Album Reviews: December 2013 Week 2

The Bug - "Filthy" 2013

This is a 4 song EP of a couple grime sounding songs. There is only 2 beats that are used twice each with different vocalists on the different versions. Neither of the beats does much for me, and i'm generally not into grime rappers due to the British accents combined with reggae patois sounding annoying to me, but this EP also has reggae artist Daddy Freddy and Detroit rapper Danny Brown on it. The song that has Danny Brown on it is even only OK. If this style of music is your thing, you might want to check this one out, i'm just not personally into it. Check out the video for "Dirty" featuring Flowdan and this video of a combination of 2 of the tracks on here for "Kill Them / Louder" featuring Daddy Freddy & Flowdan. Also check out "Freakshow" featuring Danny Brown & Kiki Hitomi.

Shannon & The Clams - "Dreams In The Rat House" 2013

This album is pretty cool sounding. It doesn't really sound like a new album, it has kind of a late 50's/early 60's surf vibe to it, or very rockabilly-like without the country aspect of that equation, and more lighthearted sounding, with a little doo wop splashed in. I wish there was a tiny bit more variance in the style from song to song throughout the LP, but this is a pretty solid package when it's all said and done. I would definitely recommend these guys to people who like garage rock stuff like Thee Oh Sees but also to people who like soul revival stuff like Daptone Records puts out. Check out the video for "Rat House". Also check out "Hey Willy", "Bed Rock", "Ozma", "If I Could Count", and "Into A Dream".

Moistboyz - "V" 2013

Well, even if we don't get any more new Ween albums, at least we can still get new music from the Moistboyz. This is the other band that guitarist Mickey Melchiondo aka Dean Ween is in, along with singer Guy Heller. This is pretty on par with the previous Moistboyz albums, quality-wise. Stylistically, this one is a little less 'in your face' and more laid back than the previous albums, but the trademark sense of humor and general feeling of middle fingers up defiance is still fully intact. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Ween (obviously), Queens Of The Stone Age and Eagles Of Death Metal, or even Ministry. Check out the video for "Paperboy". (They had somebody create a little jacked up version of the classic video game for the video.) Also check out "Protect & Serve", "Down On The Farm", "My Time To Die", "One Cut At A Time", and "Medusa"

Album Reviews: December 2013 Week 1

Guilty Simpson - "OJ Simpson (Detroit Version)" 2013

There was 2 versions of this album that Madlib had put together, and this was considered the alternate one. I like that it's more concise and less aimless seeming than the regular version that was released in 2010, but it still pales in comparison to his debut album, "Ode To The Ghetto", and there was no getting around the fact that this was destined to be a sophomore slump album by comparison. This album is definitely not weak at all though. Any fan of Madlib's production or Guilty's rhymes is going to enjoy this album a lot. The beats are generally a little tighter than the original versions, and he cut a lot of the fat and made this version a lot less interlude-laden. I definitely prefer this to the regular version. This is an exclusive release to the Stones Throw subscription service, and therefore I have no way of sharing any tracks from this on here. Sorry.

James Blake - "Overgrown" 2013

I noticed this was on a lot of people's lists of 'most disappointing albums of 2013', and I just don't understand that. I think this is an improvement on his first album, where it seemed like he sounded a bit awkward and uncomfortable at times. He seems completely comfortable doing what he's doing on this LP, and the results sound good. Some might find his voice a little off-putting at first, but once you get used to it, he sounds like a nice new unique voice. It's cool to see people successfully change the way they generally approach making music, and do it in a way that's not corny or sellout seeming. He started out as an instrumental electronic artist with no specific style, but always with good detailed sonic qualities, but now that he started incorporating singing into his repertoire, his music comes off as an odd mixture between the styles of Radiohead, Cold War Kids, and King Krule. Check out the videos for "Retrograde" and "Overgrown". Also check out "Life Round Here", "Take A Fall For Me" featuring RZA, "To The Last", and "Every Day I Ran".

Statik Selektah - "Extended Play" 2013

It's possible that it's an indicator as to how not into hip hop I am nowadays, but this album just does nothing for me. Sure there's some decent beats on here, but none of them blow my mind either. The guest list is pretty 'cream of the crop' for the east coast nowadays, in terms of people bringing the classic east coast sound, but still, most of the verses on here just seem kinda corny and borderline annoying. I feel like a hater for not really enjoying this, because it's technically not a bad album at all, but it's just not where i'm at currently at this point in time I guess. Check this out if you enjoy classic 90's sounding east coast hip hip and are looking for something new out there. Check out the video for "21 & Over" featuring Sean Price & Mac Miller. Also check out "Make Believe" featuring Termanology, Freddie Gibbs, & Easy Money, "Pinky Ring" featuring Prodigy from Mobb Deep, and "Bird's Eye View" featuring Raekwon, Joey Badass, & Black Thought

BitsBits: Blogmix December 2013

http://www.mixcloud.com/ryanbirch54/relic86-blogmix-december-2013/

Album Reviews: November 2013 Week 4

Saprogenic - "Expanding Toward Collapsed Lungs" 2013

As with most good metal albums are for me, this was a blind download that ended up panning out. I'm not big on sub-genre classifications, but I think this would be considered death metal. In any event, this is a solid release full of brutal sounding songs. As far as I can tell, this is their 3rd album, so it looks like i'll have to go back and see what's up with the older ones too. Check out "Expanding Toward Collapsed Lungs", "Eat My Heart", "Mutated Deception", and "Ritual Blaze".

Coki - "Don't Get It Twisted Vol. 2" 2012

1/2 of Digital Mystikz and a solid solo artist as well, this is some older sounding dubstep that sounds pretty decent. Nothing mind blowing or game changing, but bumpin nonetheless. Check out "Light Years", "Drop N Run", "Mid June Madness", and "On Board".

Matmos - "The Marriage Of True Minds" 2013

So, they ran a bunch of Ghostbusters sounding experiments on various subjects involving sensory deprivation, and projected light and sound, and recorded their experiments. The end result is actually almost more cohesive of an album than they usually come with, which is kinda funny to me. This is more or less what you would expect, if you are a long time fan of the group. Beautiful and sometimes haunting soundscapes, all pasted together perfectly, with surprisingly intricate details to the sound quality. If you're unfamiliar with Matmos, this album is as good as any to make yourself familiar. Highly recommended for people who enjoy well done progressive music and also for people who are mainly into electronic music, and maybe are finding yourself bored with a lot of what you hear. Check out this awesome video for "Very Large Green Triangles". Also check out "Teen Paranormal Romance", "In Search Of A Lost Faculty", "Tunnel", and the brilliant, genre-defying album closer, "ESP".

Album Reviews: November 2013 Week 3

Ricardo Villalobos - "Dependent & Happy" 2012

I truthfully don't know much about him, just that i've heard his name thrown around a decent amount in the past, so I don't know how this would rank among the rest of his career, but this album sounds pretty decent. Usually I hear his music described as being either minimal techno or micro house. All of the sounds are very textured, defined, and ever-changing. Very psychedelic without being overwhelming. Not really for relaxing or dancing, just intense listening. I like it. Check out the entire album here as a playlist.

Pelican - "Forever Becoming" 2013

For those not in the know, Pelican is an awesome instrumental rock band. It's been a long 4 years since their last full length, and since then they had a lineup change and replaced one of the guitarists. This didn't really affect the band's sound at all, and to long time fans of theirs, this album is right on the money. I actually prefer this one over the last one. There's a little less slow building and the songs "get to the point" a little faster, which might disappoint some people, but this is still the same Pelican that I love. Music that is just so easy to kick back and jam out to or get engulfed within. Something about not having the restrictions of a vocalist just makes their music that much better to me. Nobody bellowing over the melodies, drowning them out and ruining them. Check out "Deny The Absolute", "The Tundra", "Perpetual Dawn", and "Vestiges".

Odd Nosdam - "If Grill Du Rot" 2012

This is a few sound collages and funny samples he put together in between 1999 and 2001, according to the description. "Normal" people would find this unlistenable, but I enjoy stuff like this, and this little EP definitely puts a huge smile on my face. I especially like the Dana Carvey "choppin broccoli" sample. Here is the bandcamp page for this release.

Isaiah Toothtaker - "Illmatic 2" 2013

It's really hard to describe an artist like Isaiah Toothtaker. His music is steeped in a certain "internet sound", but it's not limited to that. He has a defined style but still sounds all over the place, which is good for me, because I never get bored with him. Sometimes his flow reminds me a little of people from Doomtree, but he doesn't have that element of cornyness that most of their stuff is draped in. There's a certain sing-songy quality to some of his flows that becomes infectious once you get used to it. This release is even more varied than usual for him, which is impressive. Hitting from so many different styles from so many different angles, but maintaining a common style and thread throughout. Not an easy accomplishment. Free download or listen here. Also check out the video for "Midnight".

Bassnectar - "Divergent Spectrum Remixes" 2012

A little EP of remixes from last year. There's honestly nothing that stands out on this for me. Nobody is doing a whole lot to make their remixes actually better than the originals, but at the same time none of these are terrible and unlistenable like many remixes on releases like this tend to be. Check out "Voodoo (Bassnectar & ill.gates Remix)", "Red Step (Steve Aoki Remix)", and "Voodoo (Beats Antique Remix)".

Clutch - "Earth Rocker" 2013

The one thing that's always impressed me about Clutch, aside from just the musicianship itself, is that ever since they came out in the early 90's, they have barely changed their style at all. Trends have come and gone and Clutch has remained constant through it all. This new one seems to be their most focused album since 2004's "Blast Tyrant". The albums in between were still cool, but I felt like they were sort of seeming like they were starting to lose steam as a band. Maybe it's just me and i'm more into rock n roll again this year than I have been in a while. In any event, this is sure to please fans of the group, and probably not win any new fans either. They have always been one of those bands where you either like them or you don't. Check out the video for "Earth Rocker". Also check out "Unto The Breach", "The Wolf Man Kindly Requests...", and "Gone Cold". Or listen to the whole album here.

Mike Wexler - "Dispossession" 2012

This was a blind download that turned out to be some pretty decent mellow rock. Nothing about this album is overly outstanding, but at the same time, I never have a desire to turn it off or fast forward. It's nice and relaxing and even engaging at times. It's good to hear new music from someone willing to make longer songs that aren't boring, but are actually somewhat of an adventure. My favorite track is the album closer, "Liminal", but I can't find a link for it. Check out "Lens", "Spectrum", "The Trace", and "Pariah".

Knxwledge - "Karma.Loops.PRT5" 2013

Another of his 8 billion releases. He is like a low budget Madlib, culling samples from slightly more recent eras. As usual, i'm diggin it. Here is the bandcamp page for this.

WITCH's Jagari Chanda - "Kwamanunga" 2013

This was an exclusive available only to Now Again Records subscribers. These are 2 newly recorded songs, so hopefully there is more to come. These sound great. Unfortunately, I am unable to share.

J Dilla - "Lost Tapes Reels + More" 2013

I'm not one to look down on another new collection of stuff from one of my favorite people in music of all time, but it looks as though they are finally scraping the bottom of the barrel for treats from Dilla. There's still some gems here for sure, and this collection isn't actually wack by any means. It's just not stellar, and I wouldn't expect it to be, since these are most likely mostly leftovers that didn't make the grade when he was alive. There's still a few Donuts-like gems here though. Not many are up on youtube. Check out "Go Get Em", "Here We Go Again", and "Lickn".

Ras G - "El-Aylien Part II: C.razy A.lien" 2012

This is easily the most bugged out release i've heard come out of the beat scene so far. Ras G is on another level, possibly another astral plane or dimension. Space is the place. Anyone that's into progressive music and is looking for something new and different to tantalize your ears, should check this release for sure. Check out "Unfolding", "Broken Cartridge", "Green Curry", and "Plates & Forks (The PAF)".

BitsBits: Mystery Mix November 2013

Name some of the artists in this mix, and win your own custom made mix.

http://www.mixcloud.com/ryanbirch54/mystery-mix-november-2013/

Album Reviews: November 2013 Week 2

I took a week off of new listening to do some much needed organizing of files and other mundane tasks, but now i'm back in effect with a new crop of reviews.

The Cyclist - "Bones In Motion" 2013

I found out about this artist based on a track that was on a Leaving Records compilation. This album has a weird sound quality to it, that reminds me of high quality cassette tapes from back in the days. A lot of the songs start out simply and build into some fairly intricate soundscapes, and tend to do so in abstract ways that I wouldn't normally expect songs to. Stylistically this album falls somewhere in between house and downtempo, and it's all through this lo-fi filter that makes it all sound like you're listening to older recordings that have been unearthed by someone. Check out "Mangel", "Bones In Motion", "Dusty", and "Reels".

Mistabishi - "Calm" 2013

Mistabishi seems like a pretty prolific artist. He seems to drop at least 2 full lengths and a couple other scattered releases every year for the past couple years. This is a 7 song EP that seems to be a collaboration between him and some unlisted female vocalists, similar to the dynamic that Tricky has with his collaborators. The music I had heard from him previously was a lot more upbeat than these songs are, so I was at first taken aback by the downtempo nature of the majority of this. I actually dig this more than the other stuff I heard by him though. Splashes of beat scene and trip hop, but not really falling into either category. It looks there's a video for each song too. Extremely well done videos, I might add. Check out the videos for "Genes", "Blackeyes", "Paranorms", "Fallout", "Why On Earth", and "Hymn 23".

Feed Me - "Death By Robot" 2013

 A little 3 song EP from an artist i'm relatively neutral on. I've heard decent and terrible songs from him before, so I gave this a whirl. The title track is a horrible Daft Punk ripoff, and the other 2 songs don't really do much for me either. Ahh well, better luck next time. Check out this awesome video for "Death By Robot". Also check out "Gravel" and "Dialup Days".

The Poets Of Rhythm - "Anthology 1992-2003" 2013

The title is self-explanatory. Daptone Records released this very nice compilation that nicely covers a good portion of the songs they released under their various monikers. Anyone that enjoys a lot of the current soul revival music being released that has not heard of these guys, needs to check this out, as they predated the whole trend, and were making this type of music back when hardly anyone else was, outside of The Brand New Heavies. Check out "Choking On A Piece Of Meat", "Serengeti Stroke", "The Donkey", "Summerdays", and "More Mess On My Thing".

Suff Daddy & Ta-ku - "Bricks & Mortar" 2013

First off, i'd like to say that damn, Ta-ku has been on a roll this year. From remixes to free downloads to regular albums, he's killin it from all angles, and pretty much everything he's been doing, i'm into. He's the reason I downloaded this, but the bonus was that I found out about Suff Daddy from this. He's another one of those beatmakers that I just fell in love with immediately upon hearing. These beats are right up my alley. This album is all instrumental hip hop, and reminds me of a slightly less refined and crazy sounding version of what Samiyam has been doing. Awesome indeed. Check out "Smile", "Suffdigi", "Spinnerlude", and this video for "Clap For Me".

Blue Sky Black Death & Deniro Farrar - "Cliff Of Death" 2012

This was an album I checked out on my ipod a few months back and forgot to write the review for. I revisited it a few times last week, and this EP just keeps sounding better and better. Blue Sky Black Death provide a downtempo, yet engaging, detailed, moody backdrop to Deniro's emotional thoughts. It's interesting to me how eloquent and distinguished he comes off as a lyricist. Most people who tell the types of tales he tells end up sounding at least semi-ignorant, but he comes off like some non-judgemental elder in the ghetto, telling tales of his past in order to both relate to the youth, but also warn them about the dangers of their lifestyles. Most rappers who claim to do this, seem fake to me, or even worse, seem stupid to me, but Deniro is the real deal. I urge anyone, but especially people who are always talking that "there's no good new hip hop" line, to check out any and all of his releases. A legend in the making. Check out the videos for  "This Is It", "Just In Case The World Ends", and  "Danger". Also check out "Can't Take It With Me When I Die", and "Pain".

"Cosmic Compositions Avant-Garde Series Vol. 2 [Alice Coltrane]" 2013

This is a compilation of a bunch of beat scene skewed takes on Alice Coltrane material. There is many different tracks to choose from, and this compilation flows nicely as an LP. Nice and laid back. Check out "Paramahansa" by FloFilz and "Galaxy" by Christoph El Truento, the only 2 songs I could find links for, for some reason.