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)
Thursday 25 June 2009
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)
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