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An album full of dark synthy sounds . Su
Farr has a very strong and charismatic
voice that most definetly sets the duo apart
from others. It's more in the vein of good
old writing traditions, in one sense very
structured
and arranged. The whole album is a
very pleasant accquantance. I could recognize
a lot of the nakedness and athmosphere
of the british goth/synth/new wave scene in the
early 80's. It's simplicity and minimalism,
those things I loved about some of my dark
"heroes"
from the early english 80's (Gary Numan,
John Foxx, Tones on Tail, Party Day, to name
but a few....).
Thanks for a nice and pleasant christmas
present......
Cerberus Shoal:"Bastion of
Itchy Preeves"
2004 North East Indie
A lovely piece of music.
Once again they create their own musical universe,
and they are truely
original and experimental.
This record is much "cleaner",
structured, melodic and accessible than their previous material.
I actually got a bit surprised
by the joyful atmosphere that they create.
The music is hypnotic. You
feel you are being put under a spell from the very first beginning.
It's no point in me mentioning
all the different instruments and sounds being used but it's no
doubt about that it is
effective and sometimes hauntingly beautiful.
For me track 9 "Marimus" is
the best on the album, the combination of insanely driven music and
vocals is so powerful and
effective that my whole body is shaking. Just turn up the volume and
make a dance. Shake your body!
In their best moments it's
obvious that Cerberus Shoal create electrified music that makes
them monumental.
I have already listened at
this record three times and every time I find new heart warming
elements.
Clickhaze: Ep
Tutl Records
From the Faroe Islands comes this smashing
recording.
The album starts off with the track
"Daylight", a highly charged indie track with
lovely female vocals and attacking guitars.
Track two is more primal/traditonal with the
lyrics in Faroe Islandic, "Skrivin Fla". A cool
drumming beat is following throughout the whole
track making it powerful and energic.
Included in the booklet accompanying the cd are
some photos giving us a insight into the Faroe
Islands history and adding a bit of a mystical
dimension to the recording. Track 3 "Sorrig og glæde"
is a traditional song arranged by Clickhaze based
upon lyrics by Thomas Kingo (1681). The album
is a mix between folk roots music, energic rock,
powerful indie rock and more experimental music.
This music deserves to be recognized. Track 4
"Frozen Lullaby" is very Bjorkian in it's vocal
approach. The six tracks are all very different
in their approach. A unique and very powerful album.
Track 5 "Notes from the underground" is powerful
and deep, feel the heavy beat. The album finishes
off with the very strong track "Indigo
Brow". Can you sit quiet?
FANTASTIC!
www.clickhaze.net
info@clickhaze.net
www.tutl.com
info@tutl.com
Loren Connors: The Departing of a Dream
vol.II
Family Vineyard
A new powerful statement from one of the lo-fi
"heroes". Formely recording
under the name Loren Mazzacane Connors.It's
dreamy
, different picturesque
associations slides along in my head.
His guitar works silent and emotional,
tenderness is the keyword. It's sorrow and
longing
throughout the whole album.
You feel lonely and alienated, being left alone
in this deserted place, who will
find you? The album should be listened at as
a whole, no point in pushing the
buttons on your remote, it's one musical story
from beginning to end.
Come along on the journey you want get
disappointed,
because Connors paints the
landscape in unique one "way" associations, very
cold, structured combined with
a dangerously feeling of dispear.
www.family-vineyard.com
a lot of the nakedness and athmosphere
The Cosmiks: Rain dayz
2002, X Radar Publ.
I recognize a bit of the Cosmiks sound from
their
previous record, but most
of the material is new and fresh. Almost a whole
new approach. Very enjoyable, a
huge improvement (don't get me wrong the previous
record wasn't bad, but I simply
state the fact that this one is even better).
On the record you find everything from dark
melancholy to bluesy sing along vibes. Yes it's
a record that is growing for every time
you play it, new elements are discovered. I love
the bluesy title track "Rain dayz",
so lovely, a very fine vocal duet.
Track 4 "Rad city" is in rhytmic composition
very reggae alike.
You have 16 tracks on this recording, a good
track for everyone, you just gonna love it.
Luckily they have still kept the schizophrenic
flute sound, just listen to the cool
"Act like a monkey". They have to be taken
seriously
because no doubt this is really good
music.
They are still unique in expression. If you want
something different you have to buy this record.
(Thanks a lot guys we chat soon again...)
PS! For those of you reading norwegian their
previous
recording was reviewed in the good "old" days
when I worked with a local fanzine called
"Giljotin"
(no longer running) take a look at "Archive reviews".
Cynthia Crane & Mike Renzi: Smoky bar
songs
for the no-smoking section
Lookoutjazz records
Eventhough it's an old recording I have to
make
a review, I just got the cd.
Timeless music, that creates a wonderful
atmosphere.
You could see the singer
surrounded by something cloudy, perhaps smoke?
It's a laidback kind of feeling,
you talk another glimpse at your glass of whiskey
before you pour it down your throat,
yes this the real life, if I had been a woman
it probably would have been a martini?
Elegance and plenty of soul. The
record is appealing to a wide audience, whether you
like blues, general jazz and even pop/rock. Her
voice is deep and dark with a smoky
feel, it sounds as if I am describing a good
wine, and actually it's not far from the truth,
it has the same kind of bouque and tenderness.
Very appealing and charming. It's heartfelt music
that makes you all warm inside.
http://www.lookoutjazz.com/
Loretta Cormier: Under a blanket of blue
A rich and charming vocal treatment, a clearly
matured voice with a very personal touch.
It's a sophisticated lady with a clear meaning
of how to interpretate old school jazz classics.
The album starts of with the Fischer/Carey song
"You've changed" from 1942. The cd contains
15 songs from the great American "songbook" of
jazz. One of my favourites from this album is
"Someone Just Like You", the music is so down
to earth, Cormier's lovely voice is strawling along with
the very nice piano treatment. On track 10 "You
turned the tables on me" clearly shows Cormier's deep
and strong voice. The three musicians
accompanying
Cormier really have to be mentioned, because the
sensibility and timing in their play make a
perfect
space for a vocal that has to be guarded like a throat that
must avoid a cold.
True enjoyment. A real treat for all you genuine
jazz lovers, but also for those who wants a good introduction
to the pleasures of good jazz music.
www.lorettacormier.com
loretta@lorettacormier.com
The Czars : The Ugly People vs. The
Beautiful
People
Bella Union
It's tenderness, warmth a constant longing for
more.
Grant's voice is like a precious jewel, you want
to guard it
as one of your most valuable belongings. From
the opening track "drug",
a heart weeping love song, it goes on like a
rollercoaster ride, an
open display of musical diversity.
I wanted to cry several times, Grant's voice
is captivating, it's something
unearthy about it, something undescribeable.
It's a mixture of good pop tunes,
but more in the vein of good songwriting
traditions
like with folkrock.
The whole album is full of memorable moments,
catchy sounds that keep
spinning around in your head for a long time.
Definetly on of the best recordings in the last
couple of years.
Some of the moments on the album reminds me of
the joy I experienced
when I listened at The Innocence Mission and
their
"Birds of Neighborhood" album (check it out..).
A beautiful experience.....
www.bellaunion.com
www.theczars.net
Davidmahr: Lost & found
Delicious Records
Very bittersweet catchy and danceable
synthpop,
the opening tracks have a very 80's feel.
The beat is very disco dance, sinners on the
dancefloor. It's feel good music, not allowing
any negative feeling, be happy and enjoy.
Track 3 "Rain" is deeper, more in the vein of
early Depeche Mode, lovely! "Never alone"
is a popish ballad that appreciate the good life
and the companionship of good friends.
The final track is also what I prefer to call
a ballad.
All in all a recording that makes you feel in
a better mood. Popish, polished and not without a
certain flavour of charm.
http://www.davidmahrmusic.com
info@davidmahrmusic.com
Dimbodius: Not love EP
A truely amazing debut from sweden. The 5
songs
are all very deep and emotional.
Delicate pop tunes with a wonderfully
pleasant
vocal, warm and tender.
Most of the album is done by Marcus Dimbodius
himself except with a little help from
his sister cornet track 4, violin Christina
Johansson
track 1 and 4, Martin Holmstrôm percussion
track 4 and finally Dan Arve Stokke
Eliassen
horn on track 4.
The sound is very professional, so pure and
deliscious.
From beginning to end this is a true
masterpiece. I have played the cd over and over
again and it tends to get better and better.
Groups like Coldplay, Starsailor,..... has
nothing
compared to Dimbodius. The cd has pressure and nerve
all the way through, it's somebody seriously
occupied with perfectionism.
This is no raising star, in my ears he is already
a big star.
Let's please hope those multinational music
companies
don't destroy another star, let him do his own
thing, give him some space and freedom.
Just brilliant.
Don't hesitate, contact him and buy his Ep.
Thank you!!!
www.dimbodius.com
Donatella: Under The Moon
Oceanic Records
California-based Donna Rawlins aka Donatella's
album `Under The Moon´ is
filled with sensual songs, they are seducing,
dreamy and sharp. She is a mix
of both New Age and mainstream female
singer/songwriter-pop,
and she has a
difficult to tell that her Enigma-like playful
music has potential in the
New Age/Alternative pop for grown ups market.
The song `Why´ is catchy, with
just accoustic guitar, percussion and
syntheziser,
and there´s a touch of
jazz in `Fallin` Down´. My favourite is
the title track `Under The Moon´,
worthy a place on any Enya album. Her voice can
be described as a blend of
Edie Brickell and Cyndi Lauper, just to give
you an idea of what she sounds
like; It`s strong enough in itself. There is
a positive feeling on this
record, and it`s definetly an album you should
listen to with your
girlfriend or boyfriend after a candlelit dinner.
More punch and power could
be added to the songs, though, an if she focused
more on her strenght as a
musician like on tracks such as `Under The
Moon´
and pursued that style, she could come up with
something complete and strong.
PMK
Sally Doherty and The Sumacs: Black is the
colour
Tiger Records/World Serpent
Sally is back after her truely beautiful "On
the
outside"-nov.2000 (see archived
reviews). Her voice is still the driving force.
Through the interpretation of
different traditional folk songs her voice is
still recognizable, soft and gentle , never breaking
through the rest of the music, but floating like
a good boat.
The music is changing in mood from for instance
several voices in a nice
harmony to a suddenly more tragical style. You
could picture yourself the lonely waves
hitting the bar naked rocks.
It's a mixture of old german cabaret style,
traditional
gaelic music and track 7 about the legend of a woman
"La Llorona" ("she who weeps"). "La Llorona"
is the legend of a woman who has lost her children,
and who can be heard, and sometimes seen, weeping
in the night. A beautiful spanish song that gives the
thoughts nurishment and at the same time takes
you on a journey into the many tales and histories about this woman.
A very nice album again from this very gifted
musician.
www.sallydoherty.com
Ducarriganigan:S/T Demo-CDR
The duo Aaron Dugan and Amy Carrigan creates
some
very nice and quiet vocal
harmonies. Four naivistic pop tunes with a
playful
and innocent look upon the
world. A strawl back on the memory lane as
forinstance
in track two "Jelly Bones".
The feeling is recognizable, I feel myself
floating
back to a "not" so distant childhood.
The album is a safe haven and break from the
adult world's constant struggle with
problems and challenges.
A very recommendable album, but guys please make
some more melodies.
www.ducarriganigan.com
ducarriganigan@yahoo.com
Galina Durmushliyska: The enchanting voice
of Bulgaria
ARC Music
Galina has a carriere of over 22 years as a
professional
folklore singer. That's really not hard to
understand after hearing this lovely compilation
of traditional bulgarian songs.
Galina live in the Netherlands and gives
concerts,
workshops in Bulgarian singing
(both traditional as well as polyphonic choir
arrangements).
Naturally some of the songs most closely to her
heart is from her town of birth, Dobrudzha (North-
Dobrudzha now Romania), this compilation have
several songs from that region.
She has a strong poetic voice that sings a story
about old traditions.
It's hard not to get emotional about music sung
in such a lovely manner. 18 tracks that keep you pinched down
in your chair with full enjoyment. Not being
very familiar with bulgarian traditional music I must
say it certainly opened my ears for music that
is worth checking out.
info@arcmusic.co.uk
http://www.arcmusic.co.uk
