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Album Reviews from BSR

Pissed Jeans: Hope for Men (Sub Pop)

by Jason on June 11th, 2007

Matt Korvette’s deranged inner child yells about an ice cream fantasy world and makes No Trend-inspired sarcastic observations about the middle class over sloppy feedback-infused AmRep-repping riffs. This is the follow-up to Shallow (Parts Unknown 2005), and the first full-length for Sub Pop, who already sold out of the “Don’t Need Smoke to Make Myself Disappear” single twice. It’s a good label for this 4-piece from Allentown, PA, who still sound like a sludgy Sub Pop band from the late 80s/early 90s. RIYL Tad, Mudhoney, Flipper, Clockcleaner

–>track ratings

Eloe Omoe - Marauders (Animal Disguise)

by Jason on June 8th, 2007

Release Date: 1/16/07

Bass and drums duo from Boston (think GodheadSilo/Orthrelm > Lightning Bolt) make muddy free-jazz-inspired noise (or noise-inspired free jazz). You could say that thee guys are just messing around, but they’re pretty good at it. The heavily distorted bass sounds like awesome farts, screams, scrapes, and dying noises. Not very melodic. Very textured and expressive. Wish the drumming was as loud as the bass, but the jazz-style recording makes sense for the free drumming and is a nice contrast to the harsh bass. Recorded by Jerremy Harris aka Providence’s own Lazy Magnet

–>track ratings

To Live & Shave in L.A. - Noon and Eternity (Menlo Park Recordings)

by Jason on June 8th, 2007

release date: halloween ‘06
review date: 05/07

After splitting into several rival variations of tte same band (including To Live & Shave in L.A 2, To Live & Shave in L.A 3), the newest lineup of this experimental collective reunites the core of Tom Smith, Rat “Frank Falestra” Bastard, and Ben Wolcott. Factor in special guests Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Don Fleming, Mark Morgan (of Sightings), some other important sounding people, and Andrew W.K. (!!). The result is epic, loosely controlled chaos with tape loops, electronics, regular insruments (guitar, bass, drums) doing irregular things, and “I AM WEIRD” written all over everything. You’d never guess that the vocals are in plain English. Long tracks so you may want to play only an excerpt, and I divided the first track into segments for your convenience. Go ahead, play this and scare the normals. RIYL Landed, Talk Talk’s “Laughing Stock,” Bastard Noise-style doom ambience
-Jason

–>track ratings

Striborg - Nefaria/A Tragic Journey Towards the Light (southern records)

by admin on June 8th, 2007

reviewed by Devlin 02/07

really lo-fi one man black metal from Australia (Tasmania). True kult! Totally grim + cold!! Could be one of the most amazing things you’ve heard…or you might hate it but PLAY

–>track ratings

Various Artists - 20 Ways to Float Through Walls

by samantha on May 6th, 2007

Reviewed by Toni Marie Pennacchia

A blend of old and new, borrowed and blue of genre-defying world music from a genre-defying record label, Crammed Discs. This compilation blends new and newer established world sounds from big names like the newer, yet established, eclectic Congolese thumb piano players Konono No 1 to other excitinng new sounds of Romanian violins, accordians, and brass of Mahala Rai Banda, lush, multifaceted cha-cha of the Flat Earth Society, and old favorites like Macedonia’s mutant Gypsy band, Kocani Orkestar, and the unclassiable US band, Tuxedomoon from the 1980s, who were very influential in Europe and the rest of the world. Plus much, much more. Highly recommended!

1. Traz Um Alivio - Apollo Move (2:55) √++
2. Tabey Tarate - Tartit (3:21) √++
3. Nine - Wise in Time (3:38) √+
4. A Stork Crosses the Danube - Taraf de Haïdouks (3:17) √++
5. De Dar Do - DJ Dolores (3:55) √++
6. London, London - Cibelle feat. Devendra Banhart (4:11) √+
7. Duele Le Le - Zuco 103 feat. Dani Macaco (4:02) √++
8. Usti, Usti Baba - Kocani Orkestar vs. Senor C (3:44) √++
9. La Collection - Hugo (2:56) √+
10. The Candle and the Moth - Sussan Deyhim & Bill Laswell (3:03) √++
11. A Home Away - Tuxedomoon (3:18) √++
12. Origem da Felicidade - Celso Fonseca (4:20) √+
13. Homecoming - Tunng vs. Taraf de Haïdouks (3:12) √++
14. Tshileja - Kasai Allstars feat. Muambuyi (5:06) √++
15. It’s More Expensive for This - Snooze (3:06) √+
16. Psychoscout - Flat Earth Society (2:36) √++
17. Disciplinador - Think of One (3:46) √++
18. Morceau d’Amour/Spoitoresa (Russ & Roc remix) - Mahala Rai Banda (5:09) √++
19. TP Couleur Café - Konono Nº1 (4:52) √++
20. Ceu Distante (DJ Spinna remix) - Bebel Gilberto (4:19) √++

Dephazz: Days of Twang

by samantha on May 1st, 2007

Wonderful German electronic. A real blend of styles, each track borrows from a different genre. Track 2 (awesome) is disco-esque, Track 5 is jazzy and 17 is more classically electronic. Highly recommended.

1. 0:32 √
2. 3:15 √++
3. 3:51 √+
4. 3:14 √
5. 2:44 √+
6. 2:33 √+
7. 4:15 √/ √-
8. 2:26 V
9. 3:26 √
10. 2:02 √/ √-
11. 3:39 √+
12. 1:58 √
13. 3:12 √/ √-
14. 2:30 √-
15. 3:46 √
16. 0:58 √
17. 5:28 √+
18. 5:34 √+

The Coachmen: The Coachmen on Holiday in Septimania!

by samantha on May 1st, 2007

Reviewed by Bob Short

Wonderfully primitive. Dreamy drones alternate with fuzz guitar assults. The two sides come together in track 15. Instrumentals except for the Lou Reed in French-esque vocals on track 3.

1. 2:32 √
2. 0:05 √ -
3. 3:04 √ ++ (fuzzy)
4. 0:26 √ -
5. 3:16 √
6. 2:41 √
7. 3:48 √+
8. 4:24 √(spacey)
9. 6:30 √
10. 0:12 √
11. 2:03 √+
12. 0:04 √-
13. 6:44 √
14. 3:28 √
15. 2:55 √+

Cerberus Shoal: The Land We All Believe In

by samantha on May 1st, 2007

Reviewed by Alexandra Kleeman

Cagey, unpredictable post - rock from Boston. The songs are menacing, yet childlike - carnivalesque chimes, lurching over threatening drums. Awesome! Similar to Danielsen Famile and Xiu XIu.

1. 4:39 √++
2. 11:34 √
3. 3:40 √
4. 15:51 √+
5. 10:42 √+
6. 16:40 √++ (hidden track)

Lucky Dragons: Widows

by samantha on May 1st, 2007

Reviewed by Cordey Lopez

Self-described as “organic glitch-core,” Luke has really outdone himself on this one. Every track is actually quite good - songs to put you in a good mood. It’s also very cute, but in a good way. I think the whole album was made while cuddling. Play!

1. 2:40 √+
2. 2:06 √+
3. 0:14 √
4. 6:55 √++
5. 2:34 √++
6. 1:30 √+
7. 0:57 √
8. 1:39 √
9. 2:55 √+
10. 1:42 √
11. 0:36 √
12. 1:29 √
13. 2:00 √

Various Artists: I Belong to This Band

by samantha on May 1st, 2007

Reviewed by Charlie Hunter

Another outstanding release from the last 78 label in the country. Full - voiced hymn singing that resonates whetehher you’re a believer or nay. Ranges from intimate and quaint to apocalyptic. Highly recommended.

1. 2:54 √
2. 2:13 √+
3. 3:06 √+
4. 2:01 √
5. 1:45 √
6. 3:02 √+
7. 1:55 √++
8. 2:48 √
9. 2:02 √
10. 2:30 √+
11. 2:35 √
12. 1:22 √
13. 2:49 √+
14. 1:58 √+
15. 2:49 √
16. 2:27 √ +
17. 2:49 √
18. 1:42 √
19. 2:39 √
20. 2:30 √
21. 2:35 √+
22. 2:38 √++
23. 2:19 √+
24. 3:03 √
25. 2:11 √
26. 2:50 √++
27. 2:58 √+
28. 2:13 √
29. 2:34 √
30. 1:43 √

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