A lot of new interesting music spanning several types, less emphasis on hard rock and metal rock. Next week will be a pause just because I want to spend time taking some of the best tracks from the past few weeks and turning them into pieces for my portable player.
News
Music of Note
Organist and keyboardist of note, Hausswolff has a flair for intriguing atmospheric compositions. Much of it makes use of a cathedral pipe organ, which is just one of the loveliest instruments played when it suits the compositions. Other instruments and her vocals are mixed in so it doesn’t sound like isolated organ music. Absolutely captivating.
German rock artist (singing in German) plays likable songs. Death Cab for Cutie would be a good comparison. Some tracks are simply lovely. My Anglo-centered self is tempted to dismiss this work just because the German lyrics don’t yield much interest, but it is too good to set aside for my language limitations.
Much like Steven Wilson’s work, songs are long and well-developed, maybe not quite as complex as the master, but still worthy. Excellent vocals throughout.
Electronic pop with lead vocalist Louise Wener sounding Aimee Mann-ish. The band formed and broke up in the 90’s but reformed five years ago and have since released four albums. The album has its fair share of winners. Good bouncy pop rock would give the Bangles a run for the money.
Interesting Music
Take a brilliant percussionist, add a legendary saxophonist, sprinkle in the production of a typical ECM recording and the result is some amazing and interesting sounds. Keep in mind, sometimes interesting isn't satisfying. More soundscapes than songs leaves me a little unfulfilled.
The prog rock stalwarts with a brand new release is as full and luscious as any of their past work. At 94 minutes, this would be a double album if they were CD’s or vinyl albums. It probably makes sense to listen from start to finish as it is a concept work with a continuing story. It sounds fine, but I didn’t add any individual tracks to my mobile player just because none stood by itself.
Best described as electronic based alt-rock or art-rock, it’s mainly an instrumental band with occasional vocals thrown in. Catchy dance music with elements of Vangellis. Several wonderful pieces.
Vietnamese born guitarist has a wonderful touch playing a style of guitar unlike anyone I’ve heard. It’s a blend of Pat Methany, John Scofield, and John McLaughlin. The band members backing him are also very good. Mostly upbeat tempo with a low level of dissonance.
Icelander Asgeir is a multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter with recordings sounding like it was recorded in an ice cave. Pleasant and sometimes captivating rock ballads.
This Irish band could be described as new age rock music with its slow developing understated melodic segments suddenly blasting into heavy grunge music. Quite interesting.
Vocalist Katherine Shepard uses this moniker to deliver her work along with a variety of other players, alternating between long soaring passages and intense wall of sound guitar-based hard rock. She’s a good vocalist and writes capable compositions making this a decent album to listen to.
Former cage fighter turned singer songwriter Kris Barras and his band could be mistaken by Bryan Adams in his heyday. Good solid writing and respectable instrumental licks sells this album.
Well, if you can imagine a jazzy Frank Zappa reincarnation in the form of a couple of Swedes with other Swedish session musicians (but minus the guitar machinations), you definitely have a creative imagination. But that is the best way to describe this effort. No vocalists, but a lot of quirky song signatures and pattern changes. Different.
More music from Iceland! A four-piece post-metal rock band playing screaming guitars and singing Icelandic verse. The songs extend out long enough to have depth of development. An OK effort all around.
Not So Great
A variety of live performances including large ensembles, small groups, solos, and yes, even an a cappella percussionist. The long journey obviously refers to Weber’s long and varied career as a jazz figure, but it is far from his most compelling.
No comments:
Post a Comment