Chris & Cosey (CTI)- European Rendezvous, Live 1983 (1984)

I was awakened to the sound of my clock radio blasting sensationalized reports of terror all over the United States. As per usual, I'm only effected by this news enough to be extremely annoyed with this type journalism. For whatever reason, this album came to mind, visions of dystopia dancing in my head.

Its no coincidence that Chris & Cosey, as CTI (Creative Technology Institute), released this live piece (with lovely slides and visuals by John Lacey) in 1984, a time in modern history wrought with fear of big brother. The cold war and Reaganomics were at their height and I remember it vividly.  As a 10 year old child , this brainwashing machine made an indelible impact on my psyche.

This record seems to capture all of that emotional intensity, and the visuals aren't bad either. Sit back, relax, and get paranoid and trippy to a couple of my industrial musical heroes.

 

Gnomeadze - S/T (Headway, 2013)

We have a new release over here at Headway Recordings. Gnomeadze is a collaboration between Will Isenogle (Merryl) and David Grubba (Enea). These four tracks contain fifty minutes of pure drone as well as pulsing rhythms in an improvisational setting. Get ready for Prophet heavy synth bliss.

Stream the entire album and purchase the digital or cassette over at our Bandcamp.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II (2013, Jagjaguwar)

This album hit me hard. Though, I really wish my first listen had been after dropping a needle on the platter. A band this steeped in nostalgia deserves the courtesy of analog listening.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra evokes a distinct 70's FM radio aesthetic. Their recording is lo-fi but they've thoroughly mastered that sound. With a classic American psychedelic fuzz and funk vibe, a bit of Shuggie Otis, and a hint of the old Kraut sound a la Guru Guru / Frumpy / Birth Control, they deliver it with the expertise of contemporary revivalists, Dungen.

It should come as no surprise that the mastermind behind this project is a New Zealander. Ruben Nielsen must have been heavily influenced by the famous psych fuzz legacy of his own nation's crucial label, Flying Nun.

UMO - II is heavy yet fun music. Its definitely going to play a part of my upcoming spring / summer rotation. Thanks Catherine db.




Read full review of II - Unknown Mortal Orchestra on Boomkat.com ©

Prostitutes - Crushed Interior (Digitalis, 2013)

Jim Donadio's "Prostitutes" is a perfect introduction to many current trends in the avant garde electronic world. With patience, he begins the album with minimal beats and tones. This builds into ambience, static and   later, a sudden funky beat akin to Cut Hands powering a combustion engine. Further in, there are sludgy sounds that range anywhere from the viscosity of mid-western noise to the grinding gears of Pete Swanson's technoise.

Abrasive, awkward yet somehow consistently accessible, this is one you shouldn't miss, especially if you're already invested in experimental dance music.

 
Read full review of Crushed Interior - PROSTITUTES on Boomkat.com ©

R.I.P. Clive Burr (1957-2013)

Clive burr was the drummer on the three classic Iron Maiden records. He was one of the earliest memories I have of thinking drums were cool. He died peacefully in his sleep last night and he will be sorely missed.

Thank you, Clive burr...