Review: Bandcamp / Soundcloud / Submissions Round-Up pt 7
So.....another round-up of submissions...some really good stuff this time around.
First up is Josefin Ohrn & The Liberation, a band from Sweden who have graced the stage with the likes of Goat and Les Big Byrd (as well a nomination in the Swedish Grammys). Their album 'Horse Dance' has been released by the veritable Rocket Recordings and is a joyous mix of influences both old and new. The intro to opener 'Dunes' smacks of Suicide (the band, not the....well, you know) and evolves into a motorik stomper with some beautiful vocals from Josefin. The rest of the album follows suit, taking cues from the old (the motorik rhythms and of Can and Neu!) and more contemporary artists (the trance inducing guitar drones of Loop). Josefin's vocals veer from the ethereal to Siouxsie-like stridency. It is a fantastic album, and one that I'm sure has passed underneath some people's radar, which is a real shame. It is psychedelic, but not in the 'turn the amps up to 11 and fuzz out' manner -it has a more refinement and imagination than that; it has an elegance and a fragility that endears it to the listener. 'Horse Dance' can be purchased via the Rocket Bandcamp page.
Next up is ’Death And The Magpie’ by Muxika77. Muxika77 is the musical alias of Swedish musician and songwriter Johan Krantz and has previously recorded as Musika 77 and Music 77. ’Death And The Magpie’ is an expansive album, strong on melody and songwriting, which brings to mind the Americana of Calexico, the mournful croonings of Iron and Wine and the eclectic percussion and rhythms of Beirut. Comparisons aside, Krantz produces songs with real lyrical qualities and sings them with passion and feeling. From the opening drones of 'Agelstern Varwe' you know you are listening to something a bit special. Highlights include the 'bluegrass on Mogadon' banjo and melancholic strings of 'B.Y.F.M' which artfully avoids falling into maudlin lachrymosity, and 'Byggnaden' with it's tribal, but understated drums, and creative instrumentation. This is music for cool grown-ups. It is released by This Is Forte on 27th November and be purchased via the label's Bandcamp page.
PuzzleWood hail from Moscow and are the latest in line of some very good bands plying their trade in Russia (The Grand Astoria, Maat Lander to name but two). Their 'Casorzo' EP was totally self-financed, recorded and mixed with no backing from a label....that's doing it for the love of the music rather than the filthy lucre. The EP comprises 4 tracks, of which 2 are the same; a Russian and an English version, and is a real stylistic mix. Opener 'Hollow' is a guitar-based track with a post-rock structure and the closer is 'When The Words Will Come' is an acoustic ballad, not really my thing, but skillfully played and arranged. It is 'Obsessed' that is the standout track with it's initially understated guitar that let's loose periodically in a maelstrom of heavy prog. A very fine track. The EP can be streamed via Soundcloud
First up is Josefin Ohrn & The Liberation, a band from Sweden who have graced the stage with the likes of Goat and Les Big Byrd (as well a nomination in the Swedish Grammys). Their album 'Horse Dance' has been released by the veritable Rocket Recordings and is a joyous mix of influences both old and new. The intro to opener 'Dunes' smacks of Suicide (the band, not the....well, you know) and evolves into a motorik stomper with some beautiful vocals from Josefin. The rest of the album follows suit, taking cues from the old (the motorik rhythms and of Can and Neu!) and more contemporary artists (the trance inducing guitar drones of Loop). Josefin's vocals veer from the ethereal to Siouxsie-like stridency. It is a fantastic album, and one that I'm sure has passed underneath some people's radar, which is a real shame. It is psychedelic, but not in the 'turn the amps up to 11 and fuzz out' manner -it has a more refinement and imagination than that; it has an elegance and a fragility that endears it to the listener. 'Horse Dance' can be purchased via the Rocket Bandcamp page.
Next up is ’Death And The Magpie’ by Muxika77. Muxika77 is the musical alias of Swedish musician and songwriter Johan Krantz and has previously recorded as Musika 77 and Music 77. ’Death And The Magpie’ is an expansive album, strong on melody and songwriting, which brings to mind the Americana of Calexico, the mournful croonings of Iron and Wine and the eclectic percussion and rhythms of Beirut. Comparisons aside, Krantz produces songs with real lyrical qualities and sings them with passion and feeling. From the opening drones of 'Agelstern Varwe' you know you are listening to something a bit special. Highlights include the 'bluegrass on Mogadon' banjo and melancholic strings of 'B.Y.F.M' which artfully avoids falling into maudlin lachrymosity, and 'Byggnaden' with it's tribal, but understated drums, and creative instrumentation. This is music for cool grown-ups. It is released by This Is Forte on 27th November and be purchased via the label's Bandcamp page.
PuzzleWood hail from Moscow and are the latest in line of some very good bands plying their trade in Russia (The Grand Astoria, Maat Lander to name but two). Their 'Casorzo' EP was totally self-financed, recorded and mixed with no backing from a label....that's doing it for the love of the music rather than the filthy lucre. The EP comprises 4 tracks, of which 2 are the same; a Russian and an English version, and is a real stylistic mix. Opener 'Hollow' is a guitar-based track with a post-rock structure and the closer is 'When The Words Will Come' is an acoustic ballad, not really my thing, but skillfully played and arranged. It is 'Obsessed' that is the standout track with it's initially understated guitar that let's loose periodically in a maelstrom of heavy prog. A very fine track. The EP can be streamed via Soundcloud
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