Silence Magnifies Sound

Bison B.C. - Quiet Earth

2010-10-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

God, I love last.fm for finding similar artists. Over the past few nights I've found too many fantastic bands I didn't even know existed.

Bison B.C. is a doom/sludge/stoner metal band from Vancouver. From what I've seen from their videos they put on a hell of a live performance, and they translate it perfectly to their albums. Although their latest Dark Ages has a bit too much screaming for my liking, Quiet Earth has more of a growled delivery that can actually be understood.

If you are in the mood to get your tits rocked off, give this a spin.

Torche - Meanderthal

2010-10-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

Although heavier music is not my forte, when I'm in a certain mood it's the only type of music I can listen to. Since my saturation in this genre is fairly limited, I'm usually far behind any underrated groups that come along. Torche is one of those bands. A buddy of mine has been listening to them for quite awhile but I pretty much ignored them. That is, until the other day.

Torche creates heavy, melodic, face-melting music without the intelligible screaming that so many shitty bands center around. The result is albums you can listen to no matter what mood you are in. If you enjoy Baroness, Kyelsa or Black Cobra, you probably have already heard of Torche. For everyone else, listen to this fucking album.

Pete Rock

2010-09-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm not the resident hip/hop guru, but I do listen to it quite a bit. Based on a recommendation from a forum I frequent, I gave PeteStrumentals a listen and quickly became infatuated. It's simply one of the better instrumental hip-hop albums I've heard. Chill and smooth without being convoluted or overtly simplistic. While playing this album I just sunk into my chair and didn't move for an hour and a half. I quickly devoured his other albums where other notable hip-hop artists lend their talents to his incredible beats and was not disappointed. If you don't listen to these albums you are a racist.

Soul Survivor

PeteStrumentals

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Daisuke Tanabe - Before I Forget

2010-09-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

Daisuke Tanabe's 2010 album Before I Forget is a quality mix of an ambient, watery, brainfeeder sound. Very similar to the direction teebs is heading in. Albums that add these organic, colorful sounds to a beat are best listened to when the bass is turned all the way up. Not because you'll be dancing to this album, but because the contrast between the thump of the low pitch and the haze of the melody gives Before I Forget head-bobbin' replay value. I don't know how many people are setting up their "BEST OF 2010" lists yet, but fans of Flying Lotus, Mount Kimbie, and I'm Not A Gun should give this album a shot before making any final decisions.

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Radical Face - Ghost

2010-09-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

Ghost is an album I somehow completely missed, even though I really enjoy Electric President and it being released on the amazing Morr Music. Been Cooper focuses more on the folkier elements but doesn't completely ditch his electronic-pop roots. The result is a very warm and addicting album that will remind you of a more personal Electric President. If you enjoy Electric President, Thee More Shallows, Seabear or pretty much anything on Morr, give this a spin.

Jeremy Messersmith - The Reluctant Graveyard

2010-09-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you combine Beach Boys like harmonies, catchy folk narratives and a bit of chamber-pop? You get one of the most overlooked gems of 2010. From the toe tapping and infectious album opener "Lazy Bones", to the violin driven opus that is "John the Determinist". This is an album of individual stories that dance the line of multiple genres and constantly keeps you on your toes. If you are in the mood for something catchy, fun and not too serious, you have to give this a spin.

The Reluctant Graveyard

The Cave Singers - Welcome Joy

2010-03-28T23:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome Joy is an album that barely missed out on my top 10 of 2009 list. Although they are on a fairly prolific label (Matador), I didn't hear much fanfare concerning them. From the remains of the sorely underrated Pretty Girls Make Graves, Derek Fudesco teamed up with Pete Quirk (Hint Hint) and Marty Lund (Cobra High) to create a visceral, warm and absolutely gorgeous debut album.

With hints of Bowerbirds, Phosphorescent and Akron/Family, they craft echoey and haunting songs that burrow into your brain stem and remain there for weeks.

The Cave Singers - Welcome Joy

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Chihei Hatakeyama - Saunter

2010-02-20T11:54:00.000-08:00

Talking about ambient music will always be more complex than listening to it. I have a system, though. Separating ambient music into two groups. The exhale group, and the inhale group. “Exhaled” ambient music is stuff like the droney Emeralds whose music bleeds and is more work to appreciate and is not quite meant to relax you. Chihei Hatakeyama, one half of the exceptional group Opiotope, makes “inhale” music. No, this is not music you sniff glue to. His music wisps around the room like the wind. It glides like cool autumn air and waits to be inhaled.

Saunter is the third album of his discography and althoguh he is often compared to Stars of the Lid, Chehei's has released eight releases in four years.

Saunter It flows so effortlessly like sleepy hummed albums ought to. A balloon slipped out of the hands of a child isn't as chilled and mellow as Saunter. One of these days I'll be skilled enough to describe the sound of Saunter in a more comprehendible fashion, but for now all I can do is guarantee that it's an album you can breathe easy to.

Mount Kimbie - Maybes EP

2010-02-15T00:10:00.000-08:00

Don't start a thread about Mount Kimbie on a forum without knowing how to derail a petty argument. Mount Kimbie are one of those artists that can't be pinpointed to only one genre. The variety of influences Mount Kimbie shows off in their music is overwhelming. So overwhelming that nerds all around will flame each other endlessly until the one gives up to convincing people that MOUNT KIMBIE HAS IDM IN IT GOD DAMN IT. To be honest, I am just as clueless as everyone else when it comes to putting the Maybes EP into a genre. I can however, try describe their unique sound... with a list of genres you didn't think would mix.

Throughout the four tracks in the Maybes EP you hear an assortment of glitch, hip-hop, and dubstep, all done in a droney style which makes for a refreshing, relaxing sound. It sounds like Burial met up with Autechre and then Loscil somehow got thrown into this blender. Check out this EP before Mount Kimbie releases a ton of amazing music and you are too intimidated by their huge discography and millions weird of genre tags they have on last.fm to try them out later.

Kyst - Cotton Touch

2010-02-09T21:05:00.000-08:00

Ever since I stumbled upon the gem that is Indigo Tree, I decided to dive head first into the Polish folk/freak-folk scene. I must say that I'm impressed with the quality of a lot of these artists and it baffles me how some of them aren't household names in the States yet. One such band is the Norwegian/Polish band Kyst. Consisting of Tobiasz Biliński and Adam Byczkowski, they've released an ep, album and run their own record label all while being under the age of 20. If that doesn't make the average person feel lazy and unambitious I don't know what will.

Cotton Touch starts off with the amply titled "Climb Over", a slow build up of a guitar, drums and eventual violin that crescendos at the perfect time. It's a fantastic opener, nothing too long or pretentious, yet a wonderful nod to classic post-rock artists. "Complain/Cheer" has an almost live feel to it, very reminiscent of some of the quieter Akron/Family songs as it perfectly mixes the erratic with the subdued. This wonderful mixture continues for the remainder of the album as it's textured with bits of the Microphones and Grizzly Bear(I'm talking Horn of Plenty, not that Yellow House or Veckatimest bullshit) showing through every so often. The album finishes with the fantastic instrumental outro "Summer Love" that will leave you with your eyes closed, head bopping and a smile on your face.

I have fallen in love with this record and I can't wait to see what they will come up with next. If you enjoy meticulously crafted songs full of texture and warmth, you are going to adore this record.

Cotton Touch

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AU - Versions

2010-02-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

Like learning a new word, before you use it you have to learn how to say and spell it, so before I get into Versions, a little about AU's pronunciation and spelling. Pronounce it "a-u", like the two separate letters it consists of (A, U), or like you're trying to get someone's attention while speaking in a bad imitation of a cockney accent, "'ay you", but not like the word 'au', as in 'au revoir' or 'au gratin', like you're a snooty, stinky french chef. Also, keep it in all caps: AU, like the postal abbreviation for Australia, but they aren't from there.

The bass drum beats like a heart beat on "Ida Walked Away", the first track of Versions, letting you know, this album's got some life to it, coincidentally, some "Death" too. The EP runs the gamut emotionally and musically, yet keeps it cohesive and concise. Upbeat percussion created with the aid of a shaker or two, familiar clicks of a snare's rim, some bells, and, of course, some, almost inevitable claps, propel Versions consistently from start to finish at such a rapid, but not rushed, speed that it ends before you even realized there was a song switch. The quick-listen may also be as a result of the short track list on the latest effort by the two men who make up AU (Luke Wyland and Dana Valatka). At only 7 songs, there's no time for a wasted beat or breath, and waste they don't, but want you will. Fortunately it definitely warrants a second, and third and fourth, listen.

Give Versions another spin, if only to decipher the lyrics, which are delivered in vocals that are, at times, hauntingly ghostly yet substantial, not ethereal, like a ghost with some girth, think - Grizzly Bear with a little more grizzle. At other times, AU sings out with yelps and screams (Au "Are Animals" afterall) that could knock the inhibitions off even the most conservative of listeners, and by the end of the album find them chanting, foot stomping, and air punching along to "Ashemoto Ne" even if they haven't a clue what it means, think - that one time you drank a bit too much at the Akron/Family show. Versions is lively with some edge and experimentation about it, by musicians who you won't mind lending your ears, or Friday nights, to.

Place well-played piano and rim shots in an album and I'm pretty much sold, tell me the band's from Portland and oh shit, there goes my soul too, but AU's Versions actually deserves the praise, or at least a listen. Listen
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Shad - The Old Prince

2010-02-06T22:24:00.000-08:00

Shad, birth name Shadrach Kabango, is a hip-hop artist from Canada. Shad apparently still lives at home and has released two albums (Third one arriving in May!) and currently has ~200,000 plays on Last.fm. His favorite MC is Common and one hears a lot of that in his music.

Shad's sophomore album, The Old Prince is made up of jokes, lessons, and a highly refined boom-bap style similar to what Murs and 9^th Wonder were doing in '04, but even more humble. Through the songs, Shad makes it known that he's just an overall content guy doing what he likes-- even if it doesn't pay well. And it's true, it never does, but Shad also expresses a deep hope in his fans. He's willing to keep making music as long as someone is willing to listen. “Awww” goes the listener. “This isn't bad. That wacky 'Old Prince Still Lives at Home' song was pretty funny”

But Shad isn't limited to comedy.

“Out of Love, Pt. 2” is the in the very middle of the album. As the title suggests it's very much so a reflection on his song “Out of Love” from his first album, When This is Over. But it's also the outcast's anthem, a song for the loner talking with his friends. It's a sad balance of loneliness and hope. Describing the feelings of the guy who isn't angry, just alone. Out of Love, Pt. 2 also kicks off the home stretch of The Old Prince. “Man, this guy raps about about sincere things? Very impressive”.

But Shad isn't limited to rapping.

In, “ I Heard You Had a Voice Like an Angel” Shad is caught softly narrating a story of racism in the music industry. In “Compromise” he's found gasping between pleas of “In this life, I hope you don't compromise / In this world, man, we just can't compromise.” And finally ending the album with a sum of the album in spoken word over strings. “God damn this album rules.”

Shad is going to break out soon, he's too talented and in love with his music not to, and it's going to be awesome and/or sad looking back on The Old Prince and seeing which of his styles he decided to run with.

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P.S. Thanks, Adam! You introduced me to Shad.

Trevor Montgomery is Lazarus

2010-02-05T16:57:00.000-08:00

Have you ever listened to a band or artist for quite a few years and never realize just how few people actually listen to them? I guess I always just assumed Trevor Montgomery had a strong following. He's on an incredible label(Temporary Residence), has been a member of influential bands(Tarental, The Drift) and is immensely talented. Unfortunately, even if you have everything going for you, people don't always listen. I am going to try and change that.

Songs for an Unborn Sun is what started it all. With the help of fellow San Francisco musician Marty Anderson(Dilute, Okay, Jacques Kopstein), Trevor crafts an album that is agonizingly sad yet surprisingly hopeful. Marty's elderly bug-like voice accompanying most of the songs adds a fragile nature to each track. This creates a mood that makes you feel as if the entire structure is going to completely break down at any moment. This is an album about loss, suffering and overcoming burdens.

Like Trees We Grow Up to Be Satellites replaces Marty's vocals and the overall sadness of the album, with female backing vocals, uplifting piano hooks and an overall warmer sound. Cheerful, fast and infectious songs create an atmosphere that is polar opposite of his debut. This is an album about acceptance, forgiveness and hopefulness.

Both of these records are absolute masterpieces and deserve any praise and/or recognition that they receive. Listen, love and support this man.

Songs for an Unborn Sun

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Like Trees We Grow Up to Be Satellites

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September Malevolence - After This Darkness, There's a Next

2010-02-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

Releasing their first album in 2004, the Swedish band September Malevolence crafted a very good, albeit cookie-cutter post-rock album. Unfortunately for them, the beginning of 2004 was a period of time when post-rock went from the genre that annoying GY!BE/Mogwai following hipsters "listened to" to the genre that nauseatingly predictable mainstream hipsters started "listening to". During this flood of generic post-cock,(This was originally a typo but I will now refer to it this way throughout the remainder of this horrid little article.) their debut went almost completely unnoticed. The few who did notice gave it rave reviews and it remains one of the better post-cock albums released that year.

Sick and tired of bands regurgitating the same shit with a different album cover, they decided they wanted to do something a bit different with their follow-up release. Comparable to a less emo/annoying Jeniferever and a bit less abrasive Aereogramme(Sleep and Release era), they were able to create an album with post-cock undertones, mixed with fantastic vocals and even some decent lyrics thrown in.

The album starts off with the slow, gorgeous and extremely catchy "Who Watches the Watchmen", an Ode to the greatest graphic novel of our time, Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns". The third track,"A notion, I can't shake..." is a straight up acoustic folk song that may seem out of place based on my description, but in reality it fits perfectly with the remainder of the album as it segways seamlessly into the ferocious "...accidents happen so fast". The remainder of the album blurs all genre lines and by the end creates an album that is truly all their own.

As we wade waist deep in a pile of mediocre and unoriginal releases, it is such a relief to hear a band that isn't afraid to try something new and original, even if it means they alienate the few that initially loved them. If you've enjoyed anything we've shared on this site, give this album a shot. It's an understated classic that will hopefully be realized someday.

After This Darkness, There's a Next

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Emeralds - Solar Bridge

2010-02-02T15:43:00.000-08:00

Emeralds is one of those drone artists that absolutely smother you with 10+ releases a year. Seriously, it's kind of ridiculous. I am usually put off by talented bands that overwhelm listeners with albums upon albums. I have listened to maybe a third of what Emeralds has released, (like 8 albums/eps) and haven't been disappointed yet. Emeralds caught some attention with one of their five releases last year, What Happened. And though it was well deserved, to me, it didn't even come close to my favorite of theirs.

Solar Bridge is a half hour of electronic drone that rises and rises until it finds an altitude it likes and cruises. It doesn't try anything fancy, or destroy the vibe it creates. Solar Bridge oozes at the same rate it does during its intro, climax, and outro. The simplicity here is what makes Solar Bridge great. Highly recommended to fans of Nadja, Windows and Walls-ish Grouper, Natural Snow Buildings... or anyone needing a kick-start to a love of drone music.

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Worker Bee - Tangler

2010-02-01T14:49:00.000-08:00

Not your amusement park's version of the old west, Worker Bee presents an unrefined diorama of a one-horse town through well-strung (and strummed) songs without sounding overly country or buying a banjo. Pieced together by tape and tune, Tangler has exposed corners of cardboard and frayed bits of construction paper visible, for a raw and ragged album that can get under your skin and into your bones if you let it. From my barstool, it looks something like this, with burned edges and scatted smoke stains.

Dusty melodies billow across the ground while wind whistles through cracks in the walls of an abandoned general store, clicks of drum sticks keep time as the town rots towards its demise. There's a tinge of pain in the pleading first words of "Come Back" over the state of a town left dirty and dollarless, and there's tension beneath the floorboards. Even the dirt's unsettled by the guitar-playing, gun-slinging owner of the town's one horse who rides in kicking up a trail of doom among "Nesting" plodding drums, hectic cymbals, and rapid rim shots, and faint bells dinging in the distance. Singing over slightly twanging strings with a pair of inherited smoker's lungs, the man sits at the bar filling the small, stank saloon with smells of whiskey, gun powder, and dried blood. He's the kind of man who'd take a lady for a walk and return alone. The kind of man who'd kick a dead horse to watch it bleed. Just one glance starts the bar fight between him, the "Cold Rats" and scoundrels, and someone's gotta die before it ends. Embodying the message of "Rough Magic", "a man's mind is always raining", the thick-skinned man stands over broken bottles donned in black coordinated with his core, as drums hit like buckets on a steel roof and tambourines than cling and clank like spurs. You can sit down in his bar, but you better leave your hand on your gun. This album has drums that can drive the devil out of town, and "All Roads" lead to the night, where the men get "burned by the moon" but never die. Tangler leaves you thinking, despite the flighty, feminine name, Worker Bee might not be a band to mess with.

At times resonating more of a 'new west' sound than old, Tangler is a bit rough around the edges, but nothing some smooth whiskey can't fix. So I'm gonna put my faded black boots on, kick a pony in the gut just to get blood on the tips, spur it in the neck to watch the red river wash away the boot prints, then get myself to a local watering hole.

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DoF - A Year In Waiting

2010-02-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

Long ago before your fancy torrents and music blogs were the norm, we used an archaic technology known as p2p. During this earlier time there were quite a few shitty p2p programs(kazaa, limewire, emule etc...) out there, most of which gave you horrible rips, shitty quality and at the least, viruses. Out of this sea horridness came a simple and amazing program called soulseek. What this wonderful little program did was mix the file sharing of those aforementioned programs, with a more social, safe and welcoming environment. The ability to make rooms, chat with people, see their share lists and download/trade as you wished. I mention this program because it's not only completely shaped my musical taste, it also allowed me to meet incredible people and find music I would never have listened to elsewhere. DoF is one of those artists.

Unbeknownst to most people, Brian Hulick has been making music for almost a decade. His six releases range from Marsen Jules-like ambient landscapes to an electro-folk very reminiscent of earlier Bibio. He seems to evolve with each new release and continues to surprise and impress me each time.

A Year in Waiting is a collection of twelve tracks, each named after a month of the year. January starts off with a quiet distant tone that is gradually accompanied by soft keys as if you were just waking up from a winter slumber, rubbing your eyes and trying to remember what day it is. Eventually the song weaves into a soft glitchy cloud that softly envelopes you and remains until the very end of the record. From the cold and sluggish February to the vibrant and joyful July and even the optimistic and wonderful December, each track seems to perfectly embody the month that it was named after.

DoF is an artist I've been very selfish about over the years. He's always been someone I've listened to and enjoyed immensely, but rarely talked about or recommended to others. Brian is one hell of a musician and if you enjoy anything remotely ambient, glitchy or hell, even electronic, you need to give this guy a listen.

DoF - A Year In Waiting

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Old Canes - Early Morning Hymns

2010-01-27T20:01:00.000-08:00

One thing that has always fascinated me about musical taste is how quickly and drastically it can change over just a few short years. Back in 2004 when this album was released I remember enjoying a few songs from it, but for some reason I just completely shoved it aside and forgot about it. Luckily a few weeks ago as I was wading through my albums I decided to play Early Morning Hymns for the first time in years. Just expecting a decent album, I was shocked at how much I ended up enjoying it. Fast forward a week, a couple dozen spins and this album is quickly becoming a personal favourite.

Early Morning Hymns is the perfect mix of frantic acoustic guitars, horns, banjos and even the occasional harmonica. The result is a sound that drunkenly walks the border between the chaotic nature of Neutral Milk Hotel and the calmness of an Owen record.

From this overlooked gem to his criminally underrated band Appleseed Cast, Christopher Crisci just can't seem to catch a break. We can only hope that in the near future he will finally get the recognition he sorely deserves.

Early Morning Hymns

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Tied & Tickled Trio - Observing Systems

2010-01-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

Tied & Tickled Trio are an electronic-based jazz group named after a Japanese sex position on the morr music label. Scroll down for the download links.

“You must be this tall to ride” signs in front of roller coasters are usually seen as just a rule. Often times they are also warnings. Observing Systems opens with saxes and horns blaring in harmony before the bass line moves in and starts the “official” song.

Listener “A” sees this as a warning thinking “Oh, god this could get weird.”

Listener “B” sees this as an invitation and thinks “Fuck yeah I fucking love jazz.”

Continuing with this roller coaster analogy, Observing Systems broadcasts their fire alarm sound after a steep, exceptional build up of Mouse on Mars-esque IDM. But don't let that put you off, The Tickled Trio loves to scream down their own ascent, they just like to earn it. It's a lot more satisfying that way.

I'm also posting their great “live” album Electric Avenue Tapes because parts of it are more spastic and fun than Observing Systems and that is not a bad thing.

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Download Electric Avenue Tapes

Buy Electric Avenue Tapes from Discogs.

Read a fucking cool review of it here.

David Bazan - Curse Your Branches

2010-01-21T09:40:00.000-08:00

Tell someone, anyone, your favorite musician or, hell, your least favorite (so it's easier to hate), to write an album on topics like the the fall of man, original sin, damnation, hell, and predestination, with occasional references to God, and, go ahead, throw in that he/she/they should include 'curse' in the title, and you might get a few curses thrown your way. Not exactly the subject matter for a highly listenable album, unless the musician you give this challenge to is David Bazan (or maybe Sufjan Stevens). If you know anything about Bazan (formerly Pedro the Lion), you shouldn't be surprised. This is the same man who managed (as Pedro the Lion) to make an album almost exclusively about cheating and loss into an album that all the kids were talking about, listening to, and even singing along to (Control). An affair to replay. Bazan, again, takes the plight of man and makes it manageable, in addition to the source of some damn good songs, without sounding like the kid front-and-center of religious studies 101 or the hobo on the corner screaming, 'why, God, why?'.

Drawing you into the cage that is his voice - rough on the edges, a little dark, but hollow enough to hide inside, Bazan makes you feel safe, and for a moment a little warm. Simple drum beats, rhythmic guitar strums, and reassuring piano cause you to release that sigh you've been holding in, relax your shoulders, and let a couple guards down. You start to feel pretty damn good when the claps drop. "Please, Baby, Please" might even find you singing along. But don't get too comfortable, this isn't the album to listen to when you want to feel good about yourself, especially if you're a shitty person, and everyone's a shitty person, sometimes - drunks, smokers, priests, liars, even Bazans, though it's hard to believe. So it's okay, he understands, he knows "it's hard to be/hard to be/a decent human being," although, for him it's pretty easy to be a more than decent musician.

Listen to this album and forget everything I said, go ahead, bop your head.

David Bazan - Curse Your Branches
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Enough of David Bazan as musician, here's David Bazan as art, by Kyle. Striking resemblance, don't you think? (Of Bazan, not Kyle).

Ola Podrida

2010-01-21T08:16:00.000-08:00

Before the film director David Gordon Green became a household name, he created two of the most beautiful films ever created; George Washington and All the Real Girls. These two films had very memorable scores that range from stunning original pieces, to artists such as Explosions in the Sky and Will Oldham. When I found out that David Wingo the composer for both of these films was recording under the name Ola Podrida, I was ecstatic to hear what it sounded like.

With hushed vocals and quiet guitars Wingo creates two of the more memorable folk driven americana albums I've heard in recent years. The layers of instruments and sounds create an atmosphere that transports you to a time of wide open plains and horizons free of city lights. This is a time where your life isn't ruled by minutes and seconds. These albums let you take a deep breath and realize you don't need to be constantly stimulated by your surroundings to be happy. Forget your ipods, cell phones, net books, bluetooth and just take a fucking day to relax and enjoy life.

These are albums that you cannot listen to when you need to be productive. You'll instantly feel the urge to quit your job and run outside to climb trees and take naps in open fields. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Ola Podrida

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Indigo Tree - Lullabies of Love and Death

2010-01-19T01:31:00.000-08:00

One thing I hate about making year end lists is the fact that you will always stumble upon an incredible album much too late. Lullabies of Love and Death is another fine example of that fact, another album I randomly downloaded from sordomusic that turned out to be something really special. I am kicking myself for not discovering it sooner because I am fairly certain it would have ranked pretty high in my year end list.

From first listen I knew there was something different about this band. The music itself is very laid back avant-pop that is comparable to a tamer Panda Bear. With simple guitar chords driving the songs, they also mix in trumpets, hand claps and occasional drums in such a way that it sounds almost dreamlike. To be honest, this record is a dream in album form. One of those perfect dreams that you really don't wish to awaken from.

After listened to it at least a half a dozen times, I started doing some research on the band itself. What I found was very surprising. Even though their lyrics are in english and they sing it very well, the band is from Poland. I guess it can be blamed on lack of trying, but I've never listened to a band from Poland before. If asked a few weeks ago what modern Polish music would sound like, I would use adjectives such as dark, brooding and creepy. I now realize how ignorant such a thought is, but I guess I'd rather be ignorant than stupid.

Listen to this album and let it destroy the little box that you've already placed 2009 in.

Indigo Tree - Lullabies of Love and Death

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Sleeping States - In the Garden of the North

2010-01-17T23:32:00.000-08:00

Sleeping States, aka Markland Starkie has been doing what he does for six years. His most recent album, In the Gardens of the North now includes other members who probably helped him name the album. I only mention that because it could not be named more accurately. When I listen to Gardens all I can think about is Markland prancing in a mountain of daisies until an abrupt storm sends him home. This is my first album I've heard of that's been called "Queercore" but I'm pretty sure that's how it's supposed to sound.

It's a mellow album that often confronts you with a discomforting instrumental bit to keep you engaged. Soft-spoken lyrics feel like an open reading of his diary with additional commentary turned on. His words are complimented by mellow baselines, simple drums, and a is glued together by a couple of flowing guitars. In the Gardens of the North is sure to please the attentive headphones listener as well as the guy leaving it on in the background while he pets his fat fucking cat.

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Miracle Fortress - Five Roses

2010-01-17T01:06:00.000-08:00

Graham Van Pelt is another in a long line of incredible artist hailing from Montreal. With his solo project Miracle Fortress, Graham crafts complex pop songs that build and swell with walls of sound lapping at your ears. Much in the same vein of Brian Wilson, he is able to create these wonderfully addicting songs without losing any sense of his artistry.

Ranging from instrumental rock songs like the opener "Whirrs" and the finger snapping/hand clapping filled "Next Train" to the ambient masterpiece "Five Roses", this album tries many different styles and ends up doing them all well.

Overall it may feel a bit chaotic, but that's probably the main reason I enjoy it so much. If you are looking for a challenging pop record that will leave your fingers numb from snapping, give this a shot.

Miracle Fortress - Five Roses

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Kingfisherg - The Heartspray

2010-01-14T20:39:00.000-08:00

I decided to take a break from posting new(er) releases and feature one of my personal favourites.

Hailing from Belgium, François Boulanger records under the name Kingfisherg. His music could best be described as laid back IDM, very reminiscent of artists such as Wixel, d_rradio, DoF and aMute. Songs get pieced together with soft keys, spoken word, synthesizers, beats and strings and slowly evolve into a more complex being, reaching its peak and disintegrating down the other side. Songs range from the more upbeat "Apple Act", full of hand claps, infectious beats and a simple guitar; to the cold and desolate piano driven "February's Dawn".

Even though the entire album is over in just about 26 minutes, it's the type of release you will want to leave on repeat for hours at a time. No matter what mood I am in I can sit back and enjoy this record. Unbelievably overlooked, this is an absolute must listen if you are a fan of ambient or IDM in general.

Kingfisherg - The Heartspray

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Ramona Falls - Intuit

2010-01-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Brent Knopf and his band Menomena are no strangers to creating fantastic music. Their last album, the criminally underrated Friends and Foe started 2007 off on a high note. Deciding to take his ideas that the rest of the band rejected or just didn't fit, he released a solo album under the name Ramona Falls. Much in the same vein of Menomena, the songs start off deceptively simple but quickly turn into a labyrinth of sounds and textures. Piano crescendos, trumpets, thundering drums and a perfect mix of electronic and acoustic are just a fraction of the ingredients included in this incredible album.

Starting off with the subdued yet upbeat "Melectric", you quickly realize this is more accessible than anything released by Menomena. This is followed by the eerie and frantic "I Say Fever", with it's addicting hook and volatile yet catchy chorus it has quickly become the flagship of the album. With the short but sweet piano composition "Boy Ant", to the simple yet gorgeous folk song "The Darkest Day", the remainder of the album seems to unwind and relax a bit. Finishing off with the Mark Kozeleksque "Diamond Shovel", this album seems to travel an incredible distance in such a short time.

Even though at times it may seem a bit erratic, this is a fantastic release and barely missed out on my favourites of '09 list. Intuit has a bit of everything so no matter what type of music you enjoy you need to give this a shot.

Ramona Falls - Intuit

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Dragon Turtle - Almanac

2010-01-12T03:36:00.000-08:00

Dragon Turtle is a new project by Brian Lightbody and Tom Asselin of Lewis and Clarke. Released on the peculiar albeit wonderful label/collective that is La Société Expéditionnaire, it fits perfectly alongside artists such as The Black Swans, Strands of Oaks and Matt Bauer. With a central theme of nature and the beauty and brutality of it all, they blur the lines between several genres swaying back and forth between folk, post-rock and even world music.

"Casualty" starts this journey with quiet drums, a soft guitar and hushed voice that seems to be struggling to be heard, but is afraid to awaken whatever is slumbering in the distance. What starts so serene, eventually weaves into an amalgamation of sharp keys, chunky guitars and a distant piano. The album continues to gently swim back and forth with natural ambience of "Belt of Venus" to the nearly eleven minute long post-rock tinged opus that is "Hourglass".

Refusing to follow any ruleset, Almanac's rich atmosphere of natural and man-made sounds end up creating rich textures that almost become tangible. Because of this, it will most likely draw the most comparison to the The Glow Pt. 2 by the Microphones even though Almanac seems a much more focused and precise effort.

Dragon Turtle - Almanac

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Favourite Albums of 2009

2010-01-08T23:17:00.000-08:00

Overall this was a fantastic year for music. It started off a bit slow with some disappointing follow-ups, but quickly picked up steam as some incredible debuts were released toward the end of the year. It was difficult to narrow it down to just ten albums, but I really think these are the releases deserving of the most praise. Let's hope 2010 is another solid year.

#10Screech Owls - Bear! Come Out!

Chalk this up as another one of my random downloads that turned into a mini-obsession. I was doing my weekly check of sordomusic and downloaded this on a whim. I expected to hate it and delete it like I usually do with random downloads, but this time I was completely blown away. I guess you could describe them as a mixture of Woods and Jonquil with a hint of Skygreen Leopards. Uplifting folk with a bit of a freaky side and an absolute joy to listen to it from beginning to end. My only complaint is it ends just far too quickly, I guess that always happens when you listen to something you enjoy so much. Listen to this album, buy this album and attend as many shows as possible. We need them to release a follow-up.

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Mountains - Choral

Simply put, this is the greatest ambient release since Marsen Jules' Herbstlaub. Together, Brendon Anderegg and Koen Holtkamp create waves of sound that ebb and flow while slowly mixing together instruments and field recordings. All of this happens so naturally and seamlessly that it feels almost natural, not man made. I know that sounded hippy as fuck but I don't care. Listen to this fucking album.

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Blackout Beach - Skin of Evil

Carey Mercer has finally created something all his own. Light Flows the Putrid Dawn, his first solo release as Blackout Beach is an fantastic album, unfortunately, it really doesn't sound that much different from earlier Frog Eyes releases. Of course, that isn't a bad thing, but I guess I was always expecting something... different. With his latest release Mercer was able to sound like nothing else out there right now. This album embodies Carey perfectly, and it is nothing short of astounding. That being said, 'Biloxi, In A Grove, Cleans Out His Eyes' is one of the greatest songs ever recorded.

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Balmorhea - All is Wild, All is Silent

This band is finally gaining some well deserved publicity. This is the type of album that has a lot going on, but everything seems perfectly in place and never overwhelming. Wonderfully layered vocals along with guitars, hand claps, violin, cello, piano, banjo and double bass make you forget some of the other bigger named artists in this genre. With their next release coming in February, I know it's only a matter of time before they start getting name dropped by everyone.

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There Will Be Fireworks - There Will Be Fireworks

I was really expecting to hate this album, mostly from the comparison to The Twilight Sad and a buddy of mine making fun of their opening track. Surprising enough, I fell nearly instantly in love with it. Each song has so much atmosphere without being suffocating or overtly pretentious. They take the best parts of great post-rock and shoegaze bands and make something all their own. This album is massive.

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Ohbijou - Beacons

Just like The Acorn's Glory Hope Mountain, this Canadian folk-pop band came out of seemingly nowhere and blew me away. Insanely catchy songs with fantastic lyrics and incredible arrangements make this a definite must listen for 2009.

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Danny Norbury - Light in August

I posted this album back in July and it has done nothing but grow on me. This is on par with some of the finest release from the likes of Rachel's, Sylvain Chauveau, Hauschka and Max Richter. An absolute incredible record for being his first full-length release. I am anxiously waiting to see what he does next.

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Molina & Johnson - Molina & Johnson

To be honest, I didn't have any hope for this record. I am simply not of fan of Molina's Magnolia Electric Co. and Will Johnson hasn't been that consistent for me. I guess I was one of those pathetic Songs: Ohia fans who longed for the darker and much more dreary days. Molina displaying his soul for the world to see and absolutely crushing any positive feelings you had. Despite all of that, I decided to give this album a try and I am fucking glad I did. It's like we stepped back to early '00s and Molina is back to his old self. Johnson is the perfect partner and as they sing and croon their way through the album, you can imagine yourself sitting right next to them by the fire. It's an almost embarrassingly personal album, the type we've long missed. Please, please, please make another album like this Jason. I beg of you.

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Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Vs. Children

Owen Ashworth had quite the daunting task of creating a follow-up to the acclaimed Etiquette. I wasn't quite sure he could capture the simplicity and infectiousness found in Etiquette. Luckily, my doubts were proven unfounded and what he ended up creating was and album that surpassed it in almost every way. One of the most infectious albums I've listened to in recent years, this album didn't leave my car's stereo for three months.

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Timber Timbre - Timber Timbre

What else really needs to be said about this incredible album? After a few years of ignoring his releases, I finally decided to give him a listen only to get completely blindsided by how talented this man truly is. It's been quite a few years since a single artist has completely dominated my listening time as thoroughly as this man has.

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Incredible Live Performance

My Completely Overdone and Unoriginal Ten Favourite Albums of the Past Decade

2010-01-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

Happy fucking New Year everyone. I figured I'd post this list that I've been working on for the past month or so in the slim chance it will help you cope with your hangovers and possibly help you forget any mistakes you made last night/year.

Everyone and their cats have made a 'Bestest blah blah blah of the Decade" list and I was feeling a bit left out. Making lists usually comes very naturally for me because I am constantly making them up in my head when I am bored. However, there was absolutely nothing easy about this creating this list. Choosing the albums themselves wasn't that difficult, it was the type of list I was going to make that gave me the most trouble. Should I make a top ten list that featuring what my favourite album during that year was? How about a list with my current favourite albums from each year? Or what if I made a list with the most influential albums for me over the years?

After much deliberation and talking(arguing) to myself, I decided to combine the most influential and current favourites and choose the albums based on those two criteria.

I'll shut up now. Here is my shitty list. (Click the album title for the link.)

2000

Songs: Ohia - Ghost T ropic

Unfairly overshadowed by Jason Molina's other incredible releases, I always find myself coming back to this release. This usually results in me doing nothing productive and listening to it on repeat until I realize it's 6pm and I am still wearing what I slept in. There has always been a battle in my mind between Will Oldham and Jason Molina on who can make you feel the worst, and Jason almost always wins. This album is absolutely soul crushing, in fact, it should have a warning label with that fact. WARNING: This album will crush your soul and any hopes/dreams you may once held on to are now gone.

2001

Lift to Experience - The Texas/Jerusalem Crossroads

I haven't talked about this album yet because it's special to me. I realize how fucking pathetic that statement sounds but it's the truth. This is the be all, end all of music for me. Of the thousands of albums I've listened to in the past couple of decade this reigns supreme. An absolute juggernaut of an album these guys had the balls to release a massive double LP as their first release. Not just your run-of-the-mill double album though, this is about it being the end times, Texas is the motherfucking Promised Land and the only thing that can fucking save us is this god damned band. Now once you wrap your head around how incredible awesome that is, you need to download/buy/borrow the album and listen to it in its entirety. No skipping tracks all willy nilly you Nancy pants. You clear a good two hours from your normal daily schedule of eating cheetohs and reading digg, sit down and listen to this fucking album. You listen to this fucking album until you either loathe it with every fiber of your being, or realize that Josh T. Pearson is the son of god and start praying to him before you eat your nightly meal consisting of a pepperoni hot pocket.

2002

The Remote Viewer - Here I Go Again on My Own

Fresh off my infatuation with Hood's Cold House, I was looking for the similar glitchy yet warm electronic sound I was enjoying so much. I guess it was only natural to find these two guys since they were formerly members of the aforementioned Hood. And so started my five year long obsession with electronic music and ambient music in general. The hardest part for me when it comes to finding decent electronic artists, is the ability for them to create something that seems alive. I'm not usually a fan of harsh/fast beats that do nothing other than make your head/body move. This album of glitchy beats, soft strings and unnatural field recordings is near perfect in every way.

2003

Frog Eyes - The Golden River

If you've never heard of Frog Eyes before I will try and explain what they sound like. I'm sure you've heard of Wolf Parade/Swan Lake/Sunset Rubdown or one of the billion other Spencer Krug projects that are out there. Now mix those all together, add a circus, caffeine and a tiny bit of structure and you have Frog Eyes. This isn't a band/album that will grow on you. This is the quintessential love it or hate it band. Carey Mercer's singing style and lyrics are bizarre to say the least, and because of this there is that bold line drawn. Because of this there are a lot of people that say they enjoy Frog Eyes simply for the niche factor and I hope each one of you dies in a car fire tonight.

This album is frantic, fun and absolutely gorgeous from beginning to end. It opened my eyes as far as what really makes good music. Do you need to have an American idol voice to be enjoyable? Do you have to fall into a certain genre to garner fans? This is a band you need to try at least once in your life. If you don't like it, move on. If you do enjoy it, be fucking careful because Frog Eyes fans are fucking weird.

2004

Adem - Homesongs

2004 was an incredible year of music for me. So many fantastic artists/albums that it took quite awhile to decide on a single release. I chose this album because it is perfect in every way. There are no weak tracks, no filler, nothing to detract from the awesomeness of this record. Adem plays an embarrassing number of instruments during live performances, and this is represented perfectly in the album itself. Everything from xylophones to harps to bells to banjos are present and played fantastically in this album. The end result and a wonderfully textured and perfectly paced album with great lyrics. You won't find a more perfect album in 2004.

2005

Marsen Jules - Herbstlaub

Martin Juhls is a very talented man. He weaves samples of instruments that ebb and flow together that gradually form a portrait in your mind. And just when this portrait becomes clearly visible, it is unraveled and washed away right before your eyes(ears). He is a true artist and this album is his Starry Night. A work of art that is routinely copied, yet never surmounted.

2006

Manyfingers - Our Worn Shadow

Explaining Manyfingers can be done fairly easily, but I will probably be laughed at and/or chastised for it. Chris Cole(Manyfingers) does what Keith Kenniff(Helios/Goldmund) does, only better. Using clicks, bleeps, pianos, accordians, guitars, flutes and xylophones he creates haunting landscapes of sound that slowly surround and eventually envelope you. You are at his mercy and remain that way until a song ends. He creates the type of music that is normally played in the background, but demands your attention. This is the best album of 2006 and makes others in his style of music look like fools.

2007

Seabear - The Ghost That Carried Us Away

What started as a solo project of Sindri Már Sigfússon, eventually turned into a full fledged touring band. What he/they created is one of the greatest folk-pop records ever recorded. That is really all the description that is necessary. This is a fun, complex, happy and wonderful record that will kill even the worst moods and put a big stupid grin on your face and all the other passengers on the bus will look at you like you're a fucking pervert or something because who the fuck is so happy on a bus in the middle of winter?

2008 Lotte Kestner - China Mountain

Have you ever listened to an album so many times in such a short period that you must force yourself to stop listening to it in an attempt to curb your obsession before it is out of control? This album did that to me. Anna-Lynne Williams decided to take a break from Trespassers William and create this methamphetamine in album form. I'm a sucker for fragile guitars and beautiful voices, so this album is basically a shot of crack cocaine into my dick. My perpetual hard-on for this album has yet to go away after a year and a half so I figure this should be my choice for 2008. Incredible lyrics and a voice that causes orgasms, thank you Anna-Lynne.

2009 Timber Timbre - Timber Timbre

Everything that needs to be said about this band/album I wrote about already. So quit being a lazy dick and go read it.

Evening Hymns - Spirit Guides

2009-12-08T01:15:00.000-08:00

Jonas Bonnetta is one of the many sorely underrated artists coming out of Canada the past few years. Along side Ohbijou, Forest City Lovers, Timber Timbre, Wooden Sky and The Acorn, they all seem to be on the cusp of something huge.

Spirit Guides is a fantastic folk album with a perfect mixture of field recordings and acoustic instrumental that rivals some of the best this genre has offered from the past few years. Simply gorgeous from start to finish I've had this in my car's cd player for a week straight and it just keeps getting better. Definitely one of my favourite releases of the year, I just haven't figured out high on my list it goes yet.

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Arturo en el Barco

2009-11-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

For the past five years Angélica Negrón has been creating wonderful music under the name Arturo en el Barco. With a piano, violin and glitchy electronic soundscapes, she crafted one of my favourite releases of 2005. Unfortunately for her, 2005 was a fantastic year for electronic/ambient releases and she was for the most part ignored by the music sites and reviewers in general. Now that she is part of an ensemble I am hoping the strong live performances will finally garner some much needed exposure for her.

This is lo-fi ambient at its best, simply beautiful in every way. If you enjoy Helios, aMute, The Boats, Porn Sword Tobacco or Marsen Jules you will certainly enjoy this.

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The Calm Blue Sea

2009-11-26T11:25:00.000-08:00

The Calm Blue Sea hails from Austin, Texas and seems to have gone almost unnoticed in the ocean of fantastic music coming out of the Austin area. A comparison to their Austin post-rock brethren Explosions In The Sky is unavoidable, but they really are so much more than just another band that gets thrown into the same genre without a second thought.

Their self-titled debut is a gapless forty-six minutes of serenity and chaos. Each track moves seamlessly into the next and creates an overall dynamic that makes it nearly impossible to listen to just a single track. An absolute behemoth of a debut record and I'm not sure how I missed out on this one.

On their latest album Siegfried: An Original Score, they attempt to create a score for the 1924 film, Die Nibelungen: Siegfried. I really didn't know what to expect from this project. It seemed rather pretentious and I wasn't very excited about the prospect of listening to it. After listening to to the opening track my fears were put to rest. This album seems so much more focused and precise in every way. They've used a multitude of new sounds and instruments and created just an outstanding record. Lush with pianos and strings that they incorporate perfectly with their original sound, this album is massive and on the verge of being overwhelming. I hope to any god that will hear me that these guys get to score an actual film because I expect it to be nothing short of incredible.

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The Type Records Appreciation Post

2009-11-24T16:42:00.000-08:00

I absolutely adore Type Records. John Twells and Stef Lewandowski have an incredible track record and easily the highest quality collection of artists/albums I have seen on any label. It's rare that there is a bad release from this label and is the main reason I keep buying their records. Here are a few of my favourites from this outstanding label. Click on the album title for the download link.

Goldmund - Cordurouy Road

"As Goldmund, Kenniff has disregarded the electronic elements of his music almost entirely in favour of just a piano, a microphone and occasionally a guitar. ‘Corduroy Road’ is thirteen tracks of pure recording, the sound of the piano being opened and the feet on the pedals, the sound of fingers pressing lovingly onto the keys. This is a record of rare and unusual beauty, so shocking and yet unpretentious in its simplicity. When the guitar does emerge from beside the delicately touched piano, it serves as a balancing point for the record. Weaving in and out of the melodies, it adds another layer to what is already incredibly moving music."

Sylvain Chauveau - Nuage

"With a hand-picked group of players on piano, viola, violin and with Sylvain himself on electric guitar the music roots itself in the traditions of great film scoring. There are defnite nods to Krzysztof Kieslowski’s composer Zbigniew Preisner in the deep sense of emotion and melancholy, and Chauveau strips his pieces down to the bare minimum of what might be needed, ridding himself of orchestral excess or meaningless sentimentality. Thus short motifs rise and fall, tangling their way through the album, appearing and re-appearing subtly and beautifully."

Xela - The Dead Sea

"‘The Dead Sea’ is Xela’s ode to all things maritime – with the album’s thematic thread detailing a doomed ocean voyage that meets an abrupt end amongst a swarm of malignant zombies. Drawing on the work of 1970’s horror directors (Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci and George Romero et al.) and their respective soundtracks, ‘The Dead Sea’ pays a considerable debt to the likes of Goblin or Fabio Frizzi – albeit frayed with a bloodied disposition that reveals a love of Earth, Circle and Wolf Eyes. Nowhere near as oppressive as this description could have you believe, Xela also exposes a deep seam of kaleidoscopic folk amongst his collection, with generous nods going to the freewheeling antics of labels such as Fonal and The Jewelled Antler Collective."

Peter Broderick - Float

"'Float’ is an album which has a definite narrative – a fan of film soundtracks and the films themselves Peter decided early on to make an album which was not simply a collection of random tracks. Rather we hear themes appear and re-appear, motifs to signal the different acts of the record and characters, sometimes in the shape of instruments themselves dropping in and out as if through some thick French cigarette smoke. Even the titles of the tracks themselves could tell a story and as you listen to the album, as subconsciously you follow the broad lines which link each piece together."

Deaf Center - Pale Ravine

"Inspired by old silent 8mm film reels, the historical architecture around them and the call of the alluring Norwegian landscape, the duo set out armed with microphones to record whatever they could to capture these feelings. Sounds from battered old records, cash registers, broken machines and a half-dead piano were all blended into the mix to add a warm, homely depth to the recordings. These sounds are most evident in the track ‘Loft’, where knocks and wooden creaks give an almost claustrophobic feel to the music. Again on ‘The Clearing’ a subtle field recording gives the track a rich and involving background and helps build up the mysterious aura before launching a skewed 1930s circus-waltz.

One of the most stand-out influences on ‘Pale Ravine’ is theatre, or at least the romance of all things theatrical. Not so much theatre in all its pretentious excesses, but the childhood apprehensiveness and the sinister undercurrents. From the muffled ticket booth ambience of ‘Lobby’ to the solemn dance of ‘White Lake’ it all appears draped in thick billowing velvet. The dense narrative technique the duo employs is almost like a reverse to a silent film and the soundtrack is provided to be accompanied by the imaginative visuals of the listener.

‘Pale Ravine’ is an album which again manages to blend elements of classical music with electronic music, yet there is something decidedly different which sets it apart from the competition. While there are elements that can be compared with contemporaries such as Max Richter, Marsen Jules or Ryan Teague – Deaf Center is altogether more other-worldly, darker and ultimately very rewarding."

Logreybeam - It's All Just Another Aspect of Mannerism

"Morley is better known as one half of electronica act ‘Yasume’. His gritty percussive structures helped carry their album ‘Where We’re From The Birds Sing A Pretty Song’ to great critical acclaim in 2003. It comes as quite a surprise then that in his debut solo record Morley dispenses with percussion almost entirely to make a record of drifting, crystalline beauty. He considers this as a far more personal work than Yasume, which was more of an outlet for his ADD induced beat creation skills. It is when working by himself he feels he can express his love of musique concrete and abstract sound design.

The album opens in typically classical style, with the sounds of a laptop orchestra tuning their samples on ‘Premonition’. This sets the tone of the record perfectly as it drifts seamlessly from Xenakis-influenced electrical drones into the cold, precise digital manipulations explored previously by artists such as Carsten Nicolai. It stops for breath mid-way through with ‘Beetelguise’, a wonderful reinterpretation of Danny Elfman’s influential theme, proving that there is room for a wry smile in the po-faced world of the avante garde.

As the album draws to a satisfying close with the mysterious ‘Untitled’ we are treated to a piece of field recording, delicately manipulated to brush the senses rather than barrage them with information. This kind of subtlety is rarely achieved, yet Gabriel Morley manages effortlessly. Such simple yet involving beauty comes around far too infrequently, which is what makes ’It’s All Just Another Aspect Of Mannerism’ such an essential work."

Emery Reel - ...For And Acted Upon Through Diversions

2009-11-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

"Another supreme release from Resonant, this time round diverting their attention momentarily from the icy log-cabin planes of Iceland and heading west towards Nashville, Tennessee for a sublime quiet/loud post-rock session with Emery Reel. “.....For And Acted Upon Through Diversions” was originally released on the fledgling “First Flight” imprint but has been licensed here by Resonant with much care and attention to detail. The packaging owes much to the Constellation pedigree – dye-cut cardboard slipcase and multi-layered artwork, a good signpost for the shimmering cocophany of instrumentation to be found within. One for fans of Mogwai, Godspeed, Do Make Say Think etc.... Highly Recommended!"

One of my absolute favourite albums, this gem from 2002 seemed to slip under everyone's radar. This is an album I always go back to and recommend to anyone who will listen. If you are a fan of anything remotely related to post-rock you should give this a spin. Fucking gorgeous from beginning to end.

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The Whiskers

2009-11-06T16:42:00.000-08:00

I've tried and failed to find out much, if anything about this band. The lineup can change from two to nine people on any given night and they seem to enjoy the anonymity. The best way I could describe this band is to take the energy and unconventional song structures of Frog Eyes and mix it with the rawness and spontaneity of earlier Xiu Xiu. They create infectious and deranged pop songs that both scare and entice you. This is an absolute must listen for fans of Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown, Blackout Beach, Swan Lake, Destroyer [insert random Spencer Krug project here]...

The Distorted Hostorian (download)

The Whiskers (download)

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The Whiskers - 04/01/2009 - The Bug Jar - Rochester, NY

Brian Harnetty & Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Silent City

2009-11-03T16:29:00.000-08:00

The past few years Will Oldham has released quite a few allbums, none of which were very memorable to me. Long gone were his vulnerable crackling voice and sorrowful lyrics in exchange for a much more polished and upbeat sound. I guess I miss the old Will and was hoping he'd release something that would remind me of his earlier works. Thankfully, with the help of Brian Harnetty, that Will we have grown to miss is back.

Harnetty crafts a wonderful soundscape of natural ambient sounds, field recordings and historic records to craft a haunting and wonderful world in which Oldham's fragile vocals mix perfectly with. I am slowly working my way through Brian's other recordings and loving every second of it.

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Timber Timbre

2009-08-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

Timber Timbre is the brainchild of Toronto based Taylor Kirk. With a ghostly warble Taylor uses guitars, pianos, banjos, organs and horns to craft these three exceptional albums. His first release was Cedar Shakes which was recorded in a small farm house in Ontario. Reflecting the fields that surrounded him this album sounds sparse, lonely and incredible.
His second record Medicinals is much tighter and straight-forward but loses nothing that made his debut so spectacular. You can hear the influence of blues and jazz as they saturate these sad and wonderful songs.
His latest release was his first to be recorded in an actual studio which I thought might hurt the overall aesthetic of his sound but I am happy to say it does not. He focuses a bit more on the blues aspect and keeps each of his songs tight, catchy and memorable. You will be humming these songs all day thanks to the album's infectiousness.

Cedar Shakes (2006)
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Medicinals (2007)
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Timber Timbre (2009)
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Blindfold

2009-08-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of my personal favourite albums and I would really like to see it get some more accolades. Blindfold is a solo project of Biggi Hilmarsson, current member of the Icelandic band Ampop. Released on the now defunct but incredible Resonant label in 2004, this record has the perfect mix of warm, glitchy ambient with a quiet guitar and fragile vocals. If you are looking for something to just lay back and enjoy no matter what the weather or your mood is, this is the album for you.

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Haruko - Wild Geese

2009-07-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

Haruko is German singer/songwriter Susanne Stanglow. With ten simple yet gorgeous tracks she created one of the finest folk albums of 2009. I would compare her to the likes of Lotte Kestern, Alela Diane and Sharon Van Etten. This is a fantastic little album and has secured a spot as one of my favourites so far this year.

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Ganglians - Monster Head Room

2009-07-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

This is a fun album. That is such a simple statement but it is the best way to describe this album. Imagine taking Skygreen Leopards and mixing in some Beach Boys, it would sound something like this. A psychedelic pop album that just makes you feel good from start to finish. I recommend this for fans of Wavves, Crystal Stilts and Skygreen Leopards. Warning: this album is guaranteed to make your bad mood infinitely better. Listen at your own risk.

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Ohbijou - Beacons

2009-07-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

Ohbijou is another fantastic Canadian band that created a wonderful orchestral/pop/folk album that is very reminiscent of The Acorn's Glory Hope Mountain. Sad and yet uplifting this album doesn't fail to make me smile. This is a must listen for fans of The Acorn, Plants and Animals and Bowerbirds.

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Danny Norbury - Light In August

2009-07-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

Danny Norbury is a cellist that creates his music using the instruments he has at home. This may seem like an uninteresting fact until you listen to the scope of this record. It is massive, expansive, elegant and sometimes astonishing. Balancing between the cello and piano he creates a stunning record that rivals the likes of Max Richter, Peter Broderick, Sylvain Chauveau, Rachel's and Hauschka. When he isn't working on a release he is collaborating with the likes of Library Tapes, The Boats and Rafael Anton Irisarri. This album will gut you and at the same time make you feel unassailable.

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Jay Munly - Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots

2009-07-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

I just recently discovered the wonder that is Jay Munly. His catalog of music is exhaustive, spanning many different bands and collaborations. Creating a very classic sound of gothic/gospel/americana with a plethora of instruments and incredible lyrics. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys Devotchka, 16 Horsepower and Woven Hand. I am still slowly working through his releases and he just keeps impressing me.

Don't fuck with Munly.

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The Cloud Hymn - A Seed Buried in the Ground

2009-07-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

In a usual sleepless night of mine I was searching through countless labels and seeing if any artists grab my attention. I happened upon ambledown which has a collection of very good Wisconsin artists. The Cloud Hymn really impressed me with the few tracks I heard so I went ahead and got the album. This album is just straight forward acoustic folk with a piano and two gorgeous voices. John Nielsen creates snow covered soundscapes that just completely surround you. Like a warm blanket this album is perfect for a cold day and a cup of coffee. Wow that sounded corny as hell but I don't care. Thanks John, you got me writing like an asshole now.

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Richard Skelton - Marking Time

2009-07-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

This is Richard's first release under his own name and easily his finest work to date. With a gentle piano, a quiet guitar and bowed strings he crafts seven incredible tales that completely envelope you and melt away any inhibitions you may have. Each track feels as though it will fall apart any moment and you hope that it will just last a little longer. For fans of Max Richter, Sylvain Chauveau, Goldmund and Hauschka this is an absolute must listen.

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Zach Zeller

2009-07-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

I was browsing cdbaby for a couple of hours today when I came across this artist. I have never heard a thing about him so I bought his albums based on just a few samples. I am extremely glad I did, he creates simple yet very lush lo-fi folk songs that are reminiscent of Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver and a bit of Will Oldham. Fuzzy, warm and completely addicting the songs range from simple folk songs to layered electro-pop. I implore you to listen to these albums, fall in love and support this artist. He deserves any credit/fans/support he gets.

Zach Zeller - Swords (Click to download)

Zach Zeller - From Here To There (Click to Download)

Myspace

Julien Neto - Le Fumeur De Ciel

2009-06-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

"Parisian Julien Neto has been an active member of the music scene for some time with releases on various labels under various monikers, so it comes as a surprise then that this is his debut album. However, Neto has taken his time in producing this record, and it shows very clearly that this is not merely a random collection of tracks but a fully realized work. Like a poem, each track is a verse, and part of a much larger piece. The literary connection does not stop here, Neto based part of the record on the poems of Keats finding a kindred spirit in his deep and moving romanticism. This effortless gravitas is explored cautiously on ‘IV’, where sweeping strings and distant piano form the basis of an epic and moving track. The title of the record is somewhat fitting as the album is enswathed by curls of cinematic smoke. Think Twin Peaks as blue light illuminates the dry ice around Julee Cruise on centre stage, or the thick French cigarette smoke drifting from Rachel’s mouth in Blade Runner and you’re close. Yet what makes ‘Le Fumeur De Ciel’ so beautifully inviting is its delicate naivety. There is something of timeless theatrics about the record, hazy childhood memories of half-sinister puppetry and enjoyably menacing shadows. Propelled by a tireless Gallic melancholy, this is a work which confronts tragic loss with an unflinching honesty. Each track is underpinned by deep memories and dried tears. ‘Sketch’ takes Neto’s signature flute sound and adds sweeping strings and a lightly plucked harp that trips over the already heart wrenching melodies. The atmospheres which Neto carves are the most striking aspect of his music. With samples, rough tape edits and disintegrated synthesized sounds he can manipulate imaginary worlds. This is when we have to go back to Keats, and in the same way that a poem looks to the reader’s imagination to complete the experience, so Neto does the same.

Fans of Colleen, Susumu Yokota, Sylvain Chaveau and Max Richter are sure to find solace in these peaceful and measured electro acoustic compositions."

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Scary Mansion - Every Joke Is Half the Truth

2009-06-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

An incredible lo-fi record that seemed to go completely unnoticed last year. I'd say it's a good mix of Cat Power and earlier Phil Elvrum projects, a bit creepy but absolutely beautiful at the same time.

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Daturah

2009-06-15T04:06:00.000-07:00

An incredibly overlooked band that just doesn't seem to garner any attention despite releasing two fantastic ambient/post-rock albums. This is an absolute must listen for fans of Mono, Set Fire to Flames and Do Make Say Think.

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alva noto + ryuichi sakamoto - insen

2009-06-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

This is neo-classical minimalism at its absolute finest. A perfect blend of a fragile piano with a subtle and often hypnotizing electronic beat. Together they form a record that seems to breath, as if it was alive and begging to be heard. This album is pure bliss from beginning to end.

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Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane

2009-06-11T03:54:00.001-07:00

"Recorded primarily on an old tape machine and a JVC ghetto blaster in Chad’s Calgary basement, Soft Airplane retains the handmade charm and singular character of his previous records, while incorporating new layers of sophistication and weight. Recalling Neil Young at his most fragile and plaintive, and Thurston Moore at his most resolved and vital, Chad’s emotive vocals anchor these songs while tackling the pervasive themes of death and dreams with an unexpected air of certainty and hope that is far from ominous—-instead it’s luminous. Through a complex interplay of guitar, drum beats, loops, samples, found sounds, unorthodox percussion, xylophones, distortion, synthesizers, accordions and more, Chad has made an album that sounds bigger than one man.

It sounds like a lifetime."

There really isn't much to add, it's a haunting album that you cannot fit inside a specific genre. This scary and beautiful album never ceases to impress me and every time I listen I come away with something new and wonderful. If you like your music a bit on the weird side this is for you.

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Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

2009-06-11T03:27:00.000-07:00

Easily one of the most overlooked gems of 2008 and completely caught me by surprise. This album ranges from pure Will Oldham type folk to an Akron/Family style freak-out. The album keeps you on your toes and almost forces your attention. This isn't something you can put on in the background, it's an album you need to pay attention to and listen intently. He is going to make a name for himself in the coming years. Until that happens I will just patiently await his next release.

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Bowery Boy Blue - Stalk That Myth

2009-06-08T00:07:00.000-07:00

"Begun in 2005, the New York City based Bowery Boy Blue is excited to be following up their debut EP Give the Kids What They Want with their first full length Stalk That Myth this spring. Coupled with the lyrical craft of Stalk that Myth is an exceptionally strong musical cast. Violinist Megan Gould (née Weeder; of Stereofan and the Japonize Elephants) is featured most prominently, arranging and playing three of the four pieces in the string quartet that acts as a vocal counterpoint throughout much of the record. Drummer Jason Toth (Manishevitz, Edith Frost) emits a Pixies-like pulse on “They Sleep Standing Like Cranes”, and propels the record throughout. For the first time since 2003’s Three on the Tree, Zeb’s father and fan favorite Geoff Gould makes an appearance on dobro and banjo. Zeb himself plays all the guitars on the record, with the grace of his fingerpicked solo releases and a new stabbing electric energy."

This is an absolute must listen for fans of Neil Young and Songs: Ohia/Magnolia Electric Co. An incredibly tight americana lo-fi album that is an joy to listen from beginning to end. I couldn't shut up about this record last year and I continue to gush without embarrassment.

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Young Widows - Old Wounds

2009-06-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

"Formed from the remnants of Breather Resist, Louisville, KY's Young Widows have progressed from their noisy hardcore roots into something truly their own - a sinister, hypnotic rock band with a mind-blowing live show and a stunning attention to detail. With their bone-rattling rhythms and their sprawling wall of matching custom-designed amps, Young Widows kill the fashionably bored and resurrect the evil dead. "

A fantastic band very reminiscent of Shellac and Albini's other projects. This album is much more focused than their debut and every songs clear, angry and phenomenal. I recommend this for anyone who is looking for something a little heavier but doesn't want the screams.

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Sin Fang Bous - Clangour

2009-06-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

This is the latest solo release of Seabear frontman Sindri Mar Sigfusson. Although Seabear started as a solo project, it quickly evolved into the beloved folk-pop band we love today. Not straying too far from his roots Sindir retains his easily accessible style with much more substance. Now each songs swirls with activity and sounds but without feeling too claustrophobic. Each sound you hear seems perfectly in place and if removed would be catastrophic to the overall dynamic. I would best describe the sound as an extremely laid back Animal Collective. This is quite possibly my favourite release of 2008.

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Beast, Please Be Still

2009-06-06T21:39:00.001-07:00

"Moments of tender sweetness lead to bone crushing sweetness. This group of seven explores time signatures your Senegalese grandfather talked about, using instruments from before and after time, in the context of orchestrated rockopalyptic soundscapes."

I purchased this on a whim and finally gave it a listen today. Very unassuming neo-classical post-rock that includes some unusual instruments not normally found on these type of records. It gives it a very organic sound and is borderline ambient in some instances. Fans of Explosions in the Sky, Rachel's, The Boats and Goldmund should love this.

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I'm Not a Gun - We Think As Instruments

2009-06-06T21:23:00.001-07:00

This is one of my favourite releases by Jon Tejada and Takeshi Nikimoto. They blend a perfect mixture of ambient electronic with a subdued post-rock sound. A must-have for fans of Porn Sword Tobacco, Epic45 or The Remote Viewer.

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Silence Magnifies Sound

2009-06-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

I started this blog to share the music I love in hopes that it will garner new fans and help support these artists. If any links stop working, you have any questions about the site/artists/albums or even have a request feel free to email me at thesilencemagnifiessound@gmail.com