Vestiges - The Descent of Man (Self-Released, 2010)

"The Descent Of Man follows the creation, the evolution, and the eventual annihilation of mankind. Today, we find ourselves hoping to reverse the damage that we have done and struggling to sustain what little earth we have yet to rape repeatedly. We validate this existence with stories that justify our behavior and our role in the natural world. The promise of salvation in a land we have yet to see has clouded our judgment in a land that is right before our eyes. Industrialization, militarization, overpopulation, theism, specieism, and nihilism are regarded as evolution and progress. Our greed and ignorance have been celebrated and our past has been forgotten. We were meant to be a part of nature. We were not meant to conquer nature. We were given life and we have done everything in our power to bring death upon everything in our path, including ourselves. There will be horrifying consequences for what we have done.

For man has sown contempt, man shall reap a bitter end.
Let our bodies replenish this earth, for the true color of man has shown!"

Those are words from the band itself. Every once in a while a group of musicians reminds me that something actually matters.  The Washington D.C. outfit Vestiges plays atmospheric blackened crust with a narrative that could double as the soundtrack to Derrick Jensen's book "Endgame".

Sit down with this one. No distractions. Just you and a record. Trust me. It will shake you to your core.

Download for free or donation HERE. You can also purchase the gorgeous gatefold vinyl there too.

LAND - Night Within (Important, 2012)

The band describe this work as, "approaching an apocalyptic noir narrative," and Night Within, despite its slate visual appeal which recalls the grey paintings of Gerhard Richter, thematically points towards a world occupied by the early postmodern detective stories of Paul Auster and the urban neon dislocation of Taxi Driver with its existential protagonist roaming the city alone late at night."

Heavy words for heavy music. The atmosphere of this record makes me think "jazz for a dark alley". There is a definite lurking menace here, a modern take on noir soundtrack. Reminiscent of the doom jazz artists like Bohren and der Club of Gore and Mount Fuji Doom Jazz Orchestra, LAND wisely forego the Angelo Badalamenti elements. They know how to create tension and build to a near crescendo. This is really intense music with a casual delivery, much like the calm and cool demeanor of a film noir character. My first thought was Alain Delon in a 60's Melville film set in a cold Scandinavian climate. 

The two composers are UK musicians Daniel Lea And Matthew Waters. These two assembled quite a cast for this faux soundtrack. Guests include David Sylvian (Japan), Daniel O'Sullivan (Ulver, Guapo, Miasma, Aethenor), Alexander Tucker (everywhere with everyone) and an ensemble of woodwinds, brass, guitar, keys, bass and drums. The album was sculpted in Reykjavik by Ben Frost.

This one will certainly sneak into my End of Year list. 

Read full review of Night Within - LAND on Boomkat.com ©

Systems - Ghost Medicine (Self-released, 2011)

Systems' sound is difficult to peg. One could easily tag them with a dozen different sub-genres when discussing elements and influences. At the very least, they are a technically proficient experimental metal band. Traditionally, the elements combined on this album would be considered disparate. The magic lies in the way these guys manage to intertwine everything, giving it a natural fluidity, and managing to keep the listener's attention throughout.

This is a North Carolina band that emanates the sounds of French post-metal from the last decade, a la Overmars or some incarnation of the infamous Neige (Alcest, Amesoeurs, etc.). Equally present are the tried and true sounds of Neurot, thrash, hardcore, and death metal. The music is all rounded out with a hybrid of black metal growling vocals and baritone singing.

Nothing is contrived here. Nothing is innocuous. Ghost Medicine is a masterfully executed narrative of melancholy, beauty and brutality, an original album with brilliant production.

Buy the LP / digital album HERE

And if you're in Asheville, NC October 30, see them perform live at The Get Down alongside Black Skies, Hull and Mortals.

Adem - Takes (Domino, 2008)

Adem Ilhan is not a household name like his bandmate in post-rock band FRIDGE, Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) is, but after listening to this album, you'll probably remember him.

This is the best pop cover record I've ever heard. I'd like to talk so much about it but I'd prefer you hear it the way I did, listening to each track play and slowly recognizing the songs as they come. Its exciting and quite emotional.

I will say this: Imagine trying to transcribe acoustic guitar for an Aphex Twin song.

Get it Here

Grauzone - S / T (Off Course, 1981)

Swiss band Grauzone was one of the most creative bands of the post-punk era. Most people will never know who they are because they only recorded one album and some singles. This is a shame. They had it all: rock, disco, synth-punk and pop, all with a genuine approach that really connects emotionally. The recording is meticulously approached. Too mature for a band that was together so briefly. You're gonna thank me for this one.

Get it Here

Vestibule - Waning Crescent...14% of Full (Mixtape, 2011)

I made a mix. A bit of light spring weather fare for your ears. Enjoy.

Download or Stream Here

Grails - Deep Politics (Temporary Residence, 2011)

In Alexander Sokurov's film Russian Ark, we're taken on a magical journey through 300 years of Russian history through the paintings in the Hermitage by one 90 minute camera shot. When listening to Deep Politics I feel like Grails are taking me on a seven continent geographic exploration in a 50 minute album. Amidst the journey we're plunged into the conflicts of various slasher flicks, heist films and spaghetti westerns. Grails have openly cited the influences of Ennio Morricone, Hugo Montenegro, Piero Piccioni, Alan Hawkshaw, and Basil Kirchen. Here they are all represented, resulting in the band's magnum opus.

Seattle-based violinist and composer Timba Harris (Secret Chiefs 3 / Master Musicians of Bukkake) joins the band for this recording, resulting in the best decision in their decade long history. Harris adds a cut and paste sampling technique which uniquely expands the band's seemingly infinite horizons. He also has quite a hand in making this their first utterly cohesive work.

'Future Primitive' slowly opens the gate of a mysterious land. Middle Eastern strings create massive tension and distorted guitar move the piece toward its brilliant climax. 'All the Colors of the Dark' builds an enormous wall of sound, and then falls into a haunting, mid-tempo melody. Hip-hop beats are used in 'Corridors of Power'. 'Daughters of Bilitis' is sculpted around a somber Rhodes with the persistent violins. On the title track, minor key piano, heavy drums and a series of fierce guitar riffs are skillfully presented in what is the album's gorgeous compositional masterpiece and most powerful arrangement.

The album rounds out with the very Prog 'Almost Grew My Hair', which allows Riles to strut his 12-string stuff, 'I Led Three Lives" slowly unleashes a clash of discordant synths and acid-drenched guitars.

'Deep Snow' closes out the album in a subdued, almost peaceful manner. And, much like the end of Doomsayer's Holiday we're given a sedative that slowly eases us into the idea that the end is nigh. Fear is the mind killer. Just accept our fate.

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Calla - Scavengers (Young God, 2001)

This Brooklyn via Texas group dropped a bomb on me with their 1999 debut of abstract guitar expressionism and electronic ambience. This sophomore effort is stripped down nicely with folk-influenced guitar, plodding basslines and minimal percussion from the sometimes Bowery Electric drummer.

Subtle, brooding and narcotic melodies from a talented line-up with brilliant co-production from the Young God kingpin himself, Michael Gira. There's even a waltzing cover of the early U2 song 'Promenade', which does justice by the original.

This is pensive, melancholy and strung out Post-rock for fans of Low, Red House Painters and the blues in general.

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Miranda Sex Garden - Suspiria (1993, Mute)

Few bands in the Pop/Rock arena have had the vocal talent as Miranda Sex Garden. Donna McKevitt, Katharine Blake and Kelly McCusker possessed beautiful, anguished and angelic voices. They were supported by drummer Trevor Sharpe and guitarist Ben Golomstock, along with viola, violin, organ and keyboards. MSG had a highly unique style that completely broadsided many listeners at the time.

They were generically lumped into the Goth category. Upon attentive listening, you can actually hear cabaret, folk, experimental, medieval and even film score influences(they perform a rendition of "In Heaven" from Eraserhead).

They were one of the most interesting bands of the 90's that refused to be pigeon-holed and garnered little commercial success even after touring with several chart-topping Brit-pop acts. Unfortunately, Katherine Blake put this project aside to focus on her popular classical act Medaieval Baebes.

This is the crowning achievement of a great band. There are moments with tension worthy of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and feedback worthy of My bloody Valentine.

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Laddio Bolocko - The Life and Times (2005, No Quarter)

Formed in the wake of early 90's Post-Rock and hardcore bands by members of Mars Volta, Dazzling Killmen, Panicsville and Craw and Chalk, these talented musicians could easily have been playing Jazz. Instead, they chose to keep pushing forward with intellectual but not too high brow rock fusion.

Comparisons to Can, This Heat, King Krimson, The Boredoms and even Albert Ayler are all valid. Prog, Kraut, Noise, Drone and Jazz. This Compilation is a nice document to the legacy that obviously impacted many bands after them. This was a truly amazing troupe.

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U.S. Christmas - Run Thick in the Night (2010, Relapse)

I'm very proud of my hometown heroes for the extraordinary amount of attention they've received for this new album. Growing up worshipping Neurosis makes it incredible for me have friends that ended up on the Neurot label for a while.

There's not much like their sound either. A very original mix of Sludge Metal, Blues and blown out Post-Rock that I half-jokingly refer to as Blood Meridian Metal. Imagine Neurosis and Hawkwind colliding with Nick Cave and Warren Ellis and you'll have a good idea.

Heavy, sad and beautiful, this band offers a narrative that is a voyage into existentialism. Cerebral and emotional yet raw and edgy, USX is onto something great.

Long live Asheville, NC metal.



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Order Gatefold 2 LP from Relapse Here

The Soft Moon - The Soft Moon (2010) Captured Tracks

Luis Vasquez has crafted an engaging retro 80's tribute album....sort of. He's a one man band who incorporates Post-Punk, New Wave, Shoegaze, Goth and some early Cure. Quite the perfect sound for me.

With Breathy vocals and icy dense instrumentals, he takes the listener on a spooky and atmospheric journey that feels wrought with pain and despair. The deeper I listened the more I noticed the anger and fear buried under most of the tracks which also draws the Gothic and Industrial comparisons.

The breadth of emotion here is multi-dimensional and as is the current Goth revival trend, there is a great deal of hope masked in the sadness.

This is a stunning debut that crept into my Top Ten Albums of the Year list even though I'd only been listening to it for three weeks. Of course, that was multiple times daily for three weeks.

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