Album August Music Reviews - Week 4 Recap
Hit play and enjoy the sounds of Leeni's album, The Only Now, as you read along. We revisit the chiptunes genre with the first album of the week, but one with a different overall sound. The majority of chip artists I’ve listened to so far focus largely on instrumentals. Leeni sings over her chip creations.With the addition of her vocals, Leeni has managed to transform chiptunes into a viable example of a modern spin on New Wave. The tracks which stood out the most from the album include "Night Courtship", "He's Just Not That Into You" and "Come With Me". The Only Now by Leeni is more than music that sounds like/was inspired by a video game. It is the sound of chiptunes leveling up.
We shift into more traditional electronica sounds with the next listen. I picked up Samantha James Subconscious on a whim and found it to be rather enjoyable. The listen was done while driving across Los Angeles at night and it turned out to be the perfect soundtrack to such a ride. Subconscious combines multiple genres into a mellow electronica album, powered by her sultry sweet vocals.
On the subject soundtracks, Album August took its first foray into the realm of soundtrack music this week, and not just any soundtrack, but one from a video game. If you are new here, or new to the idea of game soundtracks, trust me when I say that many of them can be incredibly good listening away from their source material, even if you've never held a game controller once. This album review was specifically requested by reader LoveAssassin13 and I am very glad I took his suggestion! What got my attention before even hitting play on the soundtrack to the game Bastion was its style described as "acoustic frontier trip-hop". The music then went on to hook me from its opening notes. Acoustic frontier trip-hop indeed!
The next never-before-heard listen (and frankly, never before heard of collaboration!) is a curious little oddity: an EP by experimental Japanese band, Boris and The Cult vocalist Ian Astbury. This disc found me as it were, grabbing my attention from the disorganized stacks of a soon to be defunct retailer. Entitled BXI (Boris and Ian Astbury) which is reminiscent Street Fight X Tekken in terms of its naming. This is only a four-song EP, which is too bad because its a fun listen if you like The Cult. BXI is a good set, with an interesting cover of The Cult's "Rain" sung by Boris member Wata, but it makes me want to hear either more from this multicultural collaboration or something new and adventurous from Ian Astbury and The Cult.
Last Friday night saw a bit of multimedia multitasking, when I decided to spin a first listen to Street Sweeper Social Club's debut while playing some Gears of War 2 online multiplayer. With an opening track called "Fight! Smash! Win!" it seemed appropriate. For the uninitiated, Street Sweeper Social Club is a supergroup featuring Boots Riley from The Coup and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave/The Nightwatchman. I have to come right out and admit it; better late than never to the Street Sweeper Social Club party, because this is a killer disc and is a another perfect example of Tom Morello's guitar and politically charged rap-rock genius. Incidentally, I played better listening to it as well.
Guitarist Steve Howe is in top form throughout the album and new singer Benoît David takes on the role of new vocalist in admirable fashion, proving he is fully capable of carrying on the Yes banner from behind the mic. Trevor Horn's production is also top notch and a departure from the pop/AOR he crafted as producer of 90125 and Big Generator. Artist Roger Dean has created a gorgeous cover for the album. Fly From Here is a stellar entry in the oeuvre of Yes. Even if your sole exposure to Yes is "Owner of a Lonely Heart" check out Fly From Here for an utterly fantastic set of music.
Dear Rosemary by Foo Fighters
The last album of the week is Wasting Light from Foo Fighters. Major kudos to Dave Grohl and the band for not only recording the album the old fashioned way; on analog tape in Dave's garage, but also for including an actual piece of the analog tape in the CD packaging! It's small, maybe 1" x 2", but it is an utterly unique souvenir for fans and a great way to promote purchasing the physical edition. Wasting Light is easily one of Foo Fighters' strongest albums, with the analog recording giving its sound a sweet warmth not found amongst other recent releases.
The last week (ok, really, half-a-week) of #AlbumAugust brings this music listening/reviewing/sharing project to a close. And we end on a high note, with a first listen to an incredibly talented young band from Los Angeles, a first proper exposure to a genre and a fantastic recommendation from a reader.
Klaypex - Lights by Klaypex
First up is my first proper exposure to dubstep, via a reader suggested artist. Since the group Klaypex is offering Loose Dirt as a free download, I figured why not! While I am an old-school fan of many genres of electronic music from dance to the classic, heavy analog synth variety, I've not delved deeply into dubstep, but I quickly found myself enjoying the sounds being blasted from my speakers by Klaypex. While I wasn't expecting to hear so much chiptune influence in Klaypex, it was definitely a welcome addition to their sound. While it isn't for everyone, if you are new to the genre, Loose Dirt from Klaypex is a fun, first step into dubstep. I'm not sure yet if I'm sold on dubstep as a genre to get into, but I did enjoy the sounds Klaypex is putting down.
DLMG by gorgeousgotagun
"You're Back" - Full of energy. A level of maturation in sound. Exquisite production. A proper opening song.
"It's Almost Over" - Refreshing to hear the bass open and drive the piece. Much heavier tone. Killer groove.
"DLMG" - Favorite of the three new songs. Veronica's vocals are top notch. Killer bass and spot on guitar lines.
Welcome Home is a set of great new tracks which speak volumes to the future of this talented band. If you download only one set of new music this week, make it this one. It just dropped yesterday and is available from the mighty river retailer and the fruit company music store.
The last listen of Album August comes in the form of a reader suggestion by Arrville. I was not familiar with Bachelors of Science prior to today, and I have to say I am very impressed with their liquid funk sound. You can and should be listening along to their album Warehouse Dayz. Bachelors of Science are on the polar opposite end of the electronica spectrum from this week's other electronic music entry, Klaypex. There are notes of several influences in Bachelors of Science's sound, most notably the Daft Punk-ishness of the album opener "Lost Inside" and ethereal, Moby-like melodies of "25th Street". Their up tempo material is great, but their tonal palette shines through on the more chilled out selections.
31 days, 31 never-before-heard albums. Having heard from many of you, it seems you enjoyed this month-long look and listen at music you might not have known was out there. Look for a short recap of all 31 albums/EPs/streams later in the week. Until then, you can check out the previous weeks of Album August here, here, oh and here!
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