The Quaint Space

Natureboy - Natureboy | review

2011-12-01T10:47:00.001+01:00

release date > November 15th, 2011
label > bleek records
The music project Natureboy represents only one person and it's not a boy but singer/songwriter Sara Kermanshahi. With supporting production of Cedar Apffel (he has own project Masterface and theirs (together with Sara) former project House on A Hill) and featured rising drummer Rory O'Connor.

In short Natureboy plays acoustic guitar alt-folk. Sara's arresting voice is strong and soulful captivating and gives freshness in her songs. Because melodies are slower flowing and often full of melancholy. It's perfect music for these autumn/winter days when raining outside and you want only hide yourself at some warm nook and having a rest. But I didn't say it's boring, soporific or something it suits for these autumn/winter mood only I think. I've taken a couple of listening and I can say Sara's songs still grow and grow inside of me and it's good sign. I love growers. Not only first song Curses Fired begins and includes looped acoustic guitar which has hypnotic impact and so melodies are a little bit hidden but it flowers with every next listening.
The band is currently at a studio and working on their sophomore album entitled "The Sweep", which features guest vocals from Sharon Van Etten, who has also loaned her lovely voice to bands such as The National, Beirut and The Antlers. But we must wait till February 2012.
.:7|10:.

facebook > https://www.facebook.com/Natureboysongs?sk=wall

Meniscus - War of Currents | review

2011-12-01T08:29:00.001+01:00

release date > 15th July 2011

label > unsigned

I accidentally chanced on the band Meniscus on social network Google Plus yesterday. Somebody posted a NASA video with a song by Meniscus "130" and I was amazed with what I saw and heard. You can see it below of this humble "review". It's breathtaking show.

Meniscus plays post-rock as a style but as we know post-rock has many faces and Meniscus debut War of Currents represents post-rock in its best. But it's not only for fans of post-rock bands like Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky or Mono. Because gripping and rich ambient soundscapes builded by tinkle guitars and delicate bass line supported with precise drums and beats are gradually turned with mighty riffs in next moment to powerful finish (130) has enough power to bewitch you or anybody else with open mind and soul. Next song subtle Immersion (maybe the best song of the album) begins with cinematic ornaments colored by hushed guitars and sounds but it is changes in second half to jaunty and optimistic dub-like song and you will fully immerse in great cosmic finale. And you feel as you are floating in the infinite space. Excellent song. Fourth track Fight club has gentle opening which prepares you to more intensive experience at the end of song. Like you are waiting for a tough fight in a ring.
I can really highly recommend this remarkable album.

Tracklisting > 1| Room 3327 | 04:57 || 2| 130 | 06:38 || 3| Immersion | 08:29 || 4| Fight Club | 05:04 || 5| Cursed | 04:31 || 6| Infant | 08:26 |

Total time > 38:06

If you like it pls buy it here > http://www.meniscusband.com/store

share or buy > http://meniscusmusic.bandcamp.com/
official site > http://www.meniscusband.com

facebook > https://www.facebook.com/meniscusband

Graciela Maria - Many Places | review

2011-11-30T10:38:00.001+01:00

release date > 28th January 2011

label > PROJECT MOONCICLE

Graciela Maria is Mexican singer/songwriter with velvet gentle and sexy voice. She has started as vocalists in Mexican electronic music scene for many local producers. Many Places is her debut but what a great debut! I know it's not a brand new release, it's from January. But I hope it doesn't matter because Graciala's record worth for reviewing and I wanted to do once. Nevermind :]

In this retro futuristic sounding album you can hear influence by early Portishead (in Magic Bus) but definitely this is not pure trip hop. Yes there is slow beat, electronic layers, various loops but it sounds like it was recorded live. Maybe because there is a lot of common instruments like double bass, guitar, live drums, cello and other string instruments but melted together in excellent electronic pop with jazz and blues feeling.

So feel free and try something new and fresh. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. This is highly recommended stuff.
.:8|10:.

tracklisting > 1| Santa Ana Afternoons | 3:18 ||2| Many Places | 3:57 ||3| Meanwhile | 4:03 || 4| Magic Bus | 3:56 ||5| Underwater | 4:53|| 6| Little White Shoes | 2:35 || 7| Nothing Safe | 3:19|| 8| Through The Night | 3:43|| 9| Always | 3:34|| 10| Sirius | 2:57|

M83 - Reunion - new single announced

2011-11-25T07:39:00.001+01:00

As a new single from Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming has been announced

Reunion, due out on February 6th 2012 via Mute & Naive!
ilovem83.com brings also a cover of the new single. Here it is. Really nice and definitely better than cover for the first single Midnight City.

Masterface - Freedom Tower | Review

2011-11-23T11:47:00.001+01:00

digital release date > 15th November 2011

label > Bleek Records

Masterface is the music project of Brooklyn-based producer Cedar Apffel (also a project Natureboy). He moved to New York from Seattle with his band of eight years, House On A Hill. After playing a number of dates, the two main songwriters split into separate projects and Masterface was born.

Apffel collaborated on Freedom Tower with Brooklyn producer/drummer Rory O'Connor. O'Connor has most recently been touring with the increasingly popular Com Truise and is completing his debut solo album for release next year.

Whole album sounds very compact maybe because almost all songs are connected together without any silent gaps. I like this approach. A music style of Masterface is combination of electronic layers with ambient soundscapes crossed vocoded voices and sometimes you can hear dub inspiration.

Antientface, minimalism, hypnotic bass, rolling repetitive guitar riff and voice somewhere in the air. Great opener and you know this record is no ordinary.

Exuse Me Girl, you can hear slightly vocoded voice again but in slowly built strong melody. Instant fav.

My Yum Yums, rich drums evokes a fast rail machine with steam blowing over.

Magic Dragging, great built song where you can hear a reggae-dub variations in a second part.

Piano Condensate, ambient sound landscapes in the beginning this song supported with lasting synths in the next moments till the end.

A perfect Shining golden diamond (in the center of my heart),

10ticles, jazzy feeling with saxophone is really amazing. So cool and easy. Really love it.

A Perfect Shining, sister of previous one but with vocals

Xmasterface is vocal chillout with slow beats and jingles in the background. Nice piece.
I must recommend you this record! Just try it and enjoy listening!
.:7|9:.

/ Last but not least I must thanks to Bleek Records for promo mp3! \

tracklisting >

free mp3 > Excuse Me Girl (download / stream)

For more info on Masterface, please visit:

http://masterface.bandcamp.com
http://soundcloud.com/bleekrecords/masterface-excuse-me-girl

M83. Hurry Up, We're Dreaming - review

2011-11-09T10:35:00.002+01:00

release date > 17th October 2011

label > Naïve

M83. The band which was founded in 2001 by French musician Anthony Gonzalez and named after a M83 - Messier 83, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Hydra. Sometimes you can feel that enormous space of the galaxy when you are listening M83's albums.

I have to confess you. I utterly fell in love with this band. It's been a long time since I hear Saturdays = Youth, a predecessor of "Hurry Up" for the first time. And this love and connection last I can frankly say I am addicted with its luscious sound. It was the first album which I heard and than gradually I was discovering a rest of his discography especially that great records Before the Dawn Heals Us (2005) and Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts (2003) with truly gems like America, Unrecorded, 0078h, Gone, Don't Save Us From The Flames, Farewell / Goodbye, * (yes, the asterisk is a song name :]), Safe, Car Chase Terror, Lower Your Eyelids To Die With The Sun, Teen Angst, Kim & Jessie, Graveyard Girl, We Own The Sky, Too Late and lots of more because every song is worth to listen.

Back to the new release. If Saturdays = Youth was close to 80's sound than Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is 80's. But in a form which I can accept which I can love. And of course it's still M83 in their best. When I am thinking about it more the feeling of 80's I have this feeling only in a couple of first hearings. Than the record still more and more grew in me. And now I can listen the whole (double CD) record from the first song Intro to the last Outro. I enjoy it so much and I am glad I broke that initial embarrassment. Some reviewers say it's M83 best album and they have right. Or maybe I think every album have some own spirit which you can get it during the listening. But Hurry Up.. is like a colorful patchwork includes every shades of M83's colors. Gonzalez had this to say about it: "I think it is a reflection of my 30 years of being a human being. It’s a compilation of all my previous music together. It’s a retrospective of myself."

As you know Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is double CD with 2x11 songs and takes 1h13m. I can not describes all of each songs but I can and will recommend some of them. Of course the best way how to listen is from Intro to Outro ;) Because I highly recommend whole songs on double CDs:)

Intro - the song begins with fluttering synths and whispering of Morgan Kibby. It's perfect opener with featuring Zola Jesus. Her powerfully intense voice introduces this mesmerizing album.
Midnight City - First single and smashing hit. Gonzales experiments with his voice as high distorted 'squawk' and try to sing in a different way than previous releases. At first I had a problem with a recognition it's his voice. Put heavy synth riff, stunning saxophone solo at the end and you get maybe the best song on the album.
Wait - slow and touching strong melody, epic structure and soft tension inside. Very beautiful song.
Raconte-Moi Une Histoire - in English "Tell me a story" is probably the most cute and funny song ever I heard, which has a little girl telling a fairy tale about a frog as the main vocal. As Gonzales said for Pitchfork interview |here| she's a Justin's Meldal-Johnsen |producer| five-year-old daughter. Her closing words "we can be a whole group of friends ... the biggest group of friends the world has ever seen, jumping and laughing forever, it would be great, right? " are amazingly positive and it conjures up a smile on your face :)
Claudia Lewis - Gonzales really like 80's sound and here is the biggest influence heard. And that slap bass... it's typical for 80's (for me). Maybe it can reminds you Genesis with Peter Gabriel (listen also Reunion or OK Pal for 80's strong feeling). Great stuffs indeed.
New Map - Breathtaking powerful song. The ending with whistles and saxophone is sooo flawless. With Midnight City best song. I have no more words...
Splendor - solo piano starts a melody than join Gonzalez's singing with magic Shakespeare Bridge Children's Choir in second half. Almost Christmas feeling touch you ...

Steven McQueen - another huge hit. Very fresh and full of energy. Definitely about famous actor Steven McQueen: "My sensations reach the limit.
Nothing can hurt me today. There’s a magic inside.Just waiting to burst out.
There world is a goldmine. That will melt tomorrow. Living for, living for a thrill… Just waiting! Just waiting!..."
Echoes of Mine - cinematic atmosphere with women declaims something in French, I have no idea what is it but with that synths walls it's sounds very impressive.

Klaus I love You - So flawless synths... There is only one bad thing on this song. It's too short for me. Best interlude ever.

Outro - You can hear small touch of epic of Sigur Rós. Amazing closing of the album.
So I can highly recommend this incredible double CD!
.:9|10:.

track listing >

CD1 01| Intro | 05:22 || 02| Midnight City | 04:04 || 03| Reunion (03:55) |04| Where The Boats Go | 01:46 || 05| Wait | 05:43 || 06| Raconte-Moi Une Histoire | 04:04 || 07| Train To Pluton | 01:15 || 08| Claudia Lewis | 04:31 || 09| This Bright Flash | 02:24 || 10| When Will You Come Home? | 01:23 || 11| Soon, My Friend | 03:09 |

CD2 01| My Tears Are Becoming A Sea | 02:31 || 02| New Map | 04:22 || 03| Ok Pal | 03:58 || 04| Another Wave From You | 01:53 || 05| Splendor | 05:07 || 06| Year One, One UFO | 03:17 || 07 | Fountains | 01:21 || 08| Steve McQueen | 03:48 || 09| Echoes Of Mine | 03:39 || 10| Klaus I Love You | 01:44 || 11| Outro | 04:07 |

official website > ilovem83.com

facebook > www.facebook.com/m83music

soundcloud > soundcloud.com/m83

Björk - Biophilia | Deluxe Edition | Review

2011-11-02T12:57:00.000+01:00

release date > 10 Oct 2011
label > One Little Indian

This review is only about music. So no app, no multimedia, no live performance. Just only music.
First what you hit on your eyes are again is fantastic cover of CD with Björk stylished as red hair diva suited in some kind of harp clothes. It's promise to calm, warm and airy sound of the album. I can imagine how wind fluff up that her gorgeous red hair. So it's original cover as always from Björk. But I attached some another beautiful image of Björk here.
Second what you hit but on your ears is as extraordinary music with brilliant lyrics. I know it sounds like a cliché but not in case of Björk.
One side of her music here is about inner energy and tension following the eruptions of joy and on the other side there is minimalism structures of some songs and calmness of wide space around your ears/head. Conclusion of that is perfect conceptual album which is still in category avant-garde but very amiable avant-garde. Still it's Björk and I love her for that. Maybe it's not a record for a first listening (thanks god) but it's a grower in the best meaning of that word. The music slowly growing inside of me. Björk also breaks the typical 4/4 time signature structure for many of the songs on Biophilia. For example, "Solstice" features 7/4 and 6/4 times bars; "Hollow", 17/8 times bars; "Moon", 17/8 times bars and "Mutual Core", 5/4 times bars. So enjoy :)

But we can take all song per song:

Moon | minimalist repetitive (but not boring) harps with gentle voice bring you almost to the Moon and I can agree with Björk that "now I'm all rejuvenated and rested" after a couple of listenings of the Moon. And anothe my nod with "to risk all is the end all and the beginning all". Truly great the beginning of the album.
Thunderbolt | Synth organs in background starts with her voice than it's changed for tick and heavy running bass (I love this sound really) which decelerate nicely at the very end with lyrics: "may I, can I, should I or have I too often craving miracles"
Crystalline | First single of Biophilia released early in Summer. And it's piece of music which you lull to sleep (or dream) at the beginning but that it comes impressive drum kicks and you are in reality in a second. I was shocked when I hear it because I didn't expect anything like this I mean jungle (or drum'n'bass) thunder.
"Crystalline internal nebula (crystalline) / Rocks growing slow-mo (crystalline)
I conquer clautrophobia (crystalline) / And demand the lights."Pure beatiful lyrics...
Cosmogony | "In this song, Bjork is a story-teller, telling us the stories of how the universe came to be.
In the first verse, she is telling us about the theory of creation from Miwok mythology. In this story, Silver Fox and Coyote created earth by dancing and singing, as before there was only water.
In the second verse, Bjork references the myth of Pangu which is Tao in origin. What Bjork didn't mention was that Pangu's body parts became components of the world as we know after his death (his eyes became the sun and the moon, his muscles the earth, and so on).
In the third verse, she gives us some insight into The Dreaming, which forms the core of Australian Aboriginal culture. In this one, ancestral beings shaped the landscape from a formless land during an era known as Dreamtime.
And the final verse is of course the conventional Big Bang model." BIG thanks to user cactuar | 07-25-2011 | songsmeanings.net
And I can only add for this song: everytimes it makes me wonder. That's what I loved and what I love again on her songs. She makes you wonder.
Dark Matter | hypnotic dark minimalist piece and you are falling more and more to the deep space of your thoughts and feelings.
Hollow | the organ skitters around wildly like a steam locomotive little bit disharmonic but in a while it takes a pace and you are completly into its own space. Be patient and take a couple of listenings.
Virus | Probably most intimate songs. As lyrics like "I see protein transmutate / I knock on your skin / And I am in" suggest, the music is already under your skin, it takes roots in your brain.
Sacrifice | immerse into sound of Sharpsichord, a huge pin-barrel harp developed by Henry Dagg between 2006 and 2010. Spiced by drill drums by Tim Eliot aka Current Value. Nice contrast.
Mutual Core | excellent powerfull song which you will love since the first listening. And listen what beautiful verses there are:
"I shuffle around / The tectonic plates / In my chest / You know I gave it all / Try to match our continents / To change seasonal shift / To form a mutual core". Second part gets you like an eruption of volcano when start uncompromising sharp beats.
Solstice | Only harps and voice. Calm and peacefully beautiful ending of this record. An you can see "Flickering sun flame" everywhere. The End.

Extra tracks >
(Following three pieces you can find on the Collector's/Deluxe edition)
Hollow Original 7 minute version | just a longer version of Hollow but still beautiful.
Dark Matter with choir + organ | yes, organ instead of synth sound and with celestial choir in a back. Sublime version.
Náttúra | impressive synth-drum eruptions in the bonus track 'Nattura,' which features Thom Yorke (hardly identifiable) on backing vocals. By the way it's dedicated to famous Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull (you can hear sounds of eruption I guess at the beginning).
The Comet Song (in the Japan edition) | Co-written with Icelandic poet, Sjón and lyrics summarizes a plot of a brand new Moomins film.
Comet! Oh, damn it! / The comet comes hurtling down / On a precious plot of earth.

Full tracklist > 1| Moon | 05:45 || 2| Thunderbolt | 05:15 || 3| Crystalline | 05:08 || 4| Cosmogony | 05:00 || 5| Dark Matter | 03:22 || 6| Hollow | 05:49 || 7| Virus | 05:26 || 8| Sacrifice | 04:02 || 9| Mutual Core | 05:06 || 10| Solstice | 04:41 ||
in collector's edition plus :
11| Hollow Original 7 minute version | 07:07 || 12 Dark Matter with choir + organ | 03:25 || 13| Nattura | 03:50 ||
in japan version plus:
14 | The Comet Song | 02:23 ||

House of Wolves - Fold in the Wind

2011-07-13T10:59:00.004+02:00

(released 05 July 2011 )

I am hooked and enchanted by this new (for me) a band with name which was created as a translation of a name singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ray Villalobos from Spanish to English. You will love his soft and hushed voice supported accustic guitar and slow flowing tones of a piano with percussion, and the occasional horn motif. His voice reminds me Sam Bean from Iron & Wine sometimes but music is more slower as a flow of small river or a brook. Whole record have intimate mood and you can feel as you are in the one room with him.

Songs like 50's, Acres of Fire, Follow Me you shouldn't miss if you like alt-folk music but of course the rest of songs pays your attention. Highly recommended this beautiful record.

.: 8/10 :.

Free mp3 download > 50's

c o n t a c t >
www.facebook.com/houseofwolvesmusic
www.youtube.com/user/houseofthewolves
www.houseofthewolves.blogspot.com
www.soundcloud.com/houseofwolves
twitter.com#!/HouseofWolves1

Top 10 Albums of 2010

2011-01-10T08:20:00.050+01:00

Strictly subjective chart so don't be angry if it's not up to your mind ;) Respect!
Between double || you can see best track for me.

|| 01 ||

The National

High Violet

catching-heart songs and voice

| Afraid of Everyone |

|| 02 ||

Arcade Fire

The Suburbs

conceptual and complex

| We Used To Wait |

|| 03 ||

Sufjan Stevens

The Age of Adz

colourfully crazy complex

| Impossible Soul |

|| 04 ||

65daysofstatic

We Were Exploding Anyway / review

mind-blowing crossover

| Go Complex |

|| 05 ||

Parades

Foreign Tapes / review

outstanding debut on Redbull

| Marigold |

|| 06 ||
Perfume Genius

Learning

intimate melancholic splendour

| Look out, look out |

|| 07 ||

Jónsi

flowers in melting ice

| Boy Lilikoi |

|| 08 ||

Owen Pallet

Heartland

magic fragile tale

| The Great Elsewhere |

|| 09 ||

Yeasayer

Odd Blood

synth pop sensation

| Madder Red |

|| 10 ||

Daft Punk

Tron Legacy / review

sinister-stellar sound

| Rinzler |

Honorable mentions /\ EPs

//in alphabetic order\\

65daysofstatic

Heavy Sky EP

pure energy

| The Wrong Shape |

Daniel Bjarnason

Processions

formidable beautiful instrumentation

| In Medias Res |

How To Destroy Angels

How To Destroy Angels EP

captivating darkness

| A Drowning |

Kanye West

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

bold production

| Monster |

Nest

Retold

best ambient record of 2010

| The Twelve |

Slow Six

Tomorrow Becomes You

sweeping post-rock

| Sympathetic Response System (Part One) |

Sophie Hutchings

Becalmed

spellbinding piano

| Portrait of Haller |

Sufjan Stevens

All Delighted People EP / review

big summer surprise

| Djohariah |

The Tallest Man on Earth

The Wild Hunt

truly folk

| King of Spain |

Parades | Foreign Tapes (2010)

2011-01-09T09:51:00.007+01:00

The Sydney quartet Parades debut Foreign Tapes is really big surprise for me this year. Not best band in 2010 but probably best new band/music last year.

They produced really splendid LP with strong mellodies which you will want to listen again and again. Very fresh and definetely not weary album.

Dead Nationale | the opening track has deft and nervous energic drums/beats as I love whith supporting huge guitar riffs it brings us to the climax at second half. It kicks your ass you bet! ;)

Hunters | angelic co-lead vocals of Rebecca Shave with tinkling piano and than another big energic kick. Probably one of the best song here.

Past Lives | poppy start with strong catchy melody, both vocals are melting together , you hear accoustic guitar and almost as always on this album very energic and happy feelings.

Invaders (Review) - subdued beats at the beginning put over you to middle part where you feel like as tough you be on board of some fast train which running to the unknown but you feel safe though.

Springboarder | in second shortest song with 2.27mins (the first shortest is Tripping Over Your Eyes with lenght 2.03) you can hear analog synths in little bit cold ambient layers but slow speed and murmur voices in background you can get in the right calm mood.

Lung Full Of Light | dominative energic repetitive piano support her voice which is like from distance star. Little bit sad mood but still beautifil.

Loserspeak In New Tongue | I love the rhythm here and Rebecca's "ohh oh oh" immense vocal. Excellent structure and great painting with accoustic and electric guitars almost at the end. I want hear it live but it can you say about whole record.

Tripping Over Your Eyes | relaxing gentle piano and vocals take you slowly to the dreams where you will floating over roofs of your town.

Marigold | this slow-moving 6.37mins long song starts with sound of trumpets wich announce maybe best or most complex song of the album. Especialy there is outstanding final part at 5:03+ sounds as post-rock - so epic, rolling drums and wall of guitar riffs. It's just perfect.

Vulturehood | it sounds like Radiohead but I like it, accoustinc guitars at the beginning grow and grow to psychedelic guitar final with howling vocals in the background.

All songs taste splendidly and they are catchy so I must highly recommend it because it definitely worths listening to. Don't miss this!

Tracklist >

The National - Tour Dates 2011

2010-12-09T08:10:00.008+01:00

JANUARY 2011

02 | Busselton (Perth) | Australia | SOUTHBOUND FESTIVAL || TICKETS | MOSHTIX
05 | Brisbane | Australia | SUNSET SOUNDS FESTIVAL || TICKETS | MOSHTIX

07 | Sydney | Australia | ENMORE THEATRE || SOLD OUT

08 | Sydney | Australia | ENMORE THEATRE || SOLD OUT

09 | Melbourne | Australia | PALAIS THEATRE || SOLD OUT

10 | Melbourne | Australia | PALAIS THEATRE || TICKETS

12 | Auckland | New Zealand | POWER STATION || SOLD OUT
13 | Auckland | New Zealand | POWER STATION || SOLD OUT

14 | Auckland | New Zealand | POWER STATION || SOLD OUT

FEBRUARY 2011

15 | Brussels | Belgium | FOREST NATIONAL || TICKETS
17 | Utrecht | Holland | CROSS-LINX FESTIVAL || w | EFTERKLANG + OWEN PALLETT || TICKETS
18 | Eindhoven, Holland | CROSS-LINX FESTIVAL || w | EFTERKLANG + OWEN PALLETT || TICKETS

19 | Groningen, Holland | CROSS-LINX FESTIVAL || w | EFTERKLANG + OWEN PALLETT || TICKETS

20 | Rotterdam, Holland | CROSS-LINX FESTIVAL || w | EFTERKLANG + OWEN PALLETT || TICKETS

22 | Krakow | Poland | STUDIO || TICKETS | TICKETS
24 | Warsaw | Poland | STODOLA || TICKETS | TICKETS
25 | Berlin | Germany | C-HALLE || TICKETS
26 | Aarhus | Denmark | SCC || TICKETS
28 | Lund | Sweden | FARS + FROSTA ARENA || TICKETS

MARCH 2011

01 | Stockholm | Sweden | CIRKUS || TICKETS
03 | Helsinki | Finland | THE HOUSE OF CULTURE || SOLD OUT
04 | Helsinki | Finland | THE HOUSE OF CULTURE || SOLD OUT

17 | Tokyo | Japan | DUO || EPLUS TICKETS / LAWSON TICKET (L code:78976) / TICKET PIA

MAY 2011

23 | Porto | Portugal | COLISEUM || TICKETS
24 | Lisbon | Portugal | CAMPO PEQUENO || TICKETS
26-28 | Barcelona | Spain | PRIMAVERA SOUND 2011 || TICKETS

source > official website

Iron & Wine - Walking Far From Home [Single]

2010-12-07T14:55:00.005+01:00

[Warner Bros, November 26, 2010]

Walking From Far Home is three pieces single from the long-awaited new album Kiss Each Other Clean, arrives January 25. So it's single with two non-CD tracks.

Sam Beam partly left his accoustic sound and he is trying to reach more mainstream areas and audiance but still it's Sam Beam so don't expect some craziness and poppy dull stuff. No chance. This is still Iron & Wine as we know them but closer to The Shepherd's Dog than Our Endless Numbered Days. Add bit of electronic and analog sounds and beats in last Bitting Your Tail, be surprised with featuring smooth marimba and excellent saxes in the middle of Summer In Savannah, discover beautiful hymnic melody supported with Beam's choruses in the first track Walking Far From Home and hear typical Iron & Wine feelings and strong melodies with great lyrics in every tracks and you get new Beam's baby :)

.: 8/10 :.

tracklist > 01 | Walking Far From Home [4:49] 02 | Summer In Savannah [4:03] 03 | Bitting Your Tail [3:41]

65daysofstatic - We Were Exploding Anyway

2010-12-06T13:30:00.009+01:00

If you ever listen something from 65daysofstatic (65dos) you probably start to love them or hate them. For me it was the first possibility. But it was a little bit thorny experience but all the more intense. It broke through when I listened Await Rescue (from album One Time For All Time) to the end there is one of the best climax which I ever heard. And now imagine the moments like this more and you get new 65dos release ;)

Sheffield's 65daysofstatic released their 9 pieces 4th album We Were Exploding Anyway already on April 26th 2010 (I know I got behind with). For the first listening it seems it's more electronic with lots of analog sounds than on previous releases but it's still has a lot of 65dos trademarks: frantic time and beats, sharp guitar riffs and melodies, walls of noises and perfect gradation.

65dos supported The Cure on their North American tour and now they chopped up Robert Smith's vocals in Come to Me. It's a merestone for 65dos because they never used (if I know) any voice or its sample in their tracks. Also it's most post-rock grown track which they ever did.

Debutante is the second one (almost) clasic post-rock piece brings melodic guitars, brisk drums and easy tempo on 7 minutes lenght. Further ingredients are: Vangelis-esque synth pads with heveanly vocals. Just beautiful.

Go Complex in its half turn from "easy listening" dance IDM to a ecstatic lavish finale like old 65dos. Excelent moment. But the moments like this are plenty in this record.

Last Tiger Girl is essencial of the new 65dos style. It starts like techno track which is remelt in epic multilayered sound adventure.

I always considered 65dos to be a crossover of post-rock, math-rock, electronic and IDM but on this record the edges of both styles is more blended together than before. My result is it's the best 65dos record since their debut.

Highly recommend!! ;)
.: 9/10 :.

Tron's Daft Punk Legacy

2010-12-01T09:25:00.005+01:00

Have you already listened new soundtrack for Tron Legacy movie? If yes you know our electronic precious Daft Punk made a score. But what the score!

I was completely impressed and pushed back to my seat. Like Daft Punk meets Hans Zimmer. Duo Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo bring us on a journey through the universe and you will fly around the stars with them. Sometimes they sound as Kraftwerk sometimes like Hans Zimmer (esp. Inception OST) and in next moment you can hear a fragment of Vangelis's Blade Runner (End Titles) in Rinzler (is it tribute?) But the music which they produced is very powerful and very sexy I have to say.

Bold analog sound. Rich strings arrangement. Tech-dreamscapes. Cinematic. Still in movement. Eargasmic. Perfect. And my-music-self has been sinked into it. I am simply exited.

Try it. Taste it. Listen it. It's worthwhile.
.: 8/10 :.

Sufjan's new baby "The Age of Adz" coming in October 12th

2010-09-09T11:17:00.009+02:00

I still can not recover my mind and my ears from new-blown EP and now I found on Asthmatic Kitty website that Sufjan announced a full-length record, titled The Age Of Adz will be out October 12th. I am looking forward to his new baby so much ;) And btw. the cover is really gorgeous. Like a lot "The Day The Earth Stood Steel" on it. That it would be a reminiscence of Man of Steel :)
.: 9/10 :.

Tracklist:
01 | Futile Devices 02 | Too Much 03 | Age of Adz 04 | I Walked 05 | Now That I’m Older 06 | Get Real Get Right 07 | Bad Communication 08 | Vesuvius 09 | All for Myself 10 | I Want To Be Well 11 | Impossible Soul

Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP (review)

2010-08-25T15:00:00.007+02:00

Sufjan Stevens released last Friday without any previous announcement a new EP which have 60 minutes length(!). First I was really surprised but in good way of course and I was wandering how it is. And I can frankly say it is terrific good :-)) It's my opinion and I am a big fan of Sufjan so ... ;)

This EP is sometimes epic as in "All Delighted People (Original Version)" sometimes gentle with accoustic guitars ("Heirloom") wich can reminds Simon and Garfunkel. Second track "Enchanting Ghost" start with accoustic guitar and during the time Sufjan add banjo, electric guitar and it ends along with piano and as Heirloom it evokes S & G stuffs. Next "From the Mouth of Gabriel" melds piano, chorus and quaint analog synthetizers in very fragile song and you recall on Illions. Truly beauty. The ballad "The Owl and The Tanager" passes very slowly only with piano and echoed Sufjan's voice and back female voice (I don't know who is she..). But it's very hitting lyrics and haunting melody. The most fragile song as fluffy cloud. Second "Classic Rock Version" version of "All Delighted People" is more coherently than original version. But of course the original version is piece from the heaven, a pompous heaven and it's OK. "Classic" version ends with cacophonic synthetizers which is absolutely delightful. "Arnika" sounds like old running but a little bit broken machine which still can do a excellent job. Without any shining pieces but still with strength. Last composition "Djohariah" is strictly instrumental but very well structured with many layers mainly include chorus and solo electric guitar. Piano and drums support somewhere behind of them. And what a excellent gradation. Great song! 17 minutes is shorter than you think ;-)

It's only digital release (320k mp3, FLAC) for only $5! Or you can listen whole album in streaming version which is on his bandcamp site. In physical form as CD will be available for purchase sometimes in the autumn.
.: 8/10 :.

Tracklisting > 1 | All Delighted People (Original Version) [11:38] 2 | Enchanting Ghost [03:39] 3 | Heirloom [02:55] 4 | From The Mouth Of Gabriel [04:03] 5 | The Owl And The Tanager [06:38] 6 | All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version) [08:07] 7 | Arnika [05:13] 8 | Djohariah [17:02]

Arcade Fire Live on Youtube!

2010-08-03T08:55:00.005+02:00

Place: Madison Square Garden

Do you want to see them live at the concert? You can!
Tune youtube channel at AUG 5 10PM ET/ 7PM PT.
And it should be at AUG 6 4AM CET (Prague time).

Sgt. - Capital of Gravity

2009-12-02T08:50:00.005+01:00

[HearJapan: Youth Inc. ,October 07, 2009]

I've found this incredible band from Japan absolutely accidentally when I was browsing through some mp3 blogs. I read there they are very special and very best of post-rock records this year but what was my surprise when I listened them. Because it's really incredibly good record.

Members of Sgt. and as band's solid backbone are drummer Hitoshi Ono (大野均) and bassist Kouji Akashi (明石興司), newly added member to the band, the guitarist, Hironori Taoka (田岡浩典) and with spicy sweet sound, violinist, Mikiko Narui (成井幹子).

Their sound is a crossover post-rock, classical music and jazz influence. I enjoy every their tones but during the listening I don't know what will come in next moment. It's really exciting.

Try their last and of course previous records bacause it is really worthwhile.
.: 8/10 :.

tracklisting > 1 | Kalliope 2 | Apollo Program 3 | Tears of na-ga 4 | Ant's planet 5 | Epsilon 6 | Ginga no Shasou kara (remixed by Tyme.)

Radiohead - These are My Twisted Words

2009-08-31T09:56:00.006+02:00

Release date: August 17th, 2009

Radiohead officially released their new song These are My Twisted Words.

I've heard a released version and also live version in Prague concert. So I can compare both version. I think the greatest difference is drums. In live version is dominant and of course the energy from live performance is bigger but both have a psychidelic feeling as if they met Velvet Underground. Very nice and atmospheric song with singing after two minutes.

It's for free so you can download it from w.a.s.t.e. website here.

And video from Austria on youtube:

"Run Rabbit Run" said Sufjan Stevens

2009-08-27T12:28:00.005+02:00

If you looked forward to brand new release of Sufjan as same as me than you will be a little bit disappointed. Because Run Rabbit run is reworked his Enjoy Your Rabbit, an album full of abstract electronica inspired by the Chinese zodiac. But I'm glad for it. I love everything from Sufjan so why I'm sad? I believe it will be great again. But I'm impatient.

All thirteen songs of Enjoy Your Rabbit were re-arranged into Run Rabbit Run with help of New Yorker string quartet Osso (played on Illinois) and Bryce Dessner.

And a release date? October 6th 2009 ;-)

See here for more info and purchase.

Alexi Murdoch - Away We Go (OST)

2009-08-19T11:40:00.016+02:00

So I'm here right now and I want to tell you what I have promissed last time. Something about Sam Mendes's new movie and soundtrack - Away We Go.

Soundtrack author is London-born-Scottish-bred (nice info from last.fm :)) singer-songwriter Alexi Murdoch whom I didn't know before. There are also some support band in OST e.g. songs by such a giants as Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan and The Stranglers which is well known and of course their songs are perfect. I have to mention a scene in the movie where is playing Velvet Underground - Oh! Sweet Nothin' which is so hilarious.

Largely all songs are slow and perfectly fit and underline a mood of the movie. Alexi's playing acoustic mainly with a guitar and a band with just a few instruments. His voice is quite silent but very calm and pleasant but not so gently as my loving Sufjan Stevens. Alexi's voice is different but I love its too. Maybe you can hear some echoes of Nick Drake.

All my days, Song for you and Orange Sky are taking over from his the second record "Time Without Consequence" from 2006.

So certainly I have to highly recommend this record! And of'course don't miss the movie ;)
.: 7/10 :.

Official Website > http://www.aleximurdoch.com/
MySpace > http://myspace.com/aleximurdoch

If you like it, please support artist and buy at aleximurdoch.com or amazon.
Thanks

Viva La Resurrection!

2009-08-13T09:20:00.004+02:00

My blog is still alive!

I'd like to resurrect my blog but I know it will be hard. Because I have no enough time for some regular update but I will do my best for some kind resurrection :-)
I will start with recommendation on a movie (and soundtrack of course) which I've seen recently.

So stey tuned.

SORRY, BLOG FREEZED :-(

2009-06-04T07:46:00.003+02:00

I have not enough time for updates ...
-=loydd=-

Portishead's long-awaited Tour

2008-03-31T14:14:00.006+02:00

03|26 Porto, Portugal - Coliseum
03|27 Lisbon, Portugal - Coliseum
03|30 Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
03|31 Florence, Italy - Sashall
04|09 Manchester, England - Apollo
04|10 London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
04|11 Edinburgh, Scotland - Corn Exchange
04|13 Wolverhampton, England - Civic
05|05 Paris, France - Zenith
05|29-31 Barcelona, Spain - Parc del Fòrum (Primavera Sound)

I have only one question, you called a shout in the dark, where is Prague?? :-((
... or Berlin or Wien ....

Kensington Prairie | Captured In Still Life

2008-03-31T12:05:00.009+02:00

[anniedale records, April 22, 2008]
Kensington Prairie is Canadian band which will release their debut at April 22 on Anniedale Records. It's solo project of Rebecca Rowan (singer/songwriter of Vancouver’s indie pop Maplewood Lane), her husband Nate Rowan and producer Jonathan Anderson.
The album Captured In Still Life begins with melancholic sweet song Time On Our Side. Rebecca's lead and harmony voice sounds like spring whispering in the cold wind above your head. All ten songs are full of longing and nostalgia. Such feeling surrounds you during whole record. The band uses a lot of instruments like guitars, bass, drums, piano, banjo and much else. So if you like calm and soft music with a little folk influence and also you like sweet and smooth girl vocal that you'll like Kensington Prairie for sure.

I would like to thanks Killbeat Publishing for full release in mp3 :) I really appreciate it.

Tracklist:

01 | Time On Our Side
02 |Snowflakes And Great Lakes
03 | A Million Skies
04 | Bluebirds
05 | Golden Days
06 | Cathedrals And Towers
07 | Crooked Things Straight
08 | Letters That I Send
09 | Photographs
10 | Disappear From View

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/kensingtonprairie
Free mp3 > Crooked Things Straight

Tour Dates:

Iron & Wine | 27-01-2008 | Live in Paradiso | Amsterodam

2008-03-03T08:13:00.010+01:00

I'm happy that I found this concert of my favourite band Iron & Wine in Paradiso, Amsterodam. Because I saw them only as support band to Calexico in Zurich in 2006 but not standalone concert. It was excellent more accustic and intimate but shorter and Sean Beam had not as long hair as this year :-) But i still love his voice and music!

1999-2009

FABCHANNEL is DEAD :(

I wish you happy new year 2008!

2008-01-02T09:40:00.000+01:00

Explosions In The Sky - Catastrophe and the Cure |live video|

2007-10-15T07:48:00.001+02:00

Explosions In The Sky peforming "Catastrophe and the Cure" @ the 2007 Wall of Sound Festival in Ft. Worth, Texas at LaGrave Field (Sept. 22nd) video by: A Silence Production (Silence Magazine) http://www.asilenceproduction.com

RADIOHEAD - IN RAINBOWS (and I know this is album of the year!)

2007-10-11T01:20:00.000+02:00

A couple minutes ago my good friend told me that new Radiohead release is OUT! Thanks a lot, Zputnik! ;-)

So new album is entitled In Rainbows and was out from 10th October only via own Radiohead e-shop! Download or pre-order at www.inrainbows.com.

Frontman Thom Yorke said about lyrics concept of album: "It's about that anonymous fear thing, sitting in traffic, thinking, 'I'm sure I'm supposed to be doing something else'... it's similar to OK Computer in a way. It's much more terrifying. But OK Computer was terrifying too - some of the lyrics were."

Release and distribution:
(source: wikipedia)

It is reported that a standard CD version of the album is to be released in early 2008, though this has not been officially confirmed by Radiohead. A special "discbox" will begin being dispatched on or before December 3, 2007 if pre-ordered, through their inrainbows.com website, and will contain the physical album on both CD and two 12" heavyweight vinyl records with made-to-order artwork and lyric booklets. The discbox will also include a second enhanced CD which contains 8 additional tracks, as well as digital photos and artwork. The overall set will be packaged in a hardcover book and slipcase.

While the discbox, which includes the MP3 download, is priced at £40 (about $80 U.S.), the price of download by itself is left up to the buyer. Upon purchase, the buyer is prompted to type their desired price, plus a credit card transaction fee of 45 pence if purchased for more than £0.00.

Tracklist In Rainbows:
15 Steps | Bodysnatchers | Nude | Weird Fishes/Arpeggi | All I Need, |Faust Arp | Reckoner | House of Cards | Jigsaw Falling into Place | Videotape.
Total time: 42:34

I have already pre-ordered their Discbox and now I'm listening In Rainbows in my mp3 player in the meantime. And afrer first listening I can say the album is awesome without doubt. It's breathtaking and you, what do you waiting for? Download or pre-order it! Absolutely the highest recommendation!

Some reviews:
Guardian Unlimited | Times Online | Roling Stone

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

my quirky playlist

2007-10-05T10:15:00.000+02:00

This my playlist was created by great tool www.projectplaylist.com. All songs are links from some webpages, blogs etc. and you can add at most 75 pieces. All tracks are downloadable. Great stuff this Project Playlist :-) Created playlist you can add to your myspace, or whatever blogs. So I really recommend!

Underworld - Crocodile |videoclip| - trippy new single

2007-09-25T13:20:00.000+02:00

I like the description below the clip at youtube:

"Trippy as hell, simple as well, but complex like a rainfall"

Source URL @ youtube > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGe5f5CbXcU

Karl Hyde & Rick Smith aka Underworld are set to release their fifth studio album Oblivion With Bells in October 16, 2007.

Band website > www.underworldlive.com
MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/underworld

Esbjörn Svensson Trio - European Tour 2007

2007-09-25T10:14:00.000+02:00

Canon Blue and his Colonies

2007-09-24T07:40:00.000+02:00

[Rumraket, 24th September, 2007]

Canon Blue aka Daniel James from Nashville will release his debut album Colonies on CD in Europe Monday 24th September - thats today! Two weeks later it his stores in UK. Mixed by Chris Taylor (of Grizzly Bear) and mastered by Cristian Vogel (acclaimed solo artist, producer remixer etc)

Canon Blue plays very fresh and tasteful melange of airy mellodies and hard electro sound. Battle Hymn is like LTJ Bukem meets some punk freaks. Simple but full of energy. Odds and Ends brings airy pop with great electronic landscape background. Very strong and catchy melody. In Pilguin Pop (I don't know what's "Pilguin") we can hear groovy sound and smooth drums. So I really recommend Canon Blue!

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/canonblue
Free mp3 > Pilguin Pop | Odds and Ends

If you like it so support artist and buy @ Klicktrack

Iron & Wine | Shepherd's Dog

2007-09-18T13:48:00.001+02:00

[S ub Pop, September 25, 2007]

When I heard Iron & Wine's the second release Our Endless Numbered Days |2004| for the first time I was truly impressed. Sam Beam's hushing and gentle voice sings that beautiful mellodies with touchable lyrics and accoustic sound bewitched me. So I became Sam Beam and Iron & Wine fan. And finally seeing live (with Calexico) came true last year in Zürich. It's simple, it was unforgettable experience for me! :-) The last record form Iron and Wine was the six songs comprising Woman King released in 2005. (I don't count the collaborative In the Reins EP with Calexico)

This year is happy year in music what I love. New Björk, Arcade Fire and these days a new album of Iron & Wine entitled Shepherd's Dog. Release date is 25th September via Sub Pop.

Shepherd's Dog isn't in accoustic way such as previous releases but with rich and carefully structured arangements with a lot of diverse instruments and as said somebody on net "one-guy-in-his-bedroom intimacy was lost." It's true but I don't know if it bad news or not. It depends on each all of us and our moody and preferences. Anyway I like Sam's progress so much. This is a weighty, enveloping album, hugely satisfying and more than repaying close and repeated listens.

"I tried to do it in three weeks, and it ended up being six months, off and on," Beam admits. "It was happenstance that this particular record ended up taking as long; but it was a serendipitous thing for me. I wanted to make this one more of an epic journey."

Tracklisting >
01 | Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car
02 | White Tooth Man
03 | Lovesong of the Buzzard
04 | Carousel
05 | House by the Sea
06 | Innocent Bones
07 | Wolves (Song of the Shepherd's Dog)
08 | Resurrection Fern
09 | Boy With a Coin
10 | The Devil Never Sleeps
11 | Peace Beneath the City
12 | Flightless Bird, American Mouth

Free MP3 >
Southern Anthem |
Lions Mane | The Creek Drank the Cradle |2002|

Jesus the Mexican Boy | The Sea & the Rhythm EP |2003|
Naked As We Came | Our Endless Numbered Days |2004|
Woman King | Woman King EP |2005|

Boy With a Coin | Innocent Bones | Shepherd's Dog |2007|

Official website > www.ironandwine.com
MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/ironandwine

Pre-Order and buy, please @ ironandwine.com | subpop.com | amazon.com
... I've already ordered it ;-)

Efterklang - Parades |Teaser & New Song|

2007-09-13T15:08:00.000+02:00

I've already written about Efterklang twice in past here. But let's recall them. Efterklang have 5-core members and two joined who plays folktronica style (I don't like this name but who cares ;-)) and they came from Copenhagen, Denmark.

Mads Brauer – electronics
Casper Clausen – vocals, multinstrumentalist
Rune Mølgaard – piano
Thomas Husmer – drums, brass
Rasmus Stolberg – guitar, multinstrumentalist
+
Niklas Antonson – trombone, multinstrumentalist
Karim Ghahwagi – video artist

On October 15th, they'll release a new album entitled Parades
You can to watch a 1 min. teaser below. It sounds really different in comparation with previous releases as they promise. Very grandiose. But we will take by surprise. Enjoy!

The teaser in better quality is here |8MB Quicktime|.

'Parades' tracklisting >

01 | Polygyne, 02 | Mirador, 03 | Him Poe Poe, 04 | Horseback Tenors, 05 | Mimeo, 06 | Frida, Found A Friend, 07 | Maison de Réflexion, 08 | Blowing Lungs like Bubbles, 09 | Caravan, 10 | Illuminant, 11 | Cutting Ice to Snow

Free mp3 > Cutting Ice To Snow - from upcomming album Parades!

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/efterklang
Official website > efterklang.net

Pre-Order, please @ iMusik.dk | dotshop.se | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | HMV(JP)

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Beirut - Elephant Gun |videoclip|

2007-09-07T23:38:00.000+02:00

directed by Alma Har'el
Elephant gun single off the Lon Gisland EP | Ba Da Bing! / 4AD |

Tunng - Jenny Again |videoclip|

2007-09-07T20:19:00.000+02:00

directed by Tom Haines for Full Time Hobby label.

I love this beautiful song which I don't know about it until recently. But Tunng I known before of course. You can find it on album Comments Of The Inner Chorus from 2006. So drift along on fragile melody. Enjoy!

Direct Link > http://blip.tv/uploadedFiles/Grr-Tunng_JennyAgain509.mov | 62MB |

PJ Harvey - pure beauty of sunset colours

2007-09-07T07:59:00.000+02:00

PJ Harvey's new album White Chalk is announced on September 25, 2007, through Island Records. The album is produced by Polly, Flood & John Parish (who produced Is this desire in 1997) and features musical contributions from long time associate, Eric Drew Feldman, and also Jim White of the Dirty Three.
There are two new songs for free at the end of this post.
The Devil is opening song of White Chalk. "Hail to the piano!" I want to say and it's true that all songs are to be based on dominate piano line and her beautiful voice. The voice is more sooth and velvet that ever before.
Grow Grow Grow has dramatic piano with irregular rhythm and Polly sing very high like fairy with full emotions and passion. Trully beauty.

I'm closing with When Under Ether, the new single will be released on September 17th 2007 by Island Records.

Tracklisting >
01 | The Devil
02 | Dear Darkness
03 | Grow Grow Grow
04 | When Under Ether
05 | White Chalk
06 | Broken Harp
07 | Silence
08 | To Talk To You
09 | The Piano
10 | Before Departure
11 | The Mountain

Official Website > www.pjharvey.net
MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/pjharvey

Free mp3 > The Devil / Grow Grow Grow
from incoming new release White Chalk. Enjoy!

As soon as it is out and If you like it, please support artist and buy at Island or Amazon.

Le Loup - wolf with soul

2007-09-05T07:11:00.000+02:00

First, Le Loup means "wolf" in French. Second, wolf isn't solitary, live in packs. Le Loup is something like a pack but the pack of great musicians with leader Sam Simkoff. Seven band members and motley instruments like Arcade Fire. But not canadian they came from Washington, DC. When I'm listening Le Loup I always feel fresh and relaxed 'cause their music is soulful, calm, silent, fragile, sooth and has specific atmospheric. I like their combination of banjo line with other instruments or nature sound with some scratch or ... and definetely voices/whispers and sometimes sound of chorus.

The upcoming album of the lupine septet, The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millenium General Assembly, is named from incredible work by James Hampton. More infos about his work here. Release date is September 11, 2007 at Hardly Art.
And very interesting inteview with Sam Simkoff you can find here.

So I have to recommend it and don't miss this talented band!

Le Loup is:
Sam Simkoff – Banjo, Keyboards, Vox
Christian Ervin – Computer, Guitar
Mike Ferguson – Guitar, Amp, Vox
Nicole Keenan – Keyboards, French Horn, Vox
Dan Ryan – Bass, Percussion, Vox
Robert Sahm – Drums, Percussion, Vox
May Tabol – Guitar, Vox
Jim Thomson – Guitar, Amp, Vox

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/leloupmusic
Free mp3 > We are gods! we are wolves!

If you like it support artist and buy at hardly art or iTunes.

Brad Mehldau Trio - European Autumn Tour 2007

2007-09-04T07:37:00.000+02:00

Brad Mehldau Trio are Brad Mehldau – piano, Larry Grenadier – double-bass, Jeff Ballard – drums.

"Last November the audience in the packed Dvořák Hall of Prague´s Rudolfinum were rewarded for their standing ovation by no fewer than six encores, confronted as they were with a thoroughly amazing musical experience. The American composer and pianist Brad Mehldau, 36, improvised paying no heed to time, totally immersed in the keyboard and the deepest profundities of the jazz-rock-classical unconscious, bearing the full weight of his musical erudition.

One of the most acclaimed protagonists of the present-day jazz scene, since the early 1990s accumulating an aura of an epochmaking innovator of his generation, in a comeback to the Strings of Autumn platform, this time out at last with his trio!"
from the Strings of Autumn Festival
2007|11|07, 19.30, Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum

And I'm attendentting this concert and I'm wondering to the Trio so much. I really couldn't wait to! Brad's solo concert was magnificent and unforgettable experience last year at Rudolfinum. See for more at my blog here.

november
01 | Sweden | Goteborg | Nefertiti Jazzklubb
02 | Sweden | Stockholm | Stockholm Konserthuset
03 | Norway | Bergen | Sardinen USF
04 | Norway | Oslo | Cosmopolite
07 | Czech Republic | Prague | Dvořák Hall of Rudolfinum
08 | Hungary | Budapest | National Concert Hall
10 | Italy | Bologna | Auditorium Teatro Manzoni
12 | Germany | Elmau | Schloss Elmau
15 | Belgium | Brussels | Ancienne Belgique
16 | Belgium | Brussels | Ancienne Belgique
17 | Germany | Koln | Kolner Philharmonie

Beirut's splendid EPs

2007-09-03T10:49:00.000+02:00

Lon Gisland EP
[Ba Da Bing, January 30, 2007]

Elephant Gun I love opening playful guitar with easiness sound. I really like it so much. It makes me happy. Whole song is incredible. It's the best Beirut's song for me with no doubt. I have no word just last: "Enjoy!".
My family's role in the world revolution Double piano start is great and vigorous start of all instruments together is disarming. The wall of sound ;-) Partly klezmer and partly balcan smashing march!
Scenic world Longer and slower version of Gulag's original. I'm not sure what version is better or I like more... The both are very good. Decise yourself.
The Long Island Sound Intermezzo. Theme from Elephant Gun. Short and nice.
Carousels Your head will be swim. Swinging to the music. It's small vertigo on carousel.

Pompeii EP
[Only eMusic release, February 28, 2007]

Fountains and Tramways Beirut meets pop. Only automatic drums, melodic piano with some analog sounds and Zach's voice, without any "traditional" instruments which is specific for Beirut music, forms the most poppy song from Beirut. But It's really good. Not for everyone and not for the first listening.

Napoleon on the Bellerophon When I've recently read some comment of Beirut last EP "Lon Gisland" where the Zach Condon's voice have been resembled to Thom York from Radiohead I've realized that there is something to it :-) But I mean it like a tribute of course 'cause I love Radiohead and Thom York. Back to Beirut. In Napoleon on the Bellerophon dominates melancholic piano sound again to which join the energic trumpet and accordion at the end. Very atmospheric and full of emotions.

Download the release here > http://www.emusic.com/album/11008/11008224.html

And short notice at the end > The new Beirut's album The Flying Club Cup will be released at October 9th.

"The record features the whole live band, as well as some notable contributions from Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy and Heather Trost of A Hawk And A Hacksaw. It is very much inspired by the music and culture of France, especially the emotional pull of a musician like Jacques Brel (whom you should really check out if you haven't heard him). We have a few fun surprises in store for the lead up to the album release, so keep vigilant on the internets." from Beirut's official web page.

Free mp3 > A Sunday Smile
from incoming release The Flying Club Cup!

Little Dragon - ElectroMagic from Gothenburg & Videoclip - Twice

2007-08-29T10:20:00.002+02:00

[Peacefrog, 2007]

Yukimi Nagano, singer of electronica-jazz outfit Koop, and her band Little Dragon (featuring keyboardist Hakan Wirenstrand, bassist Fredrik Kallgren Wallin, and drummer Erik Bodin) will release their debut album on the great Peacefrog label this September. Sweden town Gothenburg is incredible cradle of talented musicians and bands like September Malevolence, Audrey, Jose Gonzales, El Perro del Mar and others. Little Dragon plays sooth and groovy alt-pop for ordinary moments and/or dancefloor. You can say (key)electronica meets soul spirit. But the best is Nagano's warm, caressing and heart-felt voice.
So only the highest recommendation!

Official release dates:
2007|09|27 - Twice/Test |Single|
2007|10|09 - Little Dragon |CD|
But you can buy and download the whole album from iTunes now ...

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/yourlittledragon
Official Band Site > www.little-dragon.se

YouTube video [Twice] > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yedD4JsZyT0

Erik Truffaz Quartet - European Tour 2007

2007-08-16T12:20:00.000+02:00

Jen Gloeckner - Miles Away

2007-08-16T08:48:00.000+02:00

(One little indian, 25th April 2005)

I came across a new singer/songwriter for me yesterday. I discovered Jen Gloeckner on myspace.com by chance and so listened all songs there. I tell you I was fairly surprised and excited. She's really good! I know that her last release "Miles Away" is from 2005 but it doesn't matter. It's fresh and beautiful stuff for me anyway ;-) Her music is melange of pop, alt-folk with gloomy, jazz feeling. You can hear many kind of instruments on CD like guitar, keybords, mandolin, cello, percussion and flute etc.
I highly recommend her album Miles Away.

Jen recalls, "When I wrote the material for the record, I wanted more than just singer/songwriter style songs." She adds "I understood that giving the music space to breathe on its own was very crucial in developing the moods that I wanted to create."

I dare say that Jen Gloeckner will be definitelly star in future after her next release. I hope she will as well as Norah Jones :-)

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/jengloeckner

If you like it support artist and buy at one little indian shop or amazon.com, please.

Björk Live in Amsterdam 2007 [photo report]

2007-07-20T08:50:00.000+02:00

date: 2007-07-08
place: Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam

support: Jamie Lidell

Björk and girlish Icelandic Brass Orchestra

great laser show begins ...

Setlist
Earth Intruders
Cover Me
Pagan Poetry
Hunter
All Is Full of Love
Pleasure Is All Mine
Joga
Hope
Army of Me
Innocence
I Miss You
5 Years
Immature
Wanderlust
Hyperballad
Pluto

Encore
Introduction band
Oceania
Declare Independence

There you can find a lots more of photos (in better quality), reviews and also videos:
http://www.last.fm/event/199768/reviews

Jeremy - Make Love, NOT War [single]

2007-06-11T09:33:00.001+02:00

Jeremy is indie pop band which consists of Lars Christian Olsen (age 19) and Øivind Hatleskog (age 21). They come from Norweigen oil-town Stavanger where their career started in the spring 2004. Young duo plays "just" pop but very beautiful and captivating pop. In some review they was called happy-pop or sunshine-pop band :-) And yes, their music is really full of joy and energy. Try free mp3 or listen more songs on myspace and you can make certain of it by yourself. I definetely recommended.

Sondre Lerche is one of their fans, and he says this about Jeremy:

"The first time I saw Jeremy on stage I was struck by how refreshing it was to - for once - see two young singer/songwriters with guitars that did not exhaust you with their worries and whining, but rather expressed the unfiltered joy of playing music. It may sound strange and unexceptional, but it's actually pretty rare these days."

A new single Make Love, Not War will be released digitally May 21st in the world except in the US and Canada where the single will be released on June 19th. The song is produced by HP Gundersen (Sondre Lerche, Madrugada among others), it's B-side which is out later is a remix by portuguese Allen André Anjos(The Shins, Bloc Party, CSS, The Horrors, etcetc).

Free mp3 > Make love, not war
MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/jeremy

UNKLE - Burn My Shadow [Videoclip]

2007-06-07T16:20:00.000+02:00

www.unkle77.com brings to us a new videoclip of single Burn My Shadow from third studio album James Lavelle's project UNKLE - War Stories. Starring Goran Visnjic (a croatian actor famous for "Spartacus" and Dr.Luka Kovac from TV series EP).
We can start looking forward to featuring Ian Astbury (Cult), Josh Homme (Queen of the stone age), 3D (Massive Attack) and Autolux on upcoming release.
I can't wait ...

And there is some mp3's from stereogum.com:

UNKLE - "Chemistry [Feat. Josh Homme]" (MP3)
UNKLE - "9 Persons And Machinery [Feat. Autloux]" (MP3)

Björk - Earth Intruders [videoclip]

2007-06-05T13:18:00.000+02:00

Lyrics sample from first single:

"Here come the earth intruders
We are the paratroopers
Stampede of sharpshooters
Come straight from voodoo"

There is only what I found out on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wioa74MsBYA

It's a brand new video of Björk's first single Earth Intruders. Very nice animation stuff. Check it out and enjoy! ;-)

Apparat - Walls

2007-06-03T17:17:00.000+02:00

(Shitkatapult, 28th May 2007)

After critically acclaimed Orchestra of Bubbles with Ellen Allien - Apparat comes out with new HOT release Walls. And I can say that this record is awesome. Apparat, aka Berlin's Sascha Ring, brings us mix of electro/laptop sound with catchy melodies, almost poppy songs. My favourites are Hallin From The Edge for trip-hop feeling, gentle Birds and Arcadia with Apparat's vocal.

"This record isn't really a focused and conceptual production," says Apparat. "It's more of a 'last-two-years of Apparat compilation.' That's why there's so much different stuff on it, a lot of different influences. And I really like it. I highly recomend with no doubt. Enjoy!

Tracklisting:

01 | Not A Number [3:59], 02 | Hailin From The Edge – feat. Raz Ohara [3:40], 03 | Useless Information [4:04], 04 | Limelight [4:12], 05 | Holdon – feat. Raz Ohara [4:10], 06 | Fractales Pt.1 [3:34], 07 | Fractales Pt.2 [2:06], 08 | Birds – vocals by Apparat [5:03], 09 | Arcadia – vocals by Apparat [5:10], 10 | You Don´T Know Me, 11 | Headup – feat. Raz Ohara [5:06], 12 | Over And Over – feat. Raz Ohara [5:07],13 | Like Porcelain [9:19]

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/apparat

If you like it support artist and buy at shitkatapult or dotshop.se, please.

Christian Fennesz & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Cendre

2007-06-02T15:06:00.000+02:00

(Touch, 15th May 2007)

Cendre, following their live 2005 EP, Sala Santa Cecilia, is an offspring which grow from collaboration between well-known names of ambient world Australian electronica artist Christian Fennesz [guitar/lapop] and the Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto [piano/laptop], formerly of Yellow Magic Orchestra. It's combination of hushed minimalism piano, shimmering guitar and thousands kinds of passionate electronics ... and you melt...

You will losing the ground and floating a couple feets above like a feather in the wind. Once with melancholic smile on your face the second time it leaves you with heavy heart. But beautiful piece of ambient music for lonesome time.

Track Listing:
01 | Oto [3:49] 02 | Aware [4:46] 03 | Haru [4:39] 04 | Trace [5:46] 05 | Kuni [2:24] 06 | Mono [4:13] 07 | Kokoro [4:16] 08 | Cendre [3:09] 09 | Amorph [5:58] 10 | Glow [7:12] 11 | Abyss [5:38]

Total time - 51m56s

If you like it support artist and buy at TouchShop, please.

The Chemical Brothers - New Release Date of 'We Are The Night'

2007-05-24T09:08:00.001+02:00

Due to a delay in the production of artwork for The Chemical Brothers forthcoming album 'We Are The Night', the release date is now 2nd July. The first single from the album 'Do It Again' is available for purchase as a digital download on 4th June, while 18th June sees the release of the track on CD, 12" and 7" single.
(source: thechemicalbrothers.com )

Track list:
01 | No Path To Follow
02 | We Are The Night
03 | All Rights Reversed (Featuring The Klaxons)
04 | Saturate
05 | Do It Again (Featuring Ali Love)
06 | Das Spiegel
07 | The Salmon Dance (Featuring Fatlip)
08 | Burst Generator
09 | A Modern Midnight Conversation
10 | Battle Scars (Featuring Willy Mason)
11 | Harpoons
12 | The Pills Won't Help You Now (Featuring Midlake)

Björk and Stalker in The Dull Flame of Desire

2007-05-22T16:52:00.000+02:00

I was very surprised by Björk lyrics in The Dull Flame of Desire was taken from a translation of a poem by Fyodor Tyutchev (1803-1873). It appears in Andrei Tarkovsky's masterpiece Stalker. You can hear this undoubtedly beautiful poem in the end of the film.

DULL FLAME OF DESIRE
(light lines sung by Antony Hegarty)

I love your eyes, my dear
their splendid, sparkling fire
when suddenly you raise them so
to cast a swift embracing glance

like lightning flashing in the sky
but there's a charm that is greater still:
when my love's eyes are lowered
when all is fired by passions kiss

and through the downcast lashes
I see the dull flame of desire

And there is a Czech translation by Václav Daněk:
(source: zona.bloudil.cz)

Příteli, jak miluji oči tvé,
I jejich hru zázračně plamennou,
Když zvedneš je v náhlé vteřině,
Jako by blýskavou září nebeskou,

Přehlédneš letmo kruhy své...
Však silnější než okouzlení:
Oči, k zemi sklopené
Ve chvílích vášně celování,

Skrze řasy spuštěné
Zastřeně matný plamen přání.

New Zeitgeist artwork and Release Date

2007-05-21T07:37:00.001+02:00

New Zeitgeist artwork has appeared on www.smashingpumpkins.com. The release date of 07-07-07 has been abandoned. The new release date is 07-10-07.

And here is possible track list for Zeitgeist:

Doomsday Clock
7 Shades of Black
Orchid
That's the Way
Tarantula
Starz
United States
Never Lost
Bring the Light
Come On (Let's Go)
For God and Country
Pomp and Circumstance

Björk European Tour 2007

2007-05-16T12:36:00.000+02:00

The Smashing Pumpkins 6th Album 'ZEITGEIST' 7.7.07

2007-04-13T22:20:00.002+02:00

The Smashing Pumpkins 6th Album

'ZEITGEIST' 7.7.07

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible ... New album comes into the world!

2007-03-08T13:20:00.000+01:00

March 5th in Europe and March 6th in North America was The Date. The date of release the new Arcade Fire album named Neon Bible! It is their second full length album after highly acclaimed debut Funeral from 2004. Not only for me was and still is a truly masterpiece.

But Neon Bible is here! So don't waste your time and listen this another piece of gem. It's in high rotation in my player in these days. Very addicted album as same as its predecessor ;-)

So wake up! ;)

Trac listing
1 | Black Mirror | 4:13
2 | Keep The Car Running | 3:29
3 | Neon Bible | 2:16
4 | Intervention | 4:19
5 | Black Wave/Bad Vibrations | 3:57
6 | Ocean Of Noise | 4:53
7 | The Well And The Lighthouse | 3:56
8 | (Antichrist Television Blues) | 5:10
9 | Windowsill | 4:16
10 | No Cars Go | 5:43
11 | My Body Is A Cage | 4:47

Free mp3 > Black Mirror

My neon review will coming soon... be patient.

Björk new album Volta in May!

2007-03-05T14:55:00.000+01:00

Great news! Björk releases her sixth studio album Volta on May 7th!

The Press release reads thus:
"Musical innovator Björk releases her next studio album ‘Volta’ on May 7th 2007.

‘Volta’ is Björk's sixth studio album and follows the release of ‘Medúlla’ in 2004.

Featuring ten brand new and original tracks ‘Volta’ is entirely written and produced by Björk.

In the role of producer Björk has brought in various other musicians to work on her songs and ‘Volta’ features some of her most interesting collaborations so far with Antony Hegarty (Antony And The Johnsons) singing on two tracks, and Timbaland (Jay-Z, Missy Elliot etc) working with Björk on beats that she created for three further songs.

Other artists that feature on ‘Volta’ include electronic pioneer Mark Bell of LFO and two unique drummers – Chris Corsano (the improvisational drummer who has worked with Sonic Youth amongst others) and Brian Chippendale from Lightening Bolt.

Björk also brought in two acclaimed African artists for ‘Volta’ - Toumani Diabate, the Malian kora player and Konono No1 the experimental band from The Congo who won a BBC World Music Award in 2006. She has also put together her own 10 piece female brass section of Icelandic musicians who play on three further tracks. Meanwhile Chinese pipa expert Min Xiao-Fen plays on one song."
I'm really diligted and looking forward to the new album Volta. The great time is coming ;)

Múm - Peel Session - Out Now

2006-12-15T10:12:00.000+01:00

Release date: UK, Europe, & Rest of World - 4 December 2006 | US, Canada - 23 January 2007

"December 4th sees the long-awaited release of múm’s only ever Peel session, recorded at Maida Vale Studios in 2002 for BBC Radio One’s infamous, revered, and fondly remembered John Peel show. The four tracks here (five if you include the amalgamation of the two songs on the opening track) are significantly different versions of songs that will be familiar to fans." from FatCat Newsletter.

Track List:
1 | Scratched Bicycle / Smell Memory
2 | Awake On A Train
3 | Now There Is That Fear Again
4 | The Ballad Of The Broken String

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/mumtheband
If you like it support artist and buy at FatCat Records

Audrey EP

2006-11-24T12:35:00.000+01:00

(Stereo Test Kit Records, 2005)
Original Czech version of the review is placed on www.post-rock.cz here.

Audrey is beautiful name for girl's post-rock band formed in small town on south Sweden in 2002. Members of the quartet are Anna, Victoria, Emilie a Rebecka. Unfortunately I don't know which girl sings but her amazing voice warms up your hearts. It is the one of advantages the band. She reminds you Björk from Sugercubes's era or maybe Ema Brabcová from Czech band Khoiba.

Opening song Box, and Fights has a dominant guitar theme at the beginning which meanders like a ribbon with honey cello at the other side during the whole track. An initial declamation is changing into a gently insisting singing. Guitarist Victoria Skoglund said about meaning of their lyrics:

"I like it when the lyrics can mean different things, that we give clues to our audience. Sometimes we can write quite incoherent things, but we are looking for a feeling in the music,"

Next Triumphal Arch starts with a muffled sound of piano as if from the next room through a half-open door. A guitar with smooth drums join in a little while. Suddenly the singing begins and you catch yourself that you are watching from window at a wind how is fondling with leaves in a tree-top and you're thinking about things from your mind oblivion. You're still listening mesmerized and don't want doing anything else because you are satisfied.

Suddenly you notice the song went over to next song fluently, only two-minutes length We Thought We Were Ghosts, But We Are Feathers. And it disappears as a featherlet in the wind for coming a new song Hymn, my most beautiful one and at the same time the most sad song in the EP. At an initiation the song reminds you Sigur Rós with shimmering guitar and murky keyboards. The lyrics start with "I can still taste you in corner of my mouth." and you get into the mood when thinking about past or present relationships.

Last the fifth track Helpless as well as its song-sisters is slow, full of melancholy and sorrow nevertheless emotions and certain defiance rise up from the music and the voice.

Audrey draws their songs with simplicity and minimalistic outline and gorgeous voices without supportive rolling guitar walls. However emotional impact on audience is extraordinary. They are not for daily listening but for right mood and state of mind. It's perfect for sleepy-rainy afternoon. They are one of the most shinning star on the post-rock sky this year for me! Highly recommend!

Track list
1 | Box, and Fights | 4:45
2 | Triumphal Arch | 5:07
3 | We Thought We Were Ghosts, But We Are Feathers | 2:44
4 | Hymn | 7:17
5 | Helpless | 6:11
Total time - 00:26:04

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/audreyswe
Free mp3 > Box, and Fights

11/11 Sufjan Stevens at Paradiso, Amsterdam

2006-11-14T11:13:00.000+01:00

Sufjan Stevens and his band the Magical Butterfly Brigade (incl. excellent five brass members) perfomed at the Paradiso last saturday nearly two-hour show. The music fairly floated on their beautiful wings to aud and I was truly happy to see them live at the moment. It was spectacular and awesome experience and travelling to Amsterdam was definetely worth.

Many thanks Sufjan!

PM: Thank you K and T! ... you know for what ;-)

Click on photos to enlarge.

Rubber Santas and Supermans were everywhere on the stage even on the piano :o)

Sufjan with eagle's wings

A snow projection during x-mas song "Majesty Snowbird"

Annie Clark aka St. Vincent charmed us with her beautiful voice

Only Sufjan and piano (bonus song "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.")

Sufjan and Buterflies without wings

All members of band played on piano during the concert

Sufjan Stevens Tour

2006-11-09T16:11:00.000+01:00

Brad Mehldau Live in Prague - solo piano

2006-11-07T09:23:00.000+01:00

What can I say about sunday's solo concert of Brad Mehldau in Dvorak Hall of Rudolfinum in Prague? I have no words ... or simply ... It was excellent, breathtaking and unforgettable experience with heart and soul and standing ovations at the end.

Thank you, Brad!

PS: you can read a little more about concert on Vysous's journal here.

Brad Mehldau - European Tour

2006-10-30T12:02:00.000+01:00

Mehldau is American jazz pianist who plays original compositions, jazz standards and jazz arrangements of popular music, having a particular liking for the music of Radiohead, Nick Drake and The Beatles. Mehldau has a distinct talent for transforming these 'Rock' songs in such a way that they sound as if they were Jazz Standards in the first place. He is best known as leader of the Brad Mehldau Trio, with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummers Jorge Rossy and Jeff Ballard.

He will be on tour across Europe next month and I'm really looking forward to Sunday's concert here in Prague.

tour dates:
11/1 | Jazznojazz Festival Kaufleuten | Zurich, Switzerland(Solo)
11/2 | Teatro Eden | Treviso, Italy (Solo)
11/3 | Auditorium Comunale | Pagnacco, Italy (Solo)
11/5 | Dvorak Hall of Rudolfinum | Prague, Czech Republic (Solo)
11/6 | Auditorium - Parco Della Musica | Rome, Italy (Solo)
11/7 | Teatro Comunale di Ferrara | Ferrara, Italy (Solo)
11/8 | Theatro Augusteo | Napoli, Italy
11/9 | Impart Arts Center, Wroclaw, Poland (Solo)
12/11 | Audiitori de Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain

www.bradmehldau.com
Free streaming audio/video

Fontän - Aktionskammarn

2006-10-29T11:42:00.000+01:00

(Best Before End, 2006)

Aktionskammarn is the outstanding full length debut from Gothensburg, Sweden based duo Fontän (Jesper Jarold and Johan Melin). As cherry on top featuring the aired vocal star Sarah Assbring (aka El Perro Del Mar). Fontän intriguingly blends a progressive electronica and 8-bit analogue synths with an accoustic instrumentation and gentle vocals. Perhaps it seems a little queer but it works! Aktionskammarn runs the gamut from happy to sad and back again however it's always fresh. Their music is once poppy (Gone Fishing) next time fluffy cinematic (Alla Kan Se Dig) and at the end you can looking forward to post-rock fireworks (The Ship).
Do you think it is not enough? I do and highly recommend!

Tracklist:
1. The Bird [5:15] | 2. Florida Towers [3:50] | 3. Alla Kan Se Dig [5:48] | 4. Gärdebylåten [0:30] | 5. Beautiful Bastards [4:11] | 6. You, Me & A Tree [7:28] | 7. Lie to… [2:43] | 8. …You [3:28] | 9. Blueberry And Raspberry [1:49] | 10. Lesbian Girls [3:52] | 11. Soltemperatur [0:34] | 12. Gone Fishing [3:05] | 13. Barentsburg [4:59] | 14. The Ship [12:50]

Total time: 60m29s

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/fntn

Free mp3 > Gone Fishing / Alla Kan Se Dig / Beautiful Bastards

If you like it support artist and buy at dotshop.se or Boomkat.

Ryan Teague - Coins & Crosses

2006-10-15T15:00:00.000+02:00

(Type, Release Date: September 11th 2006)

Do you like string orchestral soundtracks and a dark cinamatic sound? Do you also like an ambient electronica and an atmospheric noir feeling? And do you like a harp in music? If all your answers are "yes" so the album Coins & Crosses from young British elecroacoustic composer Ryan Teague is the right stuff for you. The album with roots in early sacred music and mysticism features a 24 piece String Orchestra performed by the Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Tim Redmond as well as acclaimed harpist Rhodri Davies. This stunning music is a perfect soundtrack for your imagined film which you dream of in deep your mind.
I highly recommend!

Free mp3 (only preview)
> 02. Coins & Crosses
> 05. Fantasia for Strings
> 06. Accidia

Streaming pieces
> 03. Nepesch
> 04. Tableau I

If you like it support artist and buy at dotshop.se, please.

New Efterklang mini-album finished!

2006-10-10T12:28:00.000+02:00

Good news from Efterklang newsletter (October 01, 2006):

Originally the plan was to release a new EP here in October, but this has now been changed to a mini-album with 5 new songs and almost 30 minutes of new Efterklang music! The release date has also been changed. We have just finished the mini-album so this means it will be released early 2007. The title is "Under Giant Trees" and we look forward to share this music with you!

We are now taking a short breather, but very soon we will return to our studio to continue the work on our new full lenght album that also will be released in 2007. The full lenght album and "Under Giant Trees" will not share any songs in the tracklists so there is a lot of new Efterklang music coming your way in 2007!

On the picture here you see Casper, Mads and Rasmus with the brand new master after a night with no sleep and a lot of mixing ...

I can't wait to see new mini-album and of course brand new full lenght album in 2007!
It will be very good year for Efterlang fans!

Efterklang - Tripper

2006-10-08T23:32:00.000+02:00

(Leaf, 2005)

The debut of the Copenhagen-based collective Efterklang (reverberation, or perhaps echo) called Tripper is simply beautiful. They combine glitch electronica with epic-sound strings and wonderful etheric vocals in atmospheric, cinematic and very delicate music. Immediate comparations come to mind: múm and especially Björk and Matmos because of clicks 'n' cuts sounds but I rather like my own term "microbeats" ;-).

This is headphone album for calm and silent nights.

Free mp3
> Efterklang - Step Aside
> Efterklang - Swarming (Antenne Version)
> Efterklang - Monopolist

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/efterklang

Support artist and buy here.

"SWARMING" video (2005) made by Karim Ghahwagi

... and this is perfect and hypnotic:
"PREY AND PREDATOR" video collage (2004) by Karim Ghahwagi

DeVotchKa - Little Miss Sunshine - video

2006-10-02T15:07:00.000+02:00

I haven't seen Little Miss Sunshine movie yet but I'm looking forward to so much. And there is a couple of laconic words about it from Wikipedia:
(yes, i'm so lazy to write something more jucy :p)

"Little Miss Sunshine is a comedy-drama film directed by the husband-wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The film had high praise and acclaim, including winning the Best Feature - World Cinema Audience Award at the 2006 Sydney Film Festival, and even a standing ovation at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival."

And finally there is a new DeVotchKa's song Till The End Of Time for this crazy movie.
Enjoy it!

Polar Bear - Held On The Tips Of Fingers

2006-09-29T19:01:00.000+02:00

(Babel, 2005 - Mercury Music Prize nominated)

It was a big surprise for me when I came across British jazz quartet Polar Bear. 'Cause I don't expect something so catchy, fresh, joyfull and with a punkish energy :))

Members of group originate from Aberdeen, Scotland are drummer and leader Seb Rochford who wrote all the tunes, electronica artist Leafcutter John, bassist Tom Herbert and finally two tenor saxmen Mark Lockheart and Pete Wareham. If I were to pick a two favourite tracks it would be Beartown with marvellous leading twin saxes conversation and Fluffy for great breakbeat drums, noirish electronic soundscapes with big tension inside.

Polar Bear playing a clever post-jazz which you can only love or hate. Nothing else. I love it. So what's your choise? ;)

Free mp3
> Beartown mp3
> Fluffy (I Want You) mp3
> Held on the Tips of Fingers mp3

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/sebastianrochford

Support artist and buy here.

Man Man - Engrish Bwudd + Young Einstein on the Beach (live)

2006-09-27T00:55:00.000+02:00

This video totally blows my mind! I wanna see Man Man live!

loydd 2006/10/09: I'm so sorry but this awsome video is removed from YouTube: "This video has been removed due to terms of use violation."

DeVotchKa - How It Ends

2006-09-22T22:27:00.000+02:00

(Ace Fu Records, 2004)

DeVotchKa (English transcription for девочка in Russian) is word means "young girl" and was used in Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange.

The quartet based in Denver, Colorado (1997) and uses a lot of instruments such as theremin, guitars, piano, trumpet, violin, accordion, sousaphone and upright bass in their amazing music, which is full of crazy mariachi, balkan and east-european gypsy-rock influences as I like it :o) I had last similar outstanding experience with Beirut - Gulag Orchestar this year.

Btw. Ace Fu Records is really interesting label with many another great bands ... Tunng, Pinback, The Dears etc.

Free mp3 > Venus in Furs (from new Curse Your Little Heart EP)
MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/devotchkamusic
Support artist and buy here.

Man Man - Six Demon Bag

2006-09-20T20:17:00.000+02:00

(Ace Fu Records, 2006)

When I first heard this great Philadelphia group I was impressed.
Man Man's music universe is mainly raucous voice of Honus Honus, clanging percussion, sonorous saxophone-trumpet-oboe lines and funny rollicking back vocals. All toghether is really weird experimental indie sound reminiscents you Tom Waits and Captain Beefheart maybe. Following short description from allmusic.com set laughing me: klezmer-influenced soundtrack to your scariest nightmare about killer clowns. ;o))

Best songs: Ice Dogs, Black Mission Goggles

I really enjoy Six Demon Bags very much. So I highly recommend this very unique release!

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/wearemanman
Free video (Quicktime) > 10 Lb. Moustache
Free mp3 > 10 Lb. Moustache / Black Mission Goggles / Van Helsing Boombox
Support artist and buy here

The Happy Planets

2006-09-17T13:14:00.000+02:00

The Happy Planets is the solo project of 19 year old songwriter and producer Eric Rieper. He looks like a younger Beck but his music is a little different, I'd say more introvert indie pop music combines accustic guitar sound with analog landscapes. Especially at the last release.

His first release Miles From Home (2004) and the recent Life During and After (2006, collection of B-sides) can be downloaded from his website www.thehappyplanets.com in full length. Life During and After streamable version at last.fm.

MySpace > http://www.myspace.com/thehappyplanets

Welcome! Come and feel The Quaint Space ;-)

2006-09-17T10:16:00.000+02:00

The Quaint Space blog will be full of music which is definitely worth a listen.
Don't expect totally fresh stuff here but only fresh for me ...
So sit down comfortably, keep your mind open and enjoy a following bunch of small gems.

loydd