Album Reviews: October 2014 Week 4

Gesaffelstein - "Aleph" - 2013

This album has ended up being one of my most listened to this year, and i'm just now finally getting around to giving it a proper review. Gesaffelstein is a French electronic artist who I had previously heard songs from, but nothing ever really popped out at me as being great. This album however, is extremely high quality, pretty much from start to finish, there's hardly a low point. These songs are very stark and uplifting. Definitely in the same vein as artists like Mr. Oizo, Boys Noize, and Justice, but still definitely his own style apart from those artists. This is the type of album I can see myself listening to way in the future and still enjoying it. I love how defined the sound scape is throughout this album. Everything is precise and just so, with crisp clarity. I appreciate how there's a wide range of styles on here too. From the spoken word vocals on the opening track, to epic bangers, to dance floor sizzlers, to almost ambient beats, this album has a little something for everyone who enjoys good electronic music. Check out this stunning video for "Pursuit", and also the video for "Hate Or Glory". Also check out "Hellifornia", "Obsession", "Trans", and "Values".

The Residents - "ERA B474" - 2012

As you might guess from the title, this is all stuff the recorded before their first album in 1974. Some of this material dates back as far as 1971. As with anything related with The Residents, this isn't for the unadventurous or faint hearted. It is very interesting to hear how their core ideas were already somewhat formed that early on, even though these songs are most likely just some noodling around while intoxicated on various substances, they definitely had some sort of idea as far as what type of weirdness they were going to bring into the world, and that they were going to go full throttle with it and be unrelentingly original and free spirited as song writers. I definitely wouldn't recommend this as someone's first exposure to this interesting band, but this is cool to hear as a fan. Check out "King Kong", "Hallowed Be Thy Ween", "I Hear Ya Got Religion", and "Maggie's Farm".