Bästard were a French group at the forefront of post-rock in the early 90's.
Influenced by acts like Sonic Youth, Bästard created their own mesh of noisy/angular sounds sewn into gracefully shifting rhythmic dirges, occasionally interjecting vocals for a great collaborative sound.
Their 1996 album 'Radiant, Discharged, Crossed-Off' is seen as the peak of their work, and in many circles an essential post-rock album. And with standouts like "Chinatown" and "Travelgum" it's easy to see why; labels aside just a really good album start to finish.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Bästard - Radiant, Discharged, Crossed-Off
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Deceptikon - Lost Subject
Deceptikon is the moniker of Zachary Wright from Portland, Oregon.
Wright was signed to Florida label Merck Records, releasing his debut album 'Lost Subject' in May 2004.
The album is chock full of forward-moving beats coated in extremely rich layers of ambient nuances; some songs literally require repeat listens just to process all the subtleties laced into the beats, obvious that Wright made the album a labor of love from track to track.
He released his follow up 'Greater Cascadia' in 2007, around the same time he moved to Japan.
Wright has since returned to the states with his new album due this February.
Favorite among favorites:
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Red Animal War - Black Phantom Crusades
Red Animal War are a shifting four-piece since their inception in 1998.
The band had a knack on early releases for their melding of emo/post-punk driven vocals in the midst of dynamic, post-hardcore realms.
No greater example is their fan-favorite 'Black Phantom Crusades', their second full-length in 2002. The album covers everything from slow building pieces with ascending horns, to frenzied drum and bass romps like on my personal favorite, "Mouse".
The lyrics can sometimes be an easy scab to pick ("she put her heart in a suitcase"), but his delivery never sounds fake and the band wouldn't be/sound the same without them. Plus in the world of emo/alternative music I think he's one of the more diverse vocalists, likewise with often enlightening things to say...
Pretty great stuff, if the album drags for you, at least see it through to "Mouse", and if you make it that far, you'll be kicking yourself if you don't wait for the concluding "Jambalaya".
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
BACTERIA - HATE ALL
JUST REMEMBER ALL CAPS WHEN YOU SPELL THE MEN' NAMECame across their 2005 mini-album 'HATE ALL', which opens to some pounding fizzle and distant yells, then wraps up with the two-part "From Some Faraway Small World", a more drawn-out and experimental exploration into the band's sound.
Their follow up album 'Lost' came out late last year.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Bisk - Time
Closest thing to a picture of Bisk ;lBisk is the moniker of Japan's Naohiro Fujikawa.
Fujikawa is a self-confessed non-musician who delights in the "upsetting order in music".
I'd probably argue to Bisk he's on an elevated-plane of breakbeat/sample-craft in the realm of experimental techno, by whatever means...
Under the Belgian label Sub Rosa, 'Time' was his debut album with the Bisk moniker in '96, just in his early twenties.
Wild stuff/Recommended.
Posting also as a reminder to myself (and thus, you) to check out his '97 follow up full-length, 'Strange Or Funny-HaHa?', which apparently eclipses the abstract conciseness of 'Time'.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
LoDeck & Omega One - Postcards from the Third Rock
LoDeck & Omega OneHad this album in my radar for awhile and just now got around to it...
As usual Omega One brings some of the freshest beats, and MC LoDeck does a pretty good job of exploring the tracks from all angles.
Solid...upping the instrumental version in a separate link.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Niño - Deep Space Night
Niño is an abstract hip-hop beatmaker from Spain. His 2009 EP 'Deep Space Night' was distributed for free download on Pendrive Records.
Fans of blip-beats/IDM will feel right at home.
Just under twenty minutes of polished, cosmic material - definitely one to keep tabbed.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Diagonal
Diagonal are a seven-piece from Brighton, UK.
Taking cues from prog-staples of old like King Crimson, Diagonal weave in a modern lining of post/jazz-rock, tastefully blurring the intersection between the two.
Just now coming across their late '08 self-titled full-length -- lots of prog-esque passages with a clear song-writing focus; nice interspersing of sax and keys.
Something for the progheads & artfag/K-mart Dark Side of the Moon wearers alike.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Nine - Cloud 9
Nine is the alias of MC Derrick Keyes, a Bronx-native who came up under the wing of protégé DJ Funkmaster Flex. Nine established himself with his unique and gritty voice, gaining critical and underground success with his debut 'Nine Livez'.
Nine's '96 opus 'Cloud 9' is a refined slice of his harsh and punctual nature, showcasing his guttural flow over bap-beats provided by Rob Lewis.
Just an overlooked MC and voice, one of the realest to shovel gravel.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Ruins - Burning Stone
Slightly embarrassed that in my year+ of doing this that I haven't posted anything from Ruins (close with Korekyojinn) -- drum/bass duo from Japan who basically made it cool to be a drum and bass duo...technically a planned trio but the guitarist never showed up.
(lol)
Drumming mastermind Tatsuya Yoshida has been the backbone since Ruins' inception in '85 (and has operated solo since 2004), with a revolving-door of four bass players throughout the project.
Highly influenced by zeuhl pioneers Magma, Ruins followed suit implementing a fictional language, bounced back and forth in Ruins' distinct (& eventually charming) high-pitched yelps and wails.
I'm nearing completion in Ruins' discog, but recently stumbled on 'Burning Stone' from 1992, continuing the assumption that the band doesn't really have a bad release.
Anyone who has heard Ruins should feel right at home, but for the unfamiliar brace for Yoshida's wind-up flurry, microwaved bass, and overall barrage on your senses.
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