Franco Falsini - Naso Fredo (1975, reissued by Spectrum Spools, 2012)

Franco Falsini first gained notoriety with his progressive rock / experimental outfit 'Sensations Fix' in the early 70's. They signed to Polydor in '74 with whom they released several albums. Falsini's work was out of print for many years until John Elliot reissued the album 'Naso Fredo' (Cold Nose). Of all this material, Falsini shines the most on his solo debut, the soundtrack to a scarcely seen film that warned of the dangers in cocaine abuse.

This is blissful and lovely music with minimal conflict or tension. If anything, it seems to me the coke warning might have the adverse effect, because if this is what coke sounds like, most people unfamiliar with the drug might be inspired to investigate it!

An album in three movements, the basic setup is simple: Frippish experimental guitars, undulating bass, and various subtly used synths, such as ems and minimoog. He presents a meditative narrative, a journey through astral layers of the 70's 'out there' aesthetic. Fans of acts like Ash Ra Tempel, Brainticket or Cosmic Jokers will dig its trippy and peaceful, yet flawlessly executed delivery.

Falsini has effected many genres of music around the world for nearly 40 years. The first time I heard of him was when investigating DJ Shadow's samples on his 'Private Press' record back in '02. Now this album has been reissued by John Elliot and Peter Rehberg at Spectrum Spools. Chill out with this one. Put your head between two speakers and mellow.




Read full review of Cold Nose - Franco Falsini on Boomkat.com ©

Barn Owl - V (Thrill Jockey, 2013)

For the last several years, Jon Porras and Evan Caminiti have been very busy fellows. With four Barn Owl records between them, as well as a few respective solo records, its a wonder they've kept up the pace as they have. The two guitarists create sprawling landscapes of desert drone, with the last collective effort feeling as though they were possessed by the spirits of Morricone and Earth but through the hands of Eno.

With their fifth collaborative album, V, they've moved in a new direction. The guitars are still there but the duo finds itself exploring keyboards and synth tones. The mood is more melancholy and pensive than before. Its still desert wasteland but this trip is at night and the aesthetic calls to mind more of Steve Roach or Lustmord than it does Italo western scores. V also feels more experimental and less controlled with a bit of improvisation. Regardless of the shift, they're still able to create the reflective intimacy we've come to recognize them for. I'm looking forward to where this new direction takes them.


Read full review of V - BARN OWL on Boomkat.com ©

Coil - Colour Sound Oblivion Disc 15 &16 (Threshold House, 2010)

So there's this box set... 16 DVD's of amazing. Coil is my favorite modern music act. The closest to my heart. After Jhon Balance passed in 2004 and the band was obsolete, Sleazy released this incredible document. Its 14 DVD's of live shows anywhere from 1983 to 2004, culminating with 2 DVD's that contain the visual projections from these shows accompanied by the studio versions of many songs (a greatest hits, as it were). Most importantly, there is over 5 hours of music.

You can download these 2 DVD's for free and legally HERE or just stream them on youtube below. Enjoy. Sheer bliss...







Last note: Its fun to check out the ones for sale on DISCOGS. They sell for a mere $2069.68

Justin Walter - Lullabies and Nightmares (Kranky, 2013)

Justin Walter's debut LP from Kranky is the freshest sound they've released in a while. The choice of instrumentation by this Brooklyn-based composer is quite individualized. With the electronic valve instrument (a breath controlled analog synth) as well as a trumpet, he improvises the bulk of this recording. The only overdubs being drum tracks.

The swirling sounds of loops, serial style repetition, and scattered groovy drum beats call to mind early Boards of Canada with nods to Steve Reich and Vangelis. The evi creates a familiarity that is immensely comfortable, while the nearly clean trumpet parts are reminiscent of particular David Sylvian tracks I've always enjoyed. There is also a very interesting glitchy element that instead of feeling like digital idm, comes across more in an organic jazz vein.

This is very warm and accessible ambient music that though nice as background music is equally thought provoking. These are ambient songs with hooks, songs that I find mesmerizing. Really beautiful material.




Here's a a great video of Walter playing the evi.

Bad News - No End (Chondritic Sound, 2012)

No matter how old I become, its doubtful I'll ever recover from the impact Skinny Puppy made on my fourteen year old mind. Hearing "VIVIsectVI" was a lifechanging experience. Therefore, whenever I hear any current industrial tributes to that era, I freak out over it. Lots of acts are doing it these days but Bad News is the first to really grip me with it.

Pounding drum machines, brutal guitars and harsh synthesizers meet aggressive and teen-like female snarls that cast the apocalypse down upon the doomed listener. This is intense music that is well performed and so authentic you'd think it was a record from Nettwerk circa '89.

There are also elements of punk and a psychedelic tinge a la Chris & Cosey, which gives it a creative edge. Keep your ears on this San Francisco duo, as well as many other acts on Chondritic Sound.

Beautifully painted cassette limited to 100, and they're almost gone.