nowlikephotographs

Episode 173 - July 7th, 2009

Wed, 07 Jul 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Tortoise - Beacons of Ancestorship) There’s only so much that can be said for such a longstanding and reliable institution such as Chicago’s Tortoise. Especially when, even after a lengthy hiatus that only saw the release of an outstanding collection of b-sides and outtakes, the outfit’s comeback record is not only just as awesome as any of their other past releases, but it’s as equally thrilling and surprising. Oh it’s still sounds like Tortoise all right. The grooves are obtuse and heady, the melodies abstract and precise, and it all sounds like a party through every musical incantation that’s ever existed on every edge of the globe. Like the album’s title implies, it sounds ancient and familiar, but also like a prophecy of blinding light. Some tracks are intensely vivid, hard-rocking through brief passages of get-up and get-down, some are solemnly paced with a wicked sense of space, but all are bright and sugar-sweet. This might be a band who’s known more as an establishment than one that’s still progressing, but Beacons of Ancestorship proves that both are indeed possible. Get familiar with this NLP staple with a freek track via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 172 - June 24th, 2009

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Signal Hill - More After We're Gone) Mid-tempo post-rock can often have the tendency of falling somewhat flat on the ears, but we here at nowlikephotographs can more than safely say that Signal Hill have done it right. Without pushing the envelope on any of the traditionally used (or abused) elements, the Los Angeles band have managed to craft an album which simultaneously displays both the beauty of restraint and intelligent rhythmic intricacy. More After We’re Gone holds much promise and expectation, considering the self-released album is also their first. Harboring twelve tracks and clocking in at just over an hour, More After We’re Gone might very well prove itself to be one of the top instrumental releases of the year. You can hear a track from this wonderful album by visiting the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 171 - June 17th, 2009

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Power of 2 and Falcon Arrow - Both self-titled) Whoa, change! We know, it’s frightening; settle down. It’ll be okay. Sometimes there’s just so much good music out there that we wish we could bestow this Instrumental Record of the Week honor on more than one release and well, it got just too unbearable to be passive about any longer. And what better way to break the ice than with two beloved local artists. Not only that, they’re both duos and they both self-released their latest records. Oh and since they live just a hop and a skip away from our studios, of course we’ve had both of these artists in for a performance and an interview, giving us all the more reason to switch things up this week. Power of 2 make loud playful noises with distorted guitar and pounding percussion; this is their debut full-length. Falcon Arrow create epic soundscapes of just looping bass guitar and restrained drums; this is their second release and first EP. Check both unique takes on the instrumental genre via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 170 - June 10th, 2009

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Collapse Under the Empire - Systembreakdown) We’re a little late on this German outfit’s debut record, but it socked us so hard we can’t not recognize its towering levels of awesome. Yes it’s post-rock but it embodies the genre without pretention or artsy flourishes, only sheer brute strength and thundering intensity. They don’t beat around the bush - both their band name and album title imply a bloody dystopia, an apocalyptic reckoning that will be as gorgeous as it is inevitable. In fact, these guys think it’s all about rain down on us so soon that we can already expect a second release from Collapse Under The Empire this fall. It’s the best of both worlds: prolific and wrought with intimidation. Do the collapse with us on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 169 - June 3rd, 2009

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Peter Broderick - Music For Falling From Trees) Mr. Broderick, sounds like a haunting spirit behind the microphone on his more-often-than-not vocally based work, but when he decided to focus solely on trembling piano and earth-shattering strings for this, his latest release, he did not lose his voice. Arguably even more magnetic and ethereal, the UK artist has captured some disturbingly beautiful and beautifully disturbing sounds on tape, this time as commissioned for a London dance production choreographed by Adrienne Hart. Both pieces document a man’s struggle to retain his identity while at a mental institution, and the results are staggering, proving a story can indeed be told without words. Get in the dark mood with Broderick on the latest nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 168 - May 27th, 2009

Wed, 27 May 2009 21:00:00 CST

(James Blackshaw - The Glass Bead Game) There’s no way this is one human. There’s just no physical method in existence of playing music like this all by yourself. These thoughts have flowed into our heads here at NLP regarding favorite solo artists such as Dosh, Last Days, and many others. But the defining WTF factor in Blackshaw's tumultuous and resilient neo-classical guitar and piano stylings is in his percussion-free density. There’s nary a snare nor cymbal in ear’s range and yet this is in no way ambient music. You’d be hard pressed to even call this folk of any variety, as the layers and reverb pile on through thick gauzy webs of sorrow and hope that the music pulses and writhes with a heart and mind of its own. And we can only hope that digging through the UK man’s back catalog will provide us with even more moments of epiphany such as this. Get your taste of the 'Shaw via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 167 - May 20th, 2009

Wed, 20 May 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Like Bells - Self Titled) And finally, we find ourselves back in the United States after highlighting foreign-based artists for multiple weeks here in our Record of the Week feature on NLP. Just as we were beginning to think all the worthy instrumental records only came from across oceans, these Ohio boys Like Bells prove us completely wrong. And not only that, this is one of those rare debuts that doesn’t just blow you away, but also still sounds like a debut. This is ramshackle post-rock with neo-classical and orchestral inflections that doesn’t sound meticulously arranged, and it makes the record all the more better because of this fact, not despite it. This new outfit has embraced their freshness and splayed it into the speakers with devout earnestness and amazing tenderness. It’s gentle and fearless all at once, and there’s a free track waiting for you via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 166 - May 13th, 2009

Wed, 13 May 2009 21:00:00 CST

(And So I Watch You From Afar - Self Titled) Sticking with records of the week from across the ocean this week features Belfast, Ireland band And So I Watch You From Afar. Metal has been in vogue for a number of years with bands like Russian Circles and Empires paving the way for nowlikephotographs listeners. And So I Watch You From Afar is the natural progression of these bands and they do an even lighter more carefree type of metal. The chanting and cowbells help but even the guitar riffs wander through melodic territories that a typical metal band would feel uneasy going. And to surprise you even more, this is the bands first proper album. Pump your fist and head bang on this weeks nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 165 - May 6th, 2009

Wed, 06 May 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Jon Hopkins - Insides) It's not every week that we can present to you a new name to the epic instrumental canon that’s also been namechecked and heralded by everyone from Brian Eno to Herbie Hancock, but we present to you the debut full-length by London’s Jon Hopkins. His mix of ambient, bedroom electronica, and neo-classical is so simultaneously smooth and rambunctious that it's hard to pin him down as practitioner of just one style. The funny thing is that usually mean the artist's voice is unfocused and unlikeable, but Insides is the complete opposite. Every track swirls, hums, or glistens with elegance just as much as it does eclecticism. So put on the headphones, and experience the most adventurous relaxation of 2009 thus far, on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 164 - April 29th, 2009

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Gui Boratto - Take My Breath Away) After making countless albums Gui Boratto is back with yet another great one. Proving that the crescendo can transcend the post-rock genre Gui's form of repetitive electronica surges back and forth in a way that you can't help from moving your body in some way. This isn't the form of music you have to sit in a noisy dance club to enjoy either, put this one on during a rainy day or as you are laying in bed late at night. It's upbeat while still retaining some tinge of mysteriousness that makes your mind wander as you listen. Like anything that gets better with age, this Brazilian record is the result of over a decade of previous releases. Make your lungs burn on this nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 163 - April 22nd, 2009

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Shogun Kunitoki - Vinonaamaksio) Self-confessed missionaries sent out to save the electronic genre from dehumanizing, this Helsinki-based outfit first blasted into our eardrums in 2006 with their powerful and unignorable debut Tasankokaiku. Using old-school computers, organs, and keyboards, it was very much beat-driven and sci-fi-inspired, but more retro-futurist than robotic or synthetic. Their signature sound, which is refined and explored more on this, their follow-up, reminds one of a time when the future still seemed dystopian, but the joyous and cavernous yells of the last humans on earth were what were imagined, rather than a sterile atmosphere with cookie-cutter android citizens. This is the earsplitting tremble of a day of reckoning yet to be written, a strange world that was made strange and frightening by real people, not by machines or hard drives. Oh, and also, it completely destroys. Witness the beautiful and deafening armageddon via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 162 - April 15th, 2009

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Tarlton - The Papa Theses) Some odd years ago, a small group of high schoolers known as Tiki Obmar showed the Minneapolis music scene the power of instrumental music by very easily winning Radio K’s Battle Of The Underage Underground at the infamous First Avenue mainroom stage. After the inevitable college-age breakdown of the short-lived but fondly remembered outfit, member Brett Bullion started up this here project. After an EP of vocally-oriented material, he has returned to his instrumental roots with this fantastic local release of sneaky and suspenseful bedroom electronica. Put out by local label Afternoon Records, this is hopefully just the start of a longstanding career of a signature voice not only in the local music community, but for the genre as a whole. Tarlton is playing the Wordless Music Series with Johann Johannsson at the Southern Theater on June 30th, sponsored by nowlikephotographs. Get in on the local goodness via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 161 - April 8th, 2009

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind) One of the core instrumental bands that we've always loved, Mono is back with their 5th release. Put out by Temporary Residence they've decided to do the impossible and expand their already massive wall of sound by getting the backing of a 20-odd piece orchestra. The sound is everything you'd expect and more. This will go down as one of the best instrumental records this year so get in on it now via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 160 - April 1st, 2009

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Last Days - The Safety Of The North) Graham Richardson thinks in different terms than most ambient composers. He’s the only one that we here at NLP know can be eclectic and still sound gorgeously minimalist in his approach to music. No one song on this fifteen-track masterpiece sounds similar to any other one and yet he still cultivates a mysteriously solemn and heart-wrenching mood of cohesion throughout. Even the most predictable elements (field recordings, hovering keys, and lilting organic touches) sound like piercing darts through the night, at once quiet and swift, but always leaving a mark. Get struck with a free track from this expertly executed collection of epic instrumental music on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 159 - March 25th, 2009

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Tim Hecker - An Imaginary Country) We’ve been big fans of Tim Hecker for a number of releases and he continues the on slaught of soundscapes in this his latest release. The album is not as dense as previous records but you still get the surging of sound that makes you wonder if music ever needed a normal tempo and rythm in the first place. Tim Hecker has raised the ambient bar again and we guarentee you will get absolutely lost in these new recordings. Find your way in to the atmosphere of this weeks nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 158 - March 18th, 2009

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Balmorhea - All is Wild, All is Silent) Neoclassical meets folk in this instrumental record of the week. Only a year after their last album Balmorhea has put out their 3rd LP on Western Vinyl. Triumphant piano melodies are always an easy way in to our hearts but folk is not nearly as easy to make epic. Balmorhea is evolving their sound with this release they created a more full yet light hearted neoclassical folk album that is likely to pull supporters from both of those genres. If you live in the southwest put this record on at night and drive through the dessert - it's the perfect companion for that type of thing as the album cover suggests. For the rest of us we'll have to settle for headphones and closing our eyes on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 157 - March 11th, 2009

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Fraet - For Another Day) Meticulously crafted electronica music coming from Tokyo Japan. The attention to detail is staggering on this album and really requires headphones to get the full experience. From basic hand claps to vinyl hiss and catchy synth rhythm it all comes together to make for one of the happiest ambiet record we’ve heard at nowlikephotographs. A difficult task for a type of music that is defined by as much of what you don’t hear as it is the stuff you do. No where is all this more apparent than the 2nd track “Here and There” which is featured on the latest nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 156 - March 4th, 2009

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:00:00 CST

(From Monument to Masses - On Little Known Frequencies) Whoever invented the crescendo deserves a medal. Monument To Masses have reinvented it though with their new release “On Little Known Frequencies”. The meandering chords and arpeggios create a whole new definition for building up a song. Throw some blippy electronica stuff and old-timey spoken word in there and you’ve got something that is familiar but still refreshing. It’s a great modern version of the classic post-rock style which is hard for a band to do on the 4th release where their stereotypical sound is usually found. Re-invent yourself on this week’s podcast.

Episode 155 - February 25th, 2009

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Paniyolo - I'm Home) We're no strangers to the Japanese label Schole Records, run by Akira Kosemura, here at NLP. What we are not privy to, however, is a world where artists like this 26-year-old acoustic ambient composer get full displays of their new release at record stores across the country (as seen on Paniyolo's photo blog). And it's his first record! Ah the bizarro world of Japan, where epic instrumental music can get as much appreciation as your average pop artist. Regardless of the support these kinds of artists get in their homeland, we hope that if you haven’t gotten clued in about Schole Records, you do so now. This album bubbles at the brim with nuanced passion and intricate plucking, swelling, and pulsing like no other. Leaping through electronic loops and airy pastoral soundscapes, Paniyolo is a young artist with a gift that should be heard by all. You can almost taste the cover's watercolors just by listening to a free track, via the nowlikephotographs podcast of course.

Episode 154 - February 18th, 2009

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Mountains - Choral) How a duo with no formal drummer makes an album that sounds so rich and complete is beyond us here at NLP, but the truly engaging record by Mountains proves that it’s possible. Reading that first sentence might make one automatically assume that we have yet another ambient record receiving Record of the Week accolades, but what makes the two-piece remarkable is that they create music not full of ambience, rock, or electronica, but rather something we’d like to coin as “heaven folk”. It’s spacious, organic, and instantly enjoyable, from the opening plucks of guitars both electric and acoustic, to the warm and slow pulses of atmosphere. No, it’s not ambient - it calls out to the forefront of the mind too much. It’s not just folk music, either. It’s more ethereal and otherworldly. Yes, it is “heaven folk”. Sent down from above to elicit a mood unfelt before now. Embrace the new genre with a free track via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 153 - February 11th, 2009

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Ethan Rose - Oaks) Some epic instrumental artists were born to be in movies. This Portland composer broke through in 2008 and landed several of his synth-heavy soundscapes in the Gus Van Sant film Paranoid Park, and deservedly so. His other involvement, the much-loved band Small Sails, and his new drifting into more atmospheric territory have been highlighted before here on NLP, but we’re happy to bestow the Instrumental Record of the Week honor upon Ethan Rose for the first time. Oaks is quiet and dreamy, but Rose’s signature melodies are so crisp and memorable that it almost feels like an ambient pop record, full of blooming keyboards and friendly electronics. Get more of a taste via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 152 - February 4th, 2009

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Unlearn - Places) Shimmering like raindrops on flower petals, the debut record by the Seattle five-piece Unlearn really makes one yearn for spring showers. The iridescent guitar tones cascade in full force, whether they're ebullient with ambient beauty or pulsing with ferocious intensity. Their familiar sound is comforting but in no way trite; its quiet strength gives the album its signature voice. Kind of post-rock, kind of slowcore, and definitely epic, Unlearn are a band to watch in 2009. Hearing debut albums with such promise like this are what keeps the epic instrumental community going strong and constantly inviting of new artists to try their hand at the trade that has maybe never been a monetarily sound venture, but always keeps heads turning and hearts aching. Emo? Quite. But so true. Get emo with the gorgeous soundscapes of Unlearn on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 151 - January 28th, 2009

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:00:00 CST

(Giuseppe Ielasi - Aix) Music from Italy, even when it's dusty and sparse, always sounds classier. The composer's new release contains the same kind of airy haze of ambient perfection that we've come to rely on him for, but the songs are briefer, more constrained, and less expansive than usual. For other artists, this would be a step backward. But for Ielasi, it makes his mini-epics shine and breathe in a way that's particularly relieving and sunny in the middle of January. Organic sounds with an electronic aesthetic resonate throughout the record, but aside from the occassional bright keybaord, the instruments aren't recognizable, which is a trademark for the musician, proving that music can be both nebulous and relaxing, complicated and simple at once. Get your chance to give a listen to 2009's first Instrumental Recod of the Week on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 150 - January 7th, 2009

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:00:00 CST

Check out this podcast for the top 24 instrumental records of 2008 as determined by nowlikephotographs. For a complete list visit nowlikephotographs.com

Episode 149 - December 31st, 2008

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:00:00 CST

(This Is Your Captain Speaking - Eternal Return) Swollen and stacked with glitter and gold, the Australian four-piece knows how to layer guitar tones in the most affecting and heart-wrenching ways. This, their sophomore effort, is a collection of only five tracks whose lengths usually hover around the 9-minute mark, so thirsts for their dynamic compositions should be quenched, yet they jampack every second with so much breathtaking beauty that you’re still left yearning for more at its denouement. The tension builds and builds throughout each movement like doves soaring off the ground in rapid succession, but like a metaphorical flock of the divine white birds, TIYCS do it with natural grace and supreme effortless. Truly they are the captains of this listening voyage, and while the ride does get bumpy at times, we have them to trust in and let guide us through the storms. All aboard with a free track via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 148 - December 24th, 2008

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Grails - Doomsdayer's Holiday) The magnanimous Portland collective is back and are just as woody and terrestrial as ever, with billowing green melodies and living breathing crescendos, but this time it’s not just war of the forest animals, it’s also joyous. On this bitter Christmas eve, we offer you a track from an album full of zest and pompousity, but the kind that’s refreshing and trance-inducing, not overwrought and unnecessarily complex. The arrangements are savage at times, but always intensely human. The fright that often accompanies the unorthodox players’ organics and blackened exterior doesn’t originate from a place of evil, but rather from a vacation from the good vs. evil categorization that plagues major keys vs. minor ones, like their open-ended title might suggest. The songs rock, but they don’t explode. They simmer with ferocity, but they don’t lose sight of the object at hand: reverence for the breaks from life we so often take for granted. Get away from it all on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 147 - December 17th, 2008

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:00:00 CST

(The Samuel Jackson Five - Goodbye Melody Mountain) Darkly melodic and rambunctiously inventive is not an easy combination to make. Nevertheless, Oslo’s awesomely named The Samuel Jackson 5 complete this ambitious task in spades. The third release for the good-natured but brooding Nords is the aural equivalent of a midnight moon bath: steeped in suspense and blackness, but also richly rewarding and transcendent. Not only this, but just like the creatures that go bump in the night, you never know when the album is going to thrash and go wild. Out from the textured acoustics and strings come blasts of distortion and angular riffage from hell. How creepily delightful! And there’s more in store just for you via the nowlikephotographs podcast!

Episode 146 - December 10th, 2008

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Chemtrails - Terminals) Like NLP faves The Bird Ensemble and local trio History, newbies to the program Chemtrail have realized and effectively harnessed the power of the xylophone. Cutting through the air with swift might, with appropriate amounts of hopeful guitar reverb intertwining of course, plus confident splashes of cymbals and snare, this Asbury Park, New Jersey outfit demands attention from the get go of their sophomore effort, Terminals. It’s warm and familiar, and yet bursting with energy, passion, and a vivacity that might just make you jump on your couch, headphones on or not, and scream to the heavens…figuratively of course. It’s not like we actually did that. No…that would be…CRAZY. Lose your marbles with a track from Chemtrail on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 145 - December 3rd, 2008

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Jóhann Jóhannsson - Fordlândia) With the world looking bleak lately due to the recession and Iceland doing worse than most it’s good to see that music hasn’t suffered one bit. In fact it is thriving with the sounds to define these moments. Icelandic based composer Jóhann is doing just that and is back with his 2nd release in the trilogy dedicated to American brand names. A theme that seems more appropriate these last few weeks than ever. His first release was inspired by his fathers work on IBM mainframe computers but this release has a more organic feel combining traditional neoclassical style with haunting ambience. Jóhann has also been busy with his side projects Apparat Organ Quartet and Kitchen Motors, the later being an art think tank in his home country and the former being a band with a great instrumental record.

Episode 144 - November 26th, 2008

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:00:00 CST

(AristeiA - How to Kill a King) Positively classic. We’ve said over and over again basically the same thing about every sock-knocking post-rock record: “this record reminds us of the reason we started this radio show in the first place.” And while it’s been true every time we’ve said it, it just has to be emphasized again for the little-known Portland quartet AristeiA. Self-released by the band and available for free download via Internet Archive, the DIY ethic combined with the exquisitely rendered orchestration of thrashing guitars makes for the ultimate diamond in the rough. Alternately gently symphonic and brutally raw, the melodies glide swiftly from point A to point B, only hovering and breathing when absolutely necessary. In fact, the packaging in which we received our copy is soft and suede, but also hand-sewn with sinewy seams, awesomely matching the music within, of which you can get a sample here.

Episode 143 - November 19th, 2008

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:00:00 CST

(The American Dollar - A Memory Stream) After hearing the bands second release last year we realized that MySpace (or self released digital music in general) is the way to go. The quality and appeal of the music was some of the best we’ve heard and it makes it even sweater to know that the band not having a record label is not because they can’t get one. This time the duo is back with their 3rd release. The piano and keyboards still have the spacey echo effect that makes you want to turn all the lights off and just stair at the ceiling.

Episode 142 - November 12th, 2008

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Adventure - Adventure) Like The Field did last year with From Here We Go Sublime, Baltimore’s Benny Boeldt is turning the definition of “epic instrumental” on its head. And like that aforementioned Stockholm electronica artist, Adventure uses the gizmo/gadget method to sound minimal but bright, mechanical but human. The similarities end there, however. Like a fellow Carpark artist who doesn’t get enough credit for his instrumental tracks (Mr. Dan Deacon), Boeldt pummels the listener with cherubic grit beats and spinning synths, focusing on the uplifting part of epic rather than the depressing part. The album whizzes by with melodies so sweet they could decay your teeth, but it does so with such genuine honesty that we can’t help but feature it as our Instrumental Record of the Week.

Episode 141 - November 5th, 2008

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Mogwai - The Hawk is Howling) Oh my. Mogwai is back and this time they forgot the vocals. The group has been arguably one of the largest in the epic instrumental scene with the likes of Godspeed and Explosions. We’re very happy to see them returning to their roots on this one. They’ve managed to get much darker and heavier with the guitars while still keeping the overal tone uplifting in a slow but aggressively driving way. Their work with Clint Mansell feels embeded in to the songs and this record would make a great soundtrack for your day.

Episode 140 - October 29th, 2008

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Hauschka - Ferndorf) Neo-classical hasn’t had a nice kick in the pants for a long while, but Dusseldorf-based Volker Bertelmann is ready to give it to the genre with all his might. His trademark “prepared piano” sound twinkles along modestly and curiously as usual, which is pleasant and soothing enough, only to be completely sawed away by triumphant trombones, slinking violins, and bellowing cello. What’s most amazing, however, is the record’s ability to never come off as overblown or melodramatic (admittedly a downfall of even the best epic instrumentalists). It’s beautiful, touching, and still even-handed. Now that’s what we call neo-classical, on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 139 - October 22nd, 2008

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:00:00 CST

(You.May.Die.In.The.Desert - Bears In The Yukon ) Originally released in Japan in 2007, this raucous Seattle-based trio has found its way onto domestic label The Mylene Sheath (home to other NLP post-rock favorites Gifts From Enola and Giants) and rereleased this mighty fine mini-album. We're happy we now have a copy and can officially put this delay pedal-obsessed hard-edged outfit in the running for the Top 24 Epic Instrumental Records of the Year now (there's a great Jatun remix this time too!). Hear the explosion of rawk via the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 138 - October 22ndth, 2008

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Akira Kosemura - Tiny Musical) Quite possibly the prettiest music to ever come out of Tokyo, Kosemura's second solo release (third if you count his split LP with fellow minimalist gorgeous music maker Haruka Nakamura from last year, which neared the top of our year-end list) grabs you by the heart and never lets go. Specializing in meditative acoustic guitar and electronic loops this time around, with less focus on the heavenly piano that filled his 2007 debut, the album feels both genuinely eclectic and reflective.

Episode 137 - October 8th, 2008

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Pivot - O Soundtrack My Heart) Pivot is back and once again the Australia + UK based group has done a bangup job of balancing rock and electronica in a way that nowlikephotographs loves. They've even thrown in some choppy vocalish sounds but don't worry it's still instrumental. This one is even more light hearted than the last one but maintains the epic sound that drives albums to record of the week. They've posted a free track at pivotpivot.net so check that out for more off the album.

Episode 136 - October 1st, 2008

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Moonlit Sailor - A Footprint Of Feelings) Our radio show was founded on shimmering elegant post-rock and it's quite appropriate that upon our biannual fundraiser, we are highlighting a perfect example of the unmistakable style that makes us melt every time we hear it. This Swedish outfit's beautifully sad and triumphant riffs complement the soft seascape of their album cover perfectly; the fact that they were able to construct such immaculate melodies at a DIY level, self-producing and self-releasing this must-own disc is all the more reason to listen to this episode..

Episode 135 - September 24th, 2008

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Talkdemonic - Eyes at Half Mast) Instrumental music can cross a lot of traditional genres or even mold them together. Folk though is not one that is typically brought in to the mix. Talkdemonic does just that with a light airy album that throws a banjo in for good measure. There is still the crescendos, the strings, the lonely keyboard and all the other things that typically go in to an epic instrumental album but the uplifting spirit and folk twang spins this is new lights.

Episode 134 - September 17th, 2008

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Near The Parenthesis - L'eixample) Tim Arndt's smooth and luscious bedroom electronica has such a lived in sound that it gives the music a profound sense of place. Fittingly, the San Franciscan crafted these tunes in response to his recent travels through the majestic and romantic city of Barcelona. Even the glitches of static and cloudy globules of piled high keyboards sound like the city: a glorious blend of rested and passionate. Whether the songs lean toward spacey with effects or barebones with just a piano and field recordings, NTP is certainly welcome on nowlikephotographs and its podcast.

Episode 133 - September 10th, 2008

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Canyonsofstatic - The Disappearance) Just a little to the east from us, this West Bend four-piece crafts some of the most haunting and brutal signature guitar tones this side of guitar-led instrumental music. It might have something to do with the fact that they began solidifying their sound in an unheated Wisconsin practice space in the dead of winter or it might just be the mixture of coldly confident percussion, ice-melting keyboard inflections, and glacial voiceless melodies.

Episode 132 - September 3rd, 2008

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Obfusc - Cities of Cedar) Brooklyn native Joseph X. Burke's full-length debut has been a much anticipated arrival at NLP headquarters. Like his previous EPs, the warm electronics here float effortlessly like opaque analog clouds being penetrated by steadfast glitched-out sun rays. Other Boltfish artists provide just as impressive remixes of some of the album's songs as the ultimate bonus toward the disc's end as well.

Episode 131 - August 27th, 2008

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Engine7 - Me, But Perfect) Usually it sounds forced and schmaltzy to call an electronic record "emotional," but there really is no other way to describe this Glasgow artist's latest release. Rich and textured with sounds both jarring and sweeping (even a little non-lyrical pulsing vocal work to boot) make this top shelf material for the NLP library this year. Right down to the so-true-it-hurts album title, Engine7 proves that it really is okay to get a little emo with computer music.

Episode 130 - August 20th, 2008

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Bosques de mi Mente - Ruido Blanco) Many good things come from Spain and Bosques de mi Mente is another one of them. The sad and longing sound of minimalist piano and guitar will be no longer since the self-produced and self-released project is over after this this which is his 3rd release. The album was released after he moved to Madrid, away from his friends and family. It sounds like the move did him well musically with this release being one of the deepest and thought provoking of anything done previously.

Episode 129 - August 13th, 2008

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Jet Black Crayon) Former professional skateboarder Tommy Guerrero (whose solo music is equally as masterful) and ex-Swell member Monte Vallier team up with the owner of their label, Gadget, for their fifth release full of moody soundtrack-esque music. In fact, the LP even comes with a DVD full of short films accompanying tracks from the album. Covering the spectrum with shimmering guitar, simmering percussion, waggish bass lines, and even dialogue samples, you know want to hear some on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 128 - August 6th, 2008

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Burbis - Curse of the Golden Dracula) We're proud to present the triumphant return to post-rock here at NLP with the Brooklyn band's reinvigoration of the genre on their debut release. Not afraid to incorporate multiple synth layers and acoustic instruments alongside their distorted metal-esque leanings, in just seven tracks, the quartet featuring three brothers aims at redefining a raw and energizing version of the genre that NLP was founded upon more than three years ago.

Episode 127 - July 30th, 2008

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Ciaran Byrne - Nine Lives Causeway) Sculpting gentle bedroom electronica with a death race pulse, the Dublin composer deftly weaves the sublime with the ethereal without ever coming across as a two-bit commoner with a laptop. Ciaran's beats are strewn about sporadically, but the synthetic inflections live and breath an air that is both warmly familiar and impressively incomprehensible. His voice is fragile yet enigmatically encompassing, and it's delicately yearning to be heard.

Episode 126 - July 23rd, 2008

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Tape - Luminarium) More than ever before, the Swedish trio's name truly informs the style of meek epic instrumental music they compose. Every instrument, whether it be a sprinkling of electric guitar or a dripping of melodica, feels very individualized and spaciously growing on its own and yet, every sound is delicately taped together, as if recording music in this digital age were as homemade and quiet as we'd all like it to be. They are idealists and naturalists, indeed, but they succeed in a very real and modern way. Take in a soft and contemplative song on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 125 - July 16th, 2008

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Ratatat - LP3) On paper, Ratatat read like a rote exercise in riff showmanship, but in practice, the duo are experts in continually renovating the guitar's function in electronic and rock music. By incorporating the sublime, the suspenseful, and the instrumental in refreshing and multi-faceted ways with each album, the instantly familiar Ratatat sound never gets stale. Really, no band deserves any kind of "gimmick stigma" when they're capable of such refinement and transcendence, as can be witnessed on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 124 - July 9th, 2008

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Twine - Violets) By one-half of this Baltimore duo file-sharing sparse, glistening electric guitar parts and the other responsible for sputtering yet extremely calculated beats and samples, a true combination of two ages of epic instrumental music has occurred. Sequestering cries from anti-war rallies and ancient dictaphone recordings atop the gorgeous mood pieces is just the icing on the proverbial cake. Drop yourself in the bliss with a track on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 123 - July 2nd, 2008

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Our Sleepless Forest) Despite epic instrumental music's tendency to break sonic boundaries, the avant-garde doesn't get incorporated with the genre's staple moody crescendos nearly as often as it should. The new South London trio's debut album on the reliable Resonant Label does exactly that, and it's both intensely beautiful and strangely otherworldly. Their moniker is actually a perfect explication of their intimate naturalist meets wide-eyed insomniac sound. Get absorbed with a free track on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 122 - June 25th, 2008

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:00:00 CST

(SubtractiveLAD - Apparatus) Blending two subgenres with prowess is remarkable enough, but when Stephen Hummel created Apparatus, he blended two subgenres that have become staples here on NLP: warm bedroom electronica and glistening shoegaze. The resulting tracks alternate between the two as well as combine them effortlessly, even heading into beaming ambient territory at points. Largely electric and electronic, but oh so human. All this and more can be yours on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 121 - June 18th, 2008

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Emanuele Errante - Humus) Like its album cover, the Italian ambient composer's usic sprouts delicately but confidently from the soil, entrancing the listeners in earthly swells, airy piano loops, and wispy melodies. Errante doesn't shimmer like the rest of them, though. His incorporation of the rich and organic alongside the laggard and synthetic make it ripe for consumption on a humid summer day. Let the music consume you with a track from the record on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 120 - June 11th, 2008

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:00:00 CST

(My Education - Bad Vibrations) There's something about a crisp clean guitar melody being swept away by a deft string arrangment that just does the trick every time. These Austinites have figured out how to master this instrumental motif (while retaining a truly distinct and dusty center) amongst many others on their third full-length, which come out courtesy of Strange Attractors Audio House, where a couple other NLP masters reside (Paik, Landing). Hear and example of the mastery on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 119 - June 4th, 2008

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Matmos - Supreme Balloon) Conceptual and cerebral soundscapers Drew Daniel and M.C. Schmidt use only synthetsizers to create their most NLP-friendly album yet. It's still glitchy and deconstructed like all the best Matmos records, but finally there are no vocals to add a linguistic layer of puzzling riddles on top of their already meticulously crafted electronic music. At times ambient and calming, the album also plays with the smoothness of the synthesizer to create tense suspense. Expand your brain with a track on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 118 - May 28th, 2008

Wed, 28 May 2008 21:00:00 CST

(L'Ocelle Mare - Porte D'Octobre) - The frenchman behind the insane electrified classical guitar compositions of Cheval de Frise is back, this time more subdued and even a little weirder. Experimental neo-classical music drenched in silence, tension, and the sound of rustic metal scraping across the concrete all meld together to form a singular experience in this single piece spread across seven tracks.

Episode 117 - May 21st, 2008

Wed, 21 May 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Dosh - Wolves and Wishes) As many Twin Cities clubgoers can attest, local man Martin Dosh's setup and performance technique is meticulously unique and superhumanly impressive. Surrounded by a circular perimeter of drums, samplers, a xylophone, a Rhodes piano, and many more gadgets, the half-man/half-octopus precisely and elegantly constructs and loops riffs upon melodies upon rhythms upon...and so on and so forth.

Episode 116 - May 14th, 2008

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Hammock - Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow) Sinewy and airy, the Nashville duo have constructed a masterful ambient album chock full of tunes that are so well connected they feel like strong yet slacked strings between tin cans. Full of space to move around in but also varied between shaking guitar sheets and gentle keyboard shifts, their audio contribution to the latest Riceboy Sleeps (aka Jonsi from Sigur Ros) art project is a piece of art unto itself. Gaze into their art with your ears on the nowlikephotogrpahs podcast.

Episode 115 - May 7th, 2008

Wed, 07 May 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Anders Ilar - Sworn) The first time you hear this record I hope it's really dark out. I also hope you're alone. As bizzare as that sounds there's something very intimate about this electronica record from one-man band Anders Ilar that makes me not want to share it with many others. The 6th record from the Swedish master mind, he's jumped around a few labels and is now on Level Records. Luckily we're sharing it with you so enjoy an intimate moment between you and the nlp podcast.

Episode 114 - April 30th, 2008

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Russian Circles - Station) Perfecting the mathy post-metal sound they pummeled out on their last Record of the Week, Enter, this Chicago trio have cemented their place in the epic instrumental canon with their latest offering. Whether it's the icey cold darkness of their heavier-than-thou guitar workouts or the heavenly delay pedal exercises that break up the earsplitting moments, Russian Circles know how to please fans of both sides of the post-rock equation without giving into the quiet-loud-quiet cliche.

Episode 113 - April 23rd, 2008

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:00:00 CST

(The Drft - Memory Drawings) By turns spacious and optimistically cluttered, The Drift ebbs and flows along with glossy reverberated guitar work interwoven with jazz-minded brass melody. In front of pulsing bass and drum rhythmic patterns, introspective guitars gradually give way to a trumpet's blare, descending into tremolo and eventually back to earth. Displaying their deft melding of dynamic post-rock and jazz tendencies, Memory Drawings is The Drift's sophomore effort, out on renowned label Temporary Residence.

Episode 112 - April 16th, 2008

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Strategy - Music for Lamping) Ambient music typically fits best late at night while laying in bed and listening to the rain or while reflecting on the day's events (or any epic moment when you're left with your thoughts for that matter). But something is different with Strategy. It's forward looking . With field samples of running water and cyclic droning it makes you think of things coming fresh and new. Transforming ambient instrumental music from intraverted to extraverted for the spring time.

Episode 111 - April 9th, 2008

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Tomasz Bednarczyk - Summer Feelings) This neo-classical Polish composer was only born in 1986 and he already has his sophomore effort out on the label who has brought the experimental genius of Tim Hecker and Lawrence English. Rightly so, his static swashes and understated but sprightly piano atmospheres sound youthful and fervent while still mature and utterly relaxing. He already has another release slated for later this year, so watch out epic instrumental music lovers, Tomasz is on his way to becoming a highly revered prolific artist, even if he still is working toward that University degree.

Episode 110 - April 2nd, 2008

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:00:00 CST

(The Abassi Brothers - Something Like Nostalgia) It won't be available to the public until July, but we're just too excited about this album to wait until then to tell you about it. The brotherly Berkeley duo of Amman and Yousuf meld seemingly every aspect of the spectrum of gorgeous epic instrumental music. Covering every base, including ambient swells, bedroom electronica skitters, post-rock crescendos, and starry melodic gutiars that bend and shimmer like the moonlight on your pillow.

Episode 109 - March 26th, 2008

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Startle the Heavens - Find Yourself Here)The perfect synthesis of the warm inviting guitars that sparkle their way through the most carefully crafted post-rock and the distant washes and atmospherics of the most human ambient record. Alabama composer Ben Leopard knows how to exquisitely combine the tiny sounds of bells, loops, and vibraphone into the solo guitar landscape that is becoming more and more popular in the epic instrumental genre. Kudos go out to the DIY musician that manages to sound like he's a 100-piece orchestra while still sounding modest.

Episode 108 - March 19th, 2008

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Unwed Sailor - Little Wars) Sunny but sad guitars with hooks that are so memorable, you'd swear you were listening to pop music. This is what NLP favorite Unwed Sailor were known for in their beginnings. Then they added a drowsy ambient component along with some neo-classical tinkerings in the last couple of discs. Finally, the band has successfully incorporated all of their beloved styles into one bursting-at-the-seams full-length.

Episode 107 - March 12th, 2008

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Colorlist - Lists) The saxophone isn't an instrument you're likely to hear on a nowlikephotographs featured record of the week. Neither crushing guitars nor thrashing percussion will you hear on the Chicago outfit's debut record - and yet, it is not ambient music either. Touches like the prominent sax and unsuspecting yet exquisitely crafted electronics make Colorlist's album mood music that you can't ignore. It's the perfect genre-defying rainy day album that is as cohesive as it is undefinable.

Episode 106 - March 5th, 2008

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Luga - Sending Triangles) There's a reason for the oceanic color on the cover for Lewis Broad-Ashman's newest release. His pulsing and gyrating synthesizers swirl in heavenly doses throughout his bedroom electronica album, almost as if drowning in the depths of a futuristic Atlantic was the inspiration for these pieces. At times outwardly friendly and at other desolate and sorrowful, Luga is a welcome addition to this budding genre of epic electronic music.

Episode 105 - February 27th, 2008

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:00:00 CST

(This Will Destroy You - This Will Destroy You) Crecendo, bombastic, explosive...epic. These are a few of our favorite adjectives to descibe the core nowlikephotograph music that initially drew the instrumental genre together for us. So we always have a special place in our heart for groups that are in that same vain and This Will Destory you is swimming with these adjectives. Just listen to the nowlikephotograph podcast and you'll feel like you now have the soundtrack to go save the world.

Episode 104 - February 20th, 2008

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Dom Mino' - Time Lapse) Inviting, warm, and friendly aren't usually adjectives ascribed to the world of epic instrumental music. London native Domenico Mino' has managed to prove us otherwise with his very unique organically alive electronic debut. Smiling xylophones shuffle playfully alongside skittering electronic drums, never pulsating as loud as most computerized music, but also never drifting into ambience either. It's quite the fascinating playground of sounds he has created, and we're glad to have a new voice.

Episode 103 - February 13th, 2008

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Talkingmakesnosense - The Winter Drones) If you live in Minneapolis you know the winter drones all too well. This record couldn't have better timing when temperatures haven't broke freezing in months and its dark the majority of the days. Put a record on like this and you'll find peace with the ambient sounds that harmonize with your surroundings. Watch the snow, stay up late and listen to this by candle light. It's that kind of record.

Episode 102 - February 6th, 2008

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:00:00 CST

(Balmorhea - Rivers Arms) Weepy naturalism bleeds across the fully realized second full-length by the Austin duo without ever getting too sentimental. It's a miraculous feat, given the nature of their quivering piano-led tracks or the breezy yet nervous string-laden compositions that seem to alternate throughout the disc. Somehow though, they have done it in a very understated and incredibly sophisticated manner, without ever sounding above their notes. They hold their music close to their hearts, but always put the craft before excess - hear this rare achievement for yourself.

Episode 101 - January 30th, 2008

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:00:00 CST

(Human Bell - Human Bell) A couple of guitars have never sounded so relaxing and simultaneously sprawling at the same time. The new duo on Tortoise's home label is exciting and comfortably familiar at the same time, never focusing on being obtrusively distorted or overtly epic (that's not a bad thing!), but rather going for understated and modest melodies that weave in and out of consciousness. It's the kind of soft workmanship that has gone missing in our flash-bang society. Hear Human Bell tickle your senses without blowing them away.

Episode 100 - January 23rd, 2008

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:00:00 CST

(Yasushi Miura - Meek) The new short release from the ever talented yet mysteriously elusive Japanese artist is definitely a departure from the last record of his that we featured, Eternal Clash. Rather than focusing on busting our heads apart with spazzed-out sequencers and death-defying breakcore, he's brought it down a notch and worried about tickling us with off-kilter lullabies of the glitchy persuasion. Who ever saidelectronic music can't be experimental and epic.

Episode 99 - January 20th, 2008

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:00:00 CST

(Absent Sound - Gathering of the Clan Mothers) Not officially released until March 1st, we got our hands on an advance copy of this Canadian outfit's newest disc to get you excited for a very epic instrumental 2008. Listening to their string-laden atmospherics, juggling both neo-classical and post-rock aesthetics, finding out that they're most notorious for their collaborations with art installations comes to no surprise. Often including everything from film projection to contemporary dancers, this is the definition of sprawling instrumental art rock.

Episode 98 - January 13th, 2008

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 18:00:00 CST

(Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood Soundtrack) No film score has perked our eardrums this much since our beloved Clint Mansell-penned soundtrack for The Fountain back in 2006. When Radiohead's guitarist gets behind an orchestra to fill the silence for a Paul Thomas Anderson film about a power-hungry oil mogul in the early 1900s, though, you know something powerful is going to come out of it. More creepy, piercing, and richer than any other film music in the past year, this is the first instrumental record of the week for 2008.

Top 24 Instrumental Records of 2007 Count Down Sample

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:00:00 CST

Hear clips from some of the top 24 instrumental records of 2007.

Episode 97 - December 30th, 2007

Sun, 30 Dec 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Sankt Otten - Wuden Gibt Es Immer Wieder) The always consistent digital label Hidden Shoal bring us the final Instrumental Record of the Week for 2007. From Germany, the kraut influence is slight in Sankt Otten's more confident sophomore effort, but stll sets their brand of soft cinematic music apart from their bland contemporaries. The tone is varied too, from weepy to creepy, you're only getting a glance of this symphonic masterpiece on this week's podcast.

Episode 96 - December 23rd, 2007

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Japancakes - Loveless) Hailing from Athens Georgia with a unique sound lead by a slide guitar, Japancakes was one of the first bands to win the hearts of nowlikephotograph fans. They are back with a new twist doing a cover CD of the My Bloody Valentine release Loveless. A little less slide guitar on this one but they make up for it by somehow translating the vocal melodies to instrumental form. The band even recorded this in seperate sessions, never actually performing at the same time during recordings. See how it all comes together on this week's nowlikephotograph podcast.

Episode 95 - December 16th, 2007

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Akira Kosemura and Haruka Nakamra - Afterglow) They're both quiet, they're both elegant, and they're both from Tokyo, but the subtle differences in these two composers' aesthetics and how they make them work together are what make this collaborative LP stand out in the crowd of epic instrumental music this year. Akira is the master of the rich neo-classical piano layering and Haruka perfects the sparse crackling guitar lines, so combining the two with soft electronic flourishes creates an instrumental sound that is never too airy, but never too convoluted either. Enjoy the duality on this week's nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 94 - December 9th, 2007

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Olafur Arnalds - Eulogy for Evolution) Guaranteed to make even the meanest souls weep, this 20-year-old Icelandic composer knows how to tug at your heartstrings. He know how because he employs the most angelic piano melodies, symphonic soundscapes, and gentlest percussion known to humanity. As the title suggests, his debut full-length isn't just a eulogy for one man, it's the eulogy for all mankind.

Episode 93 - December 2nd, 2007

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:00:00 CST

(To Be a High Powered Executive - We Don't Want it Safe, We Want it Secret) We love new music at nowlikephotographs, especially when it's from a new artist with a clever name. This Ohio 5-piece is doing the classic epic instrumental post-rock but with a lighter/happier twist. The xylophone reminds us of Christmas time and we've got an early present for you on the nowlikephotographs podcast.

Episode 92 - November 25th, 2007

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Swod - Sekunden) Gentle piano, field recordings, and film dialogue samples combine for neoclassical excellence on the German duo's second full-length. Electronic manipulation underscores the organic material, but is always subtle enough to emphasize the dramatic and hypnotic headphone-friendly album, and never distract from it.

Episode 91 - November 18th, 2007

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Holy Fuck - LP) Swearing can be fun. Swearing can be forceful. Toronto's Holy Fuck can do both ' to the nth degree. Without the wail of a voice or a wicked guitar solo, Holy Fuck have to make every snare hit, every cymbal crash, every keystroke or ivory chord sound like a sack of bricks socking you in the face. While its intensity is by far the dominating factor on the LP, it'd be unfair not to mention that this intensity has a playful heart at its center. This isn't just crass noisy rock music minus guitars and singing. This is gorgeous melodic crassness that pleases the ear just as much as it deafens it. This album is bona fide proof that rock music can be genuinely enjoyable and experimental at the same time, even if you can't shout along to its choruses.

Episode 90 - November 11th, 2007

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Last Days - These Places are Now Ruins) Ambient music for the non-believers of ambient music. Graham Richardson piles on layers and layers of straightforward acoustic and electric guitar, meditative piano, and even sparse percussion on his 2nd release. Underneath all this, he also includes the classic swooshes and lulls of airy sound you'd expect from Eno disciples, but with a human and naturalistic touch unfound in today's ambient musical landscape.

Episode 89 - November 4th, 2007

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Citizens of Ice Cream - The End) Here is a whole new band to get excited about. They're coming from Malaysia with the first proper release following up a demo in 2005. Rumors have been floating around that they may be breaking up soon (hence the name of the release) but hopefully that's not the case. As with the real stuff, we want a second scoop.

Episode 88 - October 28th, 2007

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Sleeping in Gethsemane - The Great White North) Loud instru-metal post-rock is possibly the last thing you'd expect to surface in Fargo, but here it comes, rumbling at the seams with only one guitar, one bass, and one explosive drumkit. Live, the band turn the venue ghostly with only a small array of bright white lights sitting on the floor in an otherwise pitch black cavern, creating for a doom-laden effect interlaced with gorgeous multi-layered fretwork invading your ears. Howling screams picked up only by amp and drum mics perfect the balance of destruction and beauty.

Episode 87 - October 21st, 2007

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Tarentel - Ghetto Beats on the Surface of the Sun) One of the staple nowlikephotgraph artists. Tarentel has taken their vinyl only releases of "Ghetto Beats On The Surface Of The Sun" Volume 1 through 4 and put them in to a double disc CD of nearly two hours of glorious ambience broken up with crazy beats. Listening to the release straight through will make you feel like running a marathon - exhausted but extremely satisfied.

Episode 86 - October 14th, 2007

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Torngat - You Could Be) The debut full-length from the Canadian trio may share a french horn player with the similarly-minded orchestral instrumental collective Bell Orchestre, but Torngat is a completely different animal unto themselves. While the Arcade Fire offshoot went for a beauty through destruction approach for their strings-meets-rock symphonics, the compositions on You Could Be hint at a gentler childlike inkling and pastel expressionism. It's slight without being ignorable and twinkling without being too cutesy. It's more free new music that is gorgeous and ear-catching.

Episode 85 - October 7th, 2007

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:00:00 CST

(French Teen Idol - The Enlightened False Consciousness) Solo artist Andrea Di Carlo is not anything like the American TV talent show that resembles his project's name. He hails from Rome, Italy which braggably makes him a Romanian - the most epic of all cities. His music is the perfect balance of electronica, ambience and voice samples.

Episode 84 - September 30th, 2007

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Caspian - The Four Trees) Finding a balance between heavy and heavenly could easily be classified as an impossible task. Luckily, Caspian's debut full-length defies expectations and crafts an immaculate blend of angelic guitars and swarming volume. The band's compositions embrace the post-rock ethic, but ultimately strive for a calvalcade of otherworldly emotions to besiege the ears, mind, and body rather than the rote exercises of loud-quiet-loud-quiet. As is the case with the best epic instrumental releases, though, the music speaks best on its own, without the restrictions of lyrics.

Wordless Music Series Podcast

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:00:00 CST

Radio K and Nowlikephotographs are proud to present the first Wordless Music Series concert event outside of New York City. Valgeir Sigurasson has produced and worked with M'm, CocoRosie, and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Nico Muhly has composed and worked with Bjork, Antony and the Johnsons, and Philip Glass. It's at The Southern Theater - Doors at 8pm - All Ages. Wordless Music is devoted to the idea that the sound worlds of classical and contemporary instrumental music ' in genres such as indie rock and electronica ' share more in common than conventional thinking might suggest. The series pairs rock and electronic musicians in an intimate concert setting with more traditionally understood classical and chamber music performers. Wordless Music brings diverse audiences together and introduces listeners of both classical and contemporary music to composers that they might otherwise not encounter, for a completely new concert experience.

Episode 83 - September 23rd, 2007

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:00:00 CST

(The Severely Departed - Self Titled) This self released and self titled album is the first for the Brooklyn based two piece. It's the perfect pairing of loud metal inspired cresendo's preceded by slow and moving piano parts. It's like you get two great instrumental artists for the price of one and the music just begs to define the word 'epic' so of course we love it. They're hard at work already on a follow up to this release and recently added a third memeber.

Episode 82 - September 16th, 2007

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Low in the Sky - We Are All Counting On You, William) People stopped using the term "folktronica" when Four Tet stopped sampling so many acoustic instruments and The Books started actually playing their guitars. Nevertheless, there's not really a better term to describe the unique glitchy-yet-melodic mood that Ohio's Low in the Sky provide on their 2nd full-length album of miniature epics. Guitars that are both gritty and hazy lay on top of dirty percussion and buried samples, creating a organic electro playground of fractured melodies that still sound coherent and inspired.

Episode 81 - September 9th, 2007

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Relative Q - Small Craft Exercise Caution) Regardless of the various illegal ways that the majority of music listeners add to their digital record collections anyway, it is still rare when an artist and/or label just straight up gives you want you want. The net label One offers several epic instrumental releases for free download including the recent masterful blend of ambience, swirling free jazz, and drone rock by Relative Q. It's the kind of album that both embraces the progress of technology and music, but still makes you want to curl up with your laptop in bed on a dreary day and pretend it's good old fashioned record. It's so good it should make you want to show your love by donating to the label, because that's what true music fans do - show their appreciation for the music.

Episode 80 - September 2nd, 2007

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Cue - Wedding Song) Epic can be cheerful as Cue demonstrates on their second full length. Coming from Austin, this 4-piece uses every type of instrument imaginable to create a folk chamber sound like no other instrumental record of the week has before. From violin to glockenspiel, this orchestral outfit has a knack for never sounding hollow - always rich.

Episode 79 - August 26th, 2007

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 18:00:00 CST

After a slew of rock records dominating the charts here at Nowlikephotographs, we present you with some gorgeous minimalist instrumental music by the Brooklyn artist Redhooker. Featuring stylish Rhodes piano, somber and subtle strings, and whispy clarinet, this is truly unique modern instrumental music that's not quite classical, not quite ambient, but assuredly relaxing, moving, and heartfelt.

Episode 78 - August 19th, 2007

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Tunturia - aps) Epic music is back in style with Tunturia's first release ever. It's been awhile since we've had a massivly open, echoeing snare drum, crescendoing album full of goodness for the record of the week but here it is. Back to our roots; this is the kind of stuff you want to listen to on a rainy day or late at night when you can't sleep.

Episode 77 - August 12th, 2007

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Johnnytwentythree - JXXIII) A bold marching snare drum leads the melancholic angst of epic instrumental post-rock Ohio outfit Johnnytwentythree's first proper release that they released themselves. Walls of guitars and ominous sampled speeches and diatribes line the doom-laden yet always hopeful follow up to their soundtrack for the short film "Thirty Pieces of Silver." Cinematic is definitely one way to describe their musical grandeur.

Episode 76 - August 5th, 2007

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 18:00:00 CST

(iRepress - Samus Octology) Instrumental post-hardcore for people who are sick of both hardcore and post-rock. This Boston outfit never sounds dull or lifeless nor do they aggravate or spazz out. Complex and restrained, chaotic and symphonic - iRepress are the instrumental rock band with chops that impress at their most quiet and their most erratic.

Episode 75 - July 29th, 2007

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Colleen - Les Ondes Silencieuses) The minimal neo-classical 4th album for the French songstress focuses on often forgotten instruments such as the viola da gamba and spinet. Sure, it's a bit haute couture, but th starkness of the instruments (her first without any tape or digital effects) utilizes silence to enrapture and calm. This a kind of ambient music that is few and far between nowadays, and it's nothing but simple beauty and elegance.

Episode 74 - July 22nd, 2007

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Damiak - Micalvera) Damiak is the moniker of Abe Dichi who is truely an international artist having lived in Europe, Mexio and the US. This is his much anticipated debut release on n5MD which was mastered by Valgeirs Sigurooson who did work with Mum, Bjork and Bonnie Prince Billy. Micalvera translates in to "My Skeleton" which is fitting for the sound of his work: encompassing field recordings, live instruments, and studio editing.

Episode 73 - July 15th, 2007

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Fridge - The Sun) There's been a surge of bands lately coming out with records when we thought they had broken up or forgot how amazing their music was (the latest Couch record?) and Fridge is back! This new one is much more straight forward than their last release, 2001's Happiness but it's equally as good. It's a little less electronic and a little more rock. Would you expect anything less epic from Four Tet and a Harvard student?

Episode 72 - July 8th, 2007

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Pelican - City of Echoes) Ah yes, the instrumental rock band that so many people lve to hate. Uber-heavy riffs, double-bass drumming that doesn't show off, and metal guitars that have "too much" shoegaze in their pedals, as if that's possible. Just as the xhardcorex kids are falling out of love, NLP falls deeper in love with the modest grandiosity that is Pelican's new record. Don't believe the anti-hype, they just wish they could write a soundtrack to a beautiful thunderstorm bettern than this Chicago post-rock mainstay.

Episode 71 - July 1st, 2007

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Maserati - Inventions for the New Season) It is with great pleasure that we are able to finally acknowledge the pummeling driving force of epic instrumental rock that is Georgia's Maserati. Their previous full-length, 2002's Language of Cities, was a revelatory introduction into the genre for NLP's hosts, and we hope their equally monumental new record can do the same for others. This time, they've got ex-!!! and LCD Soundsystem member Jerry Fuchs taking over the drumkit very capably and sweatily, while complex guitar manglings and monstrous bass lay on top of it all.

Episode 70 - June 24th, 2007

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 18:00:00 CST

(The Retail Sectors - Subject Unknown) Japan puts out a lot of great electronica and instrumental music and The Retail Sectors are no exception. It's the one man project of Kentaro Togawa with the first release on his very own Symbolic Interaction label. It's a refreshing take on epic rock that's upbeat and inspiring.

Episode 69 - June 17th, 2007

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 18:00:00 CST

(The Field - From Here We Go Sublime) Electronic music always inches its way onto the NLP playlist, but dance music we usually keep at bay. But what happens when dance music gets ambient and shoegazey? The Field happens, that's what. Tiny percussion and washed-out loops pervade over an hour's worth of hypnotizing lullabies for the hyperactive. Critically acclaimed by just about everyone, we cannot deny the breathtakingly original sounds that Swedish composer/DJ Axel Willner has created.

Episode 68 - June 10th, 2007

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 18:00:00 CST

(God is an Astronaut - Far From Refuge) This Dublin based 4-piece has put out yet another great record, this being their third, worthy of becoming an instrumental record of the week. This was is being produced by the band as well. While darker and more intense it keeps the crecendo-ing epic tone that we fall for every time. If you're in Europe check them out on tour and hopefully we'll see them state side some time soon.

Episode 67 - June 3rd, 2007

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Joy Wants Eternity - You Who Pretend to Sleep) We were big fans of this Seattle quintet when they sent us their DIY debut in a 100% wooden case when we started NLP in early 2005, so of course we're ecstatic that their first official full-length has finally arrived. Crushing, dense, and yet never too much for the ears, this is epic instrumental rock that will never leave you "waiting for the good part." And yet it's still light enough to float on the clouds and sun rays that grace the album cover.

Episode 66 - May 27th, 2007

Sun, 27 May 2007 18:00:00 CST

(The Bird Ensemble - Migration) The sister band of The Slow and Steady Winner, another NLP Record of the Week title-bearer, these Nashville musicians continue to amaze us with their blend of the hopeful and the downtrodden on two expansive compositions split across eight tracks. With the angular guitars of Chicago post-rock and the depressed slide guitars of the music their hometown's famous for, it's all brought together with an aura of epic that you gotta have.

Episode 65 - May 20th, 2007

Sun, 20 May 2007 18:00:00 CST

(65daysofstatic - The Destruction of Small Ideas) This is 65daysofstatic's third release and most crtically acclaimed; rightfully so. They are a 4-piece from the U.K. playing the classic epic instrumental post-rock that Now Like Photographs is rooted in. A good step into the more obscure instrumental scene from bigger name groups like Explosions and Mono.

Episode 64 - May 13th, 2007

Sun, 13 May 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Tuna Laguna - On To Tarmac) It's often difficult to infuse jazz, funk, and general silliness into the overly serious epic instrumental genre, but these Norwegians have done it. The thumb pianos, scattery percussion, and wandering guitars might sound off-putting at first, but their sound is so unique and intriguing that it's hard to hold it against them.

Episode 63 - May 6th, 2007

Sun, 06 May 2007 18:00:00 CST

(The Magic Lantern - In The Wet Morning Dew) This is definitely an epic EP coming from Sweden that features 2 tracks but over 20 minutes of music. Just look at the album cover to the left and you'll get an idea of what it sounds like - vast open echoing guitars that lull you into an ambient state of content.

Episode 62 - April 29th, 2007

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Grails - Dead Vine Blues) Psychedelia and "world" music have never really fit comfortably with the stately cinematic sounds of NLP before, but Grails manage to inject these visions into the genre effortlessly and flawlessly. On the esteemed TRL label for the first time, their haze, twang, and drone are more than welcome on their label and on our program.

Episode 61 - April 22nd, 2007

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Giants - They, the underserving) This is the 5-piece's 2nd release after a self-released EP back in 2005. This one found it's way to Medical Abuse Records for distribution. They're based out of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Chicago so hopefully we'll be seeing them real soon in the Twin Cities.

Episode 60 - April 15th, 2007

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Lymbyc Systym - Astrology Days) The official debut full-length fromthe Arizona duo is quite possibly the most perfect synthesis of post-rock and electronic music. We've been watching them grow over the past few years and when they opened for The Album Leaf last year, we knew they were going to pulverize the epic instrumental scene with a memorable record that rivals their awe-inspiring live performance.

Episode 59 - April 8th, 2007

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Salvatore - A is for Astroids) This is the 6th LP from the Nortweigen group. Released on New Years Day 2007, NLP finally got their hands on this and it was worth the wait. While the album title might not suggest it, the tracks are lighter then their previous ones making for a familiar yet new sound.

Episode 58 - April 1st, 2007

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Stars of the Lid - Apreludes in C Sharp Major) The legends of American ambient music have returned after six years with another double-disc album oozing with sorrow and even a bit of self-referential humor. From the behemoth release's title to a number of wittily titled tracks, SOTL have outdone themselves with menacing strings, calming horns, and their trademark pulsating drones.

Episode 57 - March 25th, 2007

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Message To Bears - Plane Over Evening Sky) Message To Bears is the moniker of Jerome Alexander from Bristol England and this is his debut recording that is being self-released through Myspace as well as distributed through Duotone Records if you're in Japan. Jerome's folk acoustic sound is pushing epic instrumental to even more traditionally defined genres.

Episode 56 - March 18th, 2007

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 18:00:00 CST

(Wes Willenbring - Sometimes) With only a guitar and a piano, this San Francisco composer creates somber ambient music that demands attention. Alternating between modified washes of minimalism and neo-classical fragility, Willenbring's arsenal of simplicity both soothes and tenses up the ears. What's even better is that Willenbring is just one of many fantastic instrumental artists we just found out about on the international label Hidden Shoal.

Episode 55 - March 11th, 2007

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 18:00:00 CST

Brightness never sounded so sorrowful. Blazing keys propel the Queens duo's second full-length album into an ethereal state of heavenly sadness. With layers and layers of sweeps and crashes, this is the perfect album to bring together fans of both ambient soundscapes and crushing epic rock music. Be sure to tune into the Real World this month to hear MTV use TAD's music to tug on your heartstrings and make you, if only for a second, care about obnoxious drunk people.

Episode 54 - March 4th, 2007

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 18:00:00 CST

This is the debut EP coming from the Los Angeles based quintet. Inspired by a Six Part Seven and M83 concert, this album keeps the tradition of epic instrumental music alive and screaming with reverb ridden guitars. Showing that ispiration doesn't stop at imitation, this self released EP keeps things epic, taking cues from their predecessors but never stopping, creating a droningly original sound.

Episode 53 - February 25th, 2007

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 18:00:00 CST

This is the 4th LP from Seattle based composer Matthew Cooper. Following up 2006s "When I Live By The Garden and The Sea" EP which was also a instrumental record of the week. This release has him using more neo-classical elements similar to 2004s "An Accidental Memory In The Case Of Death".

Episode 52 - February 18th, 2007

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 18:00:00 CST

The bands 4th LP has them doing what they do best. Epic instrumental rock. This release was recorded in northern Minnesota after their last release put them at the forefront of instrumental music. They've been featured in numerous CNN commericals and soundtracked both the movie and television series "Friday Night Lights". They write the soundtrack to every dramatic moment in your life.

Episode 51 - February 11th, 2007

Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:00:00 CST

Slow and steady may accurately describe their ethic, but it defintiely doesn't describe the end result of listening to this week's featured record. Like a constant blossom or a infinite rainstorm, the Nashville outfit constantly refresh and rejuvenate with the basic three-piece setup on their debut full-length. It's remarkable to hear guitars so uplifting - this is highly recommended instrumental music for those that think a lack of vocals and a delay pedal can only depress.

Episode 50 - February 4th, 2007

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:00:00 CST

When Tortoise's John McEntire mixes your record, you know you're not going to get your average instrumental album. A rock band that's not afraid to throw in jazz grooves and electronic loops, Cougar's debut full-length does what few can do best: be as wildly eclectic as possible, with a wide array of muscianship and instrumentation, but still holding together an attractive and freshly cohesive sound. Urgent and relaxing, Cougar both purr and roar.

Episode 49 - January 28th, 2007

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:00:00 CST

One-man band Postscripts recorded every instrument into one microphone for his delicate blend of acoustics and electronics on The Day After Tomorrow. He destroys the notion that you need an immaculate or even hi-fi recording to produce subtle, nuanced crescendos and interwoven textures of carefully chosen instruments and melodies. Simultaneously dark and hopeful, this is a laptop artist that caught our ear right away rather than with multiple listens. We hope you feel the same.

Episode 48 - January 21st, 2007

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 11:00:00 CST

Led by brothers Allen and Jay Karpinski and based in Kent, Ohio. They started as a quartet in 1995 and have since expanded to a 6piece with this being their 4th LP. This new record finds them moving into post-folk terrirory with more twangy guitars. Interestingly enough, Now Like Photographs got its name from the title of one of their songs. Check out the podcast to hear track 2 Stolen Moments.

Episode 47 - January 14th, 2007

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 16:00:00 CST

Known for their general craziness at live performances such as going on improv tangents and playing offstage with the crowd, their recorded music is both an indication and a rebuttal of this behavior. From hard-edged post-rock to lofty distortionless numbers, A New Dawn Fades is very appropriately our first Instrumental Record of the Week for 2007.

Top 24 Instrumental Records of 2006 Count Down Sample

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 16:00:00 CST

Hear clips from some of the top 24 instrumental records of 2006.

Episode 46 - December 24th, 2006

Sun, 24 Dec 2006 16:00:00 CST

If instrumental music was a movie than this would be it. Daren Aronofsky's film "The Fountain" is the first ever soundtrack to become a record of the week. You might know Daren's other movies Pi, and Requiem for a Dream (also good soundtracks). Just think of Now Like Photographs when the music crescendos as Wolverine ascends from his orb into the Sun. Too bad he doesn't bust out his claws in this one.

Episode 45 - December 17th, 2006

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:00:00 CST

Somewhere between free jazz and post-rock lie Precious Fathers' debut self-titled record. It's slinky and jam-packed with grooves, but they're the grooves you'll think about and have revelations to, never lazy or unconscious. Guitars reminiscent of The Six Parts Seven and percussion harking back to 33.3, this is classic instrumental music that while not quite epic, is infinitely appealing.

Episode 44 - December 10th, 2006

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:00:00 CST

"Totally whacked out" isn't usually a phrase we use to describe our Instrumental Records of the Week here at Now Like Photographs, but when we received this tiny little release from Japan, we couldn't resist. All over the place and completely proud of it, this glitch mastermind finds cohesiveness in his electronic album through a gentle human touch not often found in the genre. Don't fret though, because this is an album that can please fans of melody and murkiness.

Episode 43 - December 3rd, 2006

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 16:00:00 CST

The 2nd EP in this band's debut Triology after the "Absolute Noon". They're back with more instruments on this one and a bigger sound. Written in Miami and recorded in Chicago where they were able to collaborate with John McEntire of Tortoise fame.

Episode 42 - November 26th, 2006

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 16:00:00 CST

DoF is back and building on the sound of his previous release. Brian Hulick is still doing the acoustic guitar/electronica sound but are leaning more into the electronica side for this one. That's ok with us, we don't discriminate unless you use vocals. It's a great follow up to "Mine is May" and is the second to be put out on Abandon Building Records.

Episode 41 - November 19th, 2006

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 16:00:00 CST

Never have so many wind instruments graced the airwaves of Now Like Photographs as when Berlin composer F.S. Blumm is at the helm of one of his whispy tunes. Carefree and still full of caring, these carefully crafted fragile wooden pieces are like little snapshots of log cabins and cartoon howling wind. Acoustic guitars and gentle horns are used to show the strength in Blumm's eclectic and lightweight songwriting rather than weakness in the lack of density.

Episode 40 - November 12th, 2006

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 16:00:00 CST

Somewhere between the seedy underbelly of a dark and not-too-distant future city and a soundscape for outer space lie 65daysofstatic. Pools of distortion, broken electronics, and wallowing piano rolls encapsulate the UK band's latest disc without labelling it merely "depressing" or "melancholy." Glimpses of hope are tapped into through dense meditations on the darkness. Loud, proud, and still utterly self-aware of humanity's insignificance.

Episode 39 - November 5th, 2006

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 16:00:00 CST

Probably the instrumental artist that has received the most critical attention and praise in recent past, this Canadian semi-ambient artist blends the painful and the breezy into a continuous album of sonic spectrum explorations. We've never been fans of noise, but the slight stabs of static accentuate the album's beauty rather than detract from it. Way to go once again Kranky!

Episode 38 - October 29th, 2006

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 16:00:00 CST

"Prog" is definitely not a four-letter word when you're as breathtakingly original as Crime in Choir. Here, the organ is triumphantly grimacing rather than cheesily triumphant and the guitars are infinite rather than directionless. More bold than your average instrumental rock and yet not too bold to be cocky.

Episode 37 - October 22nd, 2006

Sun, 22 Oct 2006 16:00:00 CST

This is as hip-hop as NLP will ever get. With the big drum sound of Prefuse 73 but the sensitivity of Amon Tobin, Clark brings suspense and humanity to his traumatic electro-rock sound. It's in your face and soothing all at the same time, with peaks that are ground-shaking and valleys that come out of nowhere. This is truly a unique instrumental experience.

Episode 36 - October 15th, 2006

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:00:00 CST

With a concept album about billions of people dying of starvation, you KNOW it's GOT to be dramatic. But the thng about Red Sparowes is that they straddle the line between realistic and melodrama so beautifully and perfectly that their massive dedication to their craft comes across as painstakingly honest rather than excessive. Sprawling guitars and beaten-to-a-bloody-pulp drums stream and scream out of the speakers and into your ears. DEAFENING.

Episode 35 - October 8th, 2006

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 16:00:00 CST

The word that comes to mind when we hear Del Rey's sitars and homemade percussion instruments drenched in distorted guitars is "booming." As one of the bands determined to take all connotations of dull and boring out of instrumental music, they have crafted a nearly flawless record comprised of five sprawling songs that are loud without being dumb as well as intricate without being overly meticulous. Rock music can be intelligent and still be rocking and this Chicago outfit is going to prove it...with a vengeance.

Episode 34 - October 1st, 2006

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:00:00 CST

If ambient music is a blank sheet of stark white paper, then Chris Herbert crumples up the paper, uncrumples it, singes the edges, and flattens it back out. On NLP staple label Kranky, Mr. Herbert knows how to tweak the quietest of the quiet to make his sound fresh and sparse at the same time. It's no wonder he creates soundtracks for post-industrial art projects - viva la pretense (the barely there variety)!

Episode 33 - September 24th, 2006

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:00:00 CST

This Italian 4-piece has put out their 2nd LP and we happen to be suckers for good instrumental music tied to projected stage art. They're a little softer than their label-mates Chevreuil but have that similar percussion-driven sound.

Episode 32 - September 17th, 2006

Sun, 17 Sep 2006 16:00:00 CST

Some people call him the best composer of our generation, but that formalizes what Matthew Cooper does too much. It's not just sweeping dramatic swells of piano and ambience. No, it's more child-like than stiff and grown-up. From sampling Tom Hanks to having live Tim Burton-esque animation accompany his mesmerizing live show, don't dismiss Eluvium as another stick-in-the-mud ambient artist.

Episode 31 - September 10th, 2006

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 16:00:00 CST

This Milwaukee based band has decided to stay instrumental in order to avoid being classified in to a genre. Hopefully they don't mind the awesome instrumental genre that we're placing them in. They have put together an experimental visual / sound project for their live shows and will even be coming into Radio K to play on Now Like Photographs October 22nd. Further proving that midwest instrumental music is where it's at.

Episode 30 - September 3rd, 2006

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 16:00:00 CST

Not since the 90s can we remember another band that mixed the lion-hearted with the carefree (we miss you Pele!). This duo of "two humans, two guitars, every riff in the world," willmake even the shyest of shy want to stand up on a table and air guitar in a completely sincere manner. Once again we have proof that life is messy and funny just as it is climactic.

Episode 29 - August 27th, 2006

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 22:00:00 CST

This guitar+electronics duo may sound like straight-up dance music, but dance music has never sounded so grandiose and, here comes the ubiquitous NLP word: EPIC. The whirring effects-laden guitars are back and this time they've added a Mexican tinge, a real life panther roar, and much more to fill out their sound and make it even more NLP-friendly.

Episode 28 - August 20th, 2006

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:00:00 CST

NLP has been digging the ambient music lately so we're bestowing the honor this week to Triosk. Besides being from the orgin of our favorite TV show's plane crash (Lost, Austrailia), they are signed to the UK label Leaf which helped get their name out to us folks on this side of the pond. Think piano with computers and check out this week's podcast to hear more.

Episode 27 - August 13th, 2006

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 18:00:00 CST

With alternating simplistic ambient exercises as the odd-numbered tracks and heartwrenching neo-classical as the even-numbered, this Japanese sextet put together some tremendous peaks and valleys that are equal parts relaxing and melodramatic (in a good way). Mandolins, viola, and backwards guitar fill up your headphones and it's as cinematically lovely as you could ever imagine.

Episode 26 - August 6th, 2006

Sun, 06 Aug 2006 18:00:00 CST

Don't doubt the awesome music finding ability of Myspace. Stop, Thief! is a living example of both NLP and it's listeners benefit from this internet relationship. They put out a self-titled EP which is this week's record of the week. Check out the podcast for 2 tracks including an unlreleased live track recorded in the Radio K studios.

Episode 25 - July 30th, 2006

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 18:00:00 CST

This week we're happy to bring you the new record from My Dad vs Yours. We found out about them much later than we should have but we'll call it being fashionably late. They managed to surpass even their previous record with a whole new LP of sleigh-bell-ringing goodness. It was first put out in Japan and is now making it's way to the states. Merry Christmas!

Episode 24 - July 23rd, 2006

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 18:00:00 CST

Holla at yer local boys. Officially the first Twin Cities instrumental artist to garner the Instrumental Record of the Week title and deservedly so. Their full-length debut ripples and skidders across your ears with intricate guitar loops and sparse percussion. This is ambient music for the ambient music-haters. Be sure to tune in for their live set on NLP on August 27th!

Episode 23 - July 16th, 2006

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 18:00:00 CST

This Chicago 4-piece got together out of their love for 120 minutes and The Metro, both of which have a special place in Joe and Chris's hearts as well. This is their debut LP, we highly recommend giving it a listen and to make that conveniet for you we've included a song off of their LP "Of Here and Now" on this weeks podcast.

Episode 22 - July 9th, 2006

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 18:00:00 CST

More Canadian instrumental genius from the man Harris Newman, who has mastered CDs by Esmerine and HRSTA, and Bruce Cawdron (drummer for NLP staple Godspeed). Elegant yet earthy in its essence, there's plenty of banjos and playful drumrolls, with a haunting ghost underneath all of it. Completely distinguishable from so much of the post-rock we tend to throw at you here at NLP.

Episode 21 - June 25th, 2006

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 18:00:00 CST

Have you ever listened to something and been like "this sounds so familiar...yet still so awesome..."? Well if you haven't, get prepared, because This Will Destroy will literally destroy you - mind, body, and soul. Forget all notions of "they sound like, they emote such..." and just become engulfed by a crushing tidal wave of guitars, drums, and atmospherics.

Episode 20 - June 18th, 2006

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 23:30:00 CST

Chevreuil is expanding their horizons with this new record entitled Capoeira by adding a third player that contributes keyboards and synth to the tracks. Don't worry though, it still has the angular guitar/drums duo that we all love from Chevreuil. This week's podcast has 2 tracks so it's extra long. Check it out!

Episode 19 - June 4th, 2006

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 16:00:00 CST

Loscil is the musical name of Scott Morgan who put out his latest record, Plume - his fourth, on Kranky records. Scott does his work from Vancouver and when he's not making awesome instrumental music he makes sound effects for video games. His avant-electronica sits well with us and we're pretty sure you'll like it too.

Episode 18 - May 28th, 2006

Sun, 28 May 2006 16:00:00 CST

Shogun Kunitoki: "Tasankokaiku" on Fonal Records. NLP welcomes Finland to the wonderful world of epic instrumental music with this week's featured record. Probably the most precise synthesis of electronica and post-rock we've heard yet, this quartet uses organic instruments to create futuristic (without being spacey) anthems worthy of multiple headphone listens.

Episode 17 - May 22nd, 2006

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 23:30:00 CST

Imagine if Pelican were remixed by Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine. This is as heavy as instrumental rock gets, but it gets tinge of humanity and fragility infused into it with the help of almost countless washed-out, underwater fuzz effects affecting not only the guitars, but the low end, the percussion...EVERYTHING. With a sense of impending doom and a sliver of hope, Paik know exactly how to balance the daunting and the dawn.

Episode 16 - May 14th, 2006

Sun, 14 May 2006 16:00:00 CST

I'm Not a Gun has the record of the week with "We Think as Instruments"

Episode 15 - May 7th, 2006

Sun, 7 May 2006 16:00:00 CST

After a nearly 5 year hiatus, Don Caballero is back together and out with a new record. Coming from Pittsburgh, NLP considers them one of the core instrumental bands that helped shape the instrumental music genre. Chris even admits to 1 track "changing his life". Check out this weeks podcast and see if it will change yours.

Episode 14 - April 30th, 2006

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 16:00:00 CST

We've got new music from the Chicago band "Russian Circles". Their Math-rock epic instrumental music is similar to the non-instrumental stuff that Chris and I were into before starting Now Like Photographs. You're sure to like their new album entitled "Enter".

Episode 13 - April 23rd, 2006

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 16:00:00 CST

Mono's new record "You Are There" is this week's instrumental record of the week. Mono is one of the core bands that got Chris and Joe to start Now Like Photographs in the first place. The podcast this week is extra long with the 15 minute track "Yearning".

Episode 12 - April 16th, 2006

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 16:00:00 CST

Talkdemonic is the featured artist on this week's Now Like Photographs podcast. The album is entitled 'Beat Romantic' and is put out on Arena Rock Rocordings.

Episode 11 - April 9th, 2006

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 16:00:00 CST

Et Ret's new album Gasworks is the instrumental record of the week. The featured track off the album is in this week's podcast and it's entitled "Letting Go of the Balloon".

Episode 10 - April 2nd, 2006

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 16:00:00 CST

This week our podcast features new music from Japan. The Band 'Te' is doing the epic instrumental thing that made us start the show in the first place.

Episode 9 - March 26th, 2006

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 16:00:00 CST

Lanterna's new LP "Desert Ocean" is the instrumental record of the week. Lanterna is Henry Frayne's project and he's been putting out good records for over a decade. You can find out more online at web.lanterna.tv

Episode 8 - March 20th, 2006

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 16:00:00 CST

For this week's podcast we have music from Marconi Union. Their second album [Distance] is endorsed by Brian Eno and is a new favorite at Now Like Photographs.

Episode 7 - March 12th, 2006

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:00:00 CST

A new album from a new artist this week. Now Like Photographs podcast features Fence Kitchen's and the LP "Beading the Rook". You can find more information online at fencekitchen.com and by listening to this podcast!

Episode 6 - March 5th, 2006

Sun, 5 Mar 2006 16:00:00 CST

Tic Code has their debut album out and it's good. Good enough to make it the instrumental record of the week. Check it out on this week's Now Like Photographs podcast.

Episode 5 - February 26th, 2006

Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:00:00 CST

The instrumental record of the week comes from Tribes of Neurot. You can hear a complete track from their new record "Meridian" in this week's podcast.

Episode 4 - February 19th, 2006

Sun, 19 Feb 2006 16:00:00 CST

Things Falling Apart is the artist in this weeks podcast. They are also have the instrumental record of the week on Now Like Photographs

Episode 3 - February 12th, 2006

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 16:00:00 CST

The Redneck Manifesto is the featured artist for this week's podcast

Episode 2 - February 5th, 2006

Sun, 5 Feb 2006 16:00:00 CST

This week we have a track from "This is a Process of a Still Life"

Episode 1 - January 29th, 2006

Sun, 29 Jan 2006 16:00:00 CST

Features 3 favorite instrumental tracks of 2005 from Tristeza, El Ten Eleven, and The Octopus Project