The Music Lobby

Risil, Non Meters Vol. 1 [Important, 2009]

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:13:34 +0100

Risil is a group headed by Guillermo Scott Herren (Prefuse 73, Savath Savalas) consisting of Tyondai Braxton (Battles), Roberto Carlos Lange (Savath Savalas), Ryan Rasheed (LebLaze), Alejandra and Claudia Deheza (School of Seven Bells), John McEntire (Tortoise), Eva Puyuelo Muns (Savath Savalas), Zach Hill (Hella), Laurenz Pike (Triosk, Pivot) and members of Sunn O))). “Non Meters Vol. 1” is a densely layered excursion into a melodious, textured, fuzzy, droned out, powerful noise. The beauty found in this release is immaculate. The Deheza sister’s voices jump back and forth singing “There Has to Be” and “Air” in a southing, rhythmic manner on the track titled “There Has to Be.” Eva Puyuelo Muns’ vocals on “Son of Yucatan” gives me goose bumps as she sings a soft melody over quiet guitar and hints of percussion rattle in the background. What I find most interesting about the release is the combination of rhythm over this immense wall of whirling sound. The vocals at times are nothing more than a harmonization of the melody or vocoded and sung at the same volume as everything else. The sounds of free jazz, drone metal, electronic, choral music and everything in between are present on “Non Meters Vol. 1.” Highly recommended.

Tyondai Braxton, Central Market [Warp, 2009]

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:09:52 +0100

I remember hearing, a couple years back, that Warp has signed an experimental noise dude from NYC named Tyondai Braxton (who ran in the same circles as Animal Collective, back in the day), but then his promised debut never appeared and I didn't think much more of it. Though I did check out his 2003 album, which was somewhat impressive. Anyway, a year later, Battles --- Braxton's obscure, little-known side project! --- released an album on Warp, and I figured that his original contract had somehow been wrapped up into that, but, apparently not! Central Market is the weirdest thing ever released on Warp (with the possible exception of Satanstornade ); musique concrete, with ... samples? Certainly a much more abstract project than Battles; simultaneously challenging and playful.

Kona Triangle, Sing A New Sapling Into Existence [Porter, 2009]

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00:00 +0100

Kona Triangle is Matt aka Keaver Brause and Tom aka Lone who make quiet and relaxed atmospheric and breezy beats basing themselves out of Cedar Hills, UK. The outcome is layered, blissful and warm song structures that might remind the listener of Boom Bip or Boards of Canada. Both Lone and Keaver Brause seem to always get this comparison, which makes sense. The album opens with a short intro followed by my favorite track off the album, “Shine Alight.” “Shine Alight” is a dreamy, layered track full of explosive drums and synth that seems to billow in and out around the drums. “Mango Rubicon,” a later track, starts out with ambient noise and bird chirps as an introduction and slowly moves into a different sound with a side stepping beat and a floating melody. I’m quite impressed with this release, not to mention the solo work of Keaver Brause and Lone. Recommended.

Atlas Sound, Logos [Kranky, 2009]

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:10:53 +0100

Bradfox Cox's second solo album as Atlas Sound finally appears officially about a bunch of internet hoopla about leaks and his blog. I'm always amazed how Cox finds the time to pump out constant music on his blog and record solo albums when he's always touring as Atlas Sound or with Deerhunter, and when Deerhunter is releasing new records all of the time as well. But what's even more amazing is good these records are. Logos might be the best record out of the Deerhunter camp so far, with two amazing collaborations (one with Panda Bear, one with Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab), and one of my favorite songs of the year Shelia . This album is much different from the bedroom ambience of his debut. This is indie rock Cox's songwriting plays a much stronger role, with stories emerging from the lyrics, and those stories being colored perfectly by the music. This is one of the best albums of the year, from one of the most prolific songwriters in indie rock.

Demdike Stare, Symbiosis [Modern Love, 2009]

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:53:33 +0100

This is quite an album. I was looking forward to hearing it due to the Modern Love connection (Miles Whittaker, of Pendle Coven and MLZ), but it sounds like nothing else on that label; even the cover art looks like it doesn't belong anywhere near Modern Love. The only way I can think to describe it is as a dub dubstep album, or maybe ambient dub dubstep. The combination of sound is truly unique; there's plenty of bass on the very low end, and an extremely interesting use of samples and field recordings.