sotomayor
sotomayor
2 dec 17

DeRank™: 0,51

This Saturday morning, the #zot2016 showcase is charging you up for the weekend with a fantastic record.

Danny and The Darleans - Bug Out (In The Red)

Directly from Detroit comes a band that is pure adrenaline. Danny and The Darleans are practically the new band of the legendary Danny Kroha, who, along with Mick Collins and Peggy O'Neill, founded the iconic Gories, a symbol of garage punk in the late '80s and '90s. 'Bug Out', released in September 2016 via In The Red Recordings, is Kroha's second album with this lineup after the eponymous record from 2013. The sound is unapologetically garage and rock and roll, reminiscent of the raw power typical of the Gories and those rock and roll echoes of the Rolling Stones ('Girl', 'Leaving Here', 'Who Dat?', 'Soul On Ice', 'Dr. Finger'...) or comfortably placed in the '60s ('Cat Squirrel', 'Let's Stomp'...). Younger listeners might catch similarities to some of the countless incarnations of Ty Segall, but in this case, the 'original' is definitely old Dan.

DANNY & THE DARLEANS // Soul on Ice
 
sotomayor
sotomayor
1 dec 17

DeRank™: 0,00

@[psychopompe] I finally listened to OCS. I'm waiting for your review with bated breath. I'm curious about your verdict.
 
sotomayor
sotomayor
1 dec 17

DeRank™: 0,00

For the #zot2016 series, it's an ongoing showcase...

Kungens Man - Stockholm Marathon (Adansonia Records).

Basically - as the title suggests - a real marathon of space music lasting over an hour and a half. One of the most eccentric groups in the neo-psychedelic scene, here presenting a series of long sessions of acid kosmische musik that are repetitive to the point of exhaustion. The overall sound can be defined as a mix between Oresund Space Collective and the kraut-rock of Neu! or Amon Duul II. There are also drone elements and a certain shamanism in the use of voice in the first track 'Var god stig pa' and the use of endlessly reverberated choirs in almost all the others. The main flaw, aside from the repetitiveness, lies in some exaggerations in the use of guitar where it isn't needed at all. As for the rest, what can I say, if you like marathons, this is your chance.

Kungens Män - Stockholm Maraton (Full Album 2016)
 
sotomayor
sotomayor
30 nov 17

DeRank™: 0,21

With #zot2016, I propose an album that I played to death throughout 2016 and that I recently revisited coinciding with the listening of their latest EP ('High Goodbye') released last June.

Magic Shoppe - Wonderland (Little Cloud Records).

'Wonderland' is an LP by Magic Shoppe, a neo-psychedelic band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band's second LP is the one that truly establishes their presence in the neo-psych scene alongside bands like Black Market Karma, Rancho Relaxo, Dead Vibrations, The Orange Revival, Magic Castles, The Third Sound. It features eight songs that are practically eight pieces of garage psychedelia with enveloping guitar riffs perfectly in the style of Warlocks and nods to the early Brian Jonestown Massacre. I'm particularly fond of the use of echoes and reverbs, along with the minimal arrangements that give each track a striking effect. It's very nice because it doesn't shoot too high and maintains a consistently high intensity from start to finish.

Magic Shoppe - Blowup
 
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sotomayor
29 nov 17

DeRank™: 0,51

I resume the #zot2016 review, relaunching it with the proposal of a 2016 LP and the previous 'anticipatory' EP released in 2015.

Golden Dawn Arkestra - Stargazer (Modern Imperial Records).

According to what his mother, an ambassador in the USA, would have told him, Zapot Mgwana would be the son of Herman Poole Blount aka Sun Ra. Whether this is true or not, we cannot know, because in truth Zapot never knew his father. Born in the USA and later raised in Nigeria, upon returning to America Zapot set up the Golden Dawn Arkestra, a project clearly inspired by the cosmic sounds of Sun Ra but which considers experimentation in jazz as something open to various influences and sounds. There are moments that can remind you of Isaac Hayes and others that are more typically funk or even disco, along with the obvious reverence for artists like Mulatu Astatke and the legendary Fela Kuti. An honestly surprising record that, although it can be defined as vintage, strikes more and more with every listen. It is also worth mentioning the previous eponymous EP, released in 2015, which contains six tracks characterized by the same groove, where moments inspired by traditional Japanese music and - even - Ennio Morricone pop up between songs! Hypnotic, obsessive, acidic, fun, at times irresistible. Highly recommended.

STARGAZER * GOLDEN DAWN ARKESTRA
 
sotomayor
sotomayor
27 nov 17

DeRank™: 0,19

Let's continue with the #zot2016 review, this time mentioning an album that frankly left me quite indifferent, but which might instead appeal to others who perhaps are more into certain sounds than I am.

His Name Is Alive - Patterns Of Light (Light In The Attic).

Released last November, 'Patterns Of Light' is the latest album from His Name Is Alive, the project led by Warren Defever and founded back in 1990. The album is characteristically rich in experiments within the heavy-psych sound, but oriented towards a certain devotion to 1970s progressive music. It is marked by a certain new age 'sacredness' in the use of choirs and occasionally leans towards a particular doom that translates into a sound dimension almost close to metal. Conceptually, the album is rich in certain mannerisms and patterns typical of the seventies that may resonate with some but not with others. There is also a certain acidity in the sound of the guitars and some moments of space ambient music that contribute to making this album more of a 'music opera' than a collection of actual songs. As far as I'm concerned, it is definitely too much in every possible sense, but someone else might regard it as a great album precisely for that specific reason.

His Name is Alive - Patterns of Light
 
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sotomayor
25 nov 17

DeRank™: 5,03

The #zot2016 review this time presents an album that would serve as the soundtrack for a film.

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Hell Or High Water OST (Milan Records)

If you’ve seen the film, you already know what we’re talking about. 'Hell Or High Water' by David McKenzie is clearly one of the best films produced by American cinema in recent years. Masterfully acted by Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges (not to mention the brilliant performances of supporting actors like Katy Mixon, Gil Birmingham, and Margaret Bowman), the film tells the story of two brothers who rob banks to redeem the family land that has been foreclosed. A thrilling ride that has also been described as a neo-Western. Consequently, the content of the soundtrack, composed by the formidable duo of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, is inspired by that very imagery, an area where the two navigate skillfully and are perfectly at ease. It leads one to think that Nick Cave may be more prolific and relaxed in this dimension (especially when he’s particularly excited about the film) than with the Bad Seeds (excluding his latest work, which is clearly very particular). The soundtrack is evidently crucial to the success of the film, forming a series of purely instrumental compositions that Ry Cooder would surely appreciate. Here, the duo also opens up to performances from other artists like Townes Van Zandt, Ray Willie Hubbard, Waylon Jennings, Scott H. Biram, and Chris Stapleton. The result is a perfect album as a soundtrack for the film, perhaps only adequate or maybe even good when listened to outside the cinematic context.

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Comancheria (Hell Or High Water OST Music Video)
 
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sotomayor
23 nov 17

DeRank™: 5,20

I continue the #zot2016 review with a new proposal that will surely brighten this Thursday.

The Blind Shake - Celebrate Your Worth (Goner Records).

The Blind Shake from Minneapolis are the band formed by brothers Jim (who also leads the project Jim And The French Vanilla) and Mike Blaha. They are one of the main contemporary realities in the greater Minnesota metropolitan area, standing out for their distinctly peculiar sound within the vast array of contemporary psychedelic garage bands, particularly for the combination of electric guitar and baritone guitar sounds. 'Celebrate Your Worth' is their latest album. Their music hovers between psych sounds in the style of the Black Angels and certain wave obsessions. There is certainly an experimental attitude that over the years has led them to collaborate with a giant like Michael Yonkers and can also draw a parallel with those crazies, King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard, even though the sound of The Blind Shake is more minimalist and derivative of post-punk. It's definitely worth a listen.

The Blind Shake "I Shot All The Birds"
 
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sotomayor
21 nov 17

DeRank™: 1,48

The #zot2016 showcase captivates your hearts with a 'sensitive' proposal like few things you'll get to hear these days.

Keaton Henson - Kindly Now (Play It Again Sam).

An English singer-songwriter who is not very well-known despite being on his sixth studio release. Possessing a unique sensitivity that leads him to suffer from anxiety attacks and consequently perform very rarely live, Keaton Henson is a songwriter as skilled as he is brilliant in his arrangement choices. In this latest album (Kindly Now), he excels just as much in intimate piano songs as in tracks that feature orchestral arrangements. An elegant album with an indie attitude that might remind you of a more polished Conor Oberst, though in the comparison, Keaton is certainly more sensitive and delicate in tones and compositions, while Oberst is more instinctive and 'wild.' But we are clearly talking about two different personalities. If after the first track you think he’s some kind of James Blake, proceed without hesitation in listening, and you will discover that there is much more.

Keaton Henson - Alright (Official Video)
 
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sotomayor
20 nov 17

DeRank™: 0,40

The #zot2016 review continues with the discovery and rediscovery of unheard or barely listened-to records, unjustly left waiting. Today's album is truly a great record that I'm thoroughly enjoying at the moment.

Marching Church - Telling Like It Is (Sacred Bones Records).

Marching Church is the project of Elias Bender Ronnenfelt, and 'Telling Like It Is' is his second LP after the debut 'This World Is Not Enough' and the beautiful 12'' 'Coming Down Session In April'. Devoted to a certain wave music of the 1980s, Elias Bender offers compositions that teeter between the ferocity of Birthday Party and the style of Tuxedomoon, with the simplicity of The Cure. However, his songs, always accompanied by an obsessive use of percussion, clanging noise guitar, the powerful sound of the bass, and noir atmospheres, are true recitals in the style of Nick Cave, the more punk early Jim Carroll, Jim Jones Revue. His expressive strength is undeniable and something that has few equals in the contemporary scene. Suggested for all those who love records by Nick Cave and his entire 'crew': Birthday Party, Bad Seeds, Simon Bonney and Crime & City Solution, Swell Maps, Gallon Drunk, Lydia Lunch, Rowland Howard, etc.

5/5

Marching Church - Heart of Life (Official Music Video)
 
sotomayor
sotomayor
19 nov 17

DeRank™: 3,40

Today's album for the #zot2016 review is a little gem not to be missed by fans of Mark Lanegan, Nick Cave, and so on.

Hugo Race Fatalists - 24 Hours to Nowhere (Glitterhouse)

The third studio album by Hugo Race with the Fatalists (his current band, which includes the entire Italian lineup of i Sacri Cuori) is, as previously mentioned, a small gem in the rock-blues genre, created by an artist who, like few today, masters the genre with his own peculiar and immediately recognizable style, being both a great interpreter and an excellent musician. The album features eight new tracks and two covers ('It’ll Never Happen Again' by Tim Hardin and 'Ballad of Easy Rider' by Roger McGuinn/Byrds). A collection of songs characterized by a typically noir atmosphere, where the arrangements are both elegant and typically filled with those blues pulses and reverberated echoes found throughout Hugo Race's vast discography. It's hard to say if this is one of his best works, because in my opinion, he rarely misses: a must-listen.

HUGO RACE FATALISTS - 24 HOURS TO NOWHERE | GLITTERHOUSE RECORDS
 
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sotomayor
18 nov 17

DeRank™: 0,00

For the #zot2016 review, today I suggest an easy-going album.

La Femme - Mystère (Born Bad Records).

The second LP of the French group after their debut in 2013 'Psycho Tropical Berlin'. The album essentially follows the same patterns as the debut and confirms the great pop potential of this group, which indeed seems destined to potentially become a more prominent reality in the independent scene. Their innate taste for melody combines with suggestive and cinematic fascinations, echoing at times the heritage of French chanson and even Ennio Morricone in the arrangements. The group presents itself as an ensemble of psychedelic music, and there is indeed a component of that type in the dreamy atmospheres of the songs in 'Mystère,' where it blends with yéyé and everything vintage from the sixties in particular. The rest are references here and there to Spacemen 3 situations and even Radiohead, or a devotion to a certain wave. Ultimately, a highly listenable album. Is this its limitation?

La Femme - Où va le monde
 
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sotomayor
17 nov 17

DeRank™: 2,46

I resume after a couple of days off the #zot2016 review concerning albums from 2016 that I'm only now listening to belatedly.

Exploded View - st (Sacred Bones).

Exploded View is a project by Anika, the captivating former journalist from the UK who has now devoted herself full-time to music. A project that originates in Germany but develops in Mexico, specifically in Mexico City, where the first album was recorded (an EP should have been released in the past few months) published by Sacred Bones last August 2016. The album is clearly inspired by a certain typically German aesthetic of the 1920s and 1930s and phenomena like cabaret, mixed with the typical atmospheres of burlesque, blended with industrial fascinations and arrangements somewhere between dark wave and a certain glitch sound. It's an 'expressionist' and hypnotic sound, often insubstantial yet obsessively constructed around Anika's interpretive abilities. I think it’s a beautiful album, but it could either be very appealing or leave one completely indifferent, and it certainly doesn’t suggest in which direction the project's sound might evolve in the future.

Exploded View - Orlando (Official Music Video)
 
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sotomayor
12 nov 17

DeRank™: 3,54

This is an album that, after an initial listen, I had actually set aside until these days, and therefore it rightly deserves to be included in the #zot2016 review that is surely exciting all the users of the site.

Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld - Nerissimo (Specula Records).

The album is the second collaboration between the Italian artist and the legendary Blixa Bargeld, who has established a partnership with Teho Teardo similar to the one he previously had with Alva Noto. The album revisits the same themes as 'Still Smiling' from 2013 and possibly takes them to their maximum expressions. In my opinion, it’s difficult to find weak points in a work like this. I mean: it’s a perfect album, flawlessly executed. Teho Teardo confirms his talents in composing soundtracks and evocative atmospheres, while Blixa Bargeld reaffirms his role as a charismatic and highly skilled performer. It’s an album that is more theatrical than musical in the strict sense. While the quality of the production is beyond question, the evaluation actually depends on your personal appreciation for this type of work.

Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld - Nirgendheim
 
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sotomayor
11 nov 17

DeRank™: 0,21

I continue the #zot2016 review with an album that, despite being a compilation, will ultimately be considered by everyone as a magnificent work worthy of consideration.

Jah Wobble - In Dub (Cherry Red Records).

Cherry Red had already released a 6-CD box set in 2015, which provided an overview of the 40-year career of one of the most talented and influential (and prolific) musicians from 1980 to the present. With this second compilation ('In Dub'), featuring 34 songs, including 4 unreleased tracks and a previously unreleased remix, they are launching a series of Wobble’s recordings from the mid-nineties to today, both as a solo artist and with the various formations and projects he has created. The result is an album that may seem varied in content (sensitive to certain experimentations in world music and with references to Eastern sounds, evidently also due to the fact that in 2000 Wobble married the Chinese 'guzheng' and harp musician Zi Lan Liao), but in which the dub and the incredible groove of this fantastic bassist serve as a unifying thread, giving this album a cohesive sense, making it a work that remains universally valid to listen to when one wants to immerse themselves in a particular sonic dimension. Bomb.

Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart - Forest Funk Dub
 
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sotomayor
10 nov 17

DeRank™: 5,19

The #zot2016 overview (meaning the albums/artists that for various more or less valid reasons I had not yet listened to until now) inevitably includes episodes that can be minor, if not even negative.

Fourth episode: LP - Lost On You (Vagrant).

The album in question, although released at the end of 2016, was undoubtedly one of the pop phenomena of 2017. For some unspecified reason, I had already listened to the EP that preceded the album and found it utterly forgettable. However, the significant resonance it gained throughout the year and the fact that aesthetically it reminded me of the incredible Cate Blanchett in her unforgettable performance in 'I'm Not Here' by Todd Haynes suggested that I give it another try. My final conclusion: it probably possesses great vocal and compositional quality, particularly in terms of writing, of songwriting. But these qualities are completely overshadowed by poor taste in arrangements and overly polished, mainstream production, making this album something you would never want to listen to in your life. Therefore, I won’t even share a dedicated video, even though the best songs are indeed the various singles that have been playing continuously on the radio for months.
 
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