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: 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

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