Week of Apr 17, 2022

Mostly new works with a little bit of the old sprinkled in. When the playlist is heavy with current music, I start longing for the older bands. So next week, I will search to bring out some of the 70's and 80's work I enjoyed (i.e. no disco, glam rock, and other regrettable periods of music).   

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Music of Note

Anekdoten - Until All the Ghosts Are Gone

The background melotron-esque sounds adds an old time prog feel to this record despite the 2015 release date. More King Crimson like (right down to the occasional saxophone interventions) than The Moody Blues, this Swedish band recalls the more dynamic period of early prog rock.

New Model Army - Thunder and Consolation (2005 Remaster)

A remaster from their 2-CD 1989 release, they sounded more like a blend of Irish folk and hard driving rock. It works because it takes the best of both worlds. Half is studio work and half is live versions which, unfortunately, lack the dynamics of the studio. Full of passion, the songs are vibrant and have punch, which begs the question, how the fuck did this band stay in the shadow of U2?

Nosound - Afterthoughts (Remastered)

The group Nosound is primarily Italian prog rocker Giancarlo Erra with an assortment of musicians. With eleven releases to his (their) name, Nosound demonstrates an accomplished songcraft and production capabilities, not too unlike Bruce Soord with The Pineapple Thief.

Joe Satriani - The Elephants of Mars

You’d think after twenty-odd releases, Satriani would be running out of ideas or running his own idea into the ground. Far from it. Yes, he borrows from himself a great deal and doesn’t go so far afield you think he is someone else, but they are still refreshing and a blast to listen to.

Mothlite - Dark Age

Daniel O’Sullivan (see previous entry) fronts Mothlite, a band playing pithy rock with significant electronica support. Think Tears For Fears as a comparison. Catchy interesting tunes makes this a keeper.

Fontaines D.C. - Dogrel

This Irish band would have fit well in the early punk days of Minutemen, Replacements, and Pixies. I guess someone has to carry the torch. The tracks come fast and with lots of energy. “Hurricane Laughter” (“There is NO CON-nec-tion”) is typical of their infectious nature. This particular album received “Album of the Year” nods from a couple of different U.K. orgs.

The Pineapple Thief - 8 Years Later

Another astounding release by this band. One of the appeals to this band is their ability to use shifting dynamics instead of just power-rocking everything. They understand the use of quiet and let the songs build momentum.

North Atlantic Oscillation - Grind Show

The fourth release by this Scottish band, features big sound and big production. This is art rock done at a really high level. Tip of the hat goes to the mixing engineer who had his hands full. For the most part, it works. Maybe they get a little too playful for their own good, but it is worth a listen.

Rpwl - Beyond Man and Time

The German group with the unpronounceable name (it’s just the letters of the names of the four original members) has become one of my favorites. Comfortable is long entries equally with hook-driven shorter numbers, “The Road of Creation” is such one example of a song that may stick in your mind for days.

Interesting Music

Sylvaine - Nova

Described by sites as a heavy metal artist, Sylvaine (aka Katherine Shepard) is capable of creating great beauty with soaring vocals and a variety of keyboards, guitars, and percussion, all of which is performed by herself. “Fortapt” is the 12-minute major track that shows best how she weaves gentle acoustic music and vocals with a crescendo of blistering guitars and pounding bass.

Daniel O’Sullivan - Fourth Density

One track may just have tranquil moments of acoustic guitar, the next may be cascading keyboard objects with bass rhythms interweaved. Or both. All the tracks are roughly three minutes, just enough time to present a musical idea and then move on. Maybe not ideal for portable playlist material, but for the weekly lists, it can add a little relief from the norm.

King Creosote - Diamond Mine

I loved King Creosote’s Astronaut Meets Appleman so much and meant to just pick another one of his releases because of it. I’m glad I remembered. Most of the selections are gentle and thoughtful relaxing listening given the soft vocals and primarily acoustic instruments.

Engineers - Three Fact Fader

Described as a shoegaze/dream rock band, Engineers has been around the block. They seem to be able to avoid the “sameness” that bands of this type can fall into.

Pneumatic Tubes - A Letter from TreeTops

A new band from this year, PT plays psychedelic rock along the lines of mid-period Tangerine Dream. There are a lot of short passages that probably sound better strung together rather than broken up in a playlist. Somewhat quiet, it is relaxing instrumental music.

Big Big Train - Common Ground

A big part of the attraction of Big Big Train is their ability to spin long multi-segmented compositions and make them interesting. The 15-minute “Atlantic Cable” is a case in point. The band has the benefit of a large ensemble to bring variety. Evidently, this was a “pandemic” release - all the parts had to be performed separately over Zoom or other on-line connections.

Not So Great

Wilderun - Epigone

Heavy metal growl rock, but with better than average vocals. Opeth has a similar vibe. The songs tend to wear thin if listened to over a limited time.

Ride - This Is Not a Safe Place

I have struggled mightily in describing this bland rock band and equally struggled to attach myself to their music.