Contemporary Noise Sextet - Ghostwriter’s Joke [2011]

Contemporary Noise Sextet - Ghostwriter’s Joke
[Denovali, 2011]
genre: instrumental, jazz
Album Review by |kollaps|

While opening the finely designed digipack of this new release by this polish band - unknown to me up to that moment - called Contemporary Noise Sextet, I was expecting a full blast of junk noise a-la Wolf Eyes, guitar skronk and shrieking electronics… Or, at least, a kind of Peter Brötzmann Octet free jazz thing that paralyses your spine up to the point that you want to you want to get up and smash your head on the wall…
I felt a bit bewildered when the opening track ‘Walk With Marylin’ kicked in: this was an atmospheric orchestral piece that seemed to have popped out of a Martin Scorcese film, a soundtrack to a late night stroll in some under-lit parts of the city. ‘Moring Ballet’ started with a perfect jazzy rhythm section and piano that lead to the saxophone vs. trumpet main theme of a pure jazz piece. ‘Is That Revolution Sad?’ continued in a more relaxed tone with a few guitar solos and a really catchy brass section. There was no doubt, this record was far away from any noisy branches of contemporary music; it was pure modern instrumental jazz.
The remaining four tracks follow the same pattern, with perfect arrangements, dreamy atmosphere, steady rhythms and powerful reeds. Although this kind of jazz is not entirely my cup of tea and I tend to prefer more unstructured and improvised compositions, I have to admit that overall, it is a flawless, gentle and graceful piece of work that makes a truly pleasurable listen for the average jazz fan.

stream:
http://denovali.com/noisesextet/

http://www.myspace.com/cnquintet

Tracklist
01 - Walk With Marilyn
02 - Morning Ballet
03 - Is That Revolution Sad?
04 - Old Typewriter
05 - Chasing Rita
06 - Norman’s Mother
07 - Kill The Seagull, Now!

The Fierce & The Dead - If It Carries On Like This We Are Moving To Morecambe [2011]

The Fierce & The Dead - If It Carries On Like This We Are Moving To Morecambe
[2011]
genre: post-rock, instrumental, noise, experimental

The Fierce And The Dead have just released their debut album, the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut EP from 2010. Featuring Matt Stevens - Guitars, Kev Feazey - Bass/synths/production and Stuart Marshall on drums the album has been recorded over the last year. Nick Cave/Faust/Lydia Lunch saxophonist Terry Edwards features on two tracks. The album is dedicated to close friend Dan Wilson who passed away during the making of the album. There are 10 songs, all shorter than the one on the first EP (although that song was 19 minutes long). The album is released on their own Spencer Park Music label (after turning down several record companies) and they are looking forward to touring in the summer, dates to be announced soon.



http://www.fierceandthedead.com/
https://www.facebook.com/fierceandthedead

1 Flint
2 Part 2
3 The Wait
4 HR
5 Hotel No,6
6 Landcrab
7 Daddies Little Helper
8 Woodchip
9 10 x 10
10 Andy Fox

Jardín de la Croix – Ocean Cosmonauts [2011]

Jardín de la Croix – Ocean Cosmonauts
[Noma Records, 2011]
genre: Math Rock, Metal, Progressive, Instrumental

Jardín de la Croix is a four piece progressive and instrumental rock band from Madrid (Spain). They are often categorized as math rock and post rock. The band develops complex structures and built elaborated sound trips along their songs. Some people describe their sound like a mixture of King crimson, Don Caballero, Russian Circles and Lite.
Two years after their critically aclaimed debut Pomeroy and having played with great acts such us This Will Destroy You, Russian Circles, Caspian, The Buterfly Explosion, Toundra or My Own Private Alaska, this Spanish instrumental quartet string back with amazing new LP, more technical, melodic and even more experimental, we are to proud to say these guys are one of the best examples of nowadays math rock and sincerely hope this album will remembered as the one which showed their true potential to the rest of the world.


http://www.myspace.com/jardindelacroix
http://www.facebook.com/jardindelacroix
http://www.nomarecords.com

tracks
1. Blacksnout Seasnail
2. Vostok
3. Island of Atlas
4. Maelstrom
5. Challenger
6. Math of Vortex
7. Caronte
8. Japanese Rockets

Ocoai – The Electric Hand [2011]

Ocoai – The Electric Hand
[Missing Words , 2011]
genre: sludge metal, metal, post-rock, post-metal, instrumental, progressive
Album Review by Sovereign

In the review of their previous release of 2008 Breatherman I said that they are “epic harmonious”. I don’t know if this phrase means something in English, but I was trying to explain their unique style which combines melody and sludge heaviness. They do follow the same paths of dark melodies and dirty but progressive metal, they used to walk in their first full length, but I found this album a bit more atmospheric than the old one, which was too raw and heavy. Again they still swim in high quality waters and they produce unique music under the influence of Neurosis, Isis, Cult of Luna, Pelican and GY!BE. I still remember how I enjoyed their last album and I still can’t believe how much I love this release from the first listening. They can get together prog and art rock with sludge and heavy post-metal, under an atmosphere of dark and shoegaze noisy music. This is unique and for me this band is a surprise among the tones of low-level and unpromising new bands of post-music genres and noisy tags. I strongly believe that this is another perfect album that could attract fans who like guitars, noise, rock and metal riffs and lowcore attitude.

http://www.myspace.com/ocoai

Tracklist:
01 - Waking Fear
02 - Niveus Hills
03 - Grimpeur
04 - Somnium
05 - La Main d’Electrique
06 - Marchand de Sommeil
07 - Morte Audaciter

And so I Watch you from Afar – Gangs [2011]

And so I Watch you from Afar – Gangs
[Richter Collective, 2011]
genre: experimental rock, instrumental, post-rock, noise-rock, avant-prog, math rock
Album Review by Sovereign

Just read what I’ve mentioned in the review for their previous full-lenght release of 2009 . There is no much to say. Just that they are a bit more mature and their music is more inspirational and sometimes really sensational. Also last year’s Ep the release was another great work. This album is fucking awesome. Their post-rock is of course heavier than 2 years ago and their attitude is really technical and math. Progressive ideas and space rock sounds combined with excellent guitar scapes. Some tracks you listen in here, you can never find in somewhere else. There is no other band such these Irish guys. Melody and noise, punk and rock, art and experimental. For sure one of the best post-rock releases of the year. Maybe the best experimental rock release of the last 2 years. I don’t know if they are more modern than other or they follow their inspiration and influences but I think that they are great. I heard that they do have great live performances in their bio and I hope to see them around. Great album. One of the best.



http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs

http://www.myspace.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar

tracks
1 BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION – 5:52
2 Gang (Starting Never Stopping) – 5:26
3 Search:Party:Animal – 5:18
4 7 Billion People All Alive At Once - 5:44
5 Think:Breathe:Destroy - 4:43
6 Homes - Ghost Parlor KA -6 To… - 2:46
7Homes - Samara To Belfast - 9:50
8 Lifeproof - 5:05

Artic Whisperings - óvænt lán [2011]

Artic Whisperings - óvænt lán
[Meters and Miles Recordings, 2011]
genre: Instrumental, Ambient, Post-rock

“Arctic Whisperings manage to combine beautifully quiet found sounds & field recordings from chilling landscapes with some of the most delicate and creative instrumental arrangements. Cinematic delayed & reverberated guitars drift and soar into the frozen air like glaciers slowly melting into the ocean. The percussive sound of drums and bass pulsate like volcanos on the verge of eruption as the quiet tone of the vocals gently paint the soundscapes of these arctic whisperings. Paying homage to the many tribes of the Arctic, this debut EP is called óvænt lán and gives an insight into the life of these simplistic ways of life. Soundscapes influenced by the beautifully desolate landscapes and sounds of the chilling arctic echos of the northern world.”

free stream
http://arcticwhisperings.bandcamp.com/

http://soundcloud.com/arcticwhisperings
http://arcticwhisperings.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1. The chilling calls from the white sea 4.38
2. Whales will feed our frozen families 5.14
3. Your name will outlive your skills 3.56
4. The world will end as children play 5.22
5. Leave me to die in this frozen lake 4.48
6. We fought in the armour of our fathers 3.57

Music For Money - Flying Birds [2011]

Music For Money - Flying Birds
[Erektik Records, 2011]
genre: electronica, instrumental, ambient, experimental rock, experimental, post-rock
Album Review by Sovereign

Music For Money are from Montreal, Canada. A city that gives birth to some of the most interesting and inspired post-rock bands of the world. This is their second release after “X” of 2009. Their music is quite experimental, cinematic and gives a sense of modern theatrical soundtrack. As they said: “Instrumental soundtrack to escape from reality”. I really agree with this statement as their mix of post-rock guitar routes and electronic parts make the music so sweat and interesting that I could listen to this album for hours and days without getting any bored. Synths, strings and programming produce a great result and this is what modern music could be. The band members are Myriam Boucher (synths, piano, drums, programming, electric guitar), Pierre-Luc Lecours (electric guitar, drums, programming, synths), Jérémie Jones (electric bass, upright bass) and they do construct a great release with right steps and music which came straight from their heart. For sure this is not a typical post-rock album. You can say that there are some intelligent dance tracks inside here, with a rock attitude and an fantastic atmospherical and experimental background.

stream - download
http://musicformoney.bandcamp.com/

http://www.myspace.com/musicformoney
http://www.musicformoney.ca/

tracks
1. intro 1:57
2.L’appel 03:48
3.Parfum de glace 03:32
4.Rouge 04:21
5.Dérive 05:48
6.Mat 03:57
7.Liebem 03:39
8.Barbe à Papa 04:02
9.City Landscape 03:35
10.Fragile 04:02
11.Vol d’oiseaux 02:21
12. Countdown 04:12
13. Espagne 06:04

Explosions In The Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care [2011]

Explosions In The Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
[Temporary Residence, 2011]
genre: instrumental, post-rock, experimental rock
Album Review by Sovereign

Post-rock masters are back. The new album from the Americans is reality and it is as it has to be. Their music was, is and will be forever great and truly inspired. We vote for them, and we put their previous masterpiece among our favourite albums of the previous decade. Once again EITS build excellent post-rock compositions. Their music is well structured and the tracks follow an unbelievable music style which you can only find inside EITS’ tracks. Music in general has a melodic character, post-rock is defined by noisy guitars and experimental means that ideas overflow through these compositions. All the above together result their new album, a release that could satisfy every post-rock fan and everyone who likes good music. The only problem is that the album is so fucking good, that convinces me that there is no future for them anymore, maybe there is no future for post-rock anymore. They have done everything, they’ve created fabulous songs, great compositions and they have reached the top of their inspiration. Tickling guitars as they can excellent do! Just spend hours for these tracks, they are woth it.



http://www.myspace.com/explosionsinthesky
http://www.explosionsinthesky.com/

stream - trembling hands
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tracks:
1. Last Known Surroundings
2. Human Qualities
3. Trembling Hands
4. Be Comfortable, Creature
5. Postcard From 1952
6. Let Me Back In