Iron Fist Of The Sun "Behavioural Decline" CD [2009]
There's not a lot on offer here, to be honest. Most of it is boring and uninteresting. We are treated to the usual Power Electronics fare - slow, low-key drones accompanied by the traditional beeps and squeals, accentuated on some tracks by the standard "shout the lyric over and over again" vocal. Not a lot to be excited about here.
(2 out of 5)
Cages "Folding Space" CD [2009]
What in the living fuck is this?? And I mean that in a good way. Cold Spring have released something special here. What dominates the disc is the wild, wailing female vocalist, accompanied by a variety of different sounds. From ambient drones, to looped choir-like voices, to acoustic guitar which turns into manic electric guitar; this release offers up more than you expect. There's even a bluesy rock track in here. Complete awesomeness; a real gem.
(5 out of 5)
Friday 27 November 2009
Friday 11 September 2009
Batch #9
Les Anges Exterminateurs (The Exterminating Angels) DVD [2006]
The second part of Brisseau's trilogy on sexual taboos is a lot more interesting than the third (which I have already reviewed). Weird angelic apparitions aside, the film is about a director searching for a couple of females to star in his film. During the casting, he meets up with two girls who are well up for it, shall we say. Even going so far as to masturbate each other in a restaurant for him. This leads to numerous lesbian sexual encounters where he is the voyeur, taking his role as a director into a new and dangerous realm.
The lesbian sex is very strong in this film, with the girls actually touching each other down below. I think the all-girl threesome scene in the hotel is probably one of the most erotic scenes I have seen in recent years. Apart from this, the film is devoid of the pretensious boredom which would blight the next movie, A L'aventure, at least to a certain degree. The angelic apparitions and the cryptic "radio" voice-over providing a hook to keep you watching.
(4 out of 5)
Karhozat (Damnation) DVD [1987]
This is the earliest film of Bela Tarr which I have had the fortune to watch. It's certainly not as slow as his later epics (read: this is just above snail pace), but it sure shows the brilliance yet to come. It is about a man who is having an affair with a married woman who sings at a local bar. He sees her whenever she is free from the watchful eye of her husband. As much as she tries to push him away, he continues to persue her, confessing his love for her.
The film is obviously black & white and features lots of slow tracking shots, though the speed is slightly different to Tarr circa 2009. Its enthralling from start to end, featuring an iconic scene where everyone is drunkenly dancing together in a bar. Truly magnificent stuff.
(5 out of 5)
Trois Couleurs Bleu (Three Colours Blue) DVD [1993]
I'd never really been interested in this trilogy before, but I decided to watch the one which seemed the most intriguing for me, Blue. I don't know whether I'll get around to the other two, but for now, at least I tried one.
It's about a woman who has to come to terms with the loss of her composer husband and young daughter in a car crash. Despite jumping into bed with a friend of her husband, she runs away from her country house and takes an apartment in the city where she attempts to forget the grief of the accident. She eventually finds out a shocking secret regarding her husband's life and attempts to soothe her pain through music.
Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski tackles this film brilliantly, with intruding close-ups and dramatic use of the classical score (particularly during the "device" where he fades to black in the middle of a scene and then fades back in again ten seconds later). Juliette Binoche is a very intense actress, and also very pretty.
(4 out of 5)
Pure DVD [2005]
When I saw that this was released on Artificial Eye, I assumed that it had to be something special. I'd never heard of the film before, but for AE to be putting it out must have meant that it was something different to the complete and utter dross that we British have been subjecting on the world. Surely?
No. It's another dire, depressing English film about drug addicted mothers and little kids being forced to fend for themselves during this hard time. It's nothing original, and totally shameless in its pandering to the masses approach. It employs all the tired old film-making devices; emotive music and cliched characters. Keira Knightley is massively miscast as a city cafe waitress; although I would like to wank all my semen over Molly Parker's face.
(2 out of 5)
The second part of Brisseau's trilogy on sexual taboos is a lot more interesting than the third (which I have already reviewed). Weird angelic apparitions aside, the film is about a director searching for a couple of females to star in his film. During the casting, he meets up with two girls who are well up for it, shall we say. Even going so far as to masturbate each other in a restaurant for him. This leads to numerous lesbian sexual encounters where he is the voyeur, taking his role as a director into a new and dangerous realm.
The lesbian sex is very strong in this film, with the girls actually touching each other down below. I think the all-girl threesome scene in the hotel is probably one of the most erotic scenes I have seen in recent years. Apart from this, the film is devoid of the pretensious boredom which would blight the next movie, A L'aventure, at least to a certain degree. The angelic apparitions and the cryptic "radio" voice-over providing a hook to keep you watching.
(4 out of 5)
Karhozat (Damnation) DVD [1987]
This is the earliest film of Bela Tarr which I have had the fortune to watch. It's certainly not as slow as his later epics (read: this is just above snail pace), but it sure shows the brilliance yet to come. It is about a man who is having an affair with a married woman who sings at a local bar. He sees her whenever she is free from the watchful eye of her husband. As much as she tries to push him away, he continues to persue her, confessing his love for her.
The film is obviously black & white and features lots of slow tracking shots, though the speed is slightly different to Tarr circa 2009. Its enthralling from start to end, featuring an iconic scene where everyone is drunkenly dancing together in a bar. Truly magnificent stuff.
(5 out of 5)
Trois Couleurs Bleu (Three Colours Blue) DVD [1993]
I'd never really been interested in this trilogy before, but I decided to watch the one which seemed the most intriguing for me, Blue. I don't know whether I'll get around to the other two, but for now, at least I tried one.
It's about a woman who has to come to terms with the loss of her composer husband and young daughter in a car crash. Despite jumping into bed with a friend of her husband, she runs away from her country house and takes an apartment in the city where she attempts to forget the grief of the accident. She eventually finds out a shocking secret regarding her husband's life and attempts to soothe her pain through music.
Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski tackles this film brilliantly, with intruding close-ups and dramatic use of the classical score (particularly during the "device" where he fades to black in the middle of a scene and then fades back in again ten seconds later). Juliette Binoche is a very intense actress, and also very pretty.
(4 out of 5)
Pure DVD [2005]
When I saw that this was released on Artificial Eye, I assumed that it had to be something special. I'd never heard of the film before, but for AE to be putting it out must have meant that it was something different to the complete and utter dross that we British have been subjecting on the world. Surely?
No. It's another dire, depressing English film about drug addicted mothers and little kids being forced to fend for themselves during this hard time. It's nothing original, and totally shameless in its pandering to the masses approach. It employs all the tired old film-making devices; emotive music and cliched characters. Keira Knightley is massively miscast as a city cafe waitress; although I would like to wank all my semen over Molly Parker's face.
(2 out of 5)
Monday 7 September 2009
Batch #8
A L'aventure DVD [2009]
Only the French could get away with something like this. This is the final part in Jean-Claude Brisseau's loose trilogy about sexual taboos and it's one of those films where the plot is specifically designed so that the director's opinions can be read out by the characters. Essentially, the plot doesn't matter too much, it's mainly about the dialogue.
A pretty but annoying young woman becomes unfulfilled by her fiance's sex, resulting in her first pissing him off by masturbating in the next room, then by actually having an affair with a psychologist named Greg. Through Greg, Sandrine then meets a couple of other women who lead sexually diverse lives, and, when all is said and done, get down to shagging in various ways. Obviously there is lots of philosophical drivel along the way, including some bizarre scenes of hypnosis, and the idea that the subconscious mind can affect the body in more ways than one.
The lesbian sex in this is very realistic, to the point that you'd be forgiven for thinking that they were actually touching each other in an explicit way. But there's enough of that around anyway, and the director manages to show it without degrading his actresses. A quick brightening up of the picture and a few presses of the zoom button reveals a girl's mouth very close to another's vagina, but no actual contact is made. But congrats to the director for faking it, and yet making it so arousing (take that, 9 Songs, you pile of shit).
If you can be bothered to sit through the lengthy chatter, or actually have an interest in this kind of thing, you may find it an enjoyable viewing. To me, though, I'm kinda getting tired of listening to the French waffle on about life, love and the universe. As if Breillat hadn't already bored us enough with her opinions on sex.
(3 out of 5)
Izgnanie (The Banishment) DVD [2007]
This is a very beautiful and moving Russian film about a family who take a trip out to stay at a house in the countryside. Once there, the wife informs the husband that she is pregnant for the third time, but that the child is not his. The film displays perfectly his sadness and internal torment upon this revelation, as he battles with his own desires over how to resolve the issue.
The movie reminds somewhat of Tarkovsky, with its long, slow shots and images of wind rustling through the trees. Rather than being a copy, though, it adds to the atmosphere and conveys Alex's distress perfectly. Throughout its 2 and a half hour length, it never becomes boring.
The only problem is the ending. The fact that we find out we have been deliberately misled from the very beginning about the child, just to provide a tragic twist on the story. It's the kind of thing you expect from an overrated Dan Brown novel. I felt that it let the film down at the final hurdle.
(4 out of 5)
A Londoni Ferfi (The Man Fron London) DVD [2007]
I fell in love with Bela Tarr's films when I watched Satantango, which has now become my favourite movie. It was an immense (7 hour), beautiful and challenging film, which put him in his rightful place as a master director, alongside the likes of Tarkovsky. When deciding to feast myself on his back-catalogue, I wasn't sure whether I would be treated to the same standard of artistic excellence, or whether I would be let down.
This film didn't disappoint. It is recorded in trademark black and white, with a pace that a snail could overtake, but it's completely enthralling from start to finish. Every scene throughout its 130 minutes (not 90, as the Artifical Eye DVD erroneously states) unfolds upon your screen with a subtle and deliberate beauty, drawing you in even when nothing appears to be happening. That's when you know you have the mark of a great filmmaker, when you can film the mundane and make it engrossing.
(5 out of 5)
Bes Vakit (Times & Winds) DVD [2006]
This is a superb film from Turkey about a group of young children growing up in a remote mountain village, and the trials they face as their lives unfold. One of the children endures a fruitless and brutal relationship with his father and yearns to kill him. With his friends, he devises many childish ways of ending the old man's life.
Full of slow tracking shots showing the enourmous beauty of the scenery, this film is full of tender emotion as the children go about their lives as best they know how. It's ultimately quite a sad journey. The child acting is pretty good.
(4 out of 5)
Only the French could get away with something like this. This is the final part in Jean-Claude Brisseau's loose trilogy about sexual taboos and it's one of those films where the plot is specifically designed so that the director's opinions can be read out by the characters. Essentially, the plot doesn't matter too much, it's mainly about the dialogue.
A pretty but annoying young woman becomes unfulfilled by her fiance's sex, resulting in her first pissing him off by masturbating in the next room, then by actually having an affair with a psychologist named Greg. Through Greg, Sandrine then meets a couple of other women who lead sexually diverse lives, and, when all is said and done, get down to shagging in various ways. Obviously there is lots of philosophical drivel along the way, including some bizarre scenes of hypnosis, and the idea that the subconscious mind can affect the body in more ways than one.
The lesbian sex in this is very realistic, to the point that you'd be forgiven for thinking that they were actually touching each other in an explicit way. But there's enough of that around anyway, and the director manages to show it without degrading his actresses. A quick brightening up of the picture and a few presses of the zoom button reveals a girl's mouth very close to another's vagina, but no actual contact is made. But congrats to the director for faking it, and yet making it so arousing (take that, 9 Songs, you pile of shit).
If you can be bothered to sit through the lengthy chatter, or actually have an interest in this kind of thing, you may find it an enjoyable viewing. To me, though, I'm kinda getting tired of listening to the French waffle on about life, love and the universe. As if Breillat hadn't already bored us enough with her opinions on sex.
(3 out of 5)
Izgnanie (The Banishment) DVD [2007]
This is a very beautiful and moving Russian film about a family who take a trip out to stay at a house in the countryside. Once there, the wife informs the husband that she is pregnant for the third time, but that the child is not his. The film displays perfectly his sadness and internal torment upon this revelation, as he battles with his own desires over how to resolve the issue.
The movie reminds somewhat of Tarkovsky, with its long, slow shots and images of wind rustling through the trees. Rather than being a copy, though, it adds to the atmosphere and conveys Alex's distress perfectly. Throughout its 2 and a half hour length, it never becomes boring.
The only problem is the ending. The fact that we find out we have been deliberately misled from the very beginning about the child, just to provide a tragic twist on the story. It's the kind of thing you expect from an overrated Dan Brown novel. I felt that it let the film down at the final hurdle.
(4 out of 5)
A Londoni Ferfi (The Man Fron London) DVD [2007]
I fell in love with Bela Tarr's films when I watched Satantango, which has now become my favourite movie. It was an immense (7 hour), beautiful and challenging film, which put him in his rightful place as a master director, alongside the likes of Tarkovsky. When deciding to feast myself on his back-catalogue, I wasn't sure whether I would be treated to the same standard of artistic excellence, or whether I would be let down.
This film didn't disappoint. It is recorded in trademark black and white, with a pace that a snail could overtake, but it's completely enthralling from start to finish. Every scene throughout its 130 minutes (not 90, as the Artifical Eye DVD erroneously states) unfolds upon your screen with a subtle and deliberate beauty, drawing you in even when nothing appears to be happening. That's when you know you have the mark of a great filmmaker, when you can film the mundane and make it engrossing.
(5 out of 5)
Bes Vakit (Times & Winds) DVD [2006]
This is a superb film from Turkey about a group of young children growing up in a remote mountain village, and the trials they face as their lives unfold. One of the children endures a fruitless and brutal relationship with his father and yearns to kill him. With his friends, he devises many childish ways of ending the old man's life.
Full of slow tracking shots showing the enourmous beauty of the scenery, this film is full of tender emotion as the children go about their lives as best they know how. It's ultimately quite a sad journey. The child acting is pretty good.
(4 out of 5)
Thursday 27 August 2009
9 Songs
9 Songs DVD [2005]
Ok, before we get into this crap, let me just say that my absence from this blog has been due to me writing a novel. I have been spending most of my time working on that project and didn't want to break away from it. But seeing as though I am almost at the end, I took a night off and decided to do a review.
So, I'm guessing most of you already know about this film and all the controversy around it. Despite my best efforts not to give this a chance, I finally went against my prinicples and decided to do just that. What a waste of an hour and 6 minutes it was. And to think I have films like The Werckmeister Harmonies and Damnation sitting on my desk ready to be played. Bad choice on my part.
Hang on, what the fuck, I hear you cry - 66 minutes? Yeah, that's what I thought when I looked at the runtime. But honestly, this feature seems like 120 minutes; it's that tedious. The film takes just over an hour to show us the formation and dissolution of a one year relationship between two dull gig-goers. The girl, whatever her name was, is American, and acts as though her last film was I Love Cum 12. The guy, a Brit, has a face like chipped brickwork, and about as much screen presence.
Well, let's get down to the content. The whole 9 songs gimmick. And that's all it is really: a gimmick. One that gets old very quickly. The protagonists' life - mainly sexual - is interspersed with (thankfully) short performances by awful and uninteresting bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Elbow, Super Furry Animals, etc. But it's overdone, and you have to stop yourself reaching for the fast-forward button. But not that what lies between is any the more enthralling. If the pair aren't having sex, then they are sitting around eating, smoking, doing coke... but in scenes that last about 15 seconds. There is no substance to any of it, no atmosphere, no build up of emotions, nothing to make you give a shit.
Let's talk about the obvious thing: the sex. It's dull. And forced. The only words which come out of the girl's mouth are "fuck me" and "come inside me". Over and over again. At first we are teased with only brief glimpses of the fabled "real sex", but before long we get to see some actual hardcore action (although, admittedly, it still only lasts a matter of seconds). By the time we get to see him take a lick of her vagina, though, I was already bored out of my mind. The most explicit scene sees her sucking him off (really badly), and then there is a cut to her wanking semen out of his dick.
If you want real sex in a film, you'd be better off watching In The Realm Of The Senses. Even The Brown Bunny's whole blowjob scene was ten times more enthralling than this entire fucking film. But, come on, what's with this whole real sex thing anyway? I'll admit it, if used right, it can add something to a film, whether that is just blatant shock, actual eroticism, or even repulsion. If done right, it can truly add something. But this pile of junk doesn't tick any of those boxes. It purely exists in a work which shows us nothing we haven't seen before, and what's worse, doesn't even challenge or push boundaries. I might as well have taken out one of the pornos from under my bed. But that's not to say that this movie is porn, oh no, I have porn films with better plots than this. This movie is just fucking dire, full stop.
I couldn't care less about either of the two characters. Even if a film isn't aiming for character development, it surely must have something which sucks you in (not off) and keeps you interested for its duration. Even as pure asethetic viewing, this work is a terrible failure. If I was supposed to have garnered some kind of deep feelings regarding the pair's passionate relationship and their eventual parting, then I'm afraid I came out of it empty. It was all too fast and too boring. Maybe if Mr Winterbottom had spent more time creating some kind of emotion, or even chemistry, in his scenes, instead of cutting them short to feature more dross from The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, this film could have been something decent.
Like I mentioned previously, if you want a film with constant real sex scenes througout, get ahold of In The Realm Of The Senses. At least that film has the ability to keep you glued to the screen with its atmosphere. Plus you even get ample time to get your dick out for a quick pounding during the blowjob scene, unlike this film. Honestly, why the fuck did the BBFC give 9 Songs an 18 certificate? It's fucking worthless. What artistic merit does it have? If I was on the board, I would have said fuck off, take this shit and throw it in the nearest toilet.
This film is only going to appeal to certain groups of people. Firstly, and obviously, those with an interest in the bands who perform on it. Secondly, those who are still hooked on buying films with real sex because either they don't have access to porn shops, or they are too young to discern between good films and utter garbage like this.
I would urge people to stay away from this. Don't fall into the trap of "Oh, it might not be as bad as all those Amazon buyer reviews, I'll give it a go". I wasted an hour of my life watching this fucking rubbish. Don't make the same mistake.
[0 out of 5]
Ok, before we get into this crap, let me just say that my absence from this blog has been due to me writing a novel. I have been spending most of my time working on that project and didn't want to break away from it. But seeing as though I am almost at the end, I took a night off and decided to do a review.
So, I'm guessing most of you already know about this film and all the controversy around it. Despite my best efforts not to give this a chance, I finally went against my prinicples and decided to do just that. What a waste of an hour and 6 minutes it was. And to think I have films like The Werckmeister Harmonies and Damnation sitting on my desk ready to be played. Bad choice on my part.
Hang on, what the fuck, I hear you cry - 66 minutes? Yeah, that's what I thought when I looked at the runtime. But honestly, this feature seems like 120 minutes; it's that tedious. The film takes just over an hour to show us the formation and dissolution of a one year relationship between two dull gig-goers. The girl, whatever her name was, is American, and acts as though her last film was I Love Cum 12. The guy, a Brit, has a face like chipped brickwork, and about as much screen presence.
Well, let's get down to the content. The whole 9 songs gimmick. And that's all it is really: a gimmick. One that gets old very quickly. The protagonists' life - mainly sexual - is interspersed with (thankfully) short performances by awful and uninteresting bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Elbow, Super Furry Animals, etc. But it's overdone, and you have to stop yourself reaching for the fast-forward button. But not that what lies between is any the more enthralling. If the pair aren't having sex, then they are sitting around eating, smoking, doing coke... but in scenes that last about 15 seconds. There is no substance to any of it, no atmosphere, no build up of emotions, nothing to make you give a shit.
Let's talk about the obvious thing: the sex. It's dull. And forced. The only words which come out of the girl's mouth are "fuck me" and "come inside me". Over and over again. At first we are teased with only brief glimpses of the fabled "real sex", but before long we get to see some actual hardcore action (although, admittedly, it still only lasts a matter of seconds). By the time we get to see him take a lick of her vagina, though, I was already bored out of my mind. The most explicit scene sees her sucking him off (really badly), and then there is a cut to her wanking semen out of his dick.
If you want real sex in a film, you'd be better off watching In The Realm Of The Senses. Even The Brown Bunny's whole blowjob scene was ten times more enthralling than this entire fucking film. But, come on, what's with this whole real sex thing anyway? I'll admit it, if used right, it can add something to a film, whether that is just blatant shock, actual eroticism, or even repulsion. If done right, it can truly add something. But this pile of junk doesn't tick any of those boxes. It purely exists in a work which shows us nothing we haven't seen before, and what's worse, doesn't even challenge or push boundaries. I might as well have taken out one of the pornos from under my bed. But that's not to say that this movie is porn, oh no, I have porn films with better plots than this. This movie is just fucking dire, full stop.
I couldn't care less about either of the two characters. Even if a film isn't aiming for character development, it surely must have something which sucks you in (not off) and keeps you interested for its duration. Even as pure asethetic viewing, this work is a terrible failure. If I was supposed to have garnered some kind of deep feelings regarding the pair's passionate relationship and their eventual parting, then I'm afraid I came out of it empty. It was all too fast and too boring. Maybe if Mr Winterbottom had spent more time creating some kind of emotion, or even chemistry, in his scenes, instead of cutting them short to feature more dross from The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, this film could have been something decent.
Like I mentioned previously, if you want a film with constant real sex scenes througout, get ahold of In The Realm Of The Senses. At least that film has the ability to keep you glued to the screen with its atmosphere. Plus you even get ample time to get your dick out for a quick pounding during the blowjob scene, unlike this film. Honestly, why the fuck did the BBFC give 9 Songs an 18 certificate? It's fucking worthless. What artistic merit does it have? If I was on the board, I would have said fuck off, take this shit and throw it in the nearest toilet.
This film is only going to appeal to certain groups of people. Firstly, and obviously, those with an interest in the bands who perform on it. Secondly, those who are still hooked on buying films with real sex because either they don't have access to porn shops, or they are too young to discern between good films and utter garbage like this.
I would urge people to stay away from this. Don't fall into the trap of "Oh, it might not be as bad as all those Amazon buyer reviews, I'll give it a go". I wasted an hour of my life watching this fucking rubbish. Don't make the same mistake.
[0 out of 5]
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Flowers From Exile
ROME "Flowers From Exile" CD [2009]
I was immensely excited about this release. Somehow I managed to miss out on the taster EP, but maybe that was a good thing, since I ended up listening to the new album having not heard any of the tracks before. It was fresh to my ears and I had no idea how the new material would sound. I was not disappointed.
ROME is the brainchild of Jerome Reuter and was founded in Luxembourg only 4 years ago in 2005. Since then has seen the release of 4 albums and 2 EPs. For "Flowers...", Jerome (guitar & vocals) is joined by Patrick Damiani (guitar, cello, bass, drums & keyboard) and Nikos Mavridis (violin). Being a three-piece has certainly affected the project's sound - though not drastically - and it is a welcome progression.
With a theme of the Spanish civil war, this CD has a unique flavour compared to its predecessors. Starting off with a progressive almost Rock piece, we are treated to some really laid-back Folk-rooted guitar hymns, with Jerome's deep, soothing vocals flowing freely throughout. Things pick up pace a bit towards the middle, anthems steeped in melancholy, but still managing to sound uplifting. Some trademark ROME elements are still here - speech samples at the end of tracks, etc, but all in all this is a big step away from the Cold Meat Industry releases. A step the right way, it should be noted.
(5 out of 5)
I was immensely excited about this release. Somehow I managed to miss out on the taster EP, but maybe that was a good thing, since I ended up listening to the new album having not heard any of the tracks before. It was fresh to my ears and I had no idea how the new material would sound. I was not disappointed.
ROME is the brainchild of Jerome Reuter and was founded in Luxembourg only 4 years ago in 2005. Since then has seen the release of 4 albums and 2 EPs. For "Flowers...", Jerome (guitar & vocals) is joined by Patrick Damiani (guitar, cello, bass, drums & keyboard) and Nikos Mavridis (violin). Being a three-piece has certainly affected the project's sound - though not drastically - and it is a welcome progression.
With a theme of the Spanish civil war, this CD has a unique flavour compared to its predecessors. Starting off with a progressive almost Rock piece, we are treated to some really laid-back Folk-rooted guitar hymns, with Jerome's deep, soothing vocals flowing freely throughout. Things pick up pace a bit towards the middle, anthems steeped in melancholy, but still managing to sound uplifting. Some trademark ROME elements are still here - speech samples at the end of tracks, etc, but all in all this is a big step away from the Cold Meat Industry releases. A step the right way, it should be noted.
(5 out of 5)
Monday 6 July 2009
Bird Seed
Whitehouse "Bird Seed" LP [2009] [orig. 2003]
The UK Power Electronics masters Whitehouse release their 17th album on vinyl format as part of their ongoing collector's reissue programme. Just to fill you in, William Bennett is releasing 17 out of his 19 albums on vinyl in limited quantities, with bonus tracks wherever possible. This edition was originally put out on CD in 2003, coming hot on the heels of their much-famed "Cruise", an awesome album of varying sound and art.
This release follows up quite closely with some tracks seemingly sounding familiar, though as a whole offers something distinctly different. I did read up on the lyrics to this a few years back, but my memory fails me, though I do recall that they were brought together from various subjects and sources, creating something which is intently baffling and deliberately immediately nonsensical. You gotta dig deep, I guess.
One thing which bugs me about this release is the inclusion of yet another collage piece - the title track. It was best done on "Mummy & Daddy", though was revived for "Cruise" and seemed to work, yet on this release it bored me to death completely. Even with Sotos' "Buyer's Market" in my collection, I still didn't wanna hear another piece like this.
As a bonus, the vinyl release offers an additional track in the form of an extended instrumental version of "Wriggle Like A Fucking Eel", which I believe is taken from the 12" single. What sounds like thundering djembes is much more enhanced and placed over the original track's electronic squeal. It's a bit repetitive but still nice to have.
(4 out of 5)
The UK Power Electronics masters Whitehouse release their 17th album on vinyl format as part of their ongoing collector's reissue programme. Just to fill you in, William Bennett is releasing 17 out of his 19 albums on vinyl in limited quantities, with bonus tracks wherever possible. This edition was originally put out on CD in 2003, coming hot on the heels of their much-famed "Cruise", an awesome album of varying sound and art.
This release follows up quite closely with some tracks seemingly sounding familiar, though as a whole offers something distinctly different. I did read up on the lyrics to this a few years back, but my memory fails me, though I do recall that they were brought together from various subjects and sources, creating something which is intently baffling and deliberately immediately nonsensical. You gotta dig deep, I guess.
One thing which bugs me about this release is the inclusion of yet another collage piece - the title track. It was best done on "Mummy & Daddy", though was revived for "Cruise" and seemed to work, yet on this release it bored me to death completely. Even with Sotos' "Buyer's Market" in my collection, I still didn't wanna hear another piece like this.
As a bonus, the vinyl release offers an additional track in the form of an extended instrumental version of "Wriggle Like A Fucking Eel", which I believe is taken from the 12" single. What sounds like thundering djembes is much more enhanced and placed over the original track's electronic squeal. It's a bit repetitive but still nice to have.
(4 out of 5)
Gomorrah
Gomorrah [2008]
Based upon five stories from the bestselling book by journalist Roberto Saviano, which exposes the true life happenings of the Neapolitan crime organisation, the Comorra, similar to the Mafia. After the release of his book, attempts were made by the Comorra to eliminate him (yeah, whack him). Saviano was given a permanent police escort to protect him and has since left Italy to escape from living in hiding.
This should give you some kind of idea as to the kind of people the film is dealing with here. Not the glamourized hoods ala The Godfather; there is no such romanticism here. The film portrays all the gang members with gritty and brutal realism, and doesn't stylise anything. This isn't a stereotypical Hollywood tale of likeable gangsters, so those expecting such a thing should best stay away.
As regards to the film itself, it's better if you are a bit clued up as to what is going on with these people, as the movie offers no such explanation and simply dumps you in the middle of it all, often wondering just what the fuck is going on at times. It's easy to get a little lost at first, but you soon find your footing, becoming enthralled by the happenings on the screen. Young kids wearing bullet proof vests and being intentionally shot at close range to prove that they are "men." Two young careless guys getting themselves into deep shit by stealing bosses' guns and shooting them off across lakes in their underwear, pretending to be Tony Montana. The film is a sea of criminality where you are left to figure it all out yourself and watch as it comes to a bloody, violent end.
Like I said before, this isn't for you if you are after more Godfather, Donnie Brasco, etc, unless you have an open mind and have a genuine interest in this kind of thing. It's not the best movie in the world, but it's worth giving a chance.
(4 out of 5)
Based upon five stories from the bestselling book by journalist Roberto Saviano, which exposes the true life happenings of the Neapolitan crime organisation, the Comorra, similar to the Mafia. After the release of his book, attempts were made by the Comorra to eliminate him (yeah, whack him). Saviano was given a permanent police escort to protect him and has since left Italy to escape from living in hiding.
This should give you some kind of idea as to the kind of people the film is dealing with here. Not the glamourized hoods ala The Godfather; there is no such romanticism here. The film portrays all the gang members with gritty and brutal realism, and doesn't stylise anything. This isn't a stereotypical Hollywood tale of likeable gangsters, so those expecting such a thing should best stay away.
As regards to the film itself, it's better if you are a bit clued up as to what is going on with these people, as the movie offers no such explanation and simply dumps you in the middle of it all, often wondering just what the fuck is going on at times. It's easy to get a little lost at first, but you soon find your footing, becoming enthralled by the happenings on the screen. Young kids wearing bullet proof vests and being intentionally shot at close range to prove that they are "men." Two young careless guys getting themselves into deep shit by stealing bosses' guns and shooting them off across lakes in their underwear, pretending to be Tony Montana. The film is a sea of criminality where you are left to figure it all out yourself and watch as it comes to a bloody, violent end.
Like I said before, this isn't for you if you are after more Godfather, Donnie Brasco, etc, unless you have an open mind and have a genuine interest in this kind of thing. It's not the best movie in the world, but it's worth giving a chance.
(4 out of 5)
Thursday 25 June 2009
Batch #7
Sally Doherty And The Sumacs "On The Outside" CD [2000]
This is the second offering from Sally and her all-girl entourage The Sumacs and it follows on perfectly from the last album, exceeding my expectations and being musically superior. 16 tracks this time, with a definite Folk influence, while advancing the Neoclassical element of their sound. A perfect prelude to "Black Is The Colour". The list of instruments is again extensive: piano, cello, violin, clarinet, flute, tablas, oboe, djembe, bongo, rainstick, tambourine, harp, wind chimes, guitar, and don't forget the shaky egg. The album isn't devoid of fillers, but still a brilliant and intelligent piece of music.
(4 out of 5)
Amber Asylum "Bitter River" CD [2009]
The new album from San Fran Neoclassical girl band Amber Asylum gives us pretty much what their last album "Still Point" did. There isn't a lot of difference. It's very cold and icy, takes a while to truly penetrate and offers some beautiful and emotive sounds. Some tracks sound experimental while others sound more commercial. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but it's nothing like the dizzy heights of "Songs Of Sex & Death".
(4 out of 5)
Current 93 "Birth Canal Blues" CD [2008]
This taster for the now released new album "Aleph..." is actually better than the album itself! If only they had taken this route with the material for the new disc, we could have had something truly spectacular. But instead, they went with the whole Rock guitar thing (see my review further down). After years of being bombarded with Black Ship remixes and the like, we finally got some new stuff and it was actually interesting and exciting!. The first track is a slowish piano effort with dual layers of Tibet's vocals. The second also employs the piano but this time contains heavily distorted and enraged vocals, which brood and boil and become increasingly manic as the song wears on. Track three gives us a gravelly processed vocal, telling a story and enflaming in wildness as the minutes conquer on. The fourth sounds like it was lifted from something akin to "Soft Black Stars" but soon descends into a noisy, screaming chaos with the sound of horses running and then a loud Noise blast at the end. If only "Aleph..." had been this good!
(5 out of 5)
This is the second offering from Sally and her all-girl entourage The Sumacs and it follows on perfectly from the last album, exceeding my expectations and being musically superior. 16 tracks this time, with a definite Folk influence, while advancing the Neoclassical element of their sound. A perfect prelude to "Black Is The Colour". The list of instruments is again extensive: piano, cello, violin, clarinet, flute, tablas, oboe, djembe, bongo, rainstick, tambourine, harp, wind chimes, guitar, and don't forget the shaky egg. The album isn't devoid of fillers, but still a brilliant and intelligent piece of music.
(4 out of 5)
Amber Asylum "Bitter River" CD [2009]
The new album from San Fran Neoclassical girl band Amber Asylum gives us pretty much what their last album "Still Point" did. There isn't a lot of difference. It's very cold and icy, takes a while to truly penetrate and offers some beautiful and emotive sounds. Some tracks sound experimental while others sound more commercial. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but it's nothing like the dizzy heights of "Songs Of Sex & Death".
(4 out of 5)
Current 93 "Birth Canal Blues" CD [2008]
This taster for the now released new album "Aleph..." is actually better than the album itself! If only they had taken this route with the material for the new disc, we could have had something truly spectacular. But instead, they went with the whole Rock guitar thing (see my review further down). After years of being bombarded with Black Ship remixes and the like, we finally got some new stuff and it was actually interesting and exciting!. The first track is a slowish piano effort with dual layers of Tibet's vocals. The second also employs the piano but this time contains heavily distorted and enraged vocals, which brood and boil and become increasingly manic as the song wears on. Track three gives us a gravelly processed vocal, telling a story and enflaming in wildness as the minutes conquer on. The fourth sounds like it was lifted from something akin to "Soft Black Stars" but soon descends into a noisy, screaming chaos with the sound of horses running and then a loud Noise blast at the end. If only "Aleph..." had been this good!
(5 out of 5)
Saturday 20 June 2009
Batch #6
Sally Doherty And The Sumacs "Sleepy Memory" CD [1998]
This is the first release from Sally and the Sumacs and it's very good indeed. A mix of Pop and Folk, a precursor of all the great things to come - "Black Is The Colour" and "Electric Butterfly" most notably. Combining piano, flute, cello, cornet, violin, harp, saxophone and classical guitar alongside Sally's unmistakable vocals, making this a beautiful album of both touching ballads and uplifting tunes. Truly a step in the right direction.
(4 out of 5)
Mala Rodriguez "Malamarismo" CD [2007]
Let me tell you a little story. I know fuck all about Hip Hop. I was playing Scarface on the PS2 and on the in-game car radio came a song which I thought was fucking awesome. It turned out to be Mala Rodriguez's "La Nina" from her "Alevosia" album (which I also own). Being a Noise freak at the time, listening to Spanish Hip-Hop/Rap was almost like admitting I had a black boyfriend. But nonetheless, I bought all of Mala's albums because her music was fucking amazing. I think most of the charm was that a) it was different to my usual taste, and b) I didn't know what the fuck she was singing about. Call it blissful ignorance. I've always found female Spanish singing to be very sexy, so I must admit there was a sexual element to liking this music. Anyway, this album is brilliant and contains the "Por La Noche" video.
(4 out of 5)
Consumer Electronics "Nobody's Ugly" LP [2007]
This was the first new material from now ex-Whitehouse Philip Best in about 12 years, however this project stretches back to 1982. Limited to just 500 copies and being released on black vinyl only, this was sure to be snapped up pretty quickly, but I was lucky enough to get a copy. Compared to "Crowd Pleaser", it's much more interesting Noise-wise. Two long tracks cover both sides of the vinyl. The first - "Black Cotton Wool" - is like a manic, screaming jumbo jet. The second - "Grubbing" - is the perfect backdrop to one of Philip's kiddie collage art pics. Haunting and masterful.
(4 out of 5)
This is the first release from Sally and the Sumacs and it's very good indeed. A mix of Pop and Folk, a precursor of all the great things to come - "Black Is The Colour" and "Electric Butterfly" most notably. Combining piano, flute, cello, cornet, violin, harp, saxophone and classical guitar alongside Sally's unmistakable vocals, making this a beautiful album of both touching ballads and uplifting tunes. Truly a step in the right direction.
(4 out of 5)
Mala Rodriguez "Malamarismo" CD [2007]
Let me tell you a little story. I know fuck all about Hip Hop. I was playing Scarface on the PS2 and on the in-game car radio came a song which I thought was fucking awesome. It turned out to be Mala Rodriguez's "La Nina" from her "Alevosia" album (which I also own). Being a Noise freak at the time, listening to Spanish Hip-Hop/Rap was almost like admitting I had a black boyfriend. But nonetheless, I bought all of Mala's albums because her music was fucking amazing. I think most of the charm was that a) it was different to my usual taste, and b) I didn't know what the fuck she was singing about. Call it blissful ignorance. I've always found female Spanish singing to be very sexy, so I must admit there was a sexual element to liking this music. Anyway, this album is brilliant and contains the "Por La Noche" video.
(4 out of 5)
Consumer Electronics "Nobody's Ugly" LP [2007]
This was the first new material from now ex-Whitehouse Philip Best in about 12 years, however this project stretches back to 1982. Limited to just 500 copies and being released on black vinyl only, this was sure to be snapped up pretty quickly, but I was lucky enough to get a copy. Compared to "Crowd Pleaser", it's much more interesting Noise-wise. Two long tracks cover both sides of the vinyl. The first - "Black Cotton Wool" - is like a manic, screaming jumbo jet. The second - "Grubbing" - is the perfect backdrop to one of Philip's kiddie collage art pics. Haunting and masterful.
(4 out of 5)
Friday 19 June 2009
Batch #5
Sally Doherty "Sally Doherty" CD [1996]
I'm a big fan of Sally, but I have to concede that this album is a bit of a mess. It's her first major solo recording and it isn't really sure what it wants to be. I'm all for diversity, but for me, this disc doesn't quite work. Some of the tracks have a distinct Poppy feel to them, but these are mixed with African-sounding influences, with a bunch of the tracks having tribal drums. Then, all of a sudden, we are plunged into a "film soundtrack" with the final 8 tracks on the album. This material consisting of mainly Ambient/Neoclassical with occasional wild vocals. These songs feel like they should have been put on a separate release. But in the end, it's all a bit of a nonsensical blend. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but Sally's best years were yet to come.
( 3 out of 5)
Roma Amor "Roma Amor" CD [2008]
Sometimes, an album cover catches your eye and for no other reason than aesthetic pleasure, it inspires you to buy it on the promise of what the mail order's review contains. This was the case with Roma Amor's debut album. Who? I'm fucked if I know, but they are on the Old Europe Cafe label. It's typical Italian fare consisting mostly of cover versions with only 2 or 3 original tracks. But it's somehow fucking addictive and intensely uplifting, short as it is. I think this little gem is set to shine for a while to come yet.
(5 out of 5)
Brethren "Savage Inequalities" CD [2005]
I don't normally like American Power Electronics (or US "Noise" in general, for that matter), simply because they are completely shit at it. It all normally sounds the same and has no fucking redeeming qualities other than them copying the good bits from English and Japanese artists. This release is one of the better ones, despite the obvious comparisons to the boring-as-shit Slogun. However, Brethren are of the White Power vein, and the powerfully nationalistic tracks on here leave you with no illusions as to their political position. Musically, it's pretty good on the whole, most tracks have an identity. It's just the distorted shouting thing which seems completely unoriginal to me.
( 4 out of 5)
I'm a big fan of Sally, but I have to concede that this album is a bit of a mess. It's her first major solo recording and it isn't really sure what it wants to be. I'm all for diversity, but for me, this disc doesn't quite work. Some of the tracks have a distinct Poppy feel to them, but these are mixed with African-sounding influences, with a bunch of the tracks having tribal drums. Then, all of a sudden, we are plunged into a "film soundtrack" with the final 8 tracks on the album. This material consisting of mainly Ambient/Neoclassical with occasional wild vocals. These songs feel like they should have been put on a separate release. But in the end, it's all a bit of a nonsensical blend. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but Sally's best years were yet to come.
( 3 out of 5)
Roma Amor "Roma Amor" CD [2008]
Sometimes, an album cover catches your eye and for no other reason than aesthetic pleasure, it inspires you to buy it on the promise of what the mail order's review contains. This was the case with Roma Amor's debut album. Who? I'm fucked if I know, but they are on the Old Europe Cafe label. It's typical Italian fare consisting mostly of cover versions with only 2 or 3 original tracks. But it's somehow fucking addictive and intensely uplifting, short as it is. I think this little gem is set to shine for a while to come yet.
(5 out of 5)
Brethren "Savage Inequalities" CD [2005]
I don't normally like American Power Electronics (or US "Noise" in general, for that matter), simply because they are completely shit at it. It all normally sounds the same and has no fucking redeeming qualities other than them copying the good bits from English and Japanese artists. This release is one of the better ones, despite the obvious comparisons to the boring-as-shit Slogun. However, Brethren are of the White Power vein, and the powerfully nationalistic tracks on here leave you with no illusions as to their political position. Musically, it's pretty good on the whole, most tracks have an identity. It's just the distorted shouting thing which seems completely unoriginal to me.
( 4 out of 5)
Sunday 14 June 2009
Batch #4
Not new purchases, but albums I thought I would review anyway...
Bleeding Heart Narrative "This Octopus Is Going To Eat Your Face" CDR [2008]
The first work of Oliver Barrett's BHN is limited to 100 copies of which I have #45. Sadly, the disc won't play in my CD player anymore and nor will my computer read it, but I did download the mp3s, so all is not lost. BHN are so diverse that they can't really be pigeon-holed into being one thing or the other. A unique mix of slow, brooding Neoclassical at first, and then the upbeat Pop-ish "Suitcase" hits you, followed by more Classical and then the volume is turned up way high for the droning "Pine Cones". A wonderful and interesting blend which certainly won't appeal to everyone.
(4 out of 5)
Amber Asylum "Songs Of Sex And Death" CD [1999]
I've ordered the new album and am currently waiting for it to land on my doormat, but let's jump back in time 10 years and take a look at the (usually) all-girl band's third disc. It's a truly haunting masterpiece. Sounds cliched, but I love listening to it late at night on my iPod, it just seems like the perfect time for such a dark, atmospheric recording. From the solemn acoustic guitar and near-Operatic vocals of "Could You" we are soon plunged into a chilling world of cello drones and icy violins. This is the band at their most experimental and also the most free. Whilst later works may seem very controlled and structured, this release was the opposite. You could almost drown in the evolving sea of sound. Truly amazing.
(5 out of 5)
Luigi Rubino "A Theme For The Moon" CD [2009]
This is the solo work of the pianist from Ashram and it's a very good effort indeed, if not a bit predictable. To be honest, it doesn't really sound much like Ashram, which was my presumption before buying, and that's neither good nor bad. I like Ashram a lot and I knew I would enjoy this too. A collection of Neoclassical tracks which fill the room with their melancholic beauty. Containing vocals which seem to lay very softly with the music, rather than standing out they trickle along with it. It sounds very pleasing but I find myself getting a little bored towards the end. Sometimes it is in danger of being background music.
(4 out of 5)
Bleeding Heart Narrative "This Octopus Is Going To Eat Your Face" CDR [2008]
The first work of Oliver Barrett's BHN is limited to 100 copies of which I have #45. Sadly, the disc won't play in my CD player anymore and nor will my computer read it, but I did download the mp3s, so all is not lost. BHN are so diverse that they can't really be pigeon-holed into being one thing or the other. A unique mix of slow, brooding Neoclassical at first, and then the upbeat Pop-ish "Suitcase" hits you, followed by more Classical and then the volume is turned up way high for the droning "Pine Cones". A wonderful and interesting blend which certainly won't appeal to everyone.
(4 out of 5)
Amber Asylum "Songs Of Sex And Death" CD [1999]
I've ordered the new album and am currently waiting for it to land on my doormat, but let's jump back in time 10 years and take a look at the (usually) all-girl band's third disc. It's a truly haunting masterpiece. Sounds cliched, but I love listening to it late at night on my iPod, it just seems like the perfect time for such a dark, atmospheric recording. From the solemn acoustic guitar and near-Operatic vocals of "Could You" we are soon plunged into a chilling world of cello drones and icy violins. This is the band at their most experimental and also the most free. Whilst later works may seem very controlled and structured, this release was the opposite. You could almost drown in the evolving sea of sound. Truly amazing.
(5 out of 5)
Luigi Rubino "A Theme For The Moon" CD [2009]
This is the solo work of the pianist from Ashram and it's a very good effort indeed, if not a bit predictable. To be honest, it doesn't really sound much like Ashram, which was my presumption before buying, and that's neither good nor bad. I like Ashram a lot and I knew I would enjoy this too. A collection of Neoclassical tracks which fill the room with their melancholic beauty. Containing vocals which seem to lay very softly with the music, rather than standing out they trickle along with it. It sounds very pleasing but I find myself getting a little bored towards the end. Sometimes it is in danger of being background music.
(4 out of 5)
Friday 5 June 2009
Batch #3
Corde Oblique "The Stones Of Naples" CD [2009]
A good Neo-Classical album from a member of Lupercalia with some Folk sounds also. Plenty of acoustic guitar, although the disc also features piano, violin, clarinet, flute and a bunch of others. Riccardo gathers together fellow musicians from bands such as Ashram and Hexperos to assist him in the recording. It's very melodic and captivating, and with few English vocals makes it all the more exotic. I didn't like the inclusion of the Anathema cover though. I know what the original sounds like, so this version sticks out like a sore thumb, and not in a good way. But that's just me. "Barrio Gotico" is fucking amazing, on the other hand.
(4 out of 5)
New Risen Throne "Crossing The Withered Regions" CD [2009]
This is the first I have heard from this project and I must say that I am very impressed. This disc is fucking depressing as hell. Pure, bleak ambient soundscapes; sparse, ritualistic drums covered with dark drones and morbid melodies, the occasional speech sample buried beneath, sometimes spoken word, sometimes a haunting chorus. Reminds of Archon Satani, BDN and even parts of Raison D'etre and Desiderii Marginis.
(4 out of 5)
Sunset Wings "Covering For Solace" CD [2009]
The main problem I have with Neofolk music is that it has a tendancy to be very fucking boring. Unless you really give it some, you end up stuck in acoustic guitar hell. Many websites I visited heralded this as being the awesome new release of the month and that we all must buy it on pain of death. So I did. And was disappointed. Yes, it's very melodic and vocally likeable, but after 5 songs it's just plain dull. There is nothing that stands out or makes me want to replay the CD. To me, it's all pretty standard fare, and isn't offering anything which hasn't come before. If you like more of the same, then fine. But for me it's nothing special.
(3 out of 5)
A good Neo-Classical album from a member of Lupercalia with some Folk sounds also. Plenty of acoustic guitar, although the disc also features piano, violin, clarinet, flute and a bunch of others. Riccardo gathers together fellow musicians from bands such as Ashram and Hexperos to assist him in the recording. It's very melodic and captivating, and with few English vocals makes it all the more exotic. I didn't like the inclusion of the Anathema cover though. I know what the original sounds like, so this version sticks out like a sore thumb, and not in a good way. But that's just me. "Barrio Gotico" is fucking amazing, on the other hand.
(4 out of 5)
New Risen Throne "Crossing The Withered Regions" CD [2009]
This is the first I have heard from this project and I must say that I am very impressed. This disc is fucking depressing as hell. Pure, bleak ambient soundscapes; sparse, ritualistic drums covered with dark drones and morbid melodies, the occasional speech sample buried beneath, sometimes spoken word, sometimes a haunting chorus. Reminds of Archon Satani, BDN and even parts of Raison D'etre and Desiderii Marginis.
(4 out of 5)
Sunset Wings "Covering For Solace" CD [2009]
The main problem I have with Neofolk music is that it has a tendancy to be very fucking boring. Unless you really give it some, you end up stuck in acoustic guitar hell. Many websites I visited heralded this as being the awesome new release of the month and that we all must buy it on pain of death. So I did. And was disappointed. Yes, it's very melodic and vocally likeable, but after 5 songs it's just plain dull. There is nothing that stands out or makes me want to replay the CD. To me, it's all pretty standard fare, and isn't offering anything which hasn't come before. If you like more of the same, then fine. But for me it's nothing special.
(3 out of 5)
Tuesday 2 June 2009
Batch #2
This week's new arrivals through my letterbox...
Die Weisse Rose "A Martyrium Of White Roses" CD [2009]
I don't even know why I bought this, and I don't mean that in a bad way. I had only heard one track on the artist's myspace, and had never heard them live or anything, but yet I decided to get a copy of the CD anyway. I shouldn't go online when I've been drinking, I often wake up in the morning wondering why I ordered all that porn... Anyway, this is a pretty good album, the debut in fact, full of everything to keep the Martial Industrial fan happy. Vocals in English and German, military drums, violin and piano mixed in with the occasional sample. I think if you put Blood Axis, ROME and Triarii in a blender and made a power-shake out of them, this is what you would end up with.
(4 out of 5)
Poets To Their Beloved "Embrace The Fool" CD [2007]
I overlooked this two-piece in the past, probably because at the time I was more into Noise than this, but now I have made amends for my past error and decided to give this album a shot. I'm glad I did. One of Equilibrium Music's finest acts, and certainly not a clone of anything else on the roster, no no. Acoustic guitar backed by sporadic almost tribal drums, with both male and female vocals taking an equal share of the work. It's romantic but I don't think it can be thrown in the same drawer as a million other Folk CDs; there is something different here, something which sets it apart from the bland also-rans. Every track is unique, but it's maybe a little too long for my taste.
(4 out of 5)
Puissance "Mother Of Disease" (EQM Reissue) CD [2008] [orig. 1999]
I don't often buy reissues of albums I already have (the Whitehouse vinyl collection series being a notable exception), but now that my fiance has left me, I suddenly find myself with cash to spend on myself for once, so I decided to splash out on this CD seeing as I had previously bought the other two Puissance reissues. This was a transitional period in the duo's career and one which I very much like, although at the time of the original release I remember having doubts about it. It just didn't seem to have the power of the two previous discs, with a sound that was, to me, a little hollow. Listening to it now, I still love it for what it is, a bombastic and apocalyptic piece with some awesomely emotive tracks - "Reign Of Dying Angels", "In Shining Armour" - this time with an added bonus track which sounds very unlike Puissance. After this album they began bringing in the Pop elements, so I guess this is the last most Classical sounding material they recorded.
(4 out of 5)
Die Weisse Rose "A Martyrium Of White Roses" CD [2009]
I don't even know why I bought this, and I don't mean that in a bad way. I had only heard one track on the artist's myspace, and had never heard them live or anything, but yet I decided to get a copy of the CD anyway. I shouldn't go online when I've been drinking, I often wake up in the morning wondering why I ordered all that porn... Anyway, this is a pretty good album, the debut in fact, full of everything to keep the Martial Industrial fan happy. Vocals in English and German, military drums, violin and piano mixed in with the occasional sample. I think if you put Blood Axis, ROME and Triarii in a blender and made a power-shake out of them, this is what you would end up with.
(4 out of 5)
Poets To Their Beloved "Embrace The Fool" CD [2007]
I overlooked this two-piece in the past, probably because at the time I was more into Noise than this, but now I have made amends for my past error and decided to give this album a shot. I'm glad I did. One of Equilibrium Music's finest acts, and certainly not a clone of anything else on the roster, no no. Acoustic guitar backed by sporadic almost tribal drums, with both male and female vocals taking an equal share of the work. It's romantic but I don't think it can be thrown in the same drawer as a million other Folk CDs; there is something different here, something which sets it apart from the bland also-rans. Every track is unique, but it's maybe a little too long for my taste.
(4 out of 5)
Puissance "Mother Of Disease" (EQM Reissue) CD [2008] [orig. 1999]
I don't often buy reissues of albums I already have (the Whitehouse vinyl collection series being a notable exception), but now that my fiance has left me, I suddenly find myself with cash to spend on myself for once, so I decided to splash out on this CD seeing as I had previously bought the other two Puissance reissues. This was a transitional period in the duo's career and one which I very much like, although at the time of the original release I remember having doubts about it. It just didn't seem to have the power of the two previous discs, with a sound that was, to me, a little hollow. Listening to it now, I still love it for what it is, a bombastic and apocalyptic piece with some awesomely emotive tracks - "Reign Of Dying Angels", "In Shining Armour" - this time with an added bonus track which sounds very unlike Puissance. After this album they began bringing in the Pop elements, so I guess this is the last most Classical sounding material they recorded.
(4 out of 5)
Sunday 31 May 2009
Hand Held
Cloverfield [2008]
After having seen the two films I will review below, I thought it only fitting that I check this one out also. I quite like the whole hand held camera style to be honest, but as usual, too much is always bad. What promise this film had in the first 20 minutes was quickly destroyed, leaving us with yet another stupid American horror film, and though it tried to be different, it's down-right rediculousness simply made it into a disaster. You see far, far too much of the daft monster, the "cameraman" stands there filming the monster until it eats him, the main characters decisions are all implausible, etc etc. I'm just glad I borrowed this and didn't buy it.
(1 out of 5)
[REC] [2007]
Despite having the cheese-ridden premise of humans being turned into blood-thirsty savages upon being bitten by an infected other, this film isn't the disaster it could have been. Yes, you can't take it as seriously as you'd like, but with the amount of mystery and a decent dose of realism involved, you can certainly suspend your disbelief long enough to get sucked in. I actually jumped during a scene at the end, which is very rare for me.
(4 out of 5)
The Blair Witch Project [1999]
It has to be a personal thing, I guess, since I've heard a lot of slagging off of this film, but I actually loved it. I mean, you can nit-pick all you want, saying why is the guy still filming while he is running away [from whatever] but for fuck's sake, let it go. Unless the guy is blatantly filming while a monster eats him, I'll be willing to look past it for entertainments sake. I guess it must be because the idea of being lost in the woods at night genuinely scares me that I find this film so creepy. So I guess I can't really bitch too much at those who call it boring. If the fear isn't there, then they obviously aren't going to relate to the film. I also don't care that the girl is an annoying mouthy bitch, I still got chills running down my spine during the final icy moments. And for those people who didn't get the end, try listening during the early part of the film. In a genre blighted by silly rubbish, this is a shining gem.
(5 out of 5)
After having seen the two films I will review below, I thought it only fitting that I check this one out also. I quite like the whole hand held camera style to be honest, but as usual, too much is always bad. What promise this film had in the first 20 minutes was quickly destroyed, leaving us with yet another stupid American horror film, and though it tried to be different, it's down-right rediculousness simply made it into a disaster. You see far, far too much of the daft monster, the "cameraman" stands there filming the monster until it eats him, the main characters decisions are all implausible, etc etc. I'm just glad I borrowed this and didn't buy it.
(1 out of 5)
[REC] [2007]
Despite having the cheese-ridden premise of humans being turned into blood-thirsty savages upon being bitten by an infected other, this film isn't the disaster it could have been. Yes, you can't take it as seriously as you'd like, but with the amount of mystery and a decent dose of realism involved, you can certainly suspend your disbelief long enough to get sucked in. I actually jumped during a scene at the end, which is very rare for me.
(4 out of 5)
The Blair Witch Project [1999]
It has to be a personal thing, I guess, since I've heard a lot of slagging off of this film, but I actually loved it. I mean, you can nit-pick all you want, saying why is the guy still filming while he is running away [from whatever] but for fuck's sake, let it go. Unless the guy is blatantly filming while a monster eats him, I'll be willing to look past it for entertainments sake. I guess it must be because the idea of being lost in the woods at night genuinely scares me that I find this film so creepy. So I guess I can't really bitch too much at those who call it boring. If the fear isn't there, then they obviously aren't going to relate to the film. I also don't care that the girl is an annoying mouthy bitch, I still got chills running down my spine during the final icy moments. And for those people who didn't get the end, try listening during the early part of the film. In a genre blighted by silly rubbish, this is a shining gem.
(5 out of 5)
Friday 29 May 2009
Batch #1
Here are some short reviews of my recent purchases:
Consumer Electronics "Crowd Pleaser" LP [2009]
Philip Best is joined by Gary Mundy and Mattin in this latest vinyl-only release, limited to 500 copies. Obviously, this was a must have. Truth is, Philip's vocals make this record. Without them, it would be a rather dull noise affair. The vocals are processed and savage, tearing out from the jet-engine thunder and harsh white static, full of the cyptic brutality previously heard on Whitehouse CDs. Noise wise, not as good as "Nobody's Ugly", but the vocals kick your head in.
(4 out of 5)
Current 93 "Aleph At Hallucinatory Mountain" CD [2009]
I read some reviews before buying this and discovered that Tibet and co had gone for a rock guitar sound. Bad bad bad, I thought. I know this isn't the first time, but previous results were pretty crap. Nevertheless, I bought it and upon first listen wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. A mixture of electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, violin, etc, all with David's usual incomprehensible lyrics. Further listens convinced me that it wasn't as bad as I'd feared. "Invocation Of Almost" being a solid opener, "On Docetic Mountain" being my favourite and reminding somewhat of "Moonlight, You Will Say", to the dulcet folk of "UrShadow". A pretty good album, albeit with a few dull points, especially the boring repetitive electric guitar on "Not Because The Fox Barks".
(4 out of 5)
Sally Doherty "Electric Butterfly" CD [2009]
I haven't been into Sally for very long, I bought the reissue of her (and the Sumacs') "Black Is The Colour" album the other month and absolutely loved it, so I thought I would explore her music even more, so here I am buying her new solo record. I knew that "Electric Butterfly" would be more pop sounding, which isn't what I usually listen to, but what I have heard is fucking amazing. A hundred times better than anything in the charts these days, this woman has a beautiful voice and superior songwriting skills. Superbly written and expertly executed, eleven emotive songs with are going to be played on my stereo for a long while to come. Especially "You're Falling" and "Where Have You Gone To?".
(5 out of 5)
Consumer Electronics "Crowd Pleaser" LP [2009]
Philip Best is joined by Gary Mundy and Mattin in this latest vinyl-only release, limited to 500 copies. Obviously, this was a must have. Truth is, Philip's vocals make this record. Without them, it would be a rather dull noise affair. The vocals are processed and savage, tearing out from the jet-engine thunder and harsh white static, full of the cyptic brutality previously heard on Whitehouse CDs. Noise wise, not as good as "Nobody's Ugly", but the vocals kick your head in.
(4 out of 5)
Current 93 "Aleph At Hallucinatory Mountain" CD [2009]
I read some reviews before buying this and discovered that Tibet and co had gone for a rock guitar sound. Bad bad bad, I thought. I know this isn't the first time, but previous results were pretty crap. Nevertheless, I bought it and upon first listen wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. A mixture of electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, violin, etc, all with David's usual incomprehensible lyrics. Further listens convinced me that it wasn't as bad as I'd feared. "Invocation Of Almost" being a solid opener, "On Docetic Mountain" being my favourite and reminding somewhat of "Moonlight, You Will Say", to the dulcet folk of "UrShadow". A pretty good album, albeit with a few dull points, especially the boring repetitive electric guitar on "Not Because The Fox Barks".
(4 out of 5)
Sally Doherty "Electric Butterfly" CD [2009]
I haven't been into Sally for very long, I bought the reissue of her (and the Sumacs') "Black Is The Colour" album the other month and absolutely loved it, so I thought I would explore her music even more, so here I am buying her new solo record. I knew that "Electric Butterfly" would be more pop sounding, which isn't what I usually listen to, but what I have heard is fucking amazing. A hundred times better than anything in the charts these days, this woman has a beautiful voice and superior songwriting skills. Superbly written and expertly executed, eleven emotive songs with are going to be played on my stereo for a long while to come. Especially "You're Falling" and "Where Have You Gone To?".
(5 out of 5)
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