Happy New Year

Happy MMX! To commemorate the occasion I've posted a video that has absolutely nothing to with New Years, enjoy!

A Free Download for You

http://exileonmoanstreet.blogspot.com/2009/08/you-are-my-symphonic-afternoon-birds-of.html

Scroll a bit down the page and click the "Free download of 'Afternoon Birds of Arima'" link. I discovered this the other day while reading some best of lists on Drowned in Sound (see link in sidebar). "You Are My Symphonic" is the artist behind this free (yes, it is legal) album which was made for a wedding that took place earlier this year in Trinidad and Tobago. The songs are piano based and the album as whole can be considered ambient. Opener "Afternoon Birds Of Arima (Opening Credits)" is without a doubt THE song of the album. Clocking in at 14 minutes and containing a looped piano line throughout, the song superbly showcases the power of simplicity. There is nothing complex about the music but the atmosphere and emotion it creates is what makes it powerful. The album has served both as a sleep aid and as an alarm for me so if you're one who needs music to fall asleep to, this is it.

We Fish You a Hairy Christmas

Christmas is in a few days so if you haven't heard it already here is my remix/mashup of some Xmas classics:



Oh and if you didn't notice there is a new post right before the Christmas Shoes on the blog.

Spreading Some Christmas Cheer...

When you are forced to listen to Christmas music for weeks on end up until the actual event, you become quite familiar with the songs. So familiar that you cannot help but hate a lot of them. Much of the festive trash played on the radio gets on my nerves but one stinker stands out from them all. It's called "Christmas Shoes". Some of you may have already heard it (you have my sympathy) but for those who haven't, allow me to explain: An exhausted Christmas shopper who is "not really in the Christmas mood" is standing impatiently in line at a store on Christmas Eve. The man spots a child who is "dirty from head to toe" ahead of him holding a pair of ladies shoes. As the boy is in the process of buying the shoes with a pile of pennies, he conveniently mentions to the clerk that they are for his mother whose going to "meet Jesus tonight". The clerk informs the boy that he hasn't enough money so the boy turns to the grumpy man behind him and asks for some money. The foolish man gives the boy the money and in the process is reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. Listen to it below and then decide for yourself the true meaning of the song:



I don't know about you but everything about this song rubs me the wrong way. Did you enjoy it?

Decade Look: Part 6 - Pantha Du Prince's This Bliss

First off a few updates. The aforementioned DMAT EP has been delayed and it's release date is up in the air at the moment. I'm working on some Christmas remixes and will hopefully have a couple for you all to hear before the day comes and goes. I have one completed which uses samples from Dean Martin's "Let it Snow" and Raffi's "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". More Decade Look posts are coming in the New Year so keep an eye out.

I only recently discovered Pantha Du Prince and have only listened to "This Bliss" in full two times, yet I have enjoyed it so much that I must declare it one of the best albums of the decade. It's one of those anytime albums, taking whatever mood you're in and putting it on hold for an hour and a bit as you get immersed in it's sound. I particularly enjoy listening to it on my walks to work; I sometimes forget where I'm going and only remember once I arrive. "This Bliss" never lags and the tracks flow smoothly and are pleasing to the ear. Second song "Saturn Strobe" is a highlight, it's strings are some of the best I've ever heard in an electronic song. Another talent of Pantha Du Prince's is his proficiency with percussion; "White Out" uses small touches of tongue clicks to add to it's icy ambiance. Ditto for "Florac", a track whose sound reminds me of the great Dominik Eulberg. Words just don't seem to do any justice to the music, so I think I will just let it speak for itself:



Standout tracks: Saturn Strobe, Moonstruck, White Out, Florac, Steiner im Flug

Rammstein VS The Cookie Monster

Yet Another YouTube Discovery

It's amazing what you can find on YouTube. Whether it's a TV show you remember from childhood or a song using sound effects from the NES game Blades of Steel, you can find it. I've made some pretty good discoveries on the site before but this is the first time I've found out about a new artist. His name is Ronald Jenkees and he's a bit of a peculiar fellow. I came across him while watching Ween's rendition of Zep's "All of My Love"; his video was in the related videos box. He describes almost everything as "fun" and has a strange manner of speaking. Supposedly (I say supposedly because this is according to some of the comments on his videos) he has Williams syndrome, which is characterized by an unusually cheerful demeanor, unusual language skills and a love for music. It doesn't really matter in the end; his music is pretty awesome. I downloaded his album the other day and I can confidently say it's one of my favorites from this year. It's called "Disorganized Fun" and that name pretty much sums up the album. The songs are all over the place (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) and it is really fun to listen to. Every song consists of a backing track with him soloing over it with various synths. Just watch this and you'll see what I mean:

I can't imagine disliking the guy; just look at how much he enjoys himself doing what he's doing, it's infectious. To conclude I've posted a video of the third track from his album, it's called "Guitar Sound" and it's very reminiscent of something Buckethead would do. Enjoy it and once you're done go get his album.

Radio Ladio

Hey all, just a quick post today, I've got some more extensive updates coming up in the next couple days. Was listening to Metronomy today and came across this video. They're a group from England and their album from last year entitled "Nights Out" is a great listen. The video is quite bizarre but I think it suits the group and song nicely. More very soon!

Heligoland

That, my dearest readers, is the name of Massive Attack's new album. It has been confirmed by the band themselves and it's out next year on February 8th. Here is the track listing:

Heligoland:

1. Pray For Rain (vocals: Tunde Adebimpe)
2. Babel (vocals: Martina Topley-Bird)
3. Splitting the Atom (vocals: Robert '3D' Del Naja, Grant 'Daddy G' Marshall and Horace Andy)
4. Girl I Love You (vocals: Horace Andy)
5. Psyche (vocals: Martina Topley-Bird)
6. Flat of the Blade (vocals: Guy Garvey)
7. Paradise Circus (vocals: Hope Sandoval)
8. Rush Minute (vocals: Robert '3D' Del Naja)
9. Saturday Comes Slow (vocals: Damon Albarn)
10. Atlas Air (vocals: Robert '3D' Del Naja)

Judging by this video the album will sound more along the lines of Mezzanine and less like 100th Window:

The Tubes

I just stumbled upon this classic video on Youtube. I don't know who The Tubes are but they sound good and their lead singer has got some moves. Nice glasses too.



This one is pretty good too:

Beak>

Geoff Barrow of Portishead makes up one third of this new band out of Bristol England. Their debut self-titled album was recorded in a small room over a twelve day period. Comparable in terms of sound to bands such as Can and Tortoise, Beak's debut is very much like Portishead's last album in that it has an overall dark mood to it. There are some brilliant moments on this album but the rushed production of it is ultimately what prevents it from being truly great. Had the group taken more time to edit the album they would've realized that a couple of the tracks plod on with no payoff. Nevertheless Beak have their moments of greatness here. Opener "Backwell" begins with a precise bassline that moves along like a heartbeat and then breaks out half-way into Krautrock bliss. "Battery Point" is another highlight track that would give bands like Radiohead a run for their money. Throughout the album I couldn't help but notice the influence of Can in the music. In the sixth song, "Iron Action", the influence is undeniable:



Despite it's disappointing moments Beak's debut is not one to pass up.

DMAT EP Details

It's been a long time coming but a DMAT EP is on the way. Track details are listed below and in addition to some older songs, a new one (possibly) will be on there too. It will be available for download off of DMAT Matters on December 1st, just in time to put it on your decade end best of lists...

Unnamed DMAT EP:

1. Deliverance
2. It's Just the Way You Are
3. Nice Night For a Walk
4. Falling Snow
5. ???

The Greatest Music Video Ever

Thanks to the Tough Garee for the recommendation. The initial drag of the cigarette is what makes this truly great.

Heart of Cygnus

This two piece band hail from Los Angeles and are all about concept albums. Sophomore album "Over Mountain, Under Hill" is based upon the works of JRR Tolkien and is an epic compiling of progressive rock. Influences the band have listed include Iron Maiden, Queen and Megadeth and listening to Heart of Cygnus you will quickly begin to hear these influences at work. They have the lightning pace of Iron Maiden, the experimentalism of Queen and, at times, the heaviness of Megadeth. The band are not well known (yet) and their work may be hard to come by but it's worth the effort to find. I would definitely recommend picking up the aforementioned album and be ready to get their next album "Tales From Outer Space!" which is due November 18th of this year. Judging by the amazing track on their MySpace the band is getting better and better with each album.

"The music scene has got me down..."

Blockhead's "The Music Scene" is the best album of the year. 2009 may not yet be over but for 10 months no other release I've highly anticipated has lived up to expectations. The music scene does have me down; it's in a stagnant and unoriginal state with those bands in throwback mode making me want to throw-up. Music fans too have got me down as they just accept that as being the way things are now and will listen to any old band that "sounds" like a band from the past. This is perhaps where "The Music Scene" resonates the strongest with me; Blockhead seems to be feeling the same. All one needs to do is take a look at the album cover, the ruined animal-run streets of New York being a perfect metaphor for the state of the music scene.

Musically Blockhead has hit another home-run. It can be a tough task to keep the listener interested in an all instrumental album, you have to make it varied yet cohesive at the same time. "Uncle Tony's Coloring Book" is fantastic but it is kind of all over the place and isn't all that complete as an album. With "The Music Scene" Blockhead has made not only his most cohesive instrumental album but also his best to date. Opener "It's Raining Clouds" changes midway from hip-hop to drum and bass and showcases Blockhead's innate ability with drumbeats. One of my instant favorites was "Attack the Doctor"; the bit near the end is stunning and dare I say it a bit festive sounding. "Four Walls" implements the much maligned Auto-Tune to perfection by adding to the song's vocal sample rather than being at it's forefront. Final track "Farewell Spaceman" is the pièce de résistance of "The Music Scene". It's irresistibly catchy beat and perfect meshing of samples most definitely makes it a front contender for song of the year. It does make me wonder though, is this the end of Blockhead? Is this album his swan-song? Is this last track a cheeky way of him saying that he's had it with the music scene altogether? It seems a bit unlikely but nonetheless it does make you wonder.



This album may not have the same effect on you as it has on me. Everyone has their own reasons for liking a certain artist or album and it's ridiculous to assume that everyone will like Blockhead as much as me. I will say this: do not pass it up, listen to it several times and allow it to sink in. The music scene may not have you down after hearing "The Music Scene".

Reader Request #1

Artist: Wendigo
Album: Audio Leash
Requested by: Stan Kovich

Go to Google and type in "wendigo audio leash" and you'll get nothing but links to torrent websites. That's how little there is to find on the web about this Hungarian band, which is surprising to me as their album sounds very mainstream. This is not a bad trait for a virtually (possibly) unknown band to have I just find it a bit interesting. Wendigo is not a band I would normally listen to but I can appreciate what they have done with this album. They know how to write a great riff and a number of their songs had hooks that I immediately noticed, opener "Reach" being a prime example. So while it's not necessarily an album I would listen to all the time I would still recommend it to those of you who like it loud and hard. Loud and hard is sometimes just what I need.

Verdict:
Matters

Made a Boo-boo

So I'm lying here surfing instead of sleeping and while checking over Blockhead's MySpace I make a great discovery. His album is available! It doesn't get a CD/vinyl release until next year but is available digitally as of today. Oops, I made a boo-boo.

Quick Update

I've decided that since I have a few more followers now that I should try something a little different. Here is a basic rundown of how it will work:

1. E-mail me an album recommendation.
2. If I haven't heard it I will try and listen to it and provide a short review of it.
3. If I have heard it I will decide whether or not to post about it.
4. At the end of the review I will label it with one of the two phrases: "Matters" or "Doesn't Matter"

This will be a once a week event and my goal is to involve the reader more in the blog process. Over time the result of such a format will be more variety and more exposure to music that most people haven't heard. In addition to this new format I will continue with my old ways and post every so often as I see fit.

Here is my e-mail if you are unable to find it on my page: mbcrossley18@yahoo.ca

RJD2's New EP

"Tin Foil Hat" is it's name and it features seven new tracks. From the sounds of it RJ has decided to go back to his hip-hop roots. It's hardly a surprise seeing as how "The Third Hand" (see older post for more) was not well received and fans were unhappy with the pop route RJ was taking with that album. The EP is a prelude to his album "The Colossus" which is due early next year and if it's any indication as to how the album will sound it's bound to be another classic. RJ's on the top of his game once again; each song is tightly produced, a characteristic that few DJs can rival. Fourth track "When It Wobbles" would've fit right in on 2004's "Since We Last Spoke" and fifth track "Thine Planetarium" never feels overlong even though it clocks in at over nine minutes. "The Move" is the only song that has vocals and is a fresh addition to an otherwise instrumental EP. "Tin Foil Hat" might be a little bit difficult to track down so if you are unable to find it I suggest you be patient and wait for the album, it will be worth the wait. Here's a teaser:

Rammstein Ist Gut

I never thought I would listen to a Rammstein album and enjoy it. Several years ago I heard "Du Hast" and thought that it was a joke and that the band themselves weren't to be taken seriously either. It's an ignorant thought now that I mention it especially since there newest album "Liebe ist für alle da" is pretty damn good. To pass off a band simply because they sing in German is absurd and now that I can appreciate their work I know that in the future I won't be so quick to judge.

This is the band's first album since 2005 and from what I've read it's a bit of a departure for them in that it hits harder and isn't as dancey. Opening with "Rammlied" (Rammstein the song essentially) you can immediately tell that it is harder hitting with it's heavy guitars and deep vocals. I feel a bit foolish for thinking the German vocals were ruining the quality of the band's work because they actually work quite well with the music. It's a nice change listening to something and not understanding the lyrics; you can focus your attention more on how the vocals work in relation to the music instead of what they mean. Take for instance one of the bonus tracks from the album "Donaukinder", I have no clue what he is singing about but the vocals work so well with the music. Take a listen and see what I mean:



This album isn't for everyone but if you're looking for something a little different I strongly recommend you get Rammstein's latest.

Some Disappointing News

I hate to keep going on and on about Blockhead but I thought I'd let you all know that his album "The Music Scene" isn't coming out until next year now. The news is up on his MySpace blog and reads:

"yet another updatE:
you know how these things go. the album comes out in january. sorry for the push back but that's the name of the game."

If you want to hear another new song from that album it's up on his MySpace. Go now!

Arnie is Foul Mouthed

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST CONTAINS COARSE LANGUAGE

Another Decade Look will be posted tomorrow but for tonight I thought I'd mention the two "Fuck You Asshole" songs. If you're not a fan of foul language then you probably won't enjoy these but when you need something stupid to cheer you up these songs will do the trick. The first version was made by Stan Kovich (a follower of this blog) and though it's simpler it's definitely the funnier one of the two. Here it is now:



Not too long ago I decided to make my own version and it goes like this:



So there you have it, next time you just want to say "fuck you asshole" to someone put on one of these videos and you'll feel a lot better. You might even forget who it was you wanted to tell off because of the stupidity you just finished witnessing.

More tomorrow.

Sneak Peek of The Music Scene

On Monday I posted the album cover of Blockhead's soon to be released album "The Music Scene". It's not often that I get so excited about a new album but I cannot wait for November 2nd. Sometimes you hype yourself up so much that when you actually hear the album it fails to live up to expectations but judging from this one track on Blockhead's MySpace I think the album is going to succeed. The title track has been put up and it's vintage Blockhead, have a listen now.

Why Blockhead's New Album Will Be Awesome

*Album out first week of November

Decade Look: Part 5 - Daft Punk's Discovery

Daft Punk is one of those artists that pretty much everybody knows and likes. "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" is perhaps their most well known song (thanks in part to Kanye's West abomination "Stronger"). Despite this minor misuse the song is still one of the better ones from Daft Punk's second full-length "Discovery". Opening with "One More Time" the album immediately has a feeling of class about it and rarely does that status change throughout the album. With the opener and several others, Daft Punk have crafted the best dance album of the decade; a point which few will argue. "Digital Love" conjures up images of some strange colorful dream one might have and a few tracks later "Something About Us" repeats those images. Near the end of the album is the track "Veridis Quo" which reminds me of my childhood when I would watch the show "The Friendly Giant". Most of the album is made from samples but you never feel like the group is being unoriginal, it's quite the opposite in fact. Listening to "Discovery" one will instantly make associations to the music and on subsequent listens a sense of familiarity and comfort will come about. To me that sense of familiarity is what makes this album so classic, it's something that is rarely achieved by other artists.

Two girls with lots of time on their hands made this video:



Standout tracks: One More Time, Digital Love, Harder Better Faster Stronger, Something About Us, Face to Face

Decade Look: Part 4 - Ween's Quebec

The new blog format is coming soon but for now I think another entry in the "Decade Look" series is in order. This post concerns one of my favorite bands of the decade and of all time, Ween. Even though my interest in them has diminished slightly over the past couple years (especially after their most recent album "La Cucracha") I still hold them in the highest regard. Ween have managed to stay around all these years for three reasons: first and foremost they are one of the best live bands around, secondly they have released 10 solid albums and lastly they have garnered a large and loyal fanbase. It's not exactly surprising that they are so well liked. Think of any other band that has made multiple great albums and put on good live shows, they too have longevity.

This brings me now to the topic of my post, Ween's 2003 album, "Quebec". Those who know the band know that before the release of "Quebec" Ween had made classics such as '94's "Chocolate and Cheese", '97's "The Mollusk" and '00's "White Pepper" (which will be the topic of another post some other day). To me "Quebec" is a marriage of all three of those albums into one sprawling album. The band cover all sorts of styles: "It's Gonna Be a Long Night" is a Dean Ween sung Motorhead-esque opener, "So Many People In The Neighborhood" has an electronic feel to it and "I Don't Want It" is a rock ballad with a rare guitar solo by Gene Ween the group's lead singer. My favorite track on the album "The Argus" features some of the finest lyrics Gene Ween has ever written. No matter what the style Ween executes flawlessly on every track.



Standout tracks: Transdermal Celebration, Tried and True, Happy Colored Marbles, I Don't Want It, The Argus

Sunday Night Into Monday Morning

It's late into the night right now and sometimes thumping electronic music is necessary. At this present moment the need is being fueled by the great German producer/park ranger Dominik Eulberg. It's just an EP but his newest work "Sensorika" is quite enjoyable. Only four tracks in length it contains two new Eulberg songs and two remixes. The first remix "Sansula (Max Coopers Lost In Sound Remix)" is sensational, beginning simply with some pleasant sounding bells it changes quickly and takes on a darker feel. It's a breathtaking listen, truly making you feel lost in it's sound. Eulberg is in a league of his own but that topic is for another day.

Decade Look: Part 3 - DJ Shadow's The Private Press

The Godfather of hip-hop production, DJ Shadow, is probably recognizable to most as the creator of one of the best if not the best instrumental hip-hop albums ever made. "Entroducing..." is the album and is most definitely on my top five albums of all-time. Since that album was released in '96 I should probably stop talking about it and more about his second best album "The Private Press." Though impossible to live up to the expectations put upon it after "Entroducing...", "The Private Press" manages to avoid the sophomore slump. Like it's predecessor the album is almost strictly sample based; DJ Shadow once again makes the most of his 60,000 plus vinyl collection. Opening with a short voice track and moving into one of my favorites, "Fixed Income", you'll find yourself instantly immersed in the Shadow's vast soundscape. One minute you may be in a "... dark, but also not" place the next on a motorway at the mercy of some angry drivers. The album is a ride; a fun and thrilling trip provided by one talented producer. DJ Shadow did release one other album this decade, "The Outsider", which in my mind was a mess and though I am disappointed in the Shadow I look forward to his next effort which will in his own words "sound different than the last one". Sounds promising.

Standout tracks: Fixed Income, Giving Up the Ghost, Six Days, Blood on the Motorway, You Can't Go Home Again

Just to keep things interesting around here I thought I'd post this video of a guy performing "Fixed Income" on the guitar. It's pretty cool and he does a good job with it:



A new format for this blog is in the works so keep your eye out for it, it should be ready shortly

Decade Look: Part 2 - Amon Tobin's Supermodified

Ten years is a long time so sometimes it's easy to forget about the events that occurred near the beginning of that time period. Amon Tobin's "Supermodified" was released only five months into the year 2000 yet it remains one of the best electronic albums of the decade. Tobin's use of complex beats and interesting samples has garnered him universal critical acclaim over the years. This album in particular is known for it's wide range of styles from "Get Your Snack On" emanating the Chemical Brothers to the almost trance-like "Rhino Jockey." It's this variety that keeps your interest throughout, drawing you in and making you wonder what will come next. "Deo" is one of my favorites from this album, the way it builds and builds from the opening looping guitar sample to the complex drum beats as it goes along is fantastic. Here is a video for it:



Standout tracks: Get Your Snack On, Four Ton Mantis, Deo, Rhino Jockey, Natureland

Get Your Head Nodding

Decade Look: Part 1 - Trentemøller's The Last Resort

It's nearing the end of 2009 and the end of the decade. Many music sites have made or are making their "Best Of" lists for various categories including best album and best song. I've decided that since this year is closing fast I ought to start listening to some older stuff I have and make my own "Best Of." I haven't heard nearly as much as these reviewing sites so I will have an easier time making my list. It will be in no particular order; just whatever albums stir up nostalgic feelings or what have you. By the end of this year I will have chosen my favorite album of the decade as well as favorite song and favorite band.

It just so happened that last night I put on my iPod and chose Trentemøller's "The Last Resort" to listen to. When I had this list idea in mind I wasn't even thinking of this album but I should have been. Released in 2006 the album showcases Trentemøller's softer and more experimental side instead of the heavier stuff you would hear at a club. It's a headphones album and because of it's almost excessive length it requires repeat listens for it to sink in. I can see myself coming back to this album multiple times and that's why it's on my list of the best albums of the decade.

Standout tracks: Take Me Into Your Skin, Vamp, While the Cold Winter Waiting, Moan

Here is an odd video of the second track "Vamp":

Sorrow's Army

I must admit, I don't know very much about guitar playing. For myself I've found it to be the most difficult instrument to play of the few that I've tried to pickup. Be that as it may I still think I can recognize when somebody is proficiently playing the instrument. Take for instance this video I'm about to show in which Graham Coxon of Blur plays a tune from his latest album, "The Spinning Top." One can only be impressed by his quick fingerpicking and precision timing; just think of the years of practice it took to get to that point. If you haven't heard the album I recommend picking it up, it's mostly acoustic and although a bit lengthy it's full of great songs. Here is the video:

The Man from Montebello

Though it may sound like a movie title Montebello is where hip-hop producer Nosaj Thing comes from. Nosaj is new on the music scene and his album of this year, "Drift" is making quite an impression. It's a dark instrumental album and has taken me quite a few listens to get into. It has been worth taking that time because "Drift" is one of the best and most cohesive albums I've heard in 2009. As for best new artists of the year I think that Nosaj Thing is far and away the winner in that category. I really like his use of voices in a few of the tracks, they are effectively used making for an eerie listen. Here is the last song on the album "Lords" used in conjunction with some weird Winnie the Pooh clip:



On another note in an earlier post I mentioned that this year has been lame but I think I might retract statement. The albums that I've liked though few in quantity have been high in quality, "Drift" being one of them. Get it now!

Moderat

Seven years ago, Berlin based electronic acts Modeselektor and Apparat came together to form Moderat. Seven years on now since that formation and they've finally released their self-titled debut and there is a peculiar thing about it. Most of the album is brilliant containing some of the most intriguing electronic music of the year, yet about three tracks are utter drab. It's these three tracks that keep me from coming back regularly. Take for instance the opening track "A New Error" one of my favorite songs this year:



Now here is one of the songs that I don't like at all and the crowd in the video (with the exception of one guy in front of the camera) don't seem to be enjoying either:



You be the judge but for me the two songs are complete opposites, one great and the other bad. Despite these peculiarities Moderat's debut is definitely worth a listen simply because it does contain some of the best electronic music of the year.

Immolate Yourself

The subject of death seems to surround the latest offering from Telefon Tel Aviv. Charles Cooper, one of the two group members, died shortly after the release of the duo's fourth album. When something tragic like that happens us the listeners will find the emotion in the album much easier to grasp. I know for myself that when I hear "Immolate Yourself" I can't help but be drawn in. For that reason it's not an album I want to listen to constantly but nevertheless have. It's their best album and although it is unfortunate that they won't make another it was a good way to go out. Here is the second last song:



R.I.P. Charles

Paul Hartnoll

I think everyone has heard Orbital whether they know it or not. Their song "Halcyon + On + On" has been used in numerous movie soundtracks and is their most popular song. Everyone (I think) has seen the utterly pointless Mortal Kombat movie and have heard the song played at the end. Let this be a refresher:



Paul Hartnoll is one half of Orbital and released a solo album in 2007. "The Ideal Condition" isn't drastically different from any of the Orbital albums so fans of the group won't have any difficulty get into it. It's a short album with guest singers appearing on tracks 2, 4, 6 and 8 the most notable one being The Cure's Robert Smith. While it's not an amazing album it has enough on it to warrant repeated listens. Here is the Robert Smith track, not my favorite but I couldn't find much else:



Orbital have recently announced that they have reformed and will hopefully release another album.

Chris Clark has Golden Hands

2009 has, in short, been quite lame. Most albums I've heard haven't really left any lasting impression on me. Some have been listened to constantly for a week and others for a couple days. Clark's newest offering "Totems Flare" is still somewhat new for me, so it's too early to tell if it will suffer the same fate as the others. As of right now it's one of my favorites of this lame year. Clark has been around since the beginning of the decade and has to date released five albums. His music makes use of complex drumbeats and lots and lots of distortion. Depending on your mood, these distortion drenched songs can sometimes be unlistenable. That would be my only gripe with Clark, that he can't just tone it down a bit to make for an easier listen. Be that as it may "Totems Flare" is still worth checking out, especially for my favorite track, "Future Daniel." It's definitely a contender for song of the year (not that it has much competition):

If It's Nae Scottish...

The Twilight Sad are a newish group hailing from Scotland and to date have released one album. What sets these guys apart from the rest of the rock bands coming from the UK at the moment, is that the lead singer keeps his Scottish accent when singing. While not completely original it does make for a distinct and interesting listen. Their album "Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters" is definitely worth hearing if you're into that kind of distinct sound. Here is a sample now, the second track "That Summer, At Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy." I'm not really sure what the Humphrey Bogart footage has to do with the song but stranger things have happened in music videos:



The Twilight Sad's newest album is out the 21st of this month so check it out if you so desire.

Stop the War

A short post is in order today. What do Puff Daddy (P-Diddy) and Speak the Hungarian Rapper have in common? More than you might think because they do in fact have very similar sounding songs. Watch and you will see:

The Bells the Bells

Ask any Underworld fan and they'll tell you that the group's best work came in the '90s. 1994 saw the release of "dubnobasswithmyheadman," which transitioned the band from synthpop to trance/electronica. The album was well received and Underworld gained some popularity. The release of the b-side "Born Slippy NUXX" was when the group really took off. It helped the next album - 1996's "Second Toughest in the Infants" - become their most commercially popular release yet. That album contains one of my favorite Underworld songs, the 16 minute "Juanita : Kiteless : To Dream of Love." Here is an abbreviated version of the song:



"Beaucoup Fish" came in 1999 and contains another one of my favorites, "Jumbo." However, it was with this album and the DVD "Everything, Everything" that my interest in Underworld diminished slightly. The heavier, harder hitting songs just weren't doing it for me so I lost interest for awhile. 2002's "A Hundred Days Off" is very forgettable and contains too many overly long songs. At this point I thought this was the end for Underworld; I couldn't see them making anything worthwhile after that dud of an album. I was proven wrong with 2007's "Oblivion With Bells," my favorite Underworld album. It's cohesive and doesn't contain any of those unfavorable heavy songs I mentioned. Thanks to Danny Boyle's movie "Sunshine" (recommended), the album has been a fairly major success worldwide. The opening two tracks compliment each other perfectly and I have posted a video of the second song "Beautiful Burnout":



My faith restored I now look forward to Underworld's next album.
Check back soon for more.

Uncle Tony

Yesterday RJD2; today Blockhead. Blockhead is the moniker of Anthony Simon a hip-hop producer based in Manhattan. He is widely know for his production work on several Aesop Rock releases. Less well known is that Blockhead has released three solo albums: "Music By Cavelight" in 2004, "Downtown Science" in 2005 and "Uncle Tony's Coloring Book" in 2007. Blockhead's trademark (if he was to have one) would be that of making voice samples sound like they just finished inhaling helium. Annoying at times yes but like all good trademarks it forces you to make an association with the artist. For example, when I first heard "None Shall Pass" by Aesop Rock I knew that track was produced by Blockhead because it contained that trademark. Take a listen now:



While all of Blockhead's solo albums are worth hearing the one that I would recommend is "Uncle Tony's Coloring Book." Of the three it is the only one that was self-released and is therefore harder to obtain. The album is 13 tracks of sampling genius. Sounds that wouldn't normally work together are meshed masterfully by Blockhead making for an intriguing and varied listen. To give you just a taste I have posted the opening song "Coloring Book" which perfectly illustrates what I have just described.



Do what you must but get your hands on some Blockhead!

Massive Return

It's been around 7 years since the last Massive Attack album "100th Window." Most bands would be long forgotten in that amount of time but, like Portishead, Massive Attack are alive and kicking. The band has lost some fans being absent for so long but those that kept faith can now breathe a sigh of relief. Yes, they are back, and with an EP release in October and an album in early 2010, Massive Attack are looking to storm back onto the music scene. Though I have my doubts that this new material will live up to the MA of old, I am still looking forward to the album. "Collected," a compilation released in 2006 contains one song that gives me hope of a triumphant return to greatness. I've posted the music video below.



The newest MA song features Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio and at around 7 minutes I think is longer that it needs to be. That opinion may change... Listen to it below.

RJD2's Work it Out

Update #3:

I'm not normally one to enjoy music videos but I found this one particularly good. The song comes from RJD2's last album "The Third Hand" and the video is shot in Brooklyn. If you haven't heard the album I suggest you get it now. Critics hated it and most RJD2 fans did too, but for me it was fresh and exciting to hear an artist who had mainly done hip-hop production in the past make a pop album. Get his other albums as well and look out for a new release in 2010.

Need to Know

Update #2:

I used to waste a lot of time on Facebook but I don't regret doing it for this one reason: Culprit 1. One day while I was perusing some "groups" on Facebook I stumbled upon one post that caught my attention. Some guy had posted a link to Culprit 1's Myspace recommending that we check out his "mesmerizing stuff". I was in need of something new and exciting at the time so I decided to take a listen. After listening to about 30 seconds of the track "Brasilia" I was hooked. I got his album "Running In Order" and have listened to it regularly ever since. Now I say to you: Listen to his mesmerizing stuff. Below is the video for the track "No Need to Ask" and here is a link to the song that got me following the Culprit.



More to come soon.

First Ever Post

Greetings friends and welcome,

To begin I shall explain a few things about my blog:

I enjoy music. I enjoy listening to music. I enjoy making music. I enjoy attending events featuring music. I enjoy music.

That about sums up what my blog is all about.
I intend to provide you the reader with weekly posts relating to all things music. I will recommend albums or artists that I think you need to hear as well as occasionally post some of my own work (yes, D-Mat be my name).


Update #1:

Being this the inaugural update I figure it ought to be a bit special (at least for me). I've been working on a few songs over the past while using various samples that interest me. I use a demo version of Ablelton's Live to make my music and it can be very limiting. These songs are not perfect but I make the most of what I have. Here is my newest song.



I've been listening to a few different albums over the past week but only one has really made an impression on me. The album is "Hymn to the Immortal Wind" by Mono, a Japanese post-rock band. Check out their Myspace and listen to the song "Ashes in the Snow," the first track from the album.

Check back soon for more.