Eclectic Vibes - February 2011
CD/DVD Micro Reviews by Andrew Frey
SPANKS FOR EVERYTHING!
Our old friends Asylum Street Spankers are passing thru for the final time on 2/20 at the High Noon Saloon as part of their Spanks For Everything! tour. Founded by Christina Marrs and Wammo this Austin based entourage has been kicking out their distinct brand of twisted alt folk jams for over 14 years now and due to a variety of reasons including kids, the economy and lineup changes this will be the end of the road for the Spankers. Better get there early! Asylum Street Spankers
The Eighth Day Of The Year
Saturday 1/8 was a fine day to be out and about in Madison. Earlier in the day we decided to start our new years out right and took the new sprout (my 11 month old son) out to see the Madgadders. They were appearing as part of the ‘Kids in the Rotunda’ series at Madison’s 200 million dollar art palace aka The Overture Center. We managed to catch their 1pm show which was the finale of 3 shows that day.
The Madgadders are a colorful family fun oriented band that includes members of VO5. On this outing they played selections from the Beatles and Queen as well as a School House Rock song and others. It turned out to be a lively show and a great place to see a free event with a lot of other kids (if you made it in before the 400 person capacity was reached).
Continuing on with our musical escapades, later in the evening we found ourselves at Mr. Roberts (sans child of course). We didn’t go there to see any particular band, mostly just to get out. We knew Mr. Roberts has music every night with no cover, but we were pleasantly surprised with our findings. They now have their stage in the back room (in case you haven’t been there in a while) and even though the stage area is just an area and not an actual raised stage, it’s still a billion times better than when the bands were crammed up in the front corner. The Combustible Trio (formerly the Oncken Jazz Expression) was the entertainment for the evening and all was jumpin’ and jiggy once they started their set. The lone bartender on this evening was bustling up a storm to keep up as thirsty patrons emptied their cups again and again while the band played on.
The stage area was lit in classic Wisconsin style; two neon beer signs proudly blazing their logo while dimly illuminating the musicians. The trio blasted out jazzed up classic rock covers from the 60s and 70s as well as a few choice originals and we had a great time out in the Mad City on the eighth day of the year.
Collective Acoustics
bc >= adRecord Label: Gah Gah Music
Review published: April 2011
Rating: 10
Love at first riff? From the very moment I put this in the player, the silky smooth organic rocktronica created by this experimental trio caressed my musical g-spot. The flowing and dreamy instrumentals are comprised of curious guitars, murmuring and enticing jazzy rhythms and patches of blissful ambience. All played on real instruments. No samples, loops or MIDI here. The highly versatile crew creates in other interesting ways including organs, electric bass and harpsichord plus instruments and devices of their own design.
Reader Votes: 1
Various Artists
Putumayo Presents Bossa Nova Around The WorldRecord Label: Putumayo Records
Review published: April 2011
Rating: 8
Bringing some heat and passion into the cold part of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, we are treated to 12 toe-tapping Bossa Nova tracks from Brazil, France, Norway, South Korea, Serbia, and beyond. They show off the global appeal and popularity for a sound that started in Brazil in the late 1950s.
Reader Votes: 0
16 Volt
American Porn SongsRecord Label: Metropolis Records
Review published: June 2010
Rating: 9
18 tracks of morphed, molded and renewed tonal treats packed with a revisioned glow by legendary industrial performers and winners of the 2009 American Porn Songs Remix Contest. Highly satisfactory auditory results that work on the dance floor as well as just thrashing about in your room.
Reader Votes: 0
3
The End Is BegunRecord Label: Metal Blade Records
Review published: January 2008
Rating: 9
Moody, paradoxical and sophisticated rhythms compliment the succinct and distinct vocals which soar but do not annoy, while utilizing technical prowess to bring broad minded progressive metal to new heights.
Reader Votes: 1
3 Inches Of Blood
Here Waits Thy DoomRecord Label: Century Media
Review published: September 2009
Rating: 9
Daredevil vocals riding on the unrelenting waves of an unabashed speed metal barrage. Vocalist Jamie Hooper notes of the album. “We are forging the steel that we’ll use to annihilate the heavy metal posers, and in every town we play, the streets will run red with their blood.” Nuff Said. Produced by Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison.
Reader Votes: 0
8889
ZoologyRecord Label: Self Released
Review published: July 2008
Rating: 6
Singer/songwriter styled alt/indie rock from Madison. This follow-up to their MAMA winning debut album finds a well-defined, well-thought through chunk of moody alt music. For my ear candy I prefer a bit more intensity and cleverness.
Reader Votes: 0
A Tortured Soul
Kiss of the ThornRecord Label: Eyes Like Snow/Northern Silence Records
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 7
Operatic and progressive old-school gothic metal (ala Priest, King Diamond, Shadow’s Fall) from Milwaukee but signed to a German Label. Shadowy doom protruding from a festering pool of abstract progressions.
Reader Votes: 0
Abney Park
Lost HorizonsRecord Label: Self Released
Review published: October 2008
Rating: 10
Forerunners of the oncoming “Steampunk Artistic Movement,” this Seattle outfit takes flight with a story of roving time travelers and airship pirates while gallivanting through and amalgamating the most admirable traits of a variety of genres including gothic, gypsy rock, punk, industrial, and electronica. Eclectic, elegant and unique.
Reader Votes: 0
King Sunny Ade
Baba Mo TundeRecord Label: Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings
Review published: October 2010
Rating: 10
I’ve been a fan of this Nigerian native Afro-pop mega legend for quite some time so I was delighted to hear about his first studio album in over 10 years. The second of this twin disc release blasts off with the 31 min title track and if you make it through that on your feet, you might as well call in sick for the week cause you will be shaking and dancing all day and night to these incredible and inviting masterpieces.
Reader Votes: 0
After All
This Violent DeclineRecord Label: Locomotive Records
Review published: March 2008
Rating: 6
Sturdy, powerful, galloping, and thrash-attacking guitar riffs propel this head banging Belgium juggernaut. The vocals are gruff, but understandable and quite appropriate, for the power metal they purvey.
Reader Votes: 0
Omar Akram
Secret JourneyRecord Label: Real Music
Review published: January 2008
Rating: 9
This son of a UN diplomat brings us an infusion of world flecked jazz instrumentals set in melodic new age atmospheres. Piano is the dominant but not overpowering motivator here, complimented by violin, guitar, drums and keyboard.
Reader Votes: 0
Azam Ali
From Night to the Edge of DayRecord Label: Six Degrees
Review published: April 2011
Rating: 9
Lullabies of love; lullabies of anguish; lullabies of rebellion, exile and awareness; such is the dichotomy of these Iranian, Turkish, Lebanese and Kurdish lullabies as presented by this amazing Iranian-born, Indian-raised vocalist. She connected with the spectrum of emotions behind lullabies when she gave birth to her son and realized the tumultuous world that he would be exposed to and live in.
Reader Votes: 0
Almah
Fragile EqualityRecord Label: Blistering Records
Review published: January 2009
Rating: 8
Well flavored and maturely tempered power metal featuring former Angra members. Robust guitar solos are intertwined with pulsating rhythms and urgent vocals justifying the quality and caliber of this melodic power metal fury.
Reader Votes: 0
Alo
Man Of The WorldRecord Label: Brushfire Records/Universal
Review published: May 2010
Rating: 10
Sublimely mellow rock music tumbled with expertly crafted tale telling courtesy of 4 childhood friends. Since it was by Jack Johnson and recorded at his solar powered studio in Hawaii ALO scored the opening slot on Johnson’s summer tour including Alpine Valley 7/24 and River’s Edge 7/25 and I am thrilled more people will get to hear them.
Reader Votes: 0
The American Plague
Heart AttackRecord Label: Feedback Symphony Records
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 6
Hard driving, hard rocking trio serving up classic catchy heavy rock. Elements of angst and foreboding give way to campy rock.
Reader Votes: 0
Amorphis
SkyforgerRecord Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Review published: July 2009
Rating: 10
Finding new ways to awaken my inner Viking! Invigorating anthems with their signature Scandinavian folk metal approach reverberate a dark, powerful beauty and majesty unmatched. This third round with singer Tomi Joutsen integrates a broad stroke of vocal styles with increased progressive rock elements to their musical palette.
Reader Votes: 0
Anew Revolution
RiseRecord Label: Koch Entertainment
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 4
Watered-down, radio-ready bubblegum metal. Oh, it’s so filled with emotions, intensity, blah, blah, blaze. For fans of such mass consumable and radio friendly bands as Staind, Dope, etc.
Reader Votes: 0
Apocalyptica
Worlds CollideRecord Label: 20 20/ Jive Records
Review published: December 2008
Rating: 10
Cellos and heavy metal may be an unlikely combination, but these fine Finnish folks have successfully been kicking out variants on their theme over the years. With several guest vocalists and a couple radio ready singles, this release is a smoking’ mix of their symphonic metal and thrashin’ ragers.
Reader Votes: 0
