A new approach…
Previously, I’d pile a whole bunch of albums in one playlist and play them randomly. This insured I didn’t ding a record because it was becoming tiresome. But it made for trouble to render a judgment.
So, now I will listen to albums either wholly or partially. The fully listened to albums will usually happen because it suits a groove for complete listening. Partially listened to albums either weren’t suitable at the time (so I’ll listen to it later), or weren't suitable at all.(it gets summarily tossed from further listening or review).
Best of the Week
Anders Buaas - The Edinburgh Suite
2022 2 tracks (42:00)
A multi-instrumentalist of note from Norway, Buaas composes two full-length bodies of work. It isn’t the same theme throughout, mostly vignettes lasting three to five minutes. Part 1 (Old Town) is graceful interplay and understated shifts while Part 2 (New Town) sets the mics on fire as if it was making up for lost energy. What is clear is that he is a fine guitarist, able to coax a sultry clean image with a range of styles. Obviously a keyboard dude as well, the pieces are pleasant to listen to even if there is little connecting the various stories together.
Alex G - God Save The Animals
2022 13 tracks (44:04)
A fine musician that records and plays all of his work, Alex G (the G stands for Giannascoli) has a knack for crafting simple, but tasty, songs. His Beck-like voice adds to the easy going nature of every song. I keep thinking he compares well with King Creosote (with better vocals) or even with Neil Young’s Harvest release (with better vocals and more acoustic). A lot of vocal treatments are used, but not in the annoying computer robotic way. It’s a very enjoyable listen. A-
Goose - Dripfield
2022 10 tracks (59:39)
A deliciously tuneful romp by this jam group from Connecticut, it excels in areas that other jam groups fall into. The musicianship is neat and tight, the vocals solid, and the musical ideas are much more than a chord or two. You can easily hear the influences of Grateful Dead, Phish, and Roxy Music. “Hungersite” is the second song it is the full package of melodic changes and shifting sequences. “Dripfield” has many of the same characteristics, but completely different packaging. The strong multiple percussion parts accentuate the music flow. A
Crippled Black Phoenix - Banefyre
2022 13 tracks (1:37:32)
So, when an album starts out with a mechanized Klingon voice (saying, what?) and followed by explaining how being different can get you killed, that seems to be a warning. But, hang in there and find the strange world of CBP, the sometimes dark and brooding tones sprinkled with scintillating black metal. I dare anyone to listen to “Ghostland” and not be captivated by both the driving guitar and the Swedish lyrics proclaiming we wander aimlessly forever in eternity. Four tracks time out at 10+ and they are all elaborate works. The only downside is how unrelenting it is for the ninety plus minutes. Justin Greaves is the mastermind of the group and they have a dozen albums to their credit. Sounds like opportunity is brewing. A-
Interesting Finds
RPWL - Crime Scene
2023 6 tracks (45:05)
To say this is just another great release from the Pink Floyd cover band from Germany sounds too boring. It is simply a nice listen from beginning to end. That is hard to do consistently and so a tip of the hat to the guys. “King of the World” is a thirteen minute delight with the usual solid vocals, guitar allegrissimo finger picking, catchy segmentations, and plenty of changes within the songs.
Fern - Intersubjective Instrumental
2022 10 tracks (44:57)
This is evidently the work of a duo from Berlin. Described as “dark industrial electronica and pop”, this is 100% electronic music used to generate a vast number of sounds. I’m sure their forefathers of German electronic music, Tangerine Dream, greatly influenced their work. If electronic music is your thing, this is it. All the songs vary in tempo, dynamics, and energy, but still impart a sense of style that is recognizable. They are cohesive songs, not a series of random sonic images. Being void of vocals, the message is ethereal, more impressionistic. Most of it is very engaging despite the eclectic nature. B-
Cosmograf - Heroic Materials
2023 10 tracks (45:28)
Cosmograf is Robin Armstrong, a prog rock artist of note. This runs more in the style of what Todd Rungreen had done. It is a more restrained type of concept prog album than of the style of Dream Theater and Big Big Train. It tells the story of a 99 year-old former WWII pilot who has seen a lot of life and love, had an interest in old sports cars and other fossil fuel engine designs, but sees how the world needs to alter its course to survive. It is lovingly stitch together, impeccably produced and performed. B+
Horse Lords - Comradely Objects
2022 7 tracks (41:27)
One of the most interesting and bizarrely sounding albums in my recollection. This is not for everyone - in fact, only a few will find this listenable. But, if you don’t mind something out of the box, this is definitely out there. Melody on most of these cuts are on an ethereal plane. Lots of odd tunings and chord progressions. In some ways, this reminds me of how I reacted to King Crimson’s Starless and Bible Black album with “Fractured” and “Starless” cuts. Is it music or a combination of odd sounds? B or D, depending on the attitude at the time of listening.
Lucrecia Dalt - Ay
2022 10 tracks (34:29)
More experimental music which seems to be the theme this week. A Colombian musician now living in Germany, Dalt has a serene voice to go with the odd mix of electronic instruments, percussion and other miscellaneous horns. The frequent use of Latin rhythms gives the music more bounce than you’d expect from such unusual arrangements. If you are at home with the music of Edgar Varese, this will brighten your day. But, it’s not a keeper for me. C-
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