G-CLASS mini-review by Stevey Seven

G-Class from Dayton brings the party midweek at Skully’s as a poetic threesome hip-hop comparable to any popular artists rolling in Diablos and tossing paper around…they got the females in the “Wear Your Sexiest Outfit” competition on the dancefloor despite the rough crowd and heat-exhausted clientele. Everything was tight in what must be a tough genre to work in…I expect these guys to be making many more appearances in the future. Check out their free release at giftedclass.bandcamp.com – Stevey Seven

SPRING SPROUTS – Ingrown Records compilation – 2012 – Bandcamp and cassette

SPRING SPROUTS
Ingrown Records compilation, Bandcamp and limited edition cassette
http://ingrown.bandcamp.com/album/spring-sprouts
Derek Poteat drops guitar science with the brief “Abbreviat,” fresh and experimental sounds from the start. Tearo is next, “Let’s Die A.I.,” drops a nice break, under heavenly synths, this could be John Foxx or Bill Nelson for all I know. Nice.
Tesla Recoils’s “The Penal Colony” is more toward the soundtrackish end, with layers of blustery synths flying all around the place. Tight! Treasure Hunt is next, “Dillard’s Shopping” is pure Magnetic Fields, or Ken Clinger, same thing, swirly synth pop. Lovely. Orphaned Holograms “Ascension Dimension Disintegration” is very much like modern Skinny Puppy, which means a nice beat out front, twiddly synth bits, echoey samples and the occasional machine noise. Break it down. I hadn’t planned on writing about every single piece on this compilation, but Wyss’s “A JPEG Jam” is so fucking cool, I had to mention it. What the hell, Peter Gabriel vibe or something, uplifting and then a dubstep breakdown? Outstanding. Bryce Eiman drops “The Corm Tunic,” reverbed synth swells for 2.5 minutes, can’t go wrong. Shit yeah. Caucasians’s “Pious Bias” literally sounds like a surveillance recording of some dudes playing keyboards in a room, maybe reversed & echoed backwards, it’s very cool. Dead Chimp “Twisted Fuck” is fun, bouncey, dancey, bassy and amusing, which is all I’m asking for. Come on. Fun and funny samples, I hope they’re supposed to be funny. JoieJoieJoie’s “Les Iguanes” features enervating wordplay and asian percussion & melodies & stuff, plus oh my god an actual TUNE and a SONG with LYRICS, oh my god. Devastatingly cool song, with so many good things about it, I can’t stand it. First Dog To Visit The Center Of The Earth gets the last spot with “Perdido,” which is 7 minutes of jammed synth weirdness. I enjoyed this whole thing, what an unexpected treat.
Ian C Stewart

THE ERNIE 4 – “One Baskervoid Frottage – 30 Minutes With The Ernie 4” – stream – 2012

One Baskervoid Frottage

THE ERNIE FOUR
“One Baskervoid Frottage: 30 Minutes With The Ernie 4” Bandcamp stream
http://thecheshiredragon.bandcamp.com/track/one-baskervoid-frottage
Soulful echoes from distant times and spaces, layered and sliced like bisecting the universe itself. This piece is thirty minutes of continuous feelings, the inner tentacles of the mind feeding back on itself. Cross sections of fear enfolding themselves and each other. There are moments. Echoes that sound like trains colliding and collating? The synth? drones throughout and toward the end taunt you, teasing you with what could’ve been! This could’ve been a lost Cyberaktif b-side after all. But no, it couldn’t. It wasn’t, it didn’t. This overarching crescendo comes home, the end. What, do it again? Okay. Let’s go one more time.
Ian C Stewart

RUSS STEDMAN – “Blowing Chunks Of Theory” – 2012

RUSS STEDMAN
“Blowing Chunks Of Theory” CD album thing
http://www.russstedman.com/album-pages/056/056.htm
Mostly? entirely? instrumental? Fun musical and sonic puns about music, like “Diamonds & Pears.” “One Mile High” is slow and spacey, like a Prince song played at 20 BPM? This album is not like symphonic dubstep dirge digeridoo glitch-witch or anything out of left field, Russ is giving ya/me what ya/I want, which is great songs, great production, great performances, great fuckin’ guitar tone that makes me wanna pick up a guitar myself, and drumming that sounds like a live drummer, except better. It ain’t fuckin’ rocket science. “Vitreous Humour” is another favorite, it’s like rocked-out MIDI files of a Marilion song or something. Hah. “Eat The Sun” contains some symphonic elements, don’t get me wrong, some cool phrasing, fiddly bits, cool shit to go around. Also, “A Tin Teardrop” which is bulbous, also tapered? No, but it does sound like a fitting tribute to Dr. Beefheart & His Electric Teeth. “Insomnia,” god DAMN those drums are cool! “Try Eating That (In Stereo)” and “Leaping Stink Snow” are an humorous pair of homages maybe to the “Zoot Allures” era, and to Frank’s Synclavier years respectively. Or I could be totally wrong, fuck if I know. “Stale Trident” brings the proceedings to a close, in grand, lighters in the air, fog machine, laser finale fashion. Get it now, stop reading this. Shut up.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: PEER GROUP – “Manscaping” MP3 download 2012

PEER GROUP
Manscaping MP3 2012
http://www.controlvalve.net
What it’s not: music, fun. What it IS is is…. layers of feedback and noise to tickle and delight your inner ear demon. Twenty one minutes of what in the holy crap is that supposed to be? Feedback, effects. That type of thing. There are different elements, it’s not just one continuous drone. It’s like, let’s layer the biggest pile we can possibly do, all at once, till it kind of peters out toward the end. Why not. It’s not bad but it’s also not very enjoyable to listen to. If given the choice between Peer Group and Lynyrd Skynyrd, I would still choose Peer Group. I hope that never happens.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: The Mighty Accelerator – “Soccer Mom” EP, 2011

The Mighty Accelerator - Soccer Mom EP

THE MIGHTY ACCELERATOR
Soccer Mom EP, Download, 2011
http://themightyaccelerator.bandcamp.com/
Funtime hard-rockin’ rock band songs that are equal parts Midwestern punk and classic rock. Cowbell AND double-kick drumming in the same song. Kind of like a lighter Motorhead, something like that. “Shake It” opens with some heaviness, and the chorus reminds me of Tad. Stylistically it sounds like a mashup of Celtic Frost and Cinderella. This would make a nice 7″ vinyl single, I’m sure Andy would’ve done that back in the day. “Mustache Foam” has dynamics and riffs for a semi-epic vibe. The production is nice but not so overpowering that I feel the need to mosh here, or stagedive off of my desk. Clean and professional in a good way, and fun.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: chefkirk + Carl Kruger – Physical Release, 2011

chefkirk + Carl Kruger - Physical Release, 2011

CHEFKIRK + CARL KRUGER
Physical Release download, May 2011, http://www.controlvalve.net
These guys are a two-man noise riot. This piece is a 27 minutes worth of everything but music. You got several types of feedback, shrill samples and loops, all percolating in real time. This was created live. Certain types of people are drawn to the fringes, the hard, painful, line-in-the-sand that just makes it impossible to think or breathe. Too much of this will ruin your hearing and make you go blind, or maybe that’s just me. Tag me out, I can’t finish listening to the entire piece!
Ian C Stewart

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

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

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

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

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

REVIEW: amptext + bass / Blk w bear – split CD, 2011

amptext + bass / Blk w bear split CD 2011

AMPTEXT + BASS / BLK W BEAR
“Nine Strings” / “Ten Outtakes & Demos” Split CD, 2011
Cohort Records
The first track by amptext + bass, “The Ghosts Of Silent Radios,” sounds like about four different scores by John Cage played at the same time, which, for all I know, it might be. It sounds like a person playing a cello. There’s a bit of messing-around with a handheld tape recorder (I assume), the air in the room. An old telephone in a box, or something. Hard core avant garde. “Bodyment 1” and “Bodyment 2” continue with the same template, while the final two pieces are less tape-menacing and more live performances, if that description makes any sense. The cello playing is deft and scrapey, and the pieces include lots of silence. Nice. The tracks by Blk w bear that follow are of the ambient noise ilk, or dark ambience. “Valve Languere [Vasoline Mix]” includes some interesting samples and loops which gradually fade across the inner ear thing. “Reade Lactid” sounds like some sampler abuse, of which I approve. “Salt Water Coughing” finishes up sounding like a pipe organ being devoured by a poltergeist. This deeply experimental split CD is available now. Handmade covers, the whole deal. John Gore really does this sh1t up.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: Dislocated Tones – “Compound Fractures” compilation, 2011

Dislocated Tones - Compound Fractures, 2011

DISLOCATED TONES
Compound Fractures, download 2011
Here’s a fun compilation that’s all over the place, stylistically speaking. Chuck Hoffman’s opening track is called “Feline & Toddler Vomitorium,” it’s a neat pile of Casio sampler loops. “Twenty Four” by Arcade is noisy and spaced-out dub, can it be? Yes, it can be. Large beats and fractious beats, and squelched synth stuff. I enjoy. Sampleman also takes a funk-friendly approach with “Small Pink & Black Alien”. “Carbon” by Yenoc is another toe-tapper, with its upbeat synth burbles and vocoder vocals. The majority of the other tracks are quite noisy and abrasive., in a couple of cases straddling the line between noise and order. “Ophelia As A Cyborg” by Haru Yasumi is a noisy bit of FUNK, so it’s what, IDM, is that the category? That is the noisiest funk track this side of my own work as FZZY PMPR. I like it a lot, though all of the pieces were interesting in their own ways.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: The Implicit Order – A Wink And A Nod, 2011

The Implicit Order - A Wink And A Nod

THE IMPLICIT ORDER
A Wink And A Nod – download
Cool mixture of remixes, tributes, anti-mixes, whatever you wanna call it. Homage. Each of the eight pieces are new versions of tracks chosen by The Implicit Order, and gradually redefined with the now-standard Implicit Order engine. Echoey loops, weird spoken passages and ambient room noises populate the frequency spectrum. Some are quite noisy, others more austere.
Ian C Stewart