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.

R.I.P. Jeff Hanneman (1964-2013)

Well, it really saddens me that Jeff Hanneman is dead at 49 years old. The Slayer founding member and guitarist was one of the most important musical figures in my life. He shaped much of my teenage years and wrote one of the greatest metal songs (Angel of Death) off arguably the greatest metal record (Reign in Blood).

Hanneman passed away of liver failure after recovering from a spider bite which left him with  necrotising fasciitis, a flesh eating disease that attacks subcutaneous tissue. And, I must say, that's a pretty fucking metal way to go. Cheers, Jeff.

R.I.P. Martin Lloyd (1950-2013)

Sad news today that Martin Lloyd of the early '80's electronic duo Oppenheimer Analysis has passed due to liver failure. In their early career they opened for such acts as Hawkwind and Spizz Energi. Primarily known only for a cassette release, they had a resurgence of popularity when Minimal Wave issued a vinyl EP.

Read a great interview with him HERE.

R.I.P. George Jones (1931-2013)

Odd that just as I've been on quite the country music kick lately, my favorite legend of the genre passes away. Seeing his face regularly on Austin City Limits, Hee Haw, and The Grand Ole Opry  is an enormous and fond memory from my 1970's-early '80's childhood.

George "Possum" / "No Show" Jones stopped lovin' her today. They placed a wreath upon his door. Thank you, George, for popularizing two of my favorite songs.