The Antlers - the hospice (09)

Not much time, great release, it tells the story of dealing with pain and death in a hospital of a woman named Sylvia. Musically this is outstanding but when you take the lyrics beside the msuic, it gets all the more interesting!

Review: Secret War - It's in your blood

Secret War is a band from California, First thing that comes in mind when I listen to the songs is Verse, As friends rust, hundred reasons. This is a HC band with a great rock sound/attitude, a massive dark sound, the vocals fit the sound. This is not the stand out band within the genre but they surely have potential. This could well be granate out of controll when they play live!

Check them out!

Review: Sigmoid Argonaut - EP

I got this one through mail, thanks guys.

I have listened to this a couple of times, the first song ( Quixotis) sounded groovy in the beginning but it turned into cheesy, the synths were out of tune with the rest of the instruments, I didn't fond any cohesion in the song between the bandmembers.

Second song (Trapperin keeper), is almost some acid jazz stuff but it is laking some soul feeling, it lacks depth, some ideas are worth working out but the song is not near finished if you ask me.

Third song (Brittie Brail), I kind of get an idea of what this band is missing in my opnion, or better, what is too much. This song has a good start but again the synths fuck it up. I just don't like the sound of it. The soundscapes are ok, but when the synth player starts hitting his keys and starts playing motives I get bored instantly.

Fourth song ( Tentackle trap), well the same stuff again, around 3:15 it gets interesting for about ... 30 seconds.

Overall it all needs a lot work, The sunths are horrible, almost like Jean Michel Jarre and that guy is way outdated.

4 songs it is then, very monotone in sound and structure and melodies, ... Get back in the rehearsal room guys!

I would like to get back to those interesting 30 seconds in song 4, it starts around 3:15. Finally there was something happening and the synth is not dominating the whole spectrum of sounds, finally there is a sound, there is cohesion. Good thirty seconds, after that ... well yeah ...

But by all means, form your own opinion!

Them Crooked Vultures - st

I saw these guys live this summer and that was a brilliant show, my hopes were high for this release. The magic on stage is not present on the album. This is good, solid rock and roll mixed with that bluesy desert feeling. Nice songs but nothing more than that. If it wasn't for the all star cast, this would not ever cause the kind of media attention it is getting now.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good release, but when those three guys come together and after seeing them live I was expecting a lot more firepower!

Link is up.

ST Le fabuleux poulain d'Amelie Poulain - Yann Tiersen

Now this is a great soundtrack, you can hear Paris, Montmartre through the music, beautiful, alienating, melancholic, ... really something you must try out!

The movie is brilliant as well!

Bonnie Prince Billy - I see a darkness

Brilliant album, singer songwriter stuff, almost too vulnerable to listen to without feeling a lot of emotions raging through your body.

If you liked the Isbells post, this will be your cup of tea. This guy is actually a legend, Will Oldham makes a lot of albums under pseudonyms like the palace brothers, ... He always brings quality. The problem is that is mostly in the same line, at times you get the idea that you heard it before, but above all this is brilant work. I like the artwork for the record as well.

I have been getting a lot of mails of bands asking to listen to their music and to review their album/song. It is almost getting a second job! ( I tend to listen to each album at least 5 times to form a well based opinion) I like this a lot, if you play in a band and want to let your songs loose to a pair of critical ears? Mail it to me, I will listen to it a couple of times and write down what I think of it. The viewers of this blog are at least as critical and open minded as me I think, they will provide you with some feedback as well!

2562 - unbalance

This is another dubstep, minimal, techno, electronic album that will not dissapoint you. Great vibes, deep bass, great feeling!

Review n°2: The company corvette - The company meeting

I got the link from the band, thanks guys!

It took me some time/songs to get into it but then I was hooked. This is some great fucking rock and roll! It is hard, heavy, fats groovy. Nice chorusses, great guitar riffs, solid drumming.

What I didn't like were the vocals, no range, no power, it got lost in the music, it is not interesting. But good effort overall!

References if you need some: early Sabbath, Qotsa, creature with the atom brain's first album.

Review n°1: Fen - congenital fixation

Fen is a band from Vancouver Canada, they play heavy rock/metal that is quite crazy. Hinches of Opeth and Tool but the important thing is that it are only hinches. These guys have their own approach, their own touch, their own sound.

Nervous, chilly, spooky, crazy, interesting, complex disturbing, melancholic and still it never feels like you have to work to understand or feel the music.

All musicians have great skills, the vocals are clean and beautiful and fit the music perfect. The rythms are complex and challenging, Give these guys a try and let them know what you think about them!

www.fenmusic.ca

Isbells - Isbells (2009)

Reviews will come later, first I am excited about a record. Late yesterday evening I got a hold of Isbells. I started listening and was immediately drawn into the world of the album. The guitarplayer of Soon ( Band from Leuven, Belgian answer to Fugazi and Sparta) took his acoustic guitar and started composing. He came up with one f the most beautiful albums of this year.

Very intimate, painful yet hopeful americana/folk/singersongwriter songs. I actually cannot explain what this album does to me but it makes me feel good, happy, sad, melancholic, euphoric, strange, ... it makes me relect on my life, relationships with the people around me, choices I make, ...

I think it should be obvious that you all need to check this out! Very strong debut release!

If you are in need of references: Bon Iver, Bonnie prince billy, José Gonzalez, ...

Molina & Johnson - Molina and Johnson (2009)

Feeling very productive today, I have listened to this a couple of times and it is breathtaking. Very intimate, personal, minimal folk. The voices of Jason Molina ( songs:Ohia, Magnolia electric company ) and Will Johnson ( Centro-Matic) collide perfectly, emotional, heartbreaking, intense, melancholic, ...

Hey if you like above mentioned bands, or Bon Iver, ... you should give this a try!

I have been able to get a hold of a vast amount of Japanese rock, prog, noise, punk, avant garde, ...

After listening to some of that music I think we should take our heads out of our asses and look east! Very interesting scene it is!

I had a couple of mails from bands, singer song writers asking to review their album and post a link. I will come to that tomorrow.

Captain Beefheart and his magic band - Safe as milk

Let's keep the weirdness going, allthough weirdness? It is better to say brilliance.

This dates from back in 1967, I was even't born then, and some people consider me old!

The captain will take on a trip from blues, over anarchy, to soul, psychedelica, ... This is an amazing album that wil hook you up on the captain forever, actually this might well be considered as art!!!

Full five stars for this album!

Oh, this album is ripped at 256 mbs in m4a format.

Mauro - songs from a bad hat

Mauro is kind of like a magician. He goes from arty rock to bonecrushing doom to crazy punky hardcore like pop music, plays along with deus, is active in the art scene, ...

On this album he shows his beautiful, poppy side. Extremely nice crafted songs that will hold your attention.

For sure a wizard!

Credit to Woodman for the link

Customs - enter the characters

Belgian indie/rock/postpunk outfit, great stuff and it seems a lot of people want it, so here it is. Belgian answer to Interpol.

Woodman: Bat for Lashes' 2006 album can be found here.

Link for customs added.

Belle and Sebastian - the BBC sessions

Something completely different from the sludge the other days. Some real nice pop, or so i seems. it has a very sinister undertone, almost spooky and horror like.

Enjoy it! Oh they are from Glasgow Scotland. Oh and Isobel Campbell ( Mark Lanegan) was a member of the band till 2003.

Brilliant cover with the lego puppets.

Believo! - Radical myths (09)

Band from my area, good and solid rock/post-punk/Indie. Great stuff actually!

FF - Greatest hits (2009)

I have to say I hate these compilations, and why does a band that still exists and is nowhere near its end bringing out a " Greatest hits"? That is something for bands who are out of inspiration for a completely new album filled with new material. Christmas? Gifts to give? Making money? Maintaining focus on the band now that all members are pursuing other horizons? Anyway, there are plenty of great songs on this album, but it is better to listen to them in the context of the album if you ask me.

Why do I post it? Hell, it still remains a great band, great songs, and maybe, just maybe ....... you should listen for yourself and form your own opinion! :o)

Last Rizla - Last Rizla

I got this through mail, thanks to these guys. I was completely surprised by this Greek band. The recording quality is fantastic ( it has cd quality allthough it is a demo!), the songs are amazing. They make a bridge between the dark and emotional sound of Tool, they add some System of a down feel to it, it has the heavy almost tangible angst and agression from Henry Rollins, some nice postrock like angels, every now and the a hinch of dub, a punk ethic, a thriving almost pulsing bass line, rudimantary guitars that are always in touch with the feel of each song, the doomy athmosphere of Anathema's Silent Enigma record...

It should be clear to you that this is a must have, a diamond that should be spread around.

Brilliant job Guys!

Btw, the band is called after my favourite cigarette paper, what can there go wrong?

Three steps to the ocean - until today becomes yesterday

This is an epic, storytelling album without vocals, without words. Heavy at times, atmospheric when it needs to be, mindblowing if the story asks for it, intimate at certain times, ...

Hell, I like it! Really, really worth checking out!

I like the artwork as well, makes me think of Sigur Ross's Takk when it comes to colours and overal atmosphere of the picture.

Tomorrow "Last Rizla", Greek band, just got their album through mail, see the chatbox for a link. Absolutely great and compelling stuff from the first listen! Review in the morning, or maybe even later this evening!

Kosjer D - 12"

Kosjer D was a Belgian emo band, when emo wasn't the sole territory of unhappy kids wanting to hurt themselves or thought the whole emo thing was good for their image. Emo was a term mid nineties that made you aware that the music was sung with a lot of ... euh ... emotion. It was heartfelt, it was real, it was DIY, it was ment to touch you but it kept the music raw.

Kosjer D was a brilliant band, I saw them around 95 together with fugazi in Ghent and the show was amazing. They split up and reformed in a band called reiziger. Another great band that was. Later on the leadsinger started confuse the cat, again a great band.

This is not music to listen to freely, you are expected to make an effort, to open up and feel the music and lyrics. I was thrilled that I got a hold of that 12" yesterday, it has been on my ipod a lot of times since yesterday. I had been looking for this for a very long time.

Enjoy the band, sounds and emotions.

For all the emo kids, for God's sake, try out the real stuff kiddies!

Link will be up in five minutes so stick around!

Btw, what happened to the commenting? Let's discuss music, let me think what you think of it!

Link is up!!!!

Men in search of the perfect weapon - Men in search of the perfect weapon (2005)

Another quality attack on your ears!

German band, Leipzig, disbanded in 2006 and that is a damn shame! Great sludge stuff it is! Heavy on the riffing, fantastic grunts, slow pace of rythm, just perfect to bang your head and get into higher atmospheres without the need for drugs! If you are in search for the perfect weapon, here it is.

Tomorrow I will slow things down on the heaviness, I promise!

"Edit" I just became a happy man, got a hold of the Kosjer D selftitled 12" from 1995 I was looking for for a long time! Pre Reiziger/Confuse the cat stuff. Hell yeah, life is good!

Marasme - Marsasme (2008) DEMO

Marasme is a Spanish sludge/doom band consisting of five members and hailing from the Balears, they play heavy, and I mean heavy, sludge music in the vein of Amenra. It is brilliant! I like the heaviness a lot, it is not enforced, it is what it is.

The vocals fit the music perfectly, deep dark grunts, pain is almost around the corner, some whispers that are in tune with the different parts in the songs give you a haunting feeling. It is not all about heaviness, there are a lot of nuances which is not easy in the genre.

Needless to say I am a fan!!!

Thanks to the guys of the band for providing me with the music. Keep up the good work guys!

MARASME - "Marasme" (2008) - DEMO

01. Waves (8:05)

02. Firebreather (6:12)

03. Maze (8:58)

Total: 23:06

LINE-UP: Jeroni (vocals) - Tomeu (guitar) - Manel (guitar) - Jaume (bass) - David (drums)

MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/marasme

E-MAIL: marasme.music@gmail.com

Everything we used to be

Everything we used to be is a band from the Antwerp area, has roots in Leuven as well. This is DIY stuff, they recorded everything themselves, did it all. To me it sounds like there are good ideas, they need be more thought over, let the songs evolve some more, push themselves more to really get the great song.

From their myspace:

"Though both band members live in the Antwerp area, everything we used to be originates from a dark basement somewhere in student city Leuven. Using only voice, guitar and drums, the band embraces indierock, postrock and various other influences to compose songs that leave space for experiments with loops and melodies. It results in both heartfelt melancholy and monstrous walls of sound."

Go to their myspace and get the link over there, click on the albumcover after you scrolled down a bit and it will be done. Let them know what you think of it and encourage these brave souls!

Karate - Karate (1995)

Karate must have been one of the most under appreciated bands in the music scene. Probably because they had a distinct DIY attitude, had a punk attitude adn never gave in. But they weren't punk when it comes to music. They play indie rock based on punk, blues jazzand rock. They liked improvisations as well, especially on stage.

Singer Geoff Farina left the band in 95 because of hearingproblems after being in the band for 12 years.

Songs:Ohia -Didn't it rain? (2002)

I got this beauty from a good friend of mine, the album is played live in an abandoned factory with an audience, in one take. There are no overdubs, no computer tricks, nothing, just the beauty of the songs.

The difference with " the Lioness" is that this album is even more stripped down, all there is left is the essence of the songs. And it seems that that essence is absolute beauty and brilliance. Emotions are nearly tangible, the tension is making it hard to breathe, the athmosphere is heavy and yet there still is a glimps of hope.

A great album that everyone should have a go at.

Credit to Woodman!

The right to arm bears - demo

The right to arm bears ( great bandname I think) is a four piece postrock band from Austin, Minnesota. This is their demo, the warm feeling of the bass player stands out for me. It gives it a very inviting atmosphere.

I like it a lot, the drumming is good, the guitars are in sync, the motives are interesting, the piano adds to the music when it shows up, their is enough power in the songs, the songs are never too long. Yet at times it gets too dramatic, most of the time less is more guys! But great demo for sure!

Channel Zero

Channel Zero was/is a Belgian trash band, late nineties they were huge in Belgium. If you like early Metallica, Pantera, or just some good music to bang your head, this is absolutely your thing.

They recently came back together because a lot of people wanted to see them live again. they planned to do one reunion show in the AB in Brussels, the response was so big that they are doing 7 (!!) sold out shows at the moment.

I remember seeing them at the Werchter festival late nineties, they opened up and when they started the song " help" all the hairs on my body stood straight up. Absolutely brilliant!

Three albums ( ST, unsafe, fuel) in one file. Enjoy!!!

Woodman, this might be some great stuff for depperlepper

Daan - Manhay (2009)

Daan is a Belgian artist who used to play in Dead man ray, began his own band somewhere late 1997, early 1998. This is his latest release. This is a combination of pop, rock, indie, electronica, crooner, ... The absolute power is the voice of Daan, deep dark and hmmm as all the women I know say, the man is irresistibly sexy.

Good album although I prefer his live performances a lot more than the studio albums.

Burial - untrue (2007)

Something different today on this blog, burial is dubstep, on this release it means that the music bounces off the wall, it is incredible danceable yet it is not. The rythmw are so unexpected, that you will break your limbs when you try to follow the beat. This is smooth, yet very raw. I am somewhat new to the nowadays dance/electro stuff and I know this is from two years back nut I like this a lot. I am listening more and more to dance / electro / techno stuff lately, it will show up on this blog more. In the meanwhile, try this stuff and let me know what you think of it!

The radioshow from Mary Ann Hobbs on the BBC is a great inspiration when it comes to dance music!

You should check that out as well.

It seems like no one knows who this guy is btw which is kind of cool I think.

Link will be coming up shortly

Lou Barlow - goodnight unknown

Lou Barlow is known for his work with Dinosaur Jr ( original line up), Sebadoh, Folk implosion, the Sentridoh project. He has been in the underground scene since a very long time ( somewhere eighties) and is one of the constant factors that provide you with quality music. This is his second solo album and it is a good one. Mostly built up around acoustic, lo-fi songs, allthough the first song rocks and rambles like a devil. On occasions he lets it al loose, but they are well chosen.

He proves ( if he has to prove anything) that he is a great singer songwriter. This album is absolutely worth your attention.