Monthly Archives: March 2017
Spoon – “Hot Thoughts”
Sometimes, when a band has been around for over 20 years, their sound can get stale and in trying to keep their music relevant in the modern music scene, a band can cause their downfall to be even more swift. This is not the case however for long time indie rockers Spoon. They are one […]
Xiu Xiu – “Forget”
“Forget” acts as a summary piece of Xiu Xiu’s work up to this point, and allows new listeners to understand the band’s sound, without having to dig deep into their extensive catalog of work. Their trademark experimental art pop sound and tight production is accented by Jamie Stewart’s powerful vocal performances, and allows the band […]
Mount Eerie – “A Crow Looked At Me”
Phil Elverum lost his wife—an artist and the mother of his child—to cancer. His new album is a meditation on her memory, but also on what it means to keep living. These songs are not fun. They are pretty and they are deep, steeped in a love that prevails beneath the overwhelming sorrow. Label: P.W. Elverum & Sun Play: 1, 3, 6, […]
Animal Collective – “The Painters” EP
More wackiness from Animal Collective to liven up your day! This is the companion release to their 2016 Painting With album. As with every new Animal Collective album, their music is in one way or another different on Painting With and it’s accompanied EP from previous works. Their characteristic juxtaposition between campfire primitivism and electronic experimentation has remained a near-constant. Label: Domino Recording Play: 2, 3, […]
King Woman- Created In The Image Of Suffering
Slow sludgy guitars, with an almost drone-like quality, layered over ethereal female vocals. This is metal lite, for folks who like something slower and with clearer vocals. Great for any ritualistic plans you may have for the coming solstice! RIYL: Wax Idols, Planning for burial, Whirr Label:Relapse Recommend: 1, 2, 3, 6, FCC: 5
Le Trouble- Making Matters Worse
This Montreal based quintet, a great, banging pop-rock album. It hits hard right from the beginning and apart from the one slow song in the middle, keeps the pace throughout. With the guitars and vocals driving the majority of these songs, using only a scant smattering of sythesizers, these guys create a solid sound for […]
Conor Oberst- Salutations
Another from the ever prolific Conor Oberst, this folk-rock album is a bit of a darker reflection on death and loss. Fans of the Obe will love it, as it has those wavering fragile vocals with some great traditional instrumentation, accordians, harmonicas, violins, and the like. RIYL: Bright Eyes, M. Ward, Jim James Label:Nonesuch Recommend: […]
The Obsessives- Self-titled
A great little indie-rock album, with a lot of fun, catchy hooks, crisp, driving drums, and self referential, often sarcastic vocals that delivers from start to finish. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but you’ll be jamming the whole time. Favorite album of 2017 so far!? RIYL: Thin Lips, Sorority Noise, Pixies, human kitten Label: Lame-O Records […]
Soundgarden- Ultramega OK
A Reissue/remix of Soundgarden’s first album with some early recordings and chaotic noisey interludes sprinkled in for nostalgic purposes. If you are a fan of Soundgarden and other music from the era, your sure to enjoy this. RIYL: Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana Label: Sub-Pop Recommend: 1,2,4,6 FCC: 4, 7
Wayne Vitale & Brian Baumbusch–Mikrokosma
Contemporary gamelan, breaking the traditional rules. Play!
Score–2Cellos
The classical crossover cello duo famous for transcribing rock works for cellos has released this album of movie music with the London Symphony Orchestra. Good if you are a fan of popular movie music.
In the Light of Ravel
Lovely, modern and abstract, yet lyrical works for harp and various accompaniment. Play!
Forever Beeler–Sonatas and Soli of Alan Beeler
Animated and mostly very short works for various instruments (vibraphone, piano, flute, violin, horns) varying rhythmically. Play!
Cras–Works for Piano Solo
Jean Cras was a career Naval officer in the French service (ending as a rear admiral). A polymath, he found time to compose. These are lyrical, interesting works.
Carosello di Fantasie
Decidedly abstract works for sax, but accessible, Scelsi’s quiet.
Cello Style
A collection of modern, abstract solo cello works, including Henze, Stockhausen, Britten and Sciarrino, amongst others. Play!
Mappa Mundi
Canadian Guitar Quartet performs a collection of mostly modern, abstract pieces with one transcription of Vivaldi. Play!
Aorta–Music for Piano & Electronics
Vicky Chow performs works by Andy Akiho and Daniel Wohl amongst others, ranging from quiet abstract to staccato. Play!
Crystal Mooncone–Listening Beam Five
With diverse instruments (bells, bike horns, digital insects and more) these are ambient, somewhat droning and eerie works, interesting!
Ralph Towner–My Foolish Heart
This is a gorgeous album by Towner, known for his elegant guitar work especially in the jazz world. Here, he seems more classical, perhaps because he’s using either classical or 12-string guitar. Play, play, play!
Komitas–Piano and Chamber Music
Mostly lilting and gracious works by an Armenian composer with folk elements. Play!
Russian Giants–Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Weinberg, Stravinsky
Great works for viola and piano, especially Weinberg’s! Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet well-known.
Mieczyslav Weinberg–Chamber Symphonies
Beautiful, modern chamber symphonies, lyrical yet with tension. Play!
Minus the Bear – VOIDS
VOIDS is the latest album from indie progressive rock band Minus the Bear who have built a large following over their 15+ year career with a series of diverse albums. This album is somewhat of a return to the sound of their best albums Menos El Oso and Planet of Ice, but feels a bit […]
Johnossi – Blood Jungle
Johnossi are a rock duo from Sweden who have a big following there, but are mostly unknown in the States. Blood Jungle is the followup to their 2014 album Transitions (which I reviewed that summer and enjoyed quite a bit), and fifth album overall. This album is fairly mainstream sounding radio rock like you would […]
WRUV Reviews 