Eclectic Vibes - April 2008
CD/DVD Micro Reviews by Andrew Frey
This Month, Micro Reviews of: The American Plague, Anew Revolutions, David & Steve Gordon, Dead Child, Glenn Patrik, Immortal Dominion, Jaya Lakshmi, The Jungle, Lions Share, Mortal Love, Rupa & the April Fishes, The Poor Bastards, Twisterbait, Victims of Circumstance
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
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
Dead Child
AttackRecord Label: Touch and Go/Quarterstick Records
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 8
grooves of doom take flight from their terse, rudimentary beginnings and find fertile ground as the tonalities grow darker and more aggressive. Clean bad boy vocals spice the palette.
Reader Votes: 0
David & Steve Gordon
Earth Drum: The 25th Anniversary Collection, Vol. 1Record Label: Sequoia Records
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 9
A collection of this famous duo’s favorite global drum fusions from their past 25 years. Beautiful, serene and trance-invoking drum visions. With bonus DVD of music and landscape visuals.
Reader Votes: 0
IfIHadAHiFi
Fame by ProxyRecord Label: Latest Flame Records
Review published: April 2009
Rating: 8
These bastards bang out noisy contemporary power punk rock while being flanged and ready for the next stagger or incursion into delirium and lyrical conundrums. Perplexingly enthralling, annoying, exciting and tumultuous simultaneously.
Reader Votes: 0
Jaya Lakshmi
SublimeRecord Label: Sequoia Records
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 7
Continuing on with her tradition of utilizing top talent and great producers to produce a very NOW direction to her offerings of Bhakti yoga. This Kirtan themed voyage of chant, chill and grace will carry the listener to alcoves of serenity and blissful platitudes.
Reader Votes: 0
Lion's Share
Emotional ComaRecord Label: Locomotive Spain Records
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 9
A masterful selection of whirled classic metal riffs with a thrashing power metal type undertow as directed by band mastermind Lars Chriss. Thanks to the distinctive and awesome Dio era vocals of Patrik Johansson (ASTRAL DOORS and WUTHERING HEIGHTS) this album packs a crunchy, satisfying punch!
Reader Votes: 0
Liquid Jungle
Tiny HeavenRecord Label: Self Released
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 8
Prog rock from Atlanta with a serious funk kick and some interesting quirks. The interplay of vocal harmonies amidst the disparate instrumental aptitudes serves to amplify the slurry of intriguing and beguiling musical intensities.
Reader Votes: 0
Mortal Love
Forever Will Be GoneRecord Label: Locomotive Spain Records
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 8
A Female fronted gothic metal frolic from Oslo, Norway. Dynamic and dramatic gloomy melancholic texturing affront the characteristic moods of time and pace.
Reader Votes: 0
Glenn Patrik
Mr. Blues Jr.Record Label: Glenn P.M. Patrik
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 8
Saucy and charismatic encampments of flavorful blues. The organ and harmonica with the screaming and wailing guitar make poignant the subtle rhythmic rebuttals of this veteran bluesman.
Reader Votes: 0
Rupa and the April Fishes
ExtraOrdinary RenditionRecord Label: Cumbancha Records
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 10
Etherial and whimsical whisperings spoken thru the flickering flame of chanteuse Rupa Marya. Tantalized with a multicultural temptation of sultry awareness amidst the occasional Euro spin, raga, or mariachi interlude. Superb.
Reader Votes: 0
Those Poor Bastards
The PlagueRecord Label: Tribulation Recording Company
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 7
Unsettling gothic gospel altercations spun and thickened with a dark angst and a rustic atmosphere. Coarse vocals are set amidst a haunting cacophony of vintage instruments and cantankerous rhythms. Hank III approved!
Reader Votes: 0
Twisterbait
I SpyRecord Label: Xacca Sounds
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 8
A tasty tornadic EP of hybrid techno metal. The trio of members has the added technocratic blessing of being produced by Simon Hanson (Death In Vegas) who undoubtedly morphed this into the vision of rhythmic pulchritude that it is.
Reader Votes: 0
Victims Of Circumstance
Do It YourselfRecord Label: Financial Records
Review published: April 2008
Rating: 8
Electing to point their musical feet in a skanking direction, this Tampa group finesses relisten-ability via their sonic soliloquies of memorable punk rock protuberances.
Reader Votes: 0
