely circumnavigated by those stunningly addictive guitar parts. ‘Castles’ is a dream-pop masterpiece! The rumbling opening chords of the albums penultimate track entitled ‘Still’ shatters the ethereal serenity of the aforementioned soundscape and we’re quickly introduced to cascading guitar thrills and another stunning vocal performance. The albums closing piece is utterly addictive. ‘Ronnie’ blasts into earshot on a melodic guitar line, pounding drums and soaring organ swells that seem to hover just under audible range as its haunting vocals balance tentatively on a sonic tight-wire. It streams into a stunning organ break before erupting into a blissful cascading synth line. ‘Ronnie’ is intensely hypnotic, addictively ethereal and its a fitting finale to a stunning release.

4/5

LINKS:

missmobilehome.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/MissMobileHome

twitter.com/missmobilehome

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the Unsigned or Small Independent Label based Shoegaze, DreamPop, PostPunk, PostRock & PsychRock genre’s of music from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.

ALBUM REVIEW | The Cult Of Dom Keller – Goodbye To The Light.

ARTIST: The Cult Of Dom Keller

RELEASE: Goodbye To The Light

RELEASE DATE: 22/07/16

RECORD COMPANY: Fuzz Club Records

UK based noisy experimental psych aficionados ‘The Cult Of Dom Keller’ have been creating impressive musical soundscapes under the radar for quite some time. Their sound glides on a screaming swathe of intense psychedelic promise thats underpinned vocally with an interesting slice of goth fuelled expressionism! This band inject a shimmering cinematic quality into their music that can seriously alter reality! Now the Midlands based four piece have announced the next chapter in their musical development, the full length ‘Goodbye To The Light’, penned in for release on 22nd July 2016 via the brilliant London based Fuzz Club Records.  The album will be released on vinyl as a deluxe edition of 300 half-and-half transparent and solid white vinyl in a heavy gatefold sleeve featuring hand numbering, cutouts, embossing and printed inner sleeves. Also as a standard edition of 1000 transparent white vinyl, and CDs.

You can pre-order the album right now at fuzzclub.com. 

 

Like the opening atmospheric score of a 1970’s cinematic thriller, we’re introduced to a sprawling drone coupled with a repetitious two note sequenced synth pattern that swirls within a sea of enveloping golden frequencies. The opening salvo’s of ‘Hole In The Whole’ punch a reverberating pulse through the protective shield of the surrounding musical ether and immediately gets engulfed by creeping vocal lines and a dark malicious guitar squall. Up next, impressionistic fuzzy bass frequencies tickle the outer reaches of the audible range as those distinctly 80’s, almost post-punk sounding vocal progressions, coupled with hypnotic swirling organ swells take hold and drag you kicking and screaming through the blistering prog-leaning ‘Broken Arm Of God’ before the massive sonic surge of ‘Ravens & Rockets’ clatters into earshot and ploughs a dark and foreboding sonic furrow through proceedings.

‘Deepest Pit Of Emptiness’ enters the arena on massive ambient synth swells before we’re hit with enormous resonating bass frequencies shadowing slow malicious vocal lines as it crawls to its dark finality. ‘Tunnel In The Clouds’ floats impressively on a bed of atmospheric organ swells as haunting vocal lines as an increasingly intrusive monotonous drone pulses through layers of reverb before ‘Exterminating Angels’ enters the fray and brings with it a massive swathe of intensity that builds from the off into a maelstrom of beautiful frequential noise. Up next, ‘I Can See You’ pulses and shakes as it winds itself up into a rattling coil and prepares to strike. Thoroughly reminiscent of early experimental stage ‘Nine Inch Nails’ with its brilliant vocal production and those impressively overpowering synth lines. ‘Astrum Argenteum’ brings a blissful layered wall of psychedelic joy to proceedings before the deeply experimental but highly infectious ‘Nothing Left To Say’ cranks up and enters the realm of 70’s psychedelic Sci-Fi chic!

‘Bring Out The Dead’ begins with sequenced poly-rhythmic acoustic progressions coupled with a tempestuous percussive assault and an utterly addictive vocal. It undulates as it works through its gears, constantly evolving and layering instrumentation as it meanders through sonic peaks and troughs. There’s a short instrumental interlude as ‘Waltz Of The Morgellons’, the albums penultimate track, works the floor before we’re introduced to the albums final track, the aptly named ‘Shambhala Is On Fire’. This is a sprawling monolithic animal, jam packed full of reverb induced groove-laden instrumentation that circumnavigates yet another awe inspiring hypnotic and well executed vocal. A stunning finale to a very impressive album.

4/5

LINKS:

fuzzclub.com 

facebook.com/thecultofdomkeller

twitter.com/CULTOFDOMKELLER

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the Unsigned or Small Independent Label based Shoegaze, DreamPop, PostPunk, PostRock & PsychRock genre’s of music from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.

ALBUM REVIEW | Aviaries – Aviaries.

ARTIST: Aviaries

RELEASE: Aviaries 

RELEASE DATE: 13/05/16

RECORD COMPANY: Requiem Records

Aviaries from Wroclaw, Poland make frosty coldwave sounds which conjure dystopian futures, using sounds that have their roots on the embryonic electro of the 80s. The vocals, where there are any, are a dispassionate affair adding to the overall sense of alienation. The post-punk and new wave influences are as clear as ice throughout their self-titled debut album which was released on Requiem Records in May this year.

 

Pills is a powerful opener, putting big synthy sounds to the fore, while Blindfold adds some squally guitar riffs to the mix. The sparing use of atmospheric synths and flanged guitars work to great effect on the bleak ballad of Wrecks.  Breathe opens with the beat of a dark-edged dance-floor filler, and the melodic guitar line shimmers away like a warm breath on a cold, cold night. There are some different textures on Soil which uses acoustic guitar and a sampled vocal to weave a captivating spell.

Could there be a more aptly-titled track on which to end this album than ‘Cold’? Its portentous opening bars soon transition into a tightly and tastefully woven work of satisfying synthetic fibres.

4/5

LINKS:

aviariesband.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/aviariespl

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In her time, Sarah Cuthbert-Kerr has attended raves and rock clubs. She enjoys pedals, pizza and spy dramas. Sarah also plays guitar in Edinburgh-based noisemakers Wozniak and is co-founder of Morningside Young Team who put on gigs and put out records for discerning audiences who enjoy fuzz and confusion.

ALBUM REVIEW | The Brainiac 5 – Exploding Universe.

ARTIST: The Brainiac 5

RELEASE: Exploding Universe

RELEASE DATE: 24/07/15

RECORD COMPANY: Reckless Records

The Brainiac 5 are a band formed from the ashes of Half Human Band, and they made a name for themselves in the mid-70s Cornish music scene. The NME heaped accolades on them, which caused the band to migrate to London. Despite sharing stages with 80s psych stalwarts The Soft Boys and The Barracudas and being favored by John Peel, they split up before their debut album ‘World Inside’ was released. This album eventually came out in 1988 via Restless Records, the same label that released music by Bevis Frond and Black Sun Ensemble. Exploding Universe was recorded in London and features ten new songs performed by the Brainiacs’ nucleus of Charlie Taylor, Duncan ‘Mad Dog’ Kerr and John ‘Woody’ Wood plus drummer Wayne Worrell and Nick Onley on sax and flute. It was lovingly mixed by their longtime engineer, Hawkwind’s ‘Martin Griffin’ at his Roche Studio.

 

The band plunges into a lot of stylistic pools on this recording, mixing pub rock with bluesy psych, punk, and hard rock. The opening track “Haphazard” sounds a bit like Roxy Music would have sounded if blues had been at their core. There is even a jaw harp way up in the mix, competing with some amusing ‘haha’ vocal lines and a deliberately whacked out trumpet. “Ordinary Man” reminds me of vintage 80s pop, with bouncy guitars and a head bobbing melody. “Empty and Blue” very much dips into 70’s blues rock, with added saxophone and Phil Manzanera style guitar. “The Beauty Of It All” is a pretty acoustic song with a prog overlay, rather different from the other tunes here. “Walls Are Falling Down” is a rousing pub rocker with subtle use of horns, while “Stars Plan Ahead” is laid back reggae. “Growing Up” is all about growing pains, and the responsibility of adulthood. “Your Body’s Alright” has a bit of punk snarl to it, while “(I’m The) Glue” is jazzy funk with hints of R&B. “Exorcist Plan” closes out the album and mashes up prog rock with cosmic skronk at the end.

In summary, a somewhat challenging album from an old school psych band that long time fans as well fans of the different genres represented here will enjoy.

3/5

LINKS:

brainiac5.bandcamp.com

brainiac5.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Music has always been a driving force for Elizabeth Klisiewicz, which she says “continues to define my existence”. During and after her college years, she ran a weekly radio show at WMUA FM Radio and also at a community station in Springfield, MA, in addition to writing music and concert reviews for the college newspaper. At present, she writes for The Big Takeover Magazine and The Active Listener Blog, and recently began producing a semi-regular Mixcloud-based show called The Kitchen Sink. In the real world, when not writing technical manuals, she gets her thrills from reading mysteries, birdwatching, and can always be found with a camera and a maxed-out storage card full of music.

ALBUM REVIEW | Ghost Box Orchestra – High Plaine.

ARTIST: Ghost Box Orchestra

RELEASE: High Plaine

RELEASE DATE: 17/05/16

RECORD COMPANY: Evil Hoodoo Records

I’ve been a big admirer of the sounds created by Boston natives ‘Ghost Box Orchestra’ for quite some time . Their collective musical stylings enthralled me from very early on as I repeatedly overplayed their cinematic post-rock hued 2010 debut ‘The Only Light On’, then fell head long into the magnificent dark vortex of 2013’s ‘Vanished’ only to tumble out the other end and crash straight through the reverberating ‘Sound of (Eternal Now)’ EP back in October 2015. For me, it’s been a brilliant musical rollercoaster ride of epic proportions and now I’m happy to report that the band have unleashed a brand new full length masterpiece! ‘High Plaine’ was officially released back on the seventeenth of May 2016 via ‘Evil Hoodoo Records’ over in the UK and it is nothing short of immense!

 

A swirling keyboard drone heralds the arrival of ‘Flutter’, as its tremulous guitars and eerily hypnotic organ progression circumnavigates pounding poly-rhythms & surging swells of reverberating sonic brilliance. ‘Flutter’ builds from its opening notes as the cyclonic musical cacophony urges those Impressive vocal lines to take centre stage happily in the knowledge that they are protected from any outside interference by a raging wall of noise. Let’s not be fooled here people; this is a stunning opening track full of explosive psychedelic promise and worthy of your ears. Up next are howling (but impressive) vocal progressions intriguingly underscored with melodiously repetitive guitar structures and explosive percussive patterns. ‘High Plaine’ opens up into a monstrous musical animal as it weaves its way through swathes of shimmering instrumentation.

The senses are tweaked at the arrival of my favourite track on this entire release! ‘Socrates Burned’ is a monolithic sonic beast that pulses through walls of stunning reverb as those pounding but regimented drum patterns act like bedrock, bearing the full weight of those soaring guitars and its huge swirling synth swells coupled with growling bass frequencies and a piercing vocal attack. There’s a quick reprise of sorts as the remnants of ‘Socrates Burned’ fades into obscurity but its quickly replaced by the calming and refreshing opening bars of ‘Wave Goodbye’.  This track is deeply melodic as it meanders through peaks and troughs of glorious golden instrumentation. Cascading keyboard thrills hang suspended just above audible range as ghostly vocalisations litter the reverberating landscape. It’s brilliant guitars shimmer as they stir within a heady brew of steading drum progressions, beautiful synth swirls and impressive throbbing bass lines. Up next is the shuffling ‘Dead & Gone’ with its mesmerising reverb retched vocal chants that seem to hover blissfully on sonic winds like a hunting eagle as all around it the ether rages a sonic war of attrition. Simply stunning! Droning guitars and meandering vocal lines usher in the opening bars of ‘Days Are Forever’ before we’re lifted high above the musical landscape on melodically brilliant wavy guitar lines and pounding drums as the chorus progression explodes into a brilliant cacophony of wonderful noise.

Things are really moving at pace now as ‘Ghost Box Orchestra’ offer up the albums penultimate track! ‘Within The Sound’ is a storming call to arms. It’s pounding drums and rumbling bass frequencies should have a post code all to themselves as they plough a sonic furrow through the entire musical landscape. Add into the mix the raging wall of noise created by the attacking guitars & that soaring vocal line and we have a full on assault on the senses. The albums closing track fades blissfully into ear shot on a swirling mass of droning guitars. ‘Causality Devotional’ floats on angelic frequencies as it works through its sonic gears. It builds brilliantly as it layers each one of its instrumental components at various points along the tracks navigational path. The vocals soar into ear shot on waves of shimmering reverberating frequencies that loop and arc all over the sonic spectrum with blistering aplomb. ‘Causality Devotional’ then builds into a raging maelstrom of noise as it tumbles into its droning finality. This is a stunning track to close out an absolutely stunning album.

Bravo Ghost Box Orchestra! 

5/5

‘High Plaine’ is available to buy/download right now from: ghostboxorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/high-plaine

LINKS:

ghostboxorchestra.com

twitter.com/ghostboxband

facebook.com/ghostboxorchestra

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the Unsigned or Small Independent Label based Shoegaze, DreamPop, PostPunk, PostRock & PsychRock genre’s of music from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.

ALBUM REVIEW | Hurricane Heart Attacks – Incredible Machine.

ARTIST: Hurricane Heart Attacks

RELEASE: Incredible Machine

RELEASE DATE: 08/12/15

RECORD COMPANY: Scotch Recordings 

Argentinian psych/space rockers the Hurricane Heart Attacks take their name from psych greats The Warlocks. That’s a point of entry, and maybe all you need to know about these guys, because they really bring it on this release, the follow up to 2012’s Hurricane Love. The album was recorded in Buenos Aires between June 2014 & May 2015 and it gets its full release on various formats via the brilliant Atlanta based Scotch Recordings. 

 

And it’s pedal down from the get go, with “Signal” enticing you into its folds of feedback, with trippy organ, the requisite wailing vocals that mesh so well with psych, and pounding drums and snarling guitars. “Tangerine” is even more compelling, with Charly Leoni’s rubbery bass and drummer Facundo Dangelo’s explosive drum rolls. Once the guitar slides through in BJM waves, you are hooked! “Have You Heard?” has a definite Verve vibe, especially with Jota Humada’s cool vocals, and you just know it’s going to kick into high gear. Indeed it does, building slowly layer by majestic layer out to the almost 7 minute mark. Epic indeed! “Devil’s Eyes” has pulsating organ and sitar, so you can only imagine the psychedelic feast before you, there to quench your every musical desire. It is a kaleidoscopic, blurry jaunt through Eastern inflected psych. The band has a strong grasp on melody, so the song is never lost to the ether.

“CCTV” dials it to 11, and quickly envelops you in a wall of reverb drenched splendor on the trippiest song in this collection. “Looking Glass” closes the set out in fine fashion, once again reminding me of ‘A Storm in Heaven’ -era Verve, right down to the extended song length. The entire album is a psychedelic banquet of rainbows, bliss, and the merest hint of darkness.

Highly recommended!

5/5

LINKS:

scotchrecordings.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/hurricaneheartattacks 

twitter.com/HHAttacks

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Music has always been a driving force for Elizabeth Klisiewicz, which she says “continues to define my existence”. During and after her college years, she ran a weekly radio show at WMUA FM Radio and also at a community station in Springfield, MA, in addition to writing music and concert reviews for the college newspaper. At present, she writes for The Big Takeover Magazine and The Active Listener Blog, and recently began producing a semi-regular Mixcloud-based show called The Kitchen Sink. In the real world, when not writing technical manuals, she gets her thrills from reading mysteries, birdwatching, and can always be found with a camera and a maxed-out storage card full of music.