Eclectic Vibes - May 2008
CD/DVD Micro Reviews by Andrew Frey
REAL SAD A friend of mine kept bugging me to see a noise band that a friend of hers is in. Since noise bands vary greatly, I was hesitant, but the time came and on 4/5 at the Willy St. Bar and Grill (aka. the Wisco) we witnessed Real Sad. This plucky Madison duo provided outlandish deadpan humor with a noisy keyboard delivery. The crowd was enthusiastic and with amazing hits like “I Am the Towel” and “Jared, Jared, Jared” they are certainly headed for the top. Good stuff if ya “get it.”
BASS MONSTER 4/24 found us at the Majestic Theatre. The quirky snappy beats of Elliot Lipp seamlessly gave way to the horrifically over-bassed set of Bass-nectar. This longhaired knob turning freak was certainly having a good time on stage, but we were suffering with the heart-palpitating bass overload. After about 45 minutes of abuse we fled the premises.
FESTI DI BELLA SOL FESTIVAL ALERT! One of the first festivals of the season and boasting a kick-ass lineup, plus it’s at Harmony Park in MN. Some of the performances I am excited about include Heatbox, Stealin Strings, Buckethead, Pnuma Trio, Cornmeal and That1Guy. [www.bellamusicfest.com] or Myspace
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
Beefus
ManpanzeeRecord Label: Self Released
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 9
This Madison based hurdy-gurdy of frenzied bass and electric banjo funkified rock have evolved to produce clever, witty lyrics with a platitude of poignant samples. Favorable vocal and rhythmic comparisons to Primus are unavoidable.
Reader Votes: 2
Bone Shaker
Bang… You’re DeadRecord Label: Turkey Vulture Records
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 7
Rippin’, thrashin’ rough and raw metal from Waukesha, WI. This seasoned trio has invigorating their sound with coarse vocals and spunky rhythms to make for a neck-wrecking experience.
Reader Votes: 0
Endeverafter
Kiss or KillRecord Label: Razor & Tie
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 4
I had no idea that this kind of music was still being produced! Big hair with even bigger egos. Cocky, cheesy, dick in mouth metal/hard rock. I say “Whatever-after” is a better name.
Reader Votes: 0
Fear Nuttin Band
YardcoreRecord Label: Bodog Music
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 8
Dual dancehall style vocals utilizing a wide variety of musical genre platforms to riff off of. Most of them are heavier or punkier; some are more reggae, but all have the hippin,’ hoppin’ vocals. Quite catchy stuff!
Reader Votes: 1
Firewind
The PremonitionRecord Label: Century Media
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 8
Driving by guitar wunderkind Gus G. (ex-Dream Evil, Nightrage, Mystic Prophecy, Arch Enemy), this frenzied Greek power metal comes with all the dramatic fortitudes and invigorating arpeggios of musical aptitude one would associate with such head banging eloquence.
Reader Votes: 0
Giancarlo Vulcano
VetroRecord Label: Innova
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 8
An instrumental minimalist jazz excursion into mind-tantalizing guitar trysts and technical forays. This recording is the result of the composers involvement with Forecast Music from 2003-2005. For fans of Robert Fripp, Brian Eno, etc.
Reader Votes: 0
The Gomers
Mike ZirkelRecord Label: Beeftone
Review published: June 2008
Rating: 9
Beloved hometown Madison quirk-nauts spew forth a beguiling array of witty song spins. From utilizing every town in Wisconsin as lyrical fodder to showcasing such guest musicians as Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp, they delight and frolic in the asinine as well as the sublime.
Reader Votes: 0
Juno Reactor
Gods and MonstersRecord Label: Metropolis Records
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 9
Genre crossing techno united by a vast array of amazing musicians.
Reader Votes: 0
Peter Mathews
Far From HaggersvilleRecord Label: Trinema Meia
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 7
Award-winning, Madison-based film maker and musician brings us a soundtrack-type music and film CD with a real life puzzle to solve with actual gold coins as the potential payoff. Very intriguing concept!
Reader Votes: 0
Musicians For Minneapolis
57 Songs For the I-35W Bridge Disaster Relief EffortRecord Label: Electrovoice
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 8
Produced by audio equipment giant, Electro-Voice, the only thing longer than the title of this 3-CD release is the list of amazing musicians contributing to this self-explanatory fund raising project. Dick Dale, George Clinton, DJ Spooky, Calexico, Les Claypool and MANY, many more.
Reader Votes: 0
Putumayo Presents
Café CubanoRecord Label: Putumayo World Music
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 9
Envision relaxing at a café on the coast of Cuba exploring the musical heritage evoked by this culturally rich island. From guajiras, trovas, sones, boleros and the nueva trova movement, experience the majestic musical facets and performers presented here.
Reader Votes: 0
Sahg
Sahg IIRecord Label: Regain Records
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 8
Norwegian doom/stoner metal supergroup as powerful and ferocious as any on the scene today. Crushing Sabbath inspired riffs lilt and cajole the listener into a sagacious platitude of supernal flux and dither.
Reader Votes: 0
Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King
Blood BrothersRecord Label: Alligator Records
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 9
These two well-seasoned blues veterans pool their creativity and talent into this sizzling release.
Reader Votes: 0
Underculture
UndercultureRecord Label: Undercultured Records
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 7
From the crusty garage rock ‘n’ roll underbelly of Madison comes this punk-a-billy trio. They flippantly flaunt their scruffy, old-age flourishes while resting on pumped up beats and mental quagmires.
Reader Votes: 0
Volbeat
Rock The Rebel/Metal The DevilRecord Label: Mascot Records
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 10
If the Misfits were playing through Pantera’s equipment, I suspect it would sound something like this. Danish, thrashy, hard-edged punk metal with a clean crooner on vocals and some vintage style rock infarctions. Awesome!
Reader Votes: 0
Vulgar Pang
The Memoirs of Don Juan GacyRecord Label: Rock Garden
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 9
Appleton hosts this powerful and intense metal force. Whether pleading, crooning or powering out, the raspy clean vocals lead the way for a display of amazing musical diversity and depth.
Reader Votes: 0
Zimmers Hole
When You Were Shouting at the DevilRecord Label: Century Media
Review published: May 2008
Rating: 9
Ironic and humorous, yet top notch death metal featuring Strapping Young Lad members and ultra prolific drummer Gene Hoglan. Hilarious PSA by Nathan Explosion from Dethklok.
Reader Votes: 0
