Monthly Archives: December 2013
ANTH: Angola – Angola Soundtrack 2: Hypnosis, Distortions, & Other Sonic Innovations 1969-1978 (Analog Africa)
Features carefully selected examples of exotic Angolan styles like kazucuta, rebita, & semba that were popular in the years surrounding Angolan independence from Portugal in 1975, & before civil war ruined the Angolan recording industry. Compiled by Samy Ben Redjeb.
James Whetzel – Holiday: Sarod & Beats (self-released)
Holiday classics from this Seattle-based multi-instrumentalist & sarod master. The heavy percussion and the sarod (a lute-like stringed instrument often featured in classical Indian music) gives the music a Middle Eastern tone. Filed under Christmas music.
Wise Up
Elvis Costello and the Roots put out the full record “Wise Up” and it is got lots of interesting tracks on it. Totally worth a spin! FCC: none PLAY: 51,3, 9 RIYL: Elvis Costello, The Roots Label: Blue Note ###
Wise Up: Thought REmixes & Rewords
Elvis Costello and the Roots put out the full record “Wise Up” and then they did this “thought remix & rework” version of some of the tracks. It is sort of an acquired set of remixes, but give it a try. FCC: none PLAY: 5, 1, 7 RIYL: Elvis Costello, The Roots Label: Blue Note […]
WRUV Dec Mix #2 – 2013 (lots of holiday tracks)
WRUV Dec Mix #2 – 2013 (lots of holiday tracks) 1. Tennis station ID WRUV Burlington 2. Jesus Sons – Who’s Around – self 3. Beyoncé – Superpower – sony bmg 4. Beyoncé -Blow – sony bmg 5. – Beyoncé – XO – sony bmg 6. Pharrell Williams – Happy [virgin] 7. matt pond PA – Holiday Road (altitude) 8. Blue-Eyed Son – White Christmas [eenie meenie records] 9. Kate […]
Echo Bloom – Blue
Echo Bloom are a folk/Americana band from Brooklyn, led by Kyle Evans. The album Blue is very mellow for the most part with gritty lead vocals and softer female backing vocals. Very good vocal harmonies throughout. Opening track “Acclamation” is a cappella, and “The Returning of the Doves” is more of an indie rock song […]
FORET; FORET
montreal duo- all lyrics in french. lush soundscape, synths, angelic voices, guitar picks. FCC: clean RIYL: goldfrapp, joanna newsom, julia holter TRY: 1,3,10,11
ARMS; EP 2
solo from the Harlem Shakes guitarist. great rhythms, melancholic guitar, upbeat distorted pop rock FCC: clean RIYL: islands, the walkman, harlem shakes TRY: 1,2,3
DEATH ANXIETY; POCKET VINYL
lots of piano & drum rolls. ferocity & melancholy emotion, uptempo, long tracks. full of variety. FCC: clean RIYL: hold steady, bright eyes, ben folds TRY: 2,4,6,10
ELISON JACKSON; DO NOT FEAR TO KILL A DEAD MAN
Second EP from this band, full length album. fuzzy whiskey folk with synths and stomps FCC: clean RIYL: bright eyes & noah and the whale TRY: 1,2,6,8
JONES JNR; THE SOULTAPE 2
old school soul & contemporary beats. Longer tracks, new sounds, live instruments. FCC: 1,3 RIYL: sharon jones & the Dap kings, bobby womack, mayer hawthorne TRY: 2,5,6
TONY DEKKER; PRAYER OF THE WOODS
very soft and slow folk, intimate approach, songs full of deep meaning (“contemplations of mortality, finding spirituality in the natural world, and ongoing existential crisis”) FCC: clean RYIL: great lake swimmers, Bon Iver, William Fitzsimmons, Angus Stone Try: 2,5,9,10
Give the people what they want
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings are finally back with a new album – “Give the People What They Want.” This is a great album full of the soul band vibe that you love them for. FCC: none PLAY: 2, 5, 6 RIYL: Mavis Staples ##
Boogarins (Other Music) As Plantas Que Curam
Psychedelic pop from Brazilian duo made up of brothers Fernando Almeida and Benke Ferraz. The brothers are in their late teens and this album was recorded using borrowed gear and with self-taught technology in their parents’ basement. Songs sung in Portuguese.
Various Artists (Putumayo World Music) Café Latino
Featuring contemporary singer-songwriters from Latin America and Spain, this collection is inspired by the tertulia, which is an informal gathering at a bar, café or in someone’s living room, where music is often played. Some of the songs featured are inspired by local folk traditions with poetic lyrics. All of the songs are laid back, […]
Low Frequency in Stereo – Pop Obskura (Long Branch Records)
Low Frequency in Stereo – Pop Obskura Funky, catchy electro beats blend in with analog sampling to make intoxicating danceable lo-fi indie pop melodies. The fourth full length release from Norwegian quartet, The Low Frequency in Stereo, tracks trade male and female vocals and dreamy synth that keeps us locked into interest a few […]
Higgins Waterproof Black Magic Band – [Self Titled] EP (ZNA)
Higgins Waterproof Black Magic Band – [Self Titled] EP ZNA Side project of TV on the Radio’s lead singer Tunde Adebimpe, the 5 track EP features the signature moody croon of its frontman, echoing vox over post-punk/ indie rock meldodies. Tracks retains TVotR’s trademark weirdo alt stamp while trading eclectic rhythms with reggae influenced […]
The Piano Guys–A Family Christmas
Contemporary cutesy versions for those inclined to “lite” classical.
Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell & Friends
Well done Xmas compilation of contemporary or jazzy versions with big names involved (Alison Krauss, Placido Domingo, Chick Corea, etc).
Max Lifchitz–Rhythmic Soundscape
Interesting contemporary works for percussion either solo or with ensemble by a Mexican-born, NYC based composer, influenced by Berio, Milhaud, Maderna and Kirchner. Play!
The Da Vinci Collection
Music composed during Leonardo da Vinci’s time,( the Renaissance) and believed to have been played by him (he was an accomplished composer/performer of songs and the lira da braccio (similar to a medieval fiddle, although da Vinci’s was silver and in the shape of a horse’s skull in order to be louder). This CD has […]
21st Century Lyrical Clarinet Concertos
Pieces from 3 composers (Toussaint, Alonso-Crespo & Fitts) that reflect differences in regions and the clarinet’s lyrical and dramatic uses since its development. Play most!
Iannis Xenakis–Ensemble Music 3
Classical/avant-garde works for a variety of instrumental combinations (percussion, large ensemble, marimba etc.) Trk 3 with voice. Trks 3 + 5 difficult. Other tracks much more accessible.
Strange Flowers–Chamber Music of Kirk O’Riordan
Interesting, mostly long, abstract pieces for solo piano or with strings, clarinet or flute. Play or sample most!
Sandrider- Godhead
Sandrider– Godhead Release date: 2013Nov19 Label: Good To Die Records Rating: 4/5 Sandrider hail from Seattle, WA and play dirty, fuzzed-out desert rock in the vein of The Jesus Lizard meets Kyuss. “Ruiner” is the soundtrack to wandering aimlessly in the Mojave. Production values on “Tides” are straight out of 1991. Simple and gritty, not sitting pretty. […]
WRUV Reviews 