This compilation is the second in the Deutsche Elektronische Musik series. The more I study the Krautrock movement, the more appreciation I develop for the music on this disc and its three companions. A retrospective of the experimental approach to music making by a fine assembly of Germany's more accomplished EM and Krautrock musicians. I found this release in the public library, which is a gift in itself. Metro Portland, Oregon librarians have excellent taste across a broad array of ... read more
I'm at a loss for words to describe this mess of Synthetic Pop a la Matty. Several songs meld Rock 'n Roll styling with Synthpop. The track, 'COOL' in particular, is an example of what I'm referring to. Imagine that John Lennon, in the early days of the Beatles, added synthesizers to his Rock 'n ' roll tunes. Not happening. Sorry kid. Take your privileged life and keep it behind soundproof walls in perpetuity, please. What? [excuse me, my love is reminding me ... read more
Radiohead's guitarist does very nicely over seven tracks of hybridized Art Rock/Chamber Pop with a sprinkling of Psychedelia to keep the listener enthralled. Peace. - @daFigz™
An absolutely brilliant Radio Massacre International (RMI) album that came to me by chance. Lately, I've been sampling Ian Boddy's DiN label ever since discovering the DiN60 iNDEX06 compilation a couple of months ago. The album is made widely available on a popular digital download website, where you can stream, sample, and/or purchase it. From the start, RMI comes out flourishing with spacey soundscapes and compelling Berlin School rhythms. The cover art perfectly depicts the music. ... read more
AOTY's @tha138 says it best, dialed completely in on the shameless capitalist model of profit for profit's sake. Both Ferry & Roxy Music are well situated in my library. Somewhere deep in my memory bank are the recollections of attending live performances for both. Having met Mr. Ferry in Seattle, I found him instantly likable, cool, genuine, and appreciative of my compliments. However, one of his high-nosed blonde orchestra members did her best to attempt to embarrass us fans. ... read more
BoC's "Inferno" is moody, veiled, haunting, cerebral, atmospheric, like fog hugging the ground, invoking a sense of immersion that draws the listener in. Track ten is interesting, with subdued D&B percussion followed by a woman's voice, which leaves it a mystery what she's on about. I don't have a lyric page, which limits my Knowledge. Thematically, the album remains connected from track to track, which makes listening less of a chore and more of a reward. I ... read more
A new Karfagen release by Ukrainian Neoprog composer & arranger Antony Kalugin. The guitar presence often sends me running. However, with this album, I'm going to open my mind up and receive the music objectively. The lineup on this album is staggering, given the number of talented musicians who contribute to the realization of Kalugin's sonic vision. Thanks to AOTY's @NTTR for posting his review. My score will come later. Right now, I'm headed to my garden to prep the ... read more
The track list comes in two iterations. The simple numeric example posted here and the one on the Bandcamp page that spells out each track time. E.g., Track Two is Five Fifty Eight yet plays for 06:01 minutes. It is a fun record. Weird. Left Field. Whatever you want to label the music as, represent it in your mind because it's your mind, you dig? Ben Edwards, aka Benge, used the following equipment: Moog Modular 3C, Minimoog, EMS VCS3, Akai S950 sampler, Emu Emulator 2, Yamaha CS40M, ... read more
Essentially, this album is a twenty-year compilation of analog synthesizers designed to expose the listener to each instrument's distinct sound. I find the album conceptually succeeds in presenting the chronology of machines from the late 60s to the late 80s, which is a great reference for musicians exploring the use of electronics in their music. Quoting Brian Eno, who said, "A brilliant contribution to the archaeology of electronic music," should serve as a solid invitation to ... read more
AOTY's @Coconut00 stated my sentiment as I find myself waxing nostalgic for the 80s synth sounds- especially from maverick composers such as Vince Clark & Neil Arthur. Quoting AllMusic's Liam Martin, "Together (Doublespeak) they indulge in reimagining their favorite tracks by stripping them back to analog electronic versions," is exactly what the trio accomplished. The opening track, "Back To Nature," is decent enough as a Fad Gadget cover. Benge (Ben Edwards) ... read more
I discovered that by staring at the cover art for at least 60 seconds, the Koi fish suddenly appears three-dimensional. This optical illusion invites you to interpret what you see, encouraging critical thinking and personal insight. Of course, if I stare at the sweetie at the grocery store long enough, ugh, she'll call the store security, who, in turn, will roughly shove me around until I go mental and, with a single thumb thrust, end the aggression. Now, class, in your own words, which ... read more
Today's latest AI befuddlement- is Promptgenix AI? This album hits hard like the antithesis of Ernest Callenbach's brilliant "Ecotopia." Mixed metaphor, you say. Hmm? Yup. Probably. "I don't care", said Felon 47. #FDJT Excuse my random access consciousness, glaringly obvious in this review. The addition of the banjo adds an interesting Bluegrass element to what otherwise comes off as brilliant Hard Rock. Bezo's is currently profiting from the band's ... read more
Neil was waxing mellow during the time of this recording. Overall, the album reflects his momentary contentment. - @daFigz™
Former history instructor Bob Pollard leans a bit too far in pursuit of the DIY hysteria currently contaminating recorded music globally. - @daFigz™
The compiler(s) get a perfect score for entertainment value alone. As to Pollard's abstract songwriting, I say quit smoking. Eat better. Drink less. And please experiment with more non-sequiter lyric writing because tractors, rape, and chains are just too bizarre to have to continually explain to the English majors in my life what exactly Bob is writing about, despite my repeatedly offering that the non-sequiter lyrics are an example of poetic license. [pauses, drawing a deep breath] ... read more
This album rocks hard AF. But, how is it, Progressive Rock? Arena Rock. Stadium Rock. (Possibly) Alt-rock?!!? The production values are highly polished. Sanitized, which means cleaned to such a degree that it becomes susceptible to major biotic infection and certain death! [pauses] Well, not death. It's an interesting album from Colombia. Columbia is where the Bolivian Marching Powder became Medellin's primary export, if you didn't already know this interesting piece of trivia. ... read more
One, Aldous is on the 4AD label. Not the Ivo Watts-Russell era, but 4AD regardless. Her LP "Designer" is absolutely brilliant. This album, well, to be frank, isn't all that good. Perhaps in the afterlife, I'll revisit this album and discover it to be an absolutely priceless treasure. But, for now, I'm saving my shraps for sweets.
Peace. - @daFigz™ #RATBAG
An exceptional release out of Amsterdam and on the 4AD, Ivo Watts-Russell's generation of releases. Moody, brooding, and atmospheric music let the dark recesses of the basement out into the light, scaring some and delighting many more. Track two, "No Words," remains my favorite. The simplistic lyrics imply a sexual conundrum of one person watching, while the other is unaware.
Quoting the lyric, "No words to explain
No words in my mouth
No words in my mind
But the gesture ... read more
Jackson's metropolitan vibe is catchy. I find it odd that people apply the genres Progressive Pop and Sophisti-Pop to this early 80s album, neither of which applies. Regardless, this LP and '79s 'Look Sharp! are two of the New Wave era's finest examples of a stylized sound and nicely polished without succumbing to overproduction. Peace. - @daFigz™
Astonishing recording by Stevie Wonder that continues to garner accolades all these years later, when the youngsters discover the gift that is Stevie Wonder. - @daFigz™
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Recent Review Comments
On tha138's review of Roxy Music - More than This: The Best of Bryan Ferry + Roxy Music
"@tha138 - The endless stream of reconfigured compilations dampens my enthusiasm for one of my favorite musicians & bands: anything & everything for a shameless Amerikan dollar. Thanks for sharing, brother. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On John Louis Howard's review of A.A.Williams - Solstice
"@John Louis Howard - Having briefly lived in Washington DC, I came to loathe the men who flipped their Polo shirt collars up while I perused the Georgetown shops. Pretentious. Silly. Feminine. When I see it today, I get triggered. I've been streaming 'Solstice' over the last hour, unsure if I could handle Metal anything. Frankly, I quite enjoy the album so far. The groove is consistent, and her lyrics are interesting, cigarette references notwithstanding. That causes dry heaves in me, a vehement non-smoker. Not unlike so many Americans today, my anger is manifest as I happen upon Felon 47 updates, which I choke down. Music of this nature helps me soothe my frazzled nerves. Thank the Heavens for music! Thanks for posting, Dr. 100! - @daFigz™"
On Buh11's review of Kanye West - JESUS IS KING
"@Buh11 I re-read your post of KW's album. I don't consider myself a Christian. I did attend mass on Ash Wednesday this past February, which was a spiritually moving moment. Your words ring true. Christ remains an enigma to me. Hypocritical Anglo-Amerikan practitioners of Western Christianity are hard to accept. The funny thing about my belief in God/Christ is that it centers on my early-teen realization that I find God in Nature. When I announced this ephiany to my parents, they were horrified. My Union working-class Catholic household shaped me, and I am grateful for this life. If one finds peace in the teachings of Christ and subsequently acts in a manner consistent with those teachings, then one has my deepest respect. Word. - @daFigz™"
On Aldous Harding - Train on the Island
"@GoodCompany - Brother, your comment made me laugh. Too true. Halfway is better than no way. I love her music. I suspect that "Train on the Island" will bitch slap me in a few years and say, WTF, over. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On Peter Gabriel - Us
"@BruJu - I was undoubtedly under the influence of the planetary alignment burying me in cosmic shade, or just a pissy mood. Thanks for writing. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On Buh11's review of Kanye West - JESUS IS KING
"@Buh11 - Fuck Kayne West. Thanks for the follow. I dig the diversity in your music, brother. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On Task's review of Neil Young - Harvest Moon
"@Task - Neil asked me to suggest that you correct the misspelling of his first name because, as he put it, "I'm older now and a bit of a curmudgeon with little to no patience for my middle name except that my mum, Loretta, was quite a charmer in her glory days so I just quit fighting about the damn name and kissed her on her cheek." Go in peace, brother. - @daFigz™"
On Guided by Voices - Vampire on Titus
"@JohnLouisHoward I ran a 4:17 mile at Schofield Barracks the same month. The commander of the 25th Infantry Division came to congratulate me on my several gold-medal wins. He stood 6'7" to my 3.9" in platform shoes. I was never one to address an officer as sir, instead opting to call them by their rank. Ever the iconoclast, by the following October, the US Army decided they'd had enough of my nonsense and honorably discharged me. The more you know. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On winter_luvr's review of Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh & Tyshawn Sorey - Compassion
"@winter_luvr - You have discerning, sophisticated taste in music, friend. As for petite Sabrina, well, I'm much too worldly to fall for her delightful shenanigans. Thanks for the follow! Peace. - @daFigz™"
On Memim 👻's review of Sticky Fingers - Land of Pleasure
"@Memim - Happiness is fleeting and very transient. Thanks for the follow. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On Lilahmed's review of Drake - ICEMAN
"@Lilahmed - Egypt has such an amazing ancient history. Thanks for the follow. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On joseanef's review of Kesha - ORIGAMI!
"@joseanef - maybe this is generational, but I thought Barbara Streisand, Cher, and Madonna wore the "queen of the gays" crown?!!?"
On lucy 🐭's review of Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine
"@yrrndscknss ? If something happened two hours ago, I've forgotten what I was on about. Never malicious, though. Never, ever. Promise! Peace. - @daFigz™"
On LimpLikeBizkit0's review of Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns
"@LimpLikeBizkit0 - She seduced me and led me to her mother's gigantic bed. Beautiful blond, Kimberly. Brilliant mind, Kimberly. So much fun until we dropped trou and hopped into the rack. Yikes! The witch turned me into a newt! Don't tell a soul what I've shared here in the innerwebs, okay? Peace, bruh. - @daFigz™"
On Task's review of The Sisters of Mercy - First and Last and Always
"@Task - One of my Honolulu Surf Rat bruddas claimed that I was so Goth that I was dead. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On Rocco234's review of Radiohead - Kid A
"@Rocco234 - Respect for you writing in your real voice to convey how the album moves you. To most band's this would be the mark of a great success in as much as their songwriting moved their listener. Thanks too, for the follow! Peace. - @daFigz™"
On BruJu's review of Queens of the Stone Age - Queens of the Stone Age
"@BruJu - plenty of physical evidence to support Homme's nonsense as well as Manson. It sucks that some entertainers carry on as if they are gods. Great music served along with the occasional deviant miscreant which challenges the conscious fan to question their morality & principles. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On Tigran Hamasyan - Manifeste
"@Plookeduah Haven't yet listened to 'An Ancient Observer', but I'll accomplish that over the next couple of weeks. Hamasyan's music is in my ears lately and I quite enjoy the creative accomplishment I've found on the several albums I presently own. Thanks for sharing. The interview sounds interesting. I'll find it. Peace, brother. - @daFigz™"
On BruJu's review of Queens of the Stone Age - Queens of the Stone Age
"@BruJu - One needs to consider that the music industry's disinterest in spend more time reporting on QOTSA is likely associated with the front man, Josh Homme and his penchant for domestic unrest, Homophobic outbursts directed at his fans (2008 Norwegian Wood incident), and the head kick of a photographer while performing which resulted in considerable physical damage to the victim's face [a woman, by the way] and her camera equipment. Allegations of child abuse aren't too surprising considering how he handles himself in the public space. Speaking for myself it has become hard to purchase the band's music because of Homme's violent acts, domestic violence & child abuse, misogynism, and outspoken bigotry. Peace. - @daFigz0153"
On carlos's review of Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
"@carlos - respect for posting your solid review. For me, the B&S "If You're Feeling Sinister" is a 100% masterpiece. When the album was released, I was living on the island of Kauai. My Kauai Princess Pea told me, "Itz old fashoned." I gave her a smile and the side-eye, as in "No act, Princess Pea." I especially dig your Twee Pop comment. Too true. Having suffered a hapless soul on the job, as too fey to be okay, which is a roundabout way to say this snowflake muffin and all his sparkly sprinkles with two cherries on top was irksome. The lad cried every effing day about one thing or another, which was sad, and it led me to reach out and console the dude. But every day was insane. This record is sheer genius. - @daFigz™ Feeling? Sinister, yo"
On HomeSession3's review of Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime
"@HomeSession3 - Thanks for sharing, bruh. My relisten will now come from a better informed place. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On John Louis Howard's review of Juni Habel - Evergreen In Your Mind
"@JohnLouisHoward [grins] Anytime, brother! - @daFigz™"
On John Louis Howard's review of Juni Habel - Evergreen In Your Mind
"@John Louis Howard - As I sit at my desk writing this missive to you with John Foxx's Metamatic satisfying my jones for eclectic music, I find myself strangely obligated to suggest to you, young squire, that you should stop drinking caffeinated anything well before 6 PM in whatever time zone you find yourself residing, because nothing ages the American male more than sleep deprivation. Oh, and alkaloids of the forbidden variety, regardless of whether the molecule is attached to a chloride or hydrochloride. Peace. - @daFigz™"
On El Tacómetro Oficial's review of Natural Snow Buildings - The Dance of the Moon and the Sun
"@El Tacómetro Oficial - ¡Excelente reseña! Gracias por compartir, amigo. Paz — @daFigz™"
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