Album Reviews
Album Review: Candace – New Ruins
Today sees the release of the quite frankly gorgeous album ‘New Ruins’ by Portland, Oregon band Candace. I reviewed the single ‘Rewind’ off the album recently, noting the song’s ‘sun-bleached layered harmonies over crisply produced crystalline shards of guitar, Alpine-proportioned melodies and a bass line that manages to serve the song yet create its own …
Album Review: Anna Von Hausswolff – Dead Magic
Not magic, but Dead Magic is what Gothenburg born musician has focused on in her new (fourth) album, out tomorrow (2nd March) via City Slang. The title suggests the paradox chosen by Anna von Hausswolff – opening the doors to disturbance and anxiety,the idea that somehow things which created such wonder and imagination are dying, …
Album Review: Moby – Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt
The album is desribed as “a glowing tapestry exploring spirituality, individuality and the brokenness of humanity and finds him returning to his orchestral, soul, trip-hop and gospel roots”. The first thing I noticed about this album is straight away it has a far more darker feel to it than his usual efforts. The opener is …
Album Review : MGMTs ‘Little Dark Age’
Man, do you remember when Oracular Spectacular dropped in 2007? I don’t. I was too busy in my own crowded little universe to notice a couple college kids from Connecticut leaving one of the most impressive debut records of the naughts at the doorstep of world. But by 2009 I was hip to it. Day-go-colored …
Say Psych: Album Review: Gwenno – Le Kov
Le Kov (The Place of Memory) is the second solo album by Welsh singer-songwriter and musician, Gwenno Saunders, created in collobartion with producer Rhys Edwards with additional drum engineering by Gorwel Owen (Super Furry Animals) and mixing and additional programming by David Wrench. The LP is set for release on Friday on Heavenly Recordings. Y …
Say Psych: Album Review: The Oscillation – U.E.F.
The Oscillation is one of the many aliases of Demian Castellanos, a multi instrumentalist tour de force who emerged from the London underground in 2006. He has released 4 previous LPs as well a handful of singes and EPs. Castellanos aims to constantly push the boundaries and drags the divisive term psychedelic rock to the …
Album Review : Of Montreal’s ‘White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood
I feel that I’ve given Kevin Barnes the benefit of the doubt far longer than anyone deserves. I’ve followed along with him and his crazy flights of fancy; through concept albums about transvestite hookers to his attempts at pop crossover to even a stage where he was into avante garde composers. Barnes’ imagination was boundless, …
Album Review: Ministry – AMERIKKANT
There’s no denying this is an album charged with socio-political ideas and statements. The cover and the title were pretty evident of this album’s goal. But you’ll be pleased to know it’s not just another president bashing with the usual moaning. It does hit at the obvious targets like Trump and the current American government, …
Not Forgotten: John Foxx – Metamatic
It’s one of life’s cruel ironies that some people saw John Foxx as a Gary Numan wannabee, as just prior to his solo emergence, Numan had famously stated in the press that “I’ll never be as good as Ultravox!” He was referring to Foxx’s hideously underrated futuristic glam-rock pioneers, his comment instantly prompting millions to …
Album Review : Graham Reznick’s ‘Glass Angles’
Have you ever gone into a dressing room with those large vanity mirrors set up so you can look at yourself in all conceivable angles? You know, so you can make sure you look top notch in those Jordache jeans? Or those knock off Italian boots that some soulless beauty wore on that TV show …