A long-time favorite has re-entered the DaveCromwellWrites world with a brand new full-length recording. Alongside that is a previously never-before heard artist offering up their unique take on a 90's era classic. Finally an often reviewed, most-respected label has remastered and reissued an earlier catalog EP. Every song on all of the above mentioned releases now receive the infamous DCW track-by-track review.
Press releases indicating that new music from long-admired Cloudland Canyon had been trickling in over the last few months. Having already been a devoted fan of the purposefully vague and mysterious output from this creative force since the mid-2000's, each new single release added to the excitement. Now the full-length album is here, and for this reviewer it brings back all the memories and reasons for that initial fascination. Led by former New York and now Memphis based electronic music master Kip Uhlhorn, the artist has tapped into the mutual admiration of Spaceman 3/Spectrum's Sonic Boom (Pete Kember) for production assistance. The result is a magnificent collection of otherworldly music tuned into those dreamlike states some of us experience with each night's sleep.
Opening track “Circuit City” bursts out in full motion with no buildup, careening along at a bustling pace. Familiar deeply reverberated male vocals commence over (or is that under) a repeating AI voice pattern that sounds like the word “my, my, my” in perpetuity. There's a distinct pop chord progression at play, complete with a chorus (even if the lyrics buried beyond recognition). While the title line can be made out occasionally, that's hardly the point. Many wonderful sonic elements emerged throughout this over 6 minute opus. The percussion is busy, with bongo-like textures fluttering up (and then away). A driving synth-bass takes a dominant position at the 4 minute mark, with the previously bubbling sonics fading back. That sets the stage for a “battle of robotic sounds” (of sorts) to follow.
Follow-up cut “Internet Dreams” wraps itself in a dance-floor ready krautrock beat that pulls elements from both German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. Vocals come delivered with primary force from a strong female voice. “Losing time – barely there. Lose myself – light as air” are her opening lines. The hook comes in the form of a “Oh, Oh-A” vocal resolution at the end of each line delivered. “If I felt your touch – I might break apart” she initially concludes. Reading the artists statement that this song deals with something “you've already lost” and “our tendency to romanticize the past,” play out with the lyrics “old dreams light up my screen.” The suggestion that these “in tattered dreams” may be more “destructive” that we initially realized are summed in the the final repeated vocal hook “since you went away.”
“Future Perfect (Bad Decision)” taps into the dreamlike state and relaxed ambient pastel groove that initially caught the attention of this reviewer on their previous releases. Even though the rhythm is clearly defined with strong percussion, there's something about those vague and heavily reverberated vocals that instantly satisfy. Perhaps it's the dream pop and “gazey” music of initial practitioners like The Jesus and Mary Chain (and later on The Raveonettes) that has forged a connection with this sound. Something about the shifting voices that are just out of reach (like in a dream) find an emotional touchstone. The melody is romantic and builds slowly, creating the sensation that some kind of angelic experience is just over the horizon.
“SEA TACT / Whispering Waves” opens with a pulsating drone that continues while aggressive drumming thunders up from underneath in the mix. A variety of sound patterns begin to appear, some melodic and others adding to the hustling chaos. The halfway point introduces an elongated background vocal counterpoint to this otherwise hyperspeed sensation. Those vocals evolve into a more semi-coherent chanting phrase that sounds like “you don't say it's alright.”
There's a distinctive (once again) Jesus and Mary Chain feel on the slow, rambling two-chord appeal of “Recursive Excursions.” Choosing an undistorted guitar tone (like much of JAMC's 2nd studio album “Darklands”) sawing easily between chords, rattling tambourine and backing synth pads join in. Vocal delivery comes on soft and casually harmonized “we're not disappointed – just look where we've been.” Continuing in the aforementioned Reid brothers style, harsher electric guitar chords commence. From this point on, the actual Velvet Underground inspired source is more clearly revealed.
Another focus track “Two Point Zero” takes the quicker paced dance-floor electronica of earlier offerings and combines that with the preceding JAMC style vocals. A deep twang tone serves as a sonic balance point within shifting cacophony. With all that intentional aural chaos, a vocal hook “I don't want anyone but you” is purely evident. Plucking synths are pared with just enough percussion to generate the necessary forward motion. A timeless 80's through 90's feel abounds throughout, as if everything Depeche Mode, Howard Jones and other synth-pop pioneers of that ilk were put in a blender and poured out into this song.
Reaching deeper tracks, “LV MCHNS” combines buzzing brass synths, mechanized rhythms and icy female vocals that taps into the realm inhabited by bands like Ladytron. “Spacebar Blues” comes off as a less calculated studio jam, based around Kip's guitar and voice working out this “blues” progression idea over a ticking drum beat. Additional sound layers added on give it a fuller off-kilter appeal. Final entry “Gimme Tension” returns with full force everything that makes Cloudland Canyon so engaging. Swirling synths – check; forward charging percussion – check; anthemic dreamgaze vocals layered and distorted beyond recognition – double-check! Like most everything on this entire album – it's music to fall in love with someone - in an alternate AI universe.
Acquire this album at their label Medical Records HERE
Every now and then you get a message from a contact on Social Media that you haven't really interacted with. Such is the case with an Italian musician who puts out recordings under the name I'm The Villain. His latest release is a personal tribute cover of the song “Nutshell” by Alice in Chains.
Starting the track off with an acoustic guitar and 808 drum machine, an introspective, homespun feeling is the initial vibe. Getting right to the vocals, you can hear passion within his lyrical delivery. He's got Layne Staley's vocal inflections down, as he retells about “misprinted lies,” “the path of time,” and how “I fight this battle all alone.” Soon a series of slinky, echoed telecaster guitar riffs enter the mix adding depth and texture overall. Reaching the second verse and the desolate lines “my gift of self is raped” adds on to the guitar layering creating a near metal-slide feel amid the echo. While the acoustic strums throughout, those wirey guitar figures weave around with determined anguish. Building to an emotional sonic peak, the percussion, guitars and synths come together in a cacophony of sound. A single high-pitched guitar figure continues to rise, leading out the the ultimate conclusion of the strumming acoustic.
A recent release from our friends over at Shoredive Records find label boss Nicolas Pierre Wardell (a/k/a Nico Beatastic) reissuing his 2015BEATASTIC EP number 2 in newly remastered form. As the record was originally the second in a series of four, it's title goes by the numerically accurate 02 2002 02020 2 (Remastered). A careful listen inspires ideas, thoughts and words below.
Epic opening track “Butterflies” clocks in a nearly 10 minutes in length. As one might expect, there's a lot going on in that timeframe. Buzzy brass synths kick it all with quick rhythm, panning back and forth the sound field. Other synths begin to wade in, creating a more drone-like effect. As Kraftwerk-ian percussion clips and hisses, a distinct bass guitar pattern emerges creating movement underneath. Gazey guitars begin strumming busily and the thump and crack of drumlike percussion enters the fray. At the 3:20 mark a momentary halt and held ambience serves to set up oncoming vocals. Delivered in elongated diction, it's more like a mantra, before something approximating a chorus emerges. That's followed by some hard-edged (and ear pleasing) bass guitar riffing. Halfway in and the drums, drone and vocals run through that melodic chorus once more. At six minutes the track breaks down to a synth only segment that reprises the songs intro. Backward looping over top always gives this reviewer a Jimi Hendrix-in-the-studio sensation (since that's where it was first heard) or perhaps even Beatles “White Album” vibe. Vocals float in and out with “ohhh ohhhh ahhhh” placement showing keen awareness of what a studio recording can accomplish. Pushing forward into the final 2 minutes, all the previous sonic elements return in full force for the grand finale.
Following cut “The Ebb And Flow” comes on with high-pitched synth pulses, before solid drumming and vocals join in with a full progression. Fast strummed “gazer” chords are positioned over top of it all, along with harmonized melodic vocals. A shearing guitar and drums instrumental breakdown adds powerful juncture to the final vocal conclusion.
“Perfect Moment Perfect” emerges out of an ambient mist, before high-hat and snare percussion enter in. Vocals come on initially softer and introspective – as single line guitar figures weave around. As the synth pads rise and fall back, percussion stands out in front of the mix – as muted voices sing about taking a “moment” and “make it perfect.” More guitar lines step forward in a dominant way, as the song moves to it's conclusion.
After an ominous deep-buzzy synth intro, “Try Harder” quickly shifts gears as it bounces along bright strumming guitar and a solid drum pattern. Vocals come on in a softer, undistorted way, providing contrast to the bold rhythmic undercurrent. A Cure-like bass guitar and drum break provides thunderous reprieve before vocals return with the song's repeated title-line. “Stop Crossing Oceans” takes that bass guitar driven, matched with higher note six string guitar pairing and rolls it out in classic (once again) The Cure-style slow-build progression. Distinct forceful drumming joins in and the lyrical story commences. The dynamic chorus leans into gazey guitars (not really Robert Smith's thing) moving everything over to a more modern dreampop vibe. The song “ends” (then it doesn't) as a two minute coda floats everything away with textured guitar finesse.
The previously unreleased “Winter Bliss” emerges out of rising muted percussion before full-blown gazey guitar shear over top. The track then alternates between quiet verse passages of intimate nature (repeating the word “birthday”) and the shearing guitar enhanced chorus that goes “embrace me with a kiss – feeling the winter bliss.” Final cut “The Ebb And Flow (Country Version)” replaces the original's “fast strummed gazer chords” with down-home pedal-steel variations. Bass guitar and drums fall into an easy slow groove as the vocals are given an appropriately fresh reading as well. Country banjo pickin' can be heard within the mix, behind fiddles and those haunting pedal-steel strains.
Listen to and find out the multiple ways to acquire this album here:
Previous recent features covering Shoredive Records on this site can be found Here and Here.
The month of October is well-known for Autumn leaves and Halloween parties. As some contemplate what costume to wear, or to simply prepare for trick-or-treaters outside their homes, the diversion of a new DaveCromwellWrites music review is now present. Familiar electronic artists who work in the synthetic realm are featured here alongside similarly situated creators. While some are equally focused on thoughtful lyrics and their vocal presentation, others opt for sprawling ambiance of epic proportions. The universal line connecting them all is the ability to make inspired tangible recordings.
It's been a year or two since new Lunar Twin music has entered our universe. The enigmatic west coast duo are now back with “Beyond The Sun,” the first single release from their upcoming album “Aurora.” Bryce Boudreau (vocalist/songwriter) and Christopher Murphy (multi-instrumentalist/producer) continue to expand on their sonic vision with this new material. A full nine track album will be released on the first of December. Until then we have this wonderful new track which receives a close listen and complete review below.
Regimented electronic synth-bass pulses kick the track off with Kraftwerkian aplomb. Modulating through a distinct progression, subtle explosive hiss leads in to the opening lines. “I watch you fly away” is delivered in that now familiar Lannegan-eque sandpaper rasp. “Shadows stay the same” continues the vocals, cycling the intro line once more before capping this time with “our love with never fade.” A mixture of electronic and traditional sounding drums enter the mix, expanding sonic parameters. Vocals become more expressive through elongated diction, phrasing and apparent sharp-edge layering. All of that creates a psychedelic sensation to the floating/flowing voices and instruments of synths and percussion. A plateau break of sorts emerges midway, pared down to only drums and voice, with those vocals extolling the virtues of “sun” and “sleep.” Trippy-somnolent voices continue on, and bass-heavy synth throbbing returns the full sonic palette. There's a Nine Inch Nails feel to it all, who have also been known to rely heavily on bassy synth-lines and obscured, whispered vocals.
Previous Lunar Twin reviews on this site can be found HERE, HERE and HERE.
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Multi-disciplinary artist and singer-songwriter Ora Cogan is no stranger to the DCW review world. Having previously covered her psychedelic folk and ambient dream pop album “Crickets” a few years back, discovering a new EP "Dyed" has now arrived serves as welcome news. This latest music expands on her previously established hypnotic opulence and reflective elegance. These soundscapes touch on neoclassical themes, weaving together Gaelic folk, mantras and chant into unique art-rock compositions.
Commencing immediately in full falsetto-voiced motion (bypassing even a hint of slow-build instrumental intro), title track “Dyed” lyrically feels more autobiographical than fictionalized storytelling. “I woke up by the field, with a bee hitting the glass. You rolled your sequined eyes at me, as you pulled up your pants.” There's a floating sensation to the guitar and background voice elements, creating a dreamlike feel. A descending progression serves as foundation for the distinct chorus that goes “I am a fool in love and I’ve got nothing to prove.” Longer-held dive down notes and soft percussive flicks contribute further movement within this section. A brief twangy guitar interlude leads into the next verse. When the subsequent chorus section emerges, lyrics become more poetic, making comparisons to “love” as “an island forever losing its shore.”
A pleasantly surprising choice for the EP's middle track is a personalized reworking of PJ Harvey's 1995 song “To Bring You My Love.” While the original had only sparse instruments of guitar and organ, focusing predominantly on Polly's deeper vocal register, Ora adds percussion and a lively bass guitar to her higher pitched voice. Although the lyrical story is true to it's original - “I was born in the desert - I been down for years - Jesus, come closer - I think my time is near” - Ms. Cogan bathes it all in her familiar softly psychedelic sheen. Long instrumental passages between verse and chorus amplify the more musical qualities to this piece. Slight lyric changes appear in places, using “fell out” in place of “cast out” in both instances on the second verse. Ora speeds up the pace of the original somewhat as well, moving it away from Harvey's dirge-like progression to something lighter. Different too are the vocal ranges, with PJ's leaning more towards Patti Smith, and Ora falling closer to Joni Mitchell.
Final entry “Driver” is a lengthy 6 minute ambient meditation that stretches out time and thought processes for maximum introspective effect. Voices are flow in ethereal clusters, at first unintelligible like Gregorian Chants. A steady guitar churn creates a semblance of pace, as fragments of lyrical voicings emerge. “Black marble steps shining in the sun - And if anyone gave any reason,” can be made out through the undulating disquiet. “You’re growing out of your shadow. Every morning you hear It - So clear” the celestial story continues. An impactful rising guitar drone emerges near the midway point, providing a gritter element to the floating atmosphere. Layers of chanting are reestablished, infusing an avant-garde formation reminiscent of Lisa Gerrard's work with Dead Can Dance. Chiming guitar figures present snippets of melodies against a wind-rush field, enhancing the full sonic expression.
Returning here for another review is the work of Baltimore-based recording artist Andres Alfonso, who makes solo music as Los Dientes Hundidos en la Garganta. While that phrase loosely translates to “the sunken teeth in the throat,” Andres composes his ambient works with guitars, bass and heavy looping. What comes out of that are wonderfully dreamy experimental ambient electronic soundscapes. The second single “Configurations” from upcoming album “Infinite Past” on Jak Jonson Tapes has recently dropped, and get's a full review below.
A dreamy ambience starts immediately in full flight, as gentle rising waves envelop a wide sonic spectrum. Powerful staring-into-the-void atmospherics create a sensation of awe, as if experiencing something otherworldly. With this initial glacially strong soundscape making a large impression, subtle movements ebb and flow inside of it. Higher pitched tones can be detected, elevating above the mass to create an almost-reverential quality. There's a depth to this audio composition that entices our mind to go on a vision quest. One in which hallucinations and/or dreams would have you flying over vast mountain ranges and deep unexplored oceans. A sensory experience that slows down time, affecting both the auditory and neural systems of mind and body. While comparisons to Harold Budd's “The White Arcades,” Brian Eno's “Apollo” and their collaboration on “The Pearl” all come to mind, a more obscure album by Vidna Obmana - “The Contemporary Nocturne” serves as a like-minded work as well.
Dave Cromwell has been writing about music since the dawn of the internet age. In addition to the steady flow of features here on this site, he has been a regular contributor to The Deli Magazine (both Print and Web) since 2010. With numerous Print Issue cover features and weekly contributions on the Deli website, scores of artists have received the Cromwell point of view. Along with ongoing contributions to this site and The Deli Magazine, Dave has written for Dingus, My Social List, The Waster, Spin and Rolling Stone magazines.
