REVIEW: ANIXAS Outer Space Located In Debris Field, 2011

ANIXAS
Outer Space Located In Debris Field EP – Jamendo download, 2011
http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/96196
Repeat of the 3P. Weird ambience, screaming, reverbed to hell, sounds like the soundtrack to an old martian film, you know the one. “Large Cargo Ship” features a nice pile of samples and synthesizer splats and filters. “Search For Life Forms” is a a sparse take on robotic vocoder sounds. If this is a concept album, then we take this track as literally being a search for lifeforms. “Feeling Isolated On The Ship” is very similar, albeit with more bass in the vocoder.
Ian C Stewart

INTERVIEW: Dino DiMuro interviewed by Russ Stedman

Dino DiMuro

AUTOreverse #14, Summer 2011
DINO DiMURO INTERVIEW
Questions by Russ Stedman

Do you remember the first record you bought?
Very hard to say. For singles, it could have been PINBALL WIZARD by the Who, or CRIMSON AND CLOVER by Tommy James and the Shondells. Albums, it was probably GOD BLESS TINY TIM or the soundtrack to BONNIE AND CLYDE. And I’d still buy those records. Maybe not HAIR, though.

What bands from childhood have you NOT outgrown?
Probably the Beatles, Beach Boys, Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa. Jimi Hendrix, the Who, and Black Sabbath are still great but I played them way too much. Jethro Tull and Deep Purple, I feel kind of silly now that I was SO into them.

INTERVIEW with Mike Textbeak

Textbeak

AUTOreverse #14, Summer 2011
TEXTBEAK
interview by
Ian C Stewart

Is there anything you’re feeling particularly mouthy about at the moment?
there is a music in the roosts, from deadly war teams of the wildlife colony tubes. Shy is the Wildlife of conflicting del fuegos and the orthodox Soul Nets of recent mystery. in a worship, Nations existed in dinosaur cries of hades.

NEWS: Russ Stedman goes to Bandcamp with “Rat​-​House & Homie​-​Cone”

Russ Stedman - Rat - House & Homie - Cone, 2011

Join Russ Stedman at bandcamp for the rest of the summer. Admission is only five dollars, and it includes this hot new compilation of Stedmusik.
http://russstedman.bandcamp.com/

REVIEW: Distant Trains – Congratulations On Your Suicide CD, 2010

Distant Trains - Congratulations On Your Suicide CD, 2010

DISTANT TRAINS
Congratulations On Your Suicide CD, 2010
http://www.sleeponthefloor.com/releases/016/016.htm
Distorted bass guitar with clean drum programming and wandering keys on top. Plus vocal. “Take Care” is like a doom metal version of Soul Whirling Somewhere. And the bursts of bluesy guitar, I should not be enjoying this. The production can be summed up in two words: clean scuzz. Just like the early work of one of my favorite bands, Idaho. “Desert” is probably more like Queens Of The Stone Age, maybe? I enjoy the distorto-bass guitar-forward songwriting, vocals waaaaay off over there in the semi-background. The elements are familiar, but the picture is still pretty.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEWS: Bat Lenny – “Shadowland” and “The Atomic Toybox” CDs

Bat Lenny - Shadowland CD, 2008

BAT LENNY
Shadowland EP CD, 2008
http://batlenny.com
Progressive pop that is equal parts Yes and XTC, and no, I don’t just mean ELO. In days of old, the “Shadowland” suite would merely have been known as side four of the new LP, a 17-minute theme in 5 parts. Bat Lenny is the King Crimson of the underground.
Ian C Stewart

Bat Lenny - The Atomic Toybox CD, 2009

BAT LENNY
The Atomic Toybox CD, 2009
Massive prog-pop a la Mike Kenneally. I really enjoyed this one. “Gravity” opens with a single synthesizer note being filtered, kind of like any old song by the Human League. The song starts with a minimial drum beat, which is vamped on and reacted to by the other instruments, gradually building up into a groove like the Police. Primus meets E.L.O. This album is Marillionesque (I guess, Genesisesque would make more sense) in its scope. Repeated listenings required and rewarded.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: Vocabularinist – Monkey Brains Controlling Robot Arms CD, 2006

Vocabularinist – Monkey Brains Controlling Robot Arms CD, 2006

VOCABULARINIST
Monkey Brains Controlling Robot Arms CD, 2006
Funky, mechanized grooves with miles of vocal loops. And funk. It’s not Meat Beat Manifesto, but it’s also not Perry Como, it’s not a lot of things. Rhythm and melody. “All Refelctions End Here” is kind of like the bastard offspring of Gary Numan and early Nine Inch Nails, but better. Dark electronica. Have I said Skinny Puppy enough yet in this issue? In the early 1990s, we called this stuff ‘industrial,’ just meaning that it’s dark and girls could dance to it. “Getting To Thou” gives those headphones a workout, all the elements jumping across the stereo spectrum. “It’s A Dull Ride” is like drum & bass Pop Will Eat Itself. Monkey Brains Controlling Robot Arms is fun, funky and futile to ignore.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: Mekigah – The Serpent’s Kiss CD, 2011

MEKIGAH The Serpent's Kiss CD, 2011

MEKIGAH
The Serpent’s Kiss CD, 2011
This CD is many types of metal, all at the same time. It’s like a cross between My Dying Bride and Dead Can Dance. It’s heavy and epic as a motherfucker. The production lends itself to headbanging and air-piano playing, or so I’ve been told. They have the male/female vocal thing down. The music of “In The Garden” sounds like Mercyful Fate crossed with Enya. It’s the kind of unique plot twist that heavy metal needs to keep my attention. This album requires repeated listenings. Dream Theater meets Yanni? Wait, there is some saxophone, so maybe King Diamond plus Kenny G? Gothic jazz metal. Absolutely unique.
Ian C Stewart

INTERVIEW: Paul Caporino of M.O.T.O (Masters Of The Obvious)

M.O.T.O.

AUTOreverse #14, Summer 2011
PAUL CAPORINO
M.O.T.O.
(Masters Of The Obvious)
interviewed by
Ian C Stewart

Let’s talk about your musical influences. Who are your biggest influences and why? Who were your early musical influences?
PC: Mostly recordings of popular music of all genres dating back to…….

Where do you see your music heading?
Not sure, but it’s getting there.

REVIEW: Squeegeed Clean – Synchronised Fucking Up And Pre-Emptive Flashbacks CD, 2011

Squeegeed Clean - Synchronised Fucking Up And Pre-Emptive Flashbacks CD, 2011

SQUEEGEED CLEAN
Synchronised Fucking Up And Pre-Emptive Flashbacks CD, 2011
http://squeegeedclean.bandcamp.com
This CD compiles two previous releases of this Aussie posse, which includes Skot, Graz, amd Funkmeister G, I think. This is the cleanest and most polished avant garde noise free jam love I’ve heard in a while. Guitars, synths, drum machines and percussion, often with tons of echo and delay. The first nine tracks date from 2005, the last four were made in 2009, but the sound is coherent, cohesive, tight and professional as far as this type of thing usually goes. Meaning no huge volume spikes or anything else that will blow out your eardrums and/or speakers.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEWS: C. Reider – “Formerly Sine Drones” and “Owning Extinctions” 2011

C. Reider - Formerly Sine Drones, 2011

C. REIDER
Formerly Sine Drones download, 2011
http://www.vuzhmusic.com
Oh, they’re still drones, don’t you worry. The first piece, “59 Hz,” is 3:22 of what sounds like a ground hum. If you’re expecting the guitar to plug in and this humming sound to go away, well, that doesn’t happen. The noise is the star. And so on across the album. It’s minimalistic and easy to talk over. Sounding alternately mechanical and organic, somehow.
Ian C Stewart

C. Reider - Owning Extinctions, 2011

C. REIDER
Owning Extinctions download, 2011
http://www.vuzhmusic.com
The other one is more like smooth peanut butter. This one is crunchy. Now I’m hungry for Jif. Track one, “Clathrate Gun Hypothesis,” sounds like an echoey underwater chamber, an alien life form beside some stalactites. Beside the white chickens. Oh wait, that’s “Underwater Plume,” I’m thinking of, which certainly does have a dewy vibe about it. “Apologies And Capitulations,” sounds like a spaced-out Skinny Puppy breakdown. Several rhythmic elements operating independently, with that tension in the middle. This one is prettified chaos.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: Mass Debate – “Shun” CD, 2011

mass debate - shun

MASS DEBATE
Shun CD, 2011
Funky hiphop with large beats, fat basslines and an Aussie female MC/singer. The production is clear and thumpin’. The lyrics are all questioning governmental politics, racism and sexual politics. The more overtly sexual lyrics remind me of Lady Sovereign and Princess Superstar. The songs are sharp, snappy, quick in and out. I haven’t heard a combination of political energy and pop music this smooth since Chumbawamba. Catchy pop rap that probably sounds great on the radio. Beats and production by Skot, Ernie and Meagan D, who also did the rhymes. Consolidated, remember them? “if you fuck up, just sit on your hands,” nice hook.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: ‘kirchenkampf’ + Pixyblink “Nevermore and Nevertheless” CD, 2011

'kirchenkampf' + Pixyblink - Nevermore and Nevertheless CD, 2011

KIRCHENKAMPF + PIXYBLINK
Nevermore And Nevertheless CD, 2011
Cohort Records
John Gore and ambient cohort (get it?) Pixyblink bring the massive, exhaling whoosh on this one. Drones, arranged to decay, and not. There’s a looping, high whooshy thing on opening piece “Affair De Coeur” that is quite something else. “Enfant Terrible” vacillates between quiet beauty and obnoxious aggression. Hellish soundtrack music. Or, soundtrackish hell music, take your pick. “Profanum Vulgus” is a cool title for one of the more understated pieces on this album. The quiet moments in general are terrifying and beautiful. “Mal De Mer,” I like the way the synths are being tweaked and freaked in both speakers. “Laborare Est Orare” ends the album on quite a majestic note, literally. Awesome.
Ian C Stewart

INTERVIEW: Charles Hoffman

Charles Hoffman

AUTOreverse #14, Summer 2011
CHARLES HOFFMAN
interviewed
by Ian C Stewart

Is there anything you’re feeling particularly mouthy about at the moment?
Lately I’m really obsessed with self-importance. I work in web development, and I seem to run into a lot of it in those circles, but it’s kind of everywhere in society these days. So many people try so hard to look like something that not only they’re not, but also that doesn’t even make sense to be. The “creative class” is this myth that messes with your head. People spend money they don’t have to try to look like a big wheel, when you’re really just like, making silly fun websites that only make money by selling advertising under the false pretense that anybody pays any fucking attention to it. There’s so much in our society and economy that’s just absurd right now but that people take totally seriously.

INTERVIEW: Greg Mathieson of Bat Lenny, Limpid (the) Green, Stegor, etc.

Stegor

AUTOreverse #14, Summer 2011
Greg Mathieson
of Bat Lenny, Limpid (the) Green, Stegor, etc.
interview by Ian C Stewart

Let’s talk about your musical influences. Who are your biggest influences and why?
Classic Prog Rock, like Genesis, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Jethro Tull… I just keep going back to that stuff. As much as I love the multitude of musical styles and directions that have developed since then I’ll never forget the mysterious feelings I got when I was a kid listening to that stuff. And then there’s Bowie, XTC, Talking Heads, Kraftwerk…

INTERVIEW: Evan Peta of Evan Peta

AUTOreverse #14, Summer 2011
EVAN PETA
interview by
Ian C Stewart

So, Evan. Is there anything you’re feeling particularly mouthy about at the moment?
Peanut Butter Oreos are pure evil, seriously.

REVIEW: Moljebka Pvlse & Cría Cuervos “Vid vägs ände” (Road’s End) – CD

MOLJEBKA PVLSE and CRIA CUERVOS
Vid vägs ände (Road’s End) CD, 2011
Cohort Records, 128 Condo Street, Monticello, IN 47960 USA
http://cohortrecords.0catch.com
Two long pieces, assembled by Sweden’s Moljebka Pvlse and Italy’s Cría Cuervos. Epic drone-ambients. “pa vndrande fot (Traveling By Foot)” fills the air nicely, with several twists and turns. It’s cinematic in spots. “det ar aldrig for sent att vanda om (It’s Never Too Late To Turn Back)” is a cleaner drone, reminding me of the music for the film ‘Baraka’, it feels profound, especially around the 20-minute mark, it sounds like a didjeridoo or its eastern equivalent, and a bit of feedback behind it. The last few minutes, with the reversed vocal sample loop is astounding. Gorgeous.
Ian C Stewart

AUTOreverse PODCAST 7

autoDIVERSE quagazine

AUTOreverse PODCAST 7
20110730

1. FZZY PMPR “Not Fun” from the next EP, which we’ll call ‘hijacked beats’
2. JOHN NEIL – “Snowman” (XTC) from ‘beasts i’ve seen, the xtc fans’ tribute cassette’
3. AUZEL – “I Remember It More Now” from ‘old’
4. LOVE CALVIN – “Burn Victims Suck (Acoustic Version)” from ‘what’s left, volume three’
5. SQUEEGEED CLEAN – “Fake Burzum Ritual” from ’2010 – Synchronised Fucking Up And Pre-Emptive Flashbacks’
6. DON CAMPAU – “Trial By Fire” from ‘best of don campau, volume two’
7. AMPTEXT + BASS – “Bodyment 2″ from ‘nine strings’ split cd
8. IRRELIGION – “Forever Tonight” from ‘cadaver holiday’
7. BRYCE EIMAN – “SK-5 01″ from ‘tone whore’
8. MINOR 2049er – “Do The Slam” from ‘unliberated’
9. C. REIDER – “Clathrate Gun Hypothesis” from ‘owning extinctions’
10. KNITTING BY TWILIGHT – “A Thousand Islands” from ‘weathering’
11. SCOTT BROOKMAN – “Everything You Write Sounds To Me Like Death” from ‘the busy world of scott brookman’
12. DAMNED HEAD (PBK) – “Epidural Threat” from ‘into my head’
13. DANIEL PRENDIVILLE “Amnesie…er” from ‘mutant ogre’
14. EVAN PETA – “Spark Generator” from ‘spark generator’
15. TODD SKAGGS “Alimentary Canal” from ‘rodomontodd’
16. BENTWITHLIGHT – “Monster” from ‘burnt offerings’
17. XOLOSTAR WARRIOR – “Control The Mind Circle”
18. DARRIN AILES – “If You Would Leave” from ‘ruthless angelic cherubs, volume two’
19. EVIL BREAD – “Purple Pie Pizza”, from ‘Live At Apollo’s!’

go!
http://iancstewart.podomatic.com/entry/2011-07-30T09_15_20-07_00

INTERVIEW: Jim Shelley of Book Of Kills, etc.

Jim Shelley on Earth Day

AUTOreverse #14, Summer 2011
JIM SHELLEY
BOOK OF KILLS
interview by Ian C Stewart

SO……DID YOU MISS AUTOreverse?
I surely did. Did you miss me? Wait! Don’t answer that!

REVIEW: Xolostar Warrior – Gorkun Crystal Audio Stream, 2011

Xolostar Warrior - Gorkun Crystal Audio Stream - 2011

XOLOSTAR WARRIOR
Gorkun Crystal Audio Stream
Soundclick download, 2011
This is a brief introduction to the XoloStar Warrior, whose songs are in the Indietronic category on Soundclick. “Humantron” sounds like one a Buckethead instrumental. Which means it’s funky, heavy and groovy and there’s cool sound effects. And fun. “Zenorama” breaks out the vocal harmonizer and effects, along with the finger-jab drum machine sounds. Nice. Absurd, really. But great! “Para Talk” jumps in with a funky beat and more spaced-out spoken bits which go through every effect known to man. It’s kind of hilarious and great at the same time. Finally, “Go Luup” continues with fragmented beats and rather deranged synth-stabs. Did he just say “shadow of the octopus”? Fun and awesome.
Ian C Stewart