Albums Thread - 2016

[Buzzer]

Probably one for the die-hards and completists, New Order are releasing a revised singles collection. I'll probably buy this if only for sentimental reasons.

http://pitchfork.com/news/66307-new-order-to-release-updated-singles-collection/

any excuse for a bit of New Order...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w43uSMJntgw

 

[Prince Monolulu]

Very nice album, beautifully introduced to the world at Glastonbury.

 

[Buzzer]

I was listening to it last night. It is nice although not a big development from her previous albums. I can't help but feel she's been well within her comfort zone for a long time now but saying that, there are some very good tunes on that album.

There's a lot of great new music out there at the moment. Special mention to Blood Orange, Xylaroo (one for the Monsters and Men fans), Stephen Steingbrink, Mick Harvey, The Felice Brothers, DJ Shadow. Will try to get reviews of these up next week.

 

[BadFish]

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet but I have been enjoying the DMA's album. I think they are touring the UK at the moment, anyone caught them? (28th October in Brighton)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhkhuarqDGE

 

[Theatre of Trees]

Some more reviews.

Mirror Gaze - Watch

Released as limited edition cassette but now only available via the Sivilised Recordings bandcamp page as a download. The first thing evident on listening are the vocals, singer Claire King is such a dead ringer for Alison Statten, that it really does make you check that this isn't a new Young Marble Giants recording. However, whereas Statten was wistful and plaintive, King is far darker and more brooding. Musically whilst there are similarities particularly on the introductions to 'Motorway' and 'What I Want' the songs pack plenty of instrumentation within the spaces. The stand out track is 'My Haus' which is built around the riff from 'Bela Lugosi's Dead' and gradually builds from its minimalist beginnings as King's vocals plaintively begs a partner to visit her, hits a crescendo in the middle, then slowly fades into longing again. A dreamy drone-pop delight.

Ela Orleans - Circles of Upper and Lower Hell

Polish born, Glasgow resident releases her seventh album hot on the heels of last years Upper Hell. That release took a number of tracks from this one to be produced and mixed by Howie B which gave it a fine pop sensibility. This release, however, gives us the original recordings and much more extended over 73 minutes. Orleans attempts to soundtrack Dante's Inferno which works in places but can be self indulgent in others. She certainly has a cinematic ear and her reverb vocals can sound quite ghostly and fragile at times. There are guest vocals from long time supporters, The Pastels, on 'Sunlight Hill' whilst 'Beatrice' tips a hat to the Cocteau Twins circa 'Peppermint Pig'. Very much outsider pop with a hint of noir electronica.

Klara Lewis - Too

Daughter of Wire's Graham Lewis releases her second album emphasising the experimentalist musical DNA that runs in the family. Lewis eschews the guitars of dad however, and builds her compositions from field recordings, electronica and the occasional processed beats. There is a similarity with Demdike Stare and Haxan Cloak but lacks the harsh electronic interludes of each. This a far more softer and darker journey with some elements of neo-classical ambient. Opener 'View' begins softly then rises in crescendo distorting its samples into a drone. Other stand outs include 'Else' with its pulsing reversed back beat and 'Beaming' which appears to take you into a large cavernous place where echoed voices provide a backdrop to events outside your head which are then interrupted by the sounds of foreign voices breaking out of a radio. Final track 'Us' begins with a round of applause if congratulating the listener for reaching this point before opening out into the most melodic and accessible piece on the album. Very much designed to be listened as a whole as Lewis plays with form and structure and creastes an atmospheric oddity which is well worth the perseverance.

Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve - The Soft Bounce

BTWS are producers Erol Alkan and Richard Norris (Once of The Grid) more known from remixing others works than producing their own. Very much influenced by 60s psychedelia as much as 90s house this album manages to mix both with the help of a number of guest vocalists including Hannah Peel, Jane Weaver, Euros Childs and journalist Jon Savage. 'Iron Age' mixes Can and Hawkwind through modern electronica; 'Creation' has a motorik beat above which wafts Jane Weaver's dreamy vocals; 'Door to Tomorrow' has Eleanor Rigby looping vocals as Euros Childs sings about a girl called Emily; 'Diagram Girl' is a lovely slice of synth pop; 'Black Crow' has processed strings; whilst closer 'Third Mynd' has Savage reading chopped up pieces of prose. The effect of the different vocalists and other instrumentals is to produce something akin to a very good mix tape but lacks a certain cohesion as each song heads off into its own territory.



Mirror Gaze, Ela Orleans and Klara Lewis can be found here:
https://www.mixcloud.com/The_Airing_Cupboard/mix-18/

Track list:
Mirror Gaze - My Haus
Ela Orleans - Beatrice
Marissa Nadler - Shadow Show Diane
Grumbling Fur - Acid Ali Khan
Mai Lan - Technique
Zyna Hel - Catacombs
Jenny Hval - Female Vampire
Dream Wife - Kids
Magic Potion - Cola Boyys
Hologram Teen - Marsangst
Klara Lewis - Us
DVA Damas - Clear Cut
Dead Fader - Norbert
Everyday Dust - Owls of Europa

 

[Monkster]

Thoroughly enjoying Direct Hit! - Wasted Mind. It's no Brainless God, but definitely a solid follow-up.

 

[Buzzer]

The Explorers' Club - 'Together'

I must have played this 10 times already over the last few days. It's just right for the sunny summer we've belatedly been getting. Think Beach Boys tracks: 'In My Room' or 'Breakaway' and you have this album in a nutshell. There's catchy surf riffs, beautiful harmonies and killer lead vocals with 12 songs all coming in at the 3 minute mark. It's just perfect pop music and you'd think they were a Beach Boys tribute band, they're that good.

https://soundcloud.com/burgerrecords/the-explorers-club-dont-waste

 

[Buzzer]

One for the fans of early 90s baggy Manchester bands. This is a Minneapolis band called Stay and the album is 'The Mean Solar Times' and from what I can gather have been around a little while but looks like they are picking up a lot of pace now. The album is produced by Owen Morris who also produced Definitely Maybe and The Verve's Northern Soul and the first track guest stars Andy Bell (presumably the one from Ride rather than Erasure) so there's a huge British influence and no doubt deliberately. The overall sound is Stone Roses, Charlatans, early Oasis in all their pomp. It's a glorious riot of jangly guitar riffs and long play-outs.

Yes, it's definitely retro but the important thing is the music is very good. Seriously, do try to check out the entire album, this one isn't even the best one on it:

http://pictureinmyearrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-mean-solar-times-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6x4Zx5Av8g

 

[Buzzer]

Ela Orleans - Circles of Upper and Lower Hell

Polish born, Glasgow resident releases her seventh album hot on the heels of last years Upper Hell. That release took a number of tracks from this one to be produced and mixed by Howie B which gave it a fine pop sensibility. This release, however, gives us the original recordings and much more extended over 73 minutes. Orleans attempts to soundtrack Dante's Inferno which works in places but can be self indulgent in others. She certainly has a cinematic ear and her reverb vocals can sound quite ghostly and fragile at times. There are guest vocals from long time supporters, The Pastels, on 'Sunlight Hill' whilst 'Beatrice' tips a hat to the Cocteau Twins circa 'Peppermint Pig'. Very much outsider pop with a hint of noir electronica.

Cheers for this, it's right up my street. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[BBassic]

One for the fans of early 90s baggy Manchester bands. This is a Minneapolis band called Stay and the album is 'The Mean Solar Times' and from what I can gather have been around a little while but looks like they are picking up a lot of pace now. The album is produced by Owen Morris who also produced Definitely Maybe and The Verve's Northern Soul and the first track guest stars Andy Bell (presumably the one from Ride rather than Erasure) so there's a huge British influence and no doubt deliberately. The overall sound is Stone Roses, Charlatans, early Oasis in all their pomp. It's a glorious riot of jangly guitar riffs and long play-outs.

Yes, it's definitely retro but the important thing is the music is very good. Seriously, do try to check out the entire album, this one isn't even the best one on it:

http://pictureinmyearrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-mean-solar-times-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6x4Zx5Av8g

Andy Bell had a stint in Oasis as well. And Beady Eye I think.

Digging this.

 

[Buzzer]

Not sure if this belongs in this thread or not but I'll post it anyway. It's an interesting take on the Brighton music scene by local journalist Jamie Milton.

http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/blog/brighton-and-the-echochamp-house

 

[Buzzer]

First listen of the new Badbadnotgood album and I'm mightily impressed. I'm not a big fan of jazz but this is quite soulful and funky. In parts sounding like 70s cop show theme tune and in other places shades of Gil Scott-Heron. Most are instrumentals and most feature a saxophone prominently. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed an album that was so heavy with sax playing.

It's Resident Records album of the week and I can see why.

 

[Buzzer]

Shura - 'Nothing's Real'

She's released a few 12 inches before this but this is the Mancunian female singer's debut album. It's all very radio-friendly electro-pop although not as pure-blooded Electro as La Roux. It's not all electro though because she does a nice line in soulful Janet Jackson-esque ballads. I didn't think I would like this at first but it is growing on me and i do like that there are still indie-artists making pure unashamed pop music. It does remind me quite a lot of Kylie's albums during her wilderness years when she was making her (IMO) most interesting music and collaborating with the likes of the Manics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2AOjb9HW2E

 

[Buzzer]

Wymond Miles - 'Call By Night'

This is a lovely little album. A San Franciscan but his voice is very Robert Smith. Resident describes the album as cinematic but I would question that. It's more Nick Cave in his quieter moments. https://wymond.bandcamp.com/album/call-by-night

Bess Atwell - 'Hold Your Mind'

Brighton folky singer/songwriter's debut album. Very much in a Laura Marling vein although her voice is a little more powerful IMO. I liked this album too, it's well produced, there's some strong tunes on there and as I say, her voice is quite lovely to listen to.
https://vimeo.com/173343069

 

[Buzzer]

Another new album that I would recommend is 666 by Sugar Candy Mountain. It's psychedelic pop, laid back electric blues and loads of echo on the female vocals. I don't know an awful lot about them other than they come from Joshua Tree, California and they have a great retro late 60s sound. It's an easy album just to get lost in and you'll find yourself hitting the repeat button often. The title track '666' is as good as anything I've heard this year.

https://soundcloud.com/sugar-candy-mountain

https://sugarcandymountain.bandcamp.com/

 

[spring hall convert]

Not sure if this belongs in this thread or not but I'll post it anyway. It's an interesting take on the Brighton music scene by local journalist Jamie Milton.

http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/blog/brighton-and-the-echochamp-house

Abattoir Blues and The Magic Gang are good 'uns.

Nice to see Georgie's Fat Dog Parties get a mention, they're normally excellent, keep an eye out for the next one at Green Door. She also shouts in Porridge Radio, who I'm surprised don't get a mention.

 

[spring hall convert]

Wymond Miles - 'Call By Night'

This is a lovely little album. A San Franciscan but his voice is very Robert Smith. Resident describes the album as cinematic but I would question that. It's more Nick Cave in his quieter moments. https://wymond.bandcamp.com/album/call-by-night

Bess Atwell - 'Hold Your Mind'

Brighton folky singer/songwriter's debut album. Very much in a Laura Marling vein although her voice is a little more powerful IMO. I liked this album too, it's well produced, there's some strong tunes on there and as I say, her voice is quite lovely to listen to.
https://vimeo.com/173343069

Caught Bess at Marwood's during TGE and thought she was brilliant. Brighton has a surfeit of talented pop/folky female singer-songwriters at the moment. Ellie Ford is probably my favourite.

 

[Buzzer]

Jamie Isaac - 'Couch Baby'

A very cool, very laid-back, trippy album. It's quite sparse, almost minimalist and lots of stop-start drum patterns. It's got quite an R&B feel to it but it's post-clubbing comedown sort of music rather than uptempo R&B. I guess you could even say it's more jazz than R&B - it's a little difficult to pigeon-hole but it does sound very cool. Another bright British youngster making great music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M39nZFAT5is

Omni - 'Deluxe'

Resident have this band as a sort of modern-day Devo or Television and I think could just be spot on. Unusually for my household, there's agreement from everyone about this album. My 16 year old tends to like heavy music - heavy metal, dubstep, industrial techno whilst my 14 year old is far more folky/quirky - Courtney Barnett, Vampire Weekend, Burning Hell but we all like this so I guess it shows how broad the album is musically.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJzl4LIfkG0

 

[spring hall convert]

I reckon a local lot called Lunar Quiet could find some fans on this board. They've released their second track today.

The first 'Endless Migraine' is a bit of a Isn't Anything era My Bloody Valentine rager - https://soundcloud.com/lunarquiet/endless-migraine

And the second 'Ambien' channelling some Cure vibes - https://soundcloud.com/lunarquiet/ambien

They are supporting Fews at The Prince Albert next week if anyone is going to that one.

 

[JCL666]

The Avalanches - Wildflower

It's ****ing AWESOME

And that's all you need to know ;-)