My thoughts on The Fierce and The Dead's On VHS EP

I am a big fan of both Matt Stevens and the band he plays guitar with... The Fierce and The Dead... and, as you can imagine, I jumped at the chance to get a preview of "On VHS" TFATD's latest EP. This release doesn't disappoint nor does it suffer from any sophomore album-type jitters... this is a prime example of instrumental rock music at its finest... taut, muscular and powerful.

It certainly packs a punch but it also displays a delightful predisposition towards melody, imaginative expression and intricate detail... which, for me, helps TFATD stand out. The influences of post-hardcore and progressive rock are evident... but there is something new in the mix too. They haven't just rehashed the past but sought to move forward... both in terms of their personal musical direction and on a broader macro level.

The addition of second guitarist Steve Cleaton was an inspired move... further enhancing the riffage and the melodies allowing the EP to be both heavier and more tuneful. It has also freed Stevens up to be less dependent of loops and empowered him to reach out... and reach out he does with some tremendous skill presented to the listener.

That said, its not all about the guitars... the ongoing partnership of Kev Feazey and Stuart Marshall on bass and drums has benefitted from the elapsed time together... they sound tighter... with Feazey's bass, in particular, getting some sublime front-and-centre focus throughout the EP.

The opening track - "666...6" - is a wonderfully upbeat and remarkably jaunty number featuring a sweet bass solo and the interplay of guitars before some seriously chunky melodies take to the fore. The variety of sounds and real focus on melody make this track a great opener.

The next track - "Hawaii" - features an interesting amalgam of chunky Dr Know-esque riffage with sweet surfy style guitar runs. It's a heady combination... one that works really, really well.

The third and penultimate track - "On VHS" - features the two guitarists playing off each other... with the effective mid-tempo backing of Feazey & Marshall... to create the most delightful King Crimson-esque wall-of-sound.

The last track - "Part 3" - is longer than the other three by about three minutes. This additional space provides room for the track to infuse... to grow stronger and more flavourful as the time passes. It is truly a belter of a track... with a taut bass opening, some sweet slide guitars and a beautiful melody that makes way for a heavier expression.

All in... "On VHS" is fantastic. It exemplifies instrumental rock music at its very best. Bold, powerful and imaginative. My only criticism is its too short... there isn't enough to satiate my hunger. I has left me looking forward for more. My hope for 2012 is to catch them live.

Recommended.

Have a wee listen to the title track "On VHS" below... and get your pre-order in for the CD which contains two extra remixes.

Tx

My thoughts on Earlyguard's "Continuo I-IV"

Epic. It's a small word that describes big things... and it is a word that is apt to describe Earlyguard's latest release “Continuo I-IV”. Consisting of four longform ambient pieces with a total duration of three hours and eight minutes... this is truly an epic release.

It presents a move towards Earlyguard’s more minimal, textured ambience and features a truly hypnotic ebb and flow. These somascapes may not have the narrative elements that characterise some of the sound-pictures he released last year... but they make up for this with their sheer epic scale and fully immersive quality.

This release isn't for the faint-hearted or the easily bored... the tracks presented are the true antithesis of a three minute pop song. These tracks need to be savoured... experienced... they take time and effort. If you want a shower then this isn’t for you... this is the audio equivalent of a long and luxurious soak in an old enamel roll-top bath... one that immerses you up to the chin.

I love ambient drones... especially longform pieces and Earlyguard is one of my most favourite artists in this arena. There is a humility that underpins his work which matches the stripped back nature of his compositions... there is nothing shouty or ’in yer face’ about him or his work... which is something I dearly value. His drones create wonderful spaces to just be... to think and to breathe... providing moments out of the maddening crowd, so to speak, and into a uniquely personal space where all the imposing distractions of life have been paused.

Maybe I read too much into these soundscapes... these sound-escapes... but that's what Earlyguard’s music gives me and why I am grateful for, not only his talent, but also his willingness to share this talent with others.

Continuo I-IV is a gift... an epic and deeply immersive gift... and one I am grateful to receive and consume.

Tx

Continuo I-IV is available now on Bandcamp for free. I have embedded the player below and would heartily recommend you having a listen:

Loving... the video for "Aurora" by Good Weather for an Airstrike

Such a beautiful track... enhanced by some delightful visuals. Enjoy.

Tx

Scanned :: some stamps with interesting designs... part 3

In this post I have brought together some fab animal stamps from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (aka North Korea).

Enjoy.

Tx

"Everest" released on Invisible Agent

Drew Miller aka The Northern Hemisphere has joined forces with one of my fave netlabels - Invisible Agent - to release/rerelease his album "Everest".

I featured this album back in November 2010 where I said it...

...has a majesty of sound and imagination evocative of the highest mountain in the world. The soundscapes created by another of my twitter friends are wondrous indeed... they engage me, as the listener. There is a sense of intentionality that comes through the music... more ambient than post-rock... no theme is over-used nor is there overt noise for the sake of a climatic ending. This is different... splendid ambient subtleties with, at times, the spatter of percussion. Recommended.

I would still recommend it. For me it has aged well. This version includes a bonus track entitled "Dal Niente" which is a delightful addition to the album.

I have embedded a wee player below to let you have a wee listen.

Tx

Books with great covers... part 3 :: More Alexander McCall Smith

In this post I feature more covers from Alexander McCall Smith's "No 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series... which, I hope you'll agree, feature some great designs by the illustrator Hannah Firmin.

Tx

My thoughts on “Euterpe” by Austere

"Maybe it’s the time of year… the cold and damp… the lack of sun… the desire to hibernate, preferably in front of an open fire with a good book… that has made these releases all the more appealing. Or maybe it’s just because they are so strong and Koch-Northrup’s quality control is particularly well attuned. I think it’s both… with the case in point being “Euterpe” by Austere."

Read the rest of my review on Alternative Matter

My thoughts on "the stars and afterward" by Philip Wilkerson

I have been a fan of Philip Wilkerson's music for a wee while now. I think he is a talented individual with whom I share a passion for electronic soundscapes. I considered "ten to eleven" to be one of my top ten favourite albums of 2011 and jumped at the chance to listen to and promote his latest release... "the stars and afterward".

I am delighted to say the album sounds awesome... there is a vibrancy about the music that is simply delightful.

Wilkerson's music varies from more upbeat Vangelisian melodies to more subdued ambient soundscapes. I love this variety and it is in full effect on this recording.

The opening track - "Monoceros" - is a ray of sunshine... wonderfully upbeat with some retro Vangelisian synths used to carry a rather chirpy melody.

From this opening we move to a more subdued but wonderfully deep track entitled "among the nebulae" which has a tremendous fluidity about it... the rhythms used bring a real sense of movement... one that is inherently catchy.

The third track - "Radiance" - is a remastered longform slice of the most delightful ambience. It is an immersive somascape that just fills me with joy. It is truly radiant. A vision of light and inspiration that certainly doesn't feel like 21 minutes in duration.

"Endlessly spiralling" - the fourth of the seven tracks - is sequenced just right... it follows perfectly on from "Radiance" and continues the theme of light... in the most uplifting of ways. It is gorgeous, plain and simple. Warm, immersive and inviting.

Coming in fifth on the tracklisting is "seven degrees north of Castor" which brings the listener back to the kind of vibrant, multi-layered rhythms and catchy melody that is presented in of the first track. It is a delight to listen to... both as part of the whole that is the album... and on its own.

The penultimate track - "among the Nebulae (ambient mix)" - brings us back to the second track and carries on the themes initially presented there... but without the rhythms... to create an engaging and immersive drone-led somascape. There is a "blade runner" feel to this track... a delicious hint of late-night melancholy that reminds me of Vangelis' seminal soundtrack.

The last track is also the title track for this release - "the stars and afterward" - and for it Wilkerson has gone for his trademark warmth and inclusive ambience. He really does create the best somascapes and this is a prime example of them. A true delight and a fitting end to the album.

I would heartily recommend this album and am grateful to Wilkerson for sending me a copy to review. If you like ambient and/or electronic music then this release would make an excellent addition to your collection. Have a wee listen below to hear what I mean.

Tx

Scanned :: some stamps with interesting designs... part 2

Scanned :: some stamps with interesting designs... part 1

I know this will take me to a whole 'nother level of nerdery but I've kind of fallen in love with stamps. Not just any stamps... but stamps with interesting designs.

I was inspired by this article on Brainpickings (which is a blog that MUST be in your RSS) and spoke to my pal @myopicaardvark about it. Turns out his wife collected stamps a while back... had stopped... and wanted to share her collection with me.

I've had a good look through it... separated the wheat from the chaff, so to speak... and have picked out some really lovely ones. These stamps tend to originate from the 50s onwards predominately from what was the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and the Far East.

My intention is to scan them... share them with you... and then put them in a Moleskine or similar notebook.

I must state I am not collecting stamps... or, should I say, I'm not collecting any old stamp... I am just looking to collect, share and celebrate some stamps with interesting, delightful and lovely designs.

Enjoy.

Tx