BEST OF 2008
as featured on "No Pigeonholes" hosted by Don Campau
"No Pigeonholes" is a radio program that plays independent, small studio, underground, and home produced music in many styles since 1985. Don began his radio broadcasting on KTAO in 1971 and then moved over to KKUP in 1978. "No Pigeonholes" has also been heard on Radio Marabu throughout Europe since 1998 and is now also on The Luver.com and Luxotone.com
fr
om Los Angeles Marya Roxx
stream or download
No Pigeonholes presents The Best Of 2008
As featured on Don Campau’s radio program of independent, underground and home produced music.
www.doncampau.com2008 was another great year for independent sounds. This list will provide some information about some of my favorite releases in 2008. It probably won’t be comprehensive because inevitably I will forget something. So, my apologies if I left you out. This is not in any particular order and it is not meant as a popularity contest of any kind. I am lucky because I enjoy many types of music and I am fortunate to bring them to the world on my radio program. Thanks again for your music in 2008 and may you continue to enjoy and create new sounds in 2009.
Some may comment that by listing so many titles it dilutes the nature of a “best of” list. To me, it is about sharing my good fortune of hearing lots of interesting and excellent music from primarily unknown artists. The more the merrier I say.
I will list any web sites that are on the CDs but if you need more information please drop me a line at
www.doncampau.comThanks for your music. Keep it coming in 2009.
Artist/ CD title/ label
OGO DYS/ OHM/ Cosmic Pancake 3” CD
Wonderful mix of progressive rock, loony tunes instrumentals and chipmunk punk. Magnus Lundberg also released the full CD, “Neptune Everywhere “ in 2008 . High energy, enormous talent and loads of spunk.
Marya Roxx/ 21?! / Ram Music CD
Kick ass EP by this Los Angeles rocker. Hot band, all good. Too bad it’s only an EP.
www.maryaroxx.comSnew/ Snew You/---CD
In your face slab of AC/DC-Ronnie James Dio style rock and nary a weak track. On fire and probably real good live.
www.snewworldorder.comBlack Tie Dynasty/ Down Like Anyone/---CD
Referencing 80s bands like The Cure, their song “Lay Low” is one of my top songs of 2008. Thick pop production and strong vocal elements.
www.myspace.com/blacktiedynastyNikos Eliot/ Buddha Is Not Young/---CD
Debut release from this highly talented Northern California ( now in Dallas) rocker features one good song after another and punchy production.
http://www.myspace.com/nikoseliotGarfield’s Birthday/ Let Them Eat Cake/ Pink Hedgehog CD
Perennial Brit rockpoppers bring another bunch of goodies into the light. One of the best indie pop bands of the underground…ever.
http://www.garfieldsbirthday.com/Silly Pillows/ Again With The Silly Pillows/---CD
This one appeared late in the year but grabbed my attention right away because The Pillows have been favorites of mine for 20 years now. After something of a hiatus, Jonathan and Hilary unleash their unique and soulful brand of home taper pop. Groovy would be the word.
http://www.myspace.com/sillypillowsDrumbo/ City Of Refuge/ Proper CD
Ex Beefheart drummer, John French, gives out a rollicking good time with growling vocals, harmonica and the interlocking guitars made famous by The Captain. Maybe not quite as weird as Van Vliet but tasty as hell.
www.proper-records.co.ukBarbarellatones/ The Devils Dildo/---CD
Robbie Quine’s project always cracks me up and rocks me at the same time. It’s like Bowie going surf.
www.myspace.com/theofficialbarbarellatonesFunky Mustard/ Embarcadero/ Moosepie CD
This Houston based group delivers another disc of rock, and sunset colored ballads. Talented in oh so many ways.
www.funkymustard.comPoints North/ Promo/---CD
Unbelievable shredding by Sonoma’s Eric Barnett. However, intelligent and thoughtful composition highlight this 5 song taster. More please.
www.pointsnorthband.comFrozen Plastic/ Skypark Two/ Lowartmusic CD
Jeff Charreaux has been in the indie music scene for a long time doling out the rock sounds. On this CD , he sculpts soundtrack style instrumentals with a soulful grace and professional production.
www.lowartmusic.comDavid Barnes/ Lost In The Garden Of Delay/----mp3
Beautiful, sumptuous and creatively entangled instrumentals that he offers for free at his site. You can and you must. Hammered dulcimers, Rhodes, chainsaws, frogs, etc.
http://www.barnzstuff.com/freedownloads/
Heather Perkins/ Little Humans/ Land O’ Newts CD
Trancey, experimental instrumentals from this long time Portland. Oregon laptopper. This one is moody to be sure but filled with yearning and color. She calls it “nerdcore”.
http://www.myspace.com/heatherperkins57Hsia-Jung Chang/ Inside The Piano/ Mandala CD
This NYC musician climbs into her piano for an aural adventure unlike many others. Naturally dynamic improvs that are stunning.
www.mandalastudio.comCousin Dale/ Quickly, Rapidly, Efficiently…And Fast/ Petunia CD
Hard charging punksters don’t waste your time with hokey ballads or maudlin nonsense. Ramming it to you.
http://www.myspace.com/cousindaleStiff Donut/ Once You Go Chocolate You Never Go Back/ ---CD
Totally irreverent, cynical and acerbic, this band truly offers up some side splitting takes on everyday existence. Many of their songs sound the same but who cares? Its hilarious. And it still rocks.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/stiffdonut1Push Puppets/ A Living Experiment/--CD
Erich Specht’s band from Chicago nails the psych pop and rock sound good. Memorable and intelligent songs, excellent production and playing.
www.pushpuppets.netFram/ This Is How We Live Now/---CD
Scottish 5 piece has dramatic flair in the sad core vein. This one really grew on me. Outstanding full length release.
Stars And Butter/ First Steps/ Semper Lo Fi cassette
Michael J. Bowman and his wife, Orietta, churn out a stellar cassette of psych tidbits, home spun instrumentals, sound collage reflexes and more. Mike also produced another fine project “Magik Plastique” and at the end of the year gave us the free download of “Future Grot”, a masterpiece of formerly released material. First ballot hall of fame home taper. Also, an incredible visual artist.
http://magicplasticcassettefactory.blogspot.com/John T. Baker/ Rainbrella/---CD
Whiplashing Telecaster, acoustic balladry, sound collage, remixes of Bryne-Eno all take their place in this Knoxville musicians armory. Fire away John.
http://www.lynnpoint.com/john_baker/Television Of Cruelty/ Dead Sea Shanties/ Mrs. Poverty CD
A good balance and mix of heartfelt ballads, upbeat instrumentals and haunting soundscapes imbued with dramatic British flair.
http://televisionofcruelty.com/deadseashanties/DeadSeaShanties.htmlKym Tuvim/ Nothing Sweet Nothing/ Retrofit CD
I am sensing real growth and maturity from this Seattle area singer/songwriter. So much in fact that this standout CD sets the bar high for future work. Her band is spot on, her lyrics personal and engaging, the mood sort of dark but resonates with simmering passion. Delicate but with fire underneath.
http://www.kymtuvim.com/home.htmlEric Wallack/ Unrequited Bewilderment/ Lonely Whistle CD
This highly talented multi instrumentalist from Ohio challenged himself to write a new song and post it everyday to his 365 project web site. This sprawling and soul searching body of work got culled to a single CD and represents an introspective, acoustic and painful ( at times) feeling. I get the idea that this whole project was an epiphany for Eric and one that pays off for us listeners.
http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/ewallack/waxwing.htmMike Pursley/ Eight Boxes/ The Beechfields CD
Mike’s first “official” release on his newly formed “The Beechfields” label gifts us with 8 acoustic songs that are wistful and washed in a transient moodiness.
www.myspace.com/mikepursleyAndrew Maurer/ Everything Low And High/ Lonely Whistle CD
Andrew draws from American folk, blues, African and soul music but transcends these influences with unusual lyrics and a quirky , likeable style. I wouldn’t call it “Americana” but some might. Its just Andrew.
http://www.myspace.com/andrewmaurerEmily Picha/ Westerly/ Lonely Whistle CD
Transporting herself from Northern California to Portland, Oregon, Emily and a few musician friends recorded songs from her heart and personal experiences. She is quickly maturing with a distinctive songwriting voice and although this is a strong statement I suspect even more powerful work from her soon.
http://www.emilypicha.net/
RP Collier/ Lamellaphone/ Lonely Whistle CD
Thumb pianist and instrument builder creates an album of marvelous wonder with his resonating bell like tones at times etching them out with effects for a special ambience all its own.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=197853Little Bang Theory/ Elementary/ Acidsoxx CD
Frank Pahl and mates whip out the toys for some truly enjoyable weirdness that might be a soundtrack for a dream, but not a bad one. Its playtime.
www.acidsoxx.comThanos Chrysakis/ Klage/---CD
Experimental ambience with an assortment of instruments and sounds may only hint at what this unique musician has to offer. He also released another CD, “Palimpsesto” which also probes electronic and acoustic interactions delightfully.
http://www.auralterrains.com/LR 60 And Mr. Moods/ Coldest Memories/---CD
The very fine trumpet playing of Skip warren dangles over downtempo stylings for a wickedly, chilled outing.
http://www.lr-60.com/China Blue/ Under Voices/---CD
This international artist samples the sounds of The Eiffel Tower into an intriguing aural journee magnifique, Formidable.
http://www.chinablueart.com/index.htmDrift/ Bypass Thru the Sky/ Swinging Axe CD
Southern California super group features soundscape artist Randy Greif and singer Anna Homler in extended imaginative pieces that lean on the beat and bass (handled excellently by Atom Smith) and take us to a place of sensuous marvel.
http://www.swingingaxe.com/Karin Hoghielm/ Fabra/ Satrart CD
This one actually came out in 2004 but gained airplay on my show this past year. A gorgeous and glacial mix of vocal incantations, dark and brooding Scandinavian vistas and textured arrangements that would not sound out of place on ECM. This is fantastic.
www.karinhoghielm.comPeter And The Pets/ 4 song demo/---CD
Hooky, britrock that is actually from Belgium. No grand production, just damn good, songs delivered with a bit of a casual attitude and punchy accents. I like this a lot. www.myspace.com/peterthepets
Dave Halverson/ Apothecary Charms/ Lucid Moon Child CD
Texture rock from this outstanding Bay Area guitarist for the group Trance Lucid whose CD “Unrevisited Live” was also a highlight this year. With Frisell-like restraint Dave twists the melodies into singular visions and when called upon to solo does so with grace and exacting measure.
Deus Ex Machina/ Imparis/ Cuneiform CD
For fans ( like me) of Italian progressive rock bands like PFM or Area this is a real treat. This 6 piece group winds its way down the tight alleys of angular melody, and into the plazas of joyous interplay. Hot stuff.
www.cuneiformrecords.comHuman Flesh/ Songs For The Victims ( From A Decaying Country)/ EE CD
Veteran underground icon Alain Neffe, hands out an eclectic mix of experimental sound and dark moods in this collaborative work with poets, vocalists and various musicians. Beautifully designed oversized CD package by Eriek Van Havere on his Belgian EE label.
www.eetapes.beRay Carmen/ Ultra Sound/ Cut And Paste CD
Stepping to the mound and delivering a big time changeup this long time artist from Ohio normally known for his gleeful and hooky pop/rock , goes ambient and experimental with a cast of collaborators including Ken Clinger, MJB and Belinda Subraman.
www.raycarmen.comPalo Alto-Klimperei/ Mondocane/ Acidsoxx CD
European hook up of quirky instrumental oddities with lots of keyboards and a sort of continental quaintness. Delightful sounds.
www.acidsoxx.com
Ken Clinger/ KC.55/ Bovine CD
Those familiar with this Pittsburgh artist will immediately recognize the trademark vocals and swirling, clockwork keyboards that distinguish this Hall Of Fame home producer from any other. This particular release veers from hushed hallucinations to drum ‘n bass style “kinderlieder”. Perhaps the most singular style in all of home recording.
http://www.myspace.com/kenclingerCharles Rice Goff III/ Gypsy Blood/ Taped Rugs
Subtitled “A Mighty Marvel With A Multitude Of Players” the liner notes put it succinctly describing itself in part as “ the essence of a Nyquil Nightmare”. Goff is so prolific and unusual that one never knows where the path will lead…down a rabbit hole? Into an ambient cloud? Stuck in a world of rapid fire commercial cutups? Goff also released several other CDs in 2008 of unexpected sounds. Yes, you are tripping. In an origami style foldover paper cover.
http://www.geocities.com/padukem/Sleeping Dogs Lie/ Head First Down The Stairs/ ---CD
Vigorous and engaging personal home recorded rock gets in, gets out and gets you off. Fixing your car was never so fun.
www.sleepingdogslie.comParanoid Foundation/ Life Death Indifference/ Paranoid Foundation CD
Lost down an alley late at night, trapped in a dark dream of silver backlit fog, this CD caught me off guard with its gloomy glare and creepy tone.
www.paranoidfoundation.comMike Khoury-Christopher Riggs/ Vol. 1/ Holy Cheever Church Records 3”CD
Detroit Improvising violinist Khoury describes it as “ a performance that never took place”. He overlaps his first take scrabbling with the freely improvised pokes and pecks from Riggs guitar.
www.HolyCheeverChurchRecords.blogspot.comNoah Creshevsky-If,Bwana/ Favorite Encores/ Pogus Productions CD
Alternating tracks on this CD, Creshevsky does for chamber strings what Conlon Nancarrow did for the piano: puts unplayable sounds into the land of being. On the Al Margolis-If Bwana pieces, the sounds crawl up into a hole of weird wonder and curving presence.
www.pogus.comRobin O’Brien/ Eye And Storm/ Luxotone CD
Even though these songs were remastered ( and even added to by producer George Reisch) from early 1980s material, the timeless and lasting quality of this material is easily evident from the first song to the last. Haunting, touching, emotionally deep and rich songs that stay with me…forever.
www.luxotone.com
Logs In The Mainstream/ The Ridiculous And The Sublime/---CD
Straight up XTC-style pop has me dancing around and even smirking with titles like “If Hitler Had Sideburns”. Rocking in spots, poppin’ like muffins from the oven elsewhere, this combo does not hesitate to travel the aural map. Bagpipes even.
www.logsinthemainstream.comMiya Masaoka/ While I Walking, I Heard A Sound…/Solitary B CD
This astounding work for choral ensemble is easily the match for any contemporary piece I’ve heard in a long time. Its hovers into Penderecki or David Bedford territory and the sound is pristine and clear. The San Francisco Choral Society among others is spotlighted in this spacious and amazing setting. Masaoka also released the intriguing “For Birds, Planes and Cello” with Joan Jeanrenaud that blends environmental sounds with cello improvs. Both are mesmerizing and fascinating.
www.solitaryb.comClover Leaf/ Expanse Of Sand-Expanse Of Sea/ Fraction Studios CD
French artist Michel Madrange teams up with German Siegfried Grundmann-Neubert in engrossing synth and keyboard textures that leave me gazing out the window and trying to remember where I am. Madrange ( as M. Nomized) also is very prolific and gives away tons of free music at last.fm. One of the great electronic keyboardists working today in my opinion.
http://fractionstudio.podomatic.com/Russ Stedman/ Fear Of A Podunk Planet/ Stedmuzik CD
One the great home tapers explodes with one of his strongest works ever on his new Stedmuzik label. Irreverent, in your face, referencing Zappa but with a more rock and roll attitude Making fun of Gay Republicans. Laurie Anderson and religious intolerance is only part of the picture. He also writes thoughtful and intelligent instrumental music as demonstrated on his “Artificial Everything” CD that also appeared in 2008. I think this South Dakotan may be headed for The Hall OF Fame. And I didn’t even mention the hot guitar.
www.russstedman.comDaniele Brusaschetto/ Circonvoluzioni/ Bosco CD
Intimate acoustic songs break into electronica, edgy rock implications appear and everywhere there is a foreboding sense of something off kilter. Maybe not wrong but readjusted for a complex, psychedelic environment.
http://www.danielebrusaschetto.com/
Herd Of Mers/ Aurora Caught Napping/ it’s Twilight Time CD
If there was any justice in this world this band would already be indie darlings but still they languish in obscurity. Karen Orsi’s charming voice is the perfect foil for John Orsi’s varied but subdued instrumental backings which are mostly stripped down but occasionally rise with dramatic flourish. This is what’s good about home recording to me. Very human, very personal and very, very good.
http://www.overflower.com/Tiedye Keith/ World Music Jam..Or is That Jelly?/ Tiedye Keith CD
Bay Area guitarist Tiedye Keith puts together the group and off they go into the land of improv. Not free improv or avant garde but more influenced by Bitches Brew funkiness. This CD is one long jam broken by index marks for pinpoint listening. Pretty good chops throughout and the recording is clear as a bell.
www.tiedyekeith.comJerry Keating/ Recollection/ Alethia CD
This SF Bay Area artist uses an arsenal of keyboards but gets them all going at once and plays live. There are nods to krautrock, Floyd and the like and when he gets the drum machine grooving it really takes off. Compelling instrumentals take me into inner space.
www.alethiamusic.comKniaz Myshkin/ In Dom/---CD
This duo blows the central European improv sound somewhat akin to the great Jiri Stivin’s work. These Russians also released another superb CD but its in Cyrillic and I can’t tell you a damn thing about the title. That CD is haunting with spooky vocals and weird instrumental passages. Lots of variety from this group…and interest is maintained.
www.knyazmishkin.narod.ruColter Frazier Quartet/ self titled/ pfMentum CD
Occupying a place of somber lamentations and occasionally moving into breezier territories, this jazz quartet has a good sense of playing together and listening to each other. Nothing sounds forced or rote. Frazier’s tenor can be somewhat sullen but not morbid. His bandmates give a lot of breathing room and can build the tension accordingly. Not smooth, or easy listening jazz by any stretch. No matter what they say, jazz ain’t dead yet.
http://www.pfmentum.com/David Lee Myers-Marco Oppedisano/ Tesla At Coney Island/ OKS CD
NYC experimentalist David Lee Myers has been around the block with guitars, machines and especially feedback for a long time. His Arcane Device project has been his spotlight project but on this collab with guitarist, Marco Oppedisano, he drives the car in a new direction. Even though it is only a duo it is almost orchestral in scope with cascading textures leaning toward the darker shade of gray. Not a showboat performance but a symphony of moving mist .
www.oksrecordingsofnorthamerica.comFognode/ The Last/---mp3
Capricious stylings summoning memories of old: a walk in the rain, the final time you saw someone, a sunrise that no one else noticed. Brian Siskind is a multi talented soundscape artist ( he is also a visual artist) who uses reverb, deep piano, field recordings and dub to affect your soul. Get this as a free download while you can.
http://briansiskind.wordpress.com/donation-for-download-the-new-record-fognode-the-last/Sid Vad/ Impression Soundrise/Break Of Jay CD
Experimental acapella anyone? This alluring CD from this Ohio artist really took me for a ride. It’s the kind of release hat blew away my expectations because I had only heard Sid’s pop music and also a collab with friend Eric Wallack. These first take vocal works are definitely unusual and engaging.
www.myspace.com/sidvadmusicMaryasque/ I Was Told There’d Be Cake/---CD
The great thing about doing my show is that I never know where the next fascinating stuff will come from. Sure, I get repeat artists ( or “offenders” as I call them) but when a new person shows up it is delightful. From New York comes what appears to be a solo woman artist with an idiosyncratic vision surfacing in a pool of down tempo . Vocals appear within and they disarm me. Play this all night over and over.
www.myspace.com/maryasqueRebecca Cross/ self titled/---CD
Rebecca’s excellent voice travels around the musical world stopping in acoustic hideaways, dimly lit electronica clubs and exclusive singer songwriter corners.Easy to become entangled in.
http://www.myspace.com/rebeccacrossHerve DeJardin/ self titled/---CD
A garden of sounds indeed from this French electronic music composer. Using field recordings and a classical sense of composition, DeJardin creates a marvelous atmosphere of imaginary glimmer.
http://music.sound.free.fr/en/Off The Sky/ Creek Caught Fire/ thelandof CD
Another wonderful, atmospheric release from thelandof label. I have not heard a bad record from them and this is no exception. Drones, liquid moments of pure stillness. Beautifully wrought.
http://www.thelandof.org/index.htmlVarious Artists/ The Walls Are Whispering/ EE CD
Belgian underground vet, Eriek Van Havere has a fine ear for experimental ambient sounds as demonstrated by this release and also “Table For Six” which also appeared in 2008. His curations run like single artist works. They are seamless, brooding and at times sulky. Featuring primarily European artists, these limited edition compilations are perfect late night foils. Packed in lovely oversized 7” sleeves.
www.eetapes.beVarious Artists/ Wayside Waifs/ Microscope Media Group CD
This benefit Christmas CD for an animal shelter in Kansas City displays 22 tracks of home taper delight with an “up” attitude for the most part. From bopping 80s style electronica ( Zen Doggies) to rearranged faves ( “Joy To The World” By R. Stevie Moore) to disturbing story-songs ( “I’m Coming Home For Christmas” by Ken Clinger and Jeff Stoneking) this compilation will take you over some hills and valleys all the way to Grandma’s house.
www.waysidewaifs.orgEvan Peta/ Klaatu Barada Necktie/ Scorched CD
This South Dakotan has usually used a very successful format in the past: set up hard charging rock riffs over drum machine, add vocals and wailing lead guitar and…voila! Here, however, he swerves a bit from his chosen path and adds an element of progressive rock instrumentals and thoughtful explorations into new types of arrangements. Of course he still riffs and outright rocks and even includes a country head bopper with his Dad on pedal steel. I didn’t see that one coming.
Mutant Press/ Don’t Mess With Texas/ 500 lb. Weasel CD
Dirty, scummy trash rock from Texas has me grinning and shaking. Jerome Youngman has been at it for awhile now and always finds new riffs and fresh angles of rock and roll essence. Think Iggy, Lou, you know, like that.
www.mutantpress.comSimon Felton/ Symmetry/ Pink Hedgehog CD
Garfield’s Birthday headmeister offers up a cache of mid tempo pop goodies that go easy on the ear and gentle to the core. This one is a restrained album of Britpop but nonetheless a rewarding venture.
www.pinkhedgehog.comRick Ray Band/ Violence Marred By Peace/ Neurosis CD
Tight horn work reminds me a bit of the English band, Collosseum, from the 70s. Rick Ray’s own smoking guitar plays a major role in this 9 song album with political overtones. This group has a long history of quality and here they go again.
7th Order/ self titled/ Big Island Sounds CD
Balls to the wall rockers from Hawaii go for the throat with a New York Dolls veneer on some numbers balanced by acoustic oriented slower tunes elsewhere. When I say they rock, I mean it.
www.7thorder.comSin On Wheels/ The Biggest Lie/---CD
Thick rock comes on like a hurricane. Things swept up by the vicious winds nearly hit and are unrecognizable. This Italian band keeps in focus while the sounds remain dense and insistent.
www.myspace.com/zerosinonwheelsBlind Willies/ Everybody’s Looking For A Meal/ ---CD
The lastest album from this fine SF Bay Area duo gets all verbose in a good way with folky guitars and slippery fiddle accompaniment. I’ll bet they’ve busked.
http://www.blindwillies.net/index.htmlKojak/ A Radar For Karma/ Barcode CD
American sounding German quartet rips it up , creates some memorable tunes and generally rocks pretty dynamically and with purpose.
www.myspace.com/kojaksimplycomplicatedChase The Sun/ self titled/ David Eden CD
Blues, electric and acoustic, is hammered out authentically by this Aussie trio. They also turn towards Americana ballads as well and the whole thing is very nicely done and recorded.
www.myspace.com/kojaksimplycomplicatedHarlan Mark Vale/ Bright Angel/ Pillars Of Light CD
Delicate and mostly sparse piano improvisations performed by this Arizona artist. A lovely album for kicking back or a rainy day inside. Beautifully recorded as well.
www.brightangelCD.comStark/ Put It To Your Head/---CD
Female fronted punk raunchiness gets right to the point with headfirst rocking, accented onslaughts and occasional jangle. Indie with attitude.
www.myspace.com/starkHeavy Water Experiments/ self titled/ Intrepid Sounds CD
David Malbye must have serious coin tied up in fuzz boxes, especially for his bass. This psyched out oeuvre invokes Pink Floyd, modern rock and slow core in a deep, brooding set that I fall into and can’t escape.
www.myspace.com/heavywaterexperimentsSneaky Pete/ Cack Muck/---CD
Former biology professor retires to a life of home recording and cranks out yet another humorous, low key and sincere stockpile of tunes about proud mammals, bees on his begonia, cheese, veggie spooks and the fact the he only gets drunk once a day. Lo fi with heart.
Sling/ self titled/ ---CD
As usual, this band is all over the spectrum with funk, beatnik quirk, psychedelic toe tappers and more. Good stuff.
http://www.myspace.com/slingfestReptet/ Chicken Or Beef?/ Monktail CD
Lively, jazzy, even humorous tracks touch on funk, latin, nu-bop in an intelligent and refreshing manner. This sextet from Seattle has a lot of ornaments on their tree. Comes in an inventive “burrito” style cover.
http://www.reptet.com/Knitting By Twilight/ An Evening Out Of Town/---CD
Mainly an instrumental outing, the moody and droney numbers beckon me in and there I sit transfixed.
http://www.overflower.com/KBTw.htm
Random Touch/ A Box And A Word/ Token Boy Records CD
Improvisers cover a lot of subtle ground on this and their other 2008 release “Duologue”. Percussive maneuvering, keyboard drones, weird vocals and guitars appear then go away…everything is played with an ear for listening to each other it seems and no one “hogs it”. This is first rate improv with no agenda except expression.
http://www.randomtouch.comJliat/ Now That’s’ What I call Noise/ Jliat CD
I mention this series by British conceptual artist James Whitehead not only for its hardcore tracks of brutal noise but also for the unique design of his covers. Each one features a different “classic” rock album but with the human element removed. Lovingly prepared and mysterious in nature.
http://www.jliat.com/Squires Of The Subterrain/ Feel The Sun/ Rocket Racket CD
I can't believe I almost left this one out. This superb psych pop outing from long time NYC underground legend Christopher Earl features nods to Sgt Pepper era Fab Four, XTC and even The Monkees but in his own delightful and touching way. One of his best in a long, long time.
www.squiresofthesubterrain.com
Vega/ Freefall Faith Firestorm/ FFF Records CD
Hot Southern California guitarist, Patrick Vega, deals a winning hand of smoking instrumentals leaning on metal and modern rock. Aces high.