CD REVIEWS:
Electronic
Beats
by Gordon Stribling
Modus Vivendi
Music - Volume 2
Rating: 81%
Website: www.modusvivendimusic.com
It goes: http://image.blog-24.com/36149.jpg
Musical experimentation
has been at the heart of dance music since its conception. Unfortunately,
though, so has the trend for over-production. However, in this refreshingly
diverse compilation, artists from around the world take elements from
different musical cultures to create original, high quality tracks that
stay true to the instruments they represent. The overall result is raw
and organic and makes the perfect warm up to any festival this summer.
Justice
- Cross
Rating: 68%
Website: http://www.myspace.com/etjusticepourtous
It goes: Like Daft Punk's naughty little brother
An always dirty, occasionally twisted slice of club-friendly electro from the Ed Banger label. Justice do….justice to their French counterparts Daft Punk, with whom comparisons will always be drawn.
Last Step
- Last Step
Rating: 48%
Website: http://www.myspace.com/laststep606
It goes: http://img2.travelblog.org/Photos/1232/9041/f/35690-Modern-art-is-bullshit--j-0.jpg
This is the latest guise of IDM artist Venetian Snares. Unfortunately it's a bit like a musical representation of modern art - a few nice ideas eclipsed by a whole lot of pretentious nonsense.
Rainbow Family
- This Is Not A Circular
Rating: 71%
Website: www.rainbowfamilymusic.com
It goes: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/summer-summer/
Bright and summery throughout and portraying an almost childlike innocence, 'This Is Not A Circular' is an upbeat and cheery debut that becomes more and more infectious with every listen.
Echaskech
- Skechbook
Rating: 79%
Website: www.echaskech.co.uk
It goes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7w7eQbSDvw
Skechbook takes
you to a dreamy wonderland of swirling electronic music. I advise you
to make a back up as this album is likely to get a lot of use.
Indie
By Dedric Moore
Silversun Pickups - Carnavas *PICK OF THE MONTH*
Rating: 78%
It goes like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmE57YE3pSc
Homepage: www.silversunpickups.com
Taking their cue from 90's indie with amps set to 11 and fuzz added
on top of the mix. Not afraid to rock it heavy, SP keep the feeling
raw and unforced as smart guitar lines complement androgynous vocals.
Pompous-free attitude exudes from these deftly performed songs that
in lesser hands could have turned into average radio rock, God forbid.
Oh, the mellow tracks have some spunk as well (listen: Common Reactor).
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Asobi Seksu - Citrus
Rating: 69%
It goes like: http://www.asobiseksu.com/jukebox.php
Homepage: http://www.asobiseksu.com
Lingering guitar
drone and dreamy-day his and her vocals played at a peppy pace veers
into catchy pop, but the serious undertones keep it from losing the
indie vibe.
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Handsome Furs - Plague Park
Rating: 70%
It goes like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LitP_0wutqc
Homepage: www.myspace.com/handsomefurs
Heart-weary vocals paired with the trending popular acoustic/electric
band and electro beats. By the third listen, you'll be hooked as this
is a cut above the rest.
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American Catastrophe - Excerpts From The Broken Bone Choir
Rating: 66%
It goes like: http://americancatastrophe.com/
Homepage: http://www.myspace.com/amcat
Boldly taking a
Johnny Cash/Americana theme mixed with Spaghetti Western vibes and then
rocking it Bauhaus-style, AmCat delivers on this smartly written to-the-point
release.
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Meat Puppets - Rise To Your Knees
Rating: 60%
It goes like: http://meatpuppets.com/puppets/?p=80
Homepage: www.themeatpuppets.com
Concentrating on mid-tempo rockers that aren't too heavy or too mellow, MP show that taking time off helped hone their quirky songwriting skills.