Wednesday, March 12, 2008
A few new 7”s
Let’s begin this all too brief column with some vinyl on UK label, Static Caravan. The Accidental is the duo of Stephen Cracknell (Memory Band and Gorodisch) and Sam Genders (Tunng) and this 7” proves to be quite worthwhile, including mixes of tracks that’ll appear on the band’s debut album later this year. “Knock Knock (Tunng Mix)” is somewhat scracthy and beat-based while the flip is quite stunning with spacey synth pop sounds that manage to also be mysterious and abstract. File somewhere along a line starting with Pram and ending with Four Tet.
The Ass/Blood Music split 7” on the same label is actually even better. Here we find two Swedish one-man bands sharing space and although I’ve heard them both before this nicely colored wax display what they’re capable of at their very best. My favorite side is Ass AKA Andreas Söderström whose two folk and conutry-induced tracks work like string mysteries that evoke a walk through seasons with streams of pictures, stories, moods, rhythms and colors that I’d love to here in the full-length format.
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Let’s begin this all too brief column with some vinyl on UK label, Static Caravan. The Accidental is the duo of Stephen Cracknell (Memory Band and Gorodisch) and Sam Genders (Tunng) and this 7” proves to be quite worthwhile, including mixes of tracks that’ll appear on the band’s debut album later this year. “Knock Knock (Tunng Mix)” is somewhat scracthy and beat-based while the flip is quite stunning with spacey synth pop sounds that manage to also be mysterious and abstract. File somewhere along a line starting with Pram and ending with Four Tet.
The Ass/Blood Music split 7” on the same label is actually even better. Here we find two Swedish one-man bands sharing space and although I’ve heard them both before this nicely colored wax display what they’re capable of at their very best. My favorite side is Ass AKA Andreas Söderström whose two folk and conutry-induced tracks work like string mysteries that evoke a walk through seasons with streams of pictures, stories, moods, rhythms and colors that I’d love to here in the full-length format.
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Saturday, March 08, 2008
After the Goldrush #44 – the sun is back
Bicester, Oxon, U.K. brings us Talking Trees, a relatively unknown name in the psychedelic pop/folk heavens. The sunny vibe present on their brand new Revolation (Wildshine) works eminently well on a lovely spring day like this. There’s something about these guys’ take on Byrdsian pop, folk-tinged harmonies and intricate guitar patterns that has me smiling. Most of the classic ‘60s pop ingredients are present, but it’s all peppered with some nicely baked jangly Flying Nun pop and delicate twee pop. The whole thing clocks in at just less than 25 minutes and when it comes to this sort of sparkling pop that’s certainly for the better.
More quality pop comes from the Puddle, NZ veterans that never have reached the same sort of recognition as most of their fellow Flying Nun companions. No Love – No Hate (Fishrider Records) is a comeback album of sorts, offering the first new recordings in over fifteen years. These ten songs employ the Puddle’s trademark homemade shambling pop formula to perfection. Clever and humorous lyrics find themselves riding on a wave of joyful bouncing pop that’s utterly hard to escape from. I wouldn’t place these cats quite on par with old-time Broken Face faves like the Clean or the Bats but that doesn’t mean that their simplistic, sing-along nuggets and psych-tinged guitar pop aren’t worthwhile. The opening “No Sequels” is particularly great and will find it’s way back into the stereo time after time.
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Bicester, Oxon, U.K. brings us Talking Trees, a relatively unknown name in the psychedelic pop/folk heavens. The sunny vibe present on their brand new Revolation (Wildshine) works eminently well on a lovely spring day like this. There’s something about these guys’ take on Byrdsian pop, folk-tinged harmonies and intricate guitar patterns that has me smiling. Most of the classic ‘60s pop ingredients are present, but it’s all peppered with some nicely baked jangly Flying Nun pop and delicate twee pop. The whole thing clocks in at just less than 25 minutes and when it comes to this sort of sparkling pop that’s certainly for the better.
More quality pop comes from the Puddle, NZ veterans that never have reached the same sort of recognition as most of their fellow Flying Nun companions. No Love – No Hate (Fishrider Records) is a comeback album of sorts, offering the first new recordings in over fifteen years. These ten songs employ the Puddle’s trademark homemade shambling pop formula to perfection. Clever and humorous lyrics find themselves riding on a wave of joyful bouncing pop that’s utterly hard to escape from. I wouldn’t place these cats quite on par with old-time Broken Face faves like the Clean or the Bats but that doesn’t mean that their simplistic, sing-along nuggets and psych-tinged guitar pop aren’t worthwhile. The opening “No Sequels” is particularly great and will find it’s way back into the stereo time after time.
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Monday, March 03, 2008
Sun City Girls You’re Never Alone With A Cigarette (Abduction)
Even though I’ve been a dedicated follower of the always-fascinating Seattle combo Sun City Girls for a long time, there is still so much stuff from their back catalogue that I’ve missed out on. With that in perspective it’s indeed great news that the Bishop brothers have decided to kick off a singles compilation series. This disc is the first and focuses on the short format releases from around 89-90, the time of their undisputed masterwork, Torch of the Mystics. Actually the whole thing was originally intended as the other half of songs which were originally prepared as a 2LP demo version of said album for Placebo Records in 1989. Placebo went out of business shortly after this proposed 2LP idea was presented to them but luckily Majora Records quickly stepped in to begin releasing most of the material.
Included here are five tracks from early Majora singles, one short piece from the triple 7" box set Bruce Lee, Heroin, and the Punk Scene (from a Bay Area label Massacre at Central High) as well as three unreleased studio tracks recorded the same day as much of the Torch LP. As expected this is classic SCG material with a pronounced psych slant, guaranteed to appeal to fans of any of their seminal earlier works.
The latest offering to an already extensive Sun City Girls catalogue is as usual another slab of charred splendor; combining improvisation, avant rock, ethnic rhythms, cinematic guitar instrumentals, desert jazz and Eastern psychedelia. As a matter of fact I’d probably place this collection in the top five of my own SCG collection and that’s certainly saying something. I am sure this fantastic collection will go out of print rather fast so act accordingly.
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Even though I’ve been a dedicated follower of the always-fascinating Seattle combo Sun City Girls for a long time, there is still so much stuff from their back catalogue that I’ve missed out on. With that in perspective it’s indeed great news that the Bishop brothers have decided to kick off a singles compilation series. This disc is the first and focuses on the short format releases from around 89-90, the time of their undisputed masterwork, Torch of the Mystics. Actually the whole thing was originally intended as the other half of songs which were originally prepared as a 2LP demo version of said album for Placebo Records in 1989. Placebo went out of business shortly after this proposed 2LP idea was presented to them but luckily Majora Records quickly stepped in to begin releasing most of the material.
Included here are five tracks from early Majora singles, one short piece from the triple 7" box set Bruce Lee, Heroin, and the Punk Scene (from a Bay Area label Massacre at Central High) as well as three unreleased studio tracks recorded the same day as much of the Torch LP. As expected this is classic SCG material with a pronounced psych slant, guaranteed to appeal to fans of any of their seminal earlier works.
The latest offering to an already extensive Sun City Girls catalogue is as usual another slab of charred splendor; combining improvisation, avant rock, ethnic rhythms, cinematic guitar instrumentals, desert jazz and Eastern psychedelia. As a matter of fact I’d probably place this collection in the top five of my own SCG collection and that’s certainly saying something. I am sure this fantastic collection will go out of print rather fast so act accordingly.
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Friday, February 29, 2008
Machinefabriek Bijeen (Kning Disk)
There’s been quite a buzz around Dutch sound manipulator Rutger Zunderveldt AKA Machinefabriek recently, which probably both has to do with the constant flood of releases wearing his name as well as the actual sounds presented. On Bijeen we get eight sweeping cinematic drifters that mostly stays on the ominous and radiant side of the drone spectrum.
“Borghesia Remix" is a hazy tidal wave of electronic drone abstraction wrapped in sheets of fuzzed out dreaminess aiming for the most introspective corners of your soul. “Piano.wav” displays a mournful melody of delicate piano notes that drift softly across a plane of barely there drones. It’s an almost perfect example of how to leave space between the notes and get every little segment of a recording to breathe and make a difference. Machinefabriek has an almost unequalled talent to move from whirring white noise to the sound of weightlessness. Dynamic is a word that often seems to come back in all kinds of music writing and in this case it’s actually true.
One could complain that this is a collection of compositions that span over a few years time and consequently covers a wide range of Zunderweldts different musical approaches, but as an introduction it’s difficult to imagine something better.
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There’s been quite a buzz around Dutch sound manipulator Rutger Zunderveldt AKA Machinefabriek recently, which probably both has to do with the constant flood of releases wearing his name as well as the actual sounds presented. On Bijeen we get eight sweeping cinematic drifters that mostly stays on the ominous and radiant side of the drone spectrum.
“Borghesia Remix" is a hazy tidal wave of electronic drone abstraction wrapped in sheets of fuzzed out dreaminess aiming for the most introspective corners of your soul. “Piano.wav” displays a mournful melody of delicate piano notes that drift softly across a plane of barely there drones. It’s an almost perfect example of how to leave space between the notes and get every little segment of a recording to breathe and make a difference. Machinefabriek has an almost unequalled talent to move from whirring white noise to the sound of weightlessness. Dynamic is a word that often seems to come back in all kinds of music writing and in this case it’s actually true.
One could complain that this is a collection of compositions that span over a few years time and consequently covers a wide range of Zunderweldts different musical approaches, but as an introduction it’s difficult to imagine something better.
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Jerry Johansson Next Door Conversation (Kning Disk)
It’s strange that we haven’t ever reviewed much from the Gothenburg-based Kning Disk label as pretty much everything they release is overflowed with exceptional visual quality and sonic artistry of highest possible caliber. I guess it’s just one of those things that happen, but that inexcusable fact is going to change right now. First out is Next Door Conversation, two engaging sitar ragas from Jerry Johansson. Both epic pieces are based around the sitar but there are enough lush string embellishments to keep things varied and to provide a slightly Scandinavian (and symphonic) touch to the otherwise Eastern proceedings. Johansson’s complex and innovative sonic expression is all about nuances that bends and disappears like the ocean ebbs and flows. Next Door Conversation won't appeal to everyone, as its repetitive tone undoubtedly will find the casual listener missing the unusual blend of otherworldliness and grace that the subtly shifting sonic colors provide us with. But if you're willing to let these aural structures seep into your skull, you'll find the company of Jerry Johansson meditative; with enough impressive organic features to make the hair on your arms stand up.
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It’s strange that we haven’t ever reviewed much from the Gothenburg-based Kning Disk label as pretty much everything they release is overflowed with exceptional visual quality and sonic artistry of highest possible caliber. I guess it’s just one of those things that happen, but that inexcusable fact is going to change right now. First out is Next Door Conversation, two engaging sitar ragas from Jerry Johansson. Both epic pieces are based around the sitar but there are enough lush string embellishments to keep things varied and to provide a slightly Scandinavian (and symphonic) touch to the otherwise Eastern proceedings. Johansson’s complex and innovative sonic expression is all about nuances that bends and disappears like the ocean ebbs and flows. Next Door Conversation won't appeal to everyone, as its repetitive tone undoubtedly will find the casual listener missing the unusual blend of otherworldliness and grace that the subtly shifting sonic colors provide us with. But if you're willing to let these aural structures seep into your skull, you'll find the company of Jerry Johansson meditative; with enough impressive organic features to make the hair on your arms stand up.
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
V/A Musical Brotherhoods from the Trans-Saharan Highway
(Sublime Frequencies)
Sublime Frequencies is one of the most reliable labels in terms of exposing obscure sights and sounds from modern and traditional urban and rural frontiers. This DVD is a follow-up of sorts to the monstrous Jemaa El Fna: Morocco's Rendezvouz of the Dead Night Music of Marrakech. Like its predecessor it’s primarily a document displaying the nightly activities at
Jemaa El Fna, the central square in Marrakech
I wrote the following about the DVD mentioned above: “holy shit, this is raw Moroccan folk music, often constructed from various string instruments I've never seen anything quite like, hand drums and vocal chanting, is in itself incredible and the visual addition of seeing the people making it, the crowds watching the night shows take place is just so honest and soulful that I'm not really sure how to describe it accurately. On top of all this there's the sense of the extreme in the air, strange people moving in and out of what seems like Marrakechian normalcy at night, but I think what you see in the jamming, public tea drinking and record playing sessions will completely depend on where you're from and your own view on things.” That’s still very much the case. As a matter of fact this is one of the things my four-year-old daughter asks for on a daily basis. As long as that reflects her sonic taste I am indeed a very happy man.
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(Sublime Frequencies)
Sublime Frequencies is one of the most reliable labels in terms of exposing obscure sights and sounds from modern and traditional urban and rural frontiers. This DVD is a follow-up of sorts to the monstrous Jemaa El Fna: Morocco's Rendezvouz of the Dead Night Music of Marrakech. Like its predecessor it’s primarily a document displaying the nightly activities at
Jemaa El Fna, the central square in Marrakech
I wrote the following about the DVD mentioned above: “holy shit, this is raw Moroccan folk music, often constructed from various string instruments I've never seen anything quite like, hand drums and vocal chanting, is in itself incredible and the visual addition of seeing the people making it, the crowds watching the night shows take place is just so honest and soulful that I'm not really sure how to describe it accurately. On top of all this there's the sense of the extreme in the air, strange people moving in and out of what seems like Marrakechian normalcy at night, but I think what you see in the jamming, public tea drinking and record playing sessions will completely depend on where you're from and your own view on things.” That’s still very much the case. As a matter of fact this is one of the things my four-year-old daughter asks for on a daily basis. As long as that reflects her sonic taste I am indeed a very happy man.
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Dream Magazine #8
Issue eight has longtime contributor Mats Gustafsson (late of The Broken Face) doing his inimitable interviewing journalistic thing on Los Angeles brotherly duo Antique Brothers, and New Zealand’s singular Rory Storm. Ned Raggett talked to guitar genius Ilyas Ahmed. Steve Sawada interviewed Portland, Oregon’s Plants. Brian Faulkner talked to Tom and Christina of the Charalambides, Mark Dagley chatted with Natalie Rose LeBrecht aka Greenpot Bluepot. I interviewed: The very wonderful Damon & Naomi, tripped-out vocal adventurer Dredd Foole, great guitarist Sir Richard Bishop of the late lamented Sun City Girls, legendary Japanese guitarist Michio Kurihara with translation by Alan Cummings, the deeply beguiling husband and wife acid folk duo Arborea, American singer songwriter Stephen Yerkey of the late great Nonfiction, Argentinian sonic explorer Anla Courtis late of Reynols, the great Swedish psychedelic band The Spacious Mind, the unique and brilliant British composer and vocalist Johnny Parry, I talked to Myc James lead vocalist of Nevada City band of yore Absalom, psychedelic home-recording Brit madman Reefus Moons, singer songwriter Lys Guillorn, ambient masters Stars of the Lid, Sacramento Valley’s own psych-pop wizard Anton Barbeau, and the truly wonderful The Handsome Family. We also feature artwork by the stalwart Peter Blegvad, the charming Andrew Goldfarb, and myself.
We recieved exceptional pieces for this issue’s complimentary CD from: Arborea, Rory Storm, Anton Barbeau, the Slow Poisoner, Natalie Rose LeBrecht, Rory Storm, Lys Guillorn, Reefus Moons, Absalom, Anla Courtis, Antique Brothers, M. Jarvis / A. Jarvis, Powell St. John, The Spacious Mind, and Ilyas Ahmed.
112 pages perfectbound$12
postpaid in the United States.
Payable to George Parsons.
George Parsons
Dream Magazine
P.O. Box 2027
Nevada City, CA95959-1941
geo@gv.net
http://www.dreamgeo.com/
mailto:CA95959-41geo@gv.netwww.dreamgeo.comwww.myspace.com/georgeparsonsdream
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Issue eight has longtime contributor Mats Gustafsson (late of The Broken Face) doing his inimitable interviewing journalistic thing on Los Angeles brotherly duo Antique Brothers, and New Zealand’s singular Rory Storm. Ned Raggett talked to guitar genius Ilyas Ahmed. Steve Sawada interviewed Portland, Oregon’s Plants. Brian Faulkner talked to Tom and Christina of the Charalambides, Mark Dagley chatted with Natalie Rose LeBrecht aka Greenpot Bluepot. I interviewed: The very wonderful Damon & Naomi, tripped-out vocal adventurer Dredd Foole, great guitarist Sir Richard Bishop of the late lamented Sun City Girls, legendary Japanese guitarist Michio Kurihara with translation by Alan Cummings, the deeply beguiling husband and wife acid folk duo Arborea, American singer songwriter Stephen Yerkey of the late great Nonfiction, Argentinian sonic explorer Anla Courtis late of Reynols, the great Swedish psychedelic band The Spacious Mind, the unique and brilliant British composer and vocalist Johnny Parry, I talked to Myc James lead vocalist of Nevada City band of yore Absalom, psychedelic home-recording Brit madman Reefus Moons, singer songwriter Lys Guillorn, ambient masters Stars of the Lid, Sacramento Valley’s own psych-pop wizard Anton Barbeau, and the truly wonderful The Handsome Family. We also feature artwork by the stalwart Peter Blegvad, the charming Andrew Goldfarb, and myself.
We recieved exceptional pieces for this issue’s complimentary CD from: Arborea, Rory Storm, Anton Barbeau, the Slow Poisoner, Natalie Rose LeBrecht, Rory Storm, Lys Guillorn, Reefus Moons, Absalom, Anla Courtis, Antique Brothers, M. Jarvis / A. Jarvis, Powell St. John, The Spacious Mind, and Ilyas Ahmed.
112 pages perfectbound$12
postpaid in the United States.
Payable to George Parsons.
George Parsons
Dream Magazine
P.O. Box 2027
Nevada City, CA95959-1941
geo@gv.net
http://www.dreamgeo.com/
mailto:CA95959-41geo@gv.netwww.dreamgeo.comwww.myspace.com/georgeparsonsdream
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Friday, February 22, 2008
Fricara Pacchu Midnight Pyre (Lal Lal Lal)
We were quite overwhelmed by one of these Finnish cats early cassette releases a few years back so it’s a pleasure to find them in the CD format. Not that I dislike tapes but for some reason I rarely tend to come back to them after those first few listening sessions, and this is indeed music that I want to come back to. We get groovy soul junk in the form of motorik krautrock, gurgling electronics, psychedelic techno and mind-puzzling polyrhythmic structures. It’s a grainy and buzzing mix of swirling thunderclouds and bubbly effects that oozes from corner to the corner of the room and really benefits from turning up loud late at night. Compared to the previous things I’ve heard from Fricara Pacchu this is a whole lot more electronically inclined and dare I say, extrovert and even catchy.
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We were quite overwhelmed by one of these Finnish cats early cassette releases a few years back so it’s a pleasure to find them in the CD format. Not that I dislike tapes but for some reason I rarely tend to come back to them after those first few listening sessions, and this is indeed music that I want to come back to. We get groovy soul junk in the form of motorik krautrock, gurgling electronics, psychedelic techno and mind-puzzling polyrhythmic structures. It’s a grainy and buzzing mix of swirling thunderclouds and bubbly effects that oozes from corner to the corner of the room and really benefits from turning up loud late at night. Compared to the previous things I’ve heard from Fricara Pacchu this is a whole lot more electronically inclined and dare I say, extrovert and even catchy.
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