Music for 5/31/17!!! Night Demons, Succumb Succumb, Mountain Mountain

@@@ Night Demon: Darkness Remains (Century Media, 2017)  Get ready for the epic, operatic metal if you can!  A little synth tucked in here with this big guitar melody and some acoustic arpeggios before they get up on that thrash horse and ride!!!!  Classic metal with some thrash sprinkles.  I have no doubts the singer has quite a significant hair care budget as well as multiple pairs of leather pants.  He just said Satan’s minions await!  Ah, Imma scared, let’s peep more.  This isn’t my favorite style of metal but I would not chastise others for digging this classic metal drama.

@@@ Succumb: Succumb (The Flenser, 2017)  A more frantic, thrashy and threedly metal record that I got to via the CFUV weekly email.  All of today’s outfits were carefully chose from there.  I’m not sure how much Red Bull the drummer has shot into his eyeballs but it’s not an insignificant amount.  This is a 1:43 introductory teaser so I hope they can keep it up.  I await the caveman or the orc but thus far there have been a couple of disruptive screams and it’s been light on humans/cavemen.  I must at this point also give some props to the guitar players.  They’re jumping all over the place and keeping the listener on their toes.  I’m on the third tune and while I don’t love the singer I don’t hate him and I dig the band playing.  What a grinding shitpile!  Imma check this out more when I have more time for the whole journey.

@@@ Mammoth Mammoth: Mount the Mountain (Napalm, 2017)  This record opens up pretty classic metal with a big guitar riff, hard rock drums and a singer.  Wow, a singer, not an opera singer, not a caveman but a rock band singe.  I don’t love this guitar riff as it’s not as engaging as I would hope, but let’s peep more.  The second tune pumps a classic churning Sabbath-like grind and I feel this more.  I’m on the third tune and these guys are all right — get out yer cheap beer

YTD recordings listened to: 330
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 189
Not good music: 127

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Oumou Sangare, Fiver, Dona Onete, Succumb Succumb

Music for 5/30/2017!!! Jah Sun, Wicked Dub Division, Dona Onete, Waleed Al Shami

@@@ Jah Sun: Between the Lines (Sugar Cane, 2017)  If Graceland-era Paul Simon made a reggae record it would sound a ton like this record.  Mad friendly bounce, lyrics that are substantive and friendly at the same time.  Mr. Sun has an engaging voice and the production is polished and modern so if you’re in need of a shot of bounce hit him up.

@@@ Wicked Dub Divison meets North East Ska Orchestra: Mama (Wicked Dub Division, 2017)  A single I got to via the CFUV weekly email.  This is an orchestral dub with a huge ensemble — horns, woodwinds, percussions, bass and synth bass.  It is a full and fat stereo field to be sure and while the first impression is that it sounds odd it’s pumping a pretty steady dub vibe.  About halfway through a female voice starts out spoken word style and is joined by a male vocalist.  This is cool tune.

@@@ Dona Onete: Boto Namorador (Som Livre, 2017)  A firm midtempo Brazilian tune I got to via the WRIR weekly playlist email.  My main beef involves the overly soft feel of some Brazilian music but this is steady and I dig Onete’s weathered, gravelly voice.  She’s got a lot of singers helping her out as well as a full band with a special shout out to the drummer.  On the outro they get into a large chant/hand clap thing that cranks the tune up.  I would listen to more of this artist for sure.

@@@ Waleed Al Shami: Zaman Adam (N/A, 2017)  Some super polished and romantic Iraqi music off the world section of Apple Music.  Shami has a beautiful voice but this sounds like a Celine Dion record with huge reverb patches on various instruments and string flourishes — there’s nothing that makes me want to invade a country more than this style of production.  So let’s invade Canada where Celine Dion is from — occupying Toronto would have been smarter than what these war criminals did.  Oh, this second tune leaves that behind and gets into a funky Middle Eastern grind.  Will wonders never cease, this is pretty fat.  But we’re back into the sonic cheeseburger aisle on the third tune so Imma guessing it’s gonna work that way through the whole record.

YTD recordings listened to: 327
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 188
Not good music: 126

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Oumou Sangare, Fiver, Dona Onete

Music for 5/29/17!!! Carly Rae Jepsen, Grace Carter, Sigrid

@@@ Carly Rae Jepsen: Cut to the Feeling (Interscope, 2017)  A low IQ dance floor banger off the Apple Music hot tracks section — a little classic disco, some updated EDM sounds, but what is most interesting is the blend of Disney style happiness and sex.  She wants to play where you play with the angels?  Is that both filthy and clean?  It doesn’t make much sense to me, and making sense is not something that’s required in today’s pop music.  It’s just a bunch of random shit sentiments sloshed over dance beats.  I believe I have cut to my true feelings here and the case is solid.  Lyrics video, fuckin’ A!!

@@@ Grace Carter: Silence (Grace Carter, 2017)  A serious slow love song with gospel sounds, some I dig some I don’t dig at all.  I could use a break from the vocal choir background vocals, Jesus.  I like the piano part, the overall taste of the arrangement outside of the background vocal and she has a really good voice.  I wish the lyrics had more mojo.

@@@ Sigrid: Don’t Kill My Vibe EP (Island, 2017)  Now this is a record title I can get with.  Are you listening President PumpkinFucker?  I can’t get no vibe working with your stooge ass peeing all over society.  Oh shit, she bit almost the exact same piano chord progression as Grace Carter above.  I’m guessing this young woman did not write these lyrics — there are a lot of classic feminist words threaded throughout this cheesy pop stew.  Don’t kill my vibe, don’t break my stride!  Sigrid is getting into some serious vocal wobble in this second tune.  I fear these fake meaningful lyrics are somewhat toxic — she sings as if she’s really saying something real and genuine but to my ears this is not much more word salad pop wank.  I could get into the finer points of music blowing versus just sucking but it’s Memorial Day and I will refrain.  I’m not sure if Sigrid intended to Kill My Vibe but she did.

YTD recordings listened to: 323
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 186
Not good music: 125

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Oumou Sangare, Fiver

Music for 5/25/17!!! Hooded Fang, Do Make Say Think, Noah Cyrus

@@@ Hooded Fang: Dynasty House (Daps, 2017)  An indie rock EP I got to via this week’s CFUV weekly playlist email.  There is plenty of krautrock and angular Wire type guitar rock to go around here.  The singer is purposely detached and I dig the drummer who pushes the tunes along well.  The second tune, Sisters and Sons is a big fast uptempo rocker and I continue to dig the drummer and the singer not so much.  I’m getting big Devo flashbacks on this fourth tune so this is looking like a big nerd rock festival.

@@@ Do Make Say Think: Stubborn Persistent Illusions (Constellation, 2017)  Also off this week’s CFUV playlist email.  Yippee, more indie rock, though this is of a different subgenre.   The record consists mostly of longer (6+ minutes) jams so it has a bit of a granular, slow unfolding feel.  Big epic guitars but not macho and there’s more than a schmattering of prog up in here.  This second tune, Horripilation, makes me feel like I’m sailing across the ocean and it’s windy but not stormy and there are a lot of stars out — it feels tense but we have food and it looks like we’re going to make it.  Metaphorical yo!  Solid B on this epic indie rock.

@@@ Noah Cyrus: I’m Stuck (Records, LLC, 2017)  Miley Cyrus’ stepsister gets into the game with an uplifting, super modern love single I got to via the Apple Music hot tracks section.  It combines down home mainstream hick rock in the verse and then it gets all EDM and shit in the verse.  Be forewarned it is a cheesy eruption in the chorus for sure.  You get some whoo hoos in the chorus as well as some nah nahs, and regular readers know how much I love a woo hoo and a nah nah.  So uplifting it will make your teeth hurt.  Plus, I don’t think this is Miley Cyrus’ sister, that was bullshit.

YTD recordings listened to: 320
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 185
Not good music: 123

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Oumou Sangare, Fiver

Music for 5/24/17!!! Quentin Stokart, Pumarosa, Fiver

@@@ Quentin Stokart: Bloom (N/A, 2017)  I got to this European jazz record via a twat by Bird is the Worm on the Twatter.  Instrumentation is alto and tenor sax, guitar, bass and drums.  This first tune is a slow melody and I like the guitar player most followed by the bass player.  I’ve checked out parts of four tunes and I like the instrumental tones but I think they should split a Red Bull.  It’s not sleepy, it’s purposely slow.

@@@ Pumarosa: The Witch (Fiction/Universal, 2017) I saw this new release on the new release section of Apple Music.  I guess they started out punk and then ended up electronic.  This first tune is dramatical with synth waves, oh that’s the intro as it has morphed into pretty standard synth rock, heavily influenced by the ’80s with a tad of funk thrown in for the dancing kiddies.  I don’t like the delay on the female singer’s voice on this first track, it’s cheesy.  This is meticulously produced major label hamburger helper.  Bread crumbs for your ears.

@@@ Audible: Audible Songs from Rockwood (Idee fixe, 2017)  Some quirky old timey string music I got to via the CFUV weekly playlist email.   In this first tune there is a smoky female singer, some basic acoustic guitar strumming, and two fiddles droning in each ear.  I like the way it sounds and I like the distinctly unmodern sound.  I really like the singer though it’s hard to describe — she has a pretty voice but she seems to be pretty uninterested in having you understand what she’s singing.  Check out the duo singing and the awesome fiddle playing on the fourth tune below.  Imma swing back on this record when I have more time.

YTD recordings listened to: 320
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 185
Not good music: 123

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Oumou Sangare, Fiver

Music for 5/23/17!!! Sonia Aimy, Ivoryman, Oumou Sangare

@@@ Sonia Aimy: Nigerian Spirit (Self-released, 2017)  An African record that mixes jazz into a large African ensemble.  The vibe is friendly and Aimy’s voice is as well.  There is a classic African guitar sound as well as a nylon string guitar that sounds more jazzy.  There are only four pre-release tunes up on the Apple Music even though the page says the album was to be released in January.  She resurrects fellow Nigerian Fela Kuti’s political conciousness in the title track (clipped below) as she bemoans Boko Harem, juju priests, and materialism.  Check it out.

@@@  Ivoryman: Culturally Rude (Tusk Records, 2017)  Some new dancehall reggae off this week’s WRIR playlist email.  Mr. Ivoryman has a deep voice and a percussive sound as he hits the mic and it produces a bit of a strange effect.  The second tune, Military Gathering, is an anti-war song (I think) as it’s a little rough to hear what Ivoryman says.  I’ve listend to a few songs here and I like a bunch of the sounds, but I’m having a hard time with Ivoryman’s voice.  Maybe there is something wrong with me — that thought crosses my mind pretty frequently.

@@@ Oumou Sangare: Mogoya (No Format, 2017) I heard the pre-release single featuring Tony Allen and now the whole record isout.  This first tune, Bena bena, is off to a good start — a firm midtempo groove with organ and a sophisto vocal arrangement.  The second tune is the tune with Tony Allen so let’s skip to the third tune which has a brisk tempo and some nice hand drumming to go with Sangare’s voice.  Her voice is a blend of beauty and strength with a slight tilt to the strength.  The fourth tune is a slow, beautiful jam with kora playing, hand drumming, some hammered marimba type sounds, and vocals.  Imma swing back on this record as it’s a very interesting and hot record.

YTD recordings listened to: 317
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 184
Not good music: 122

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Oumou Sangare

Music for 5/22/17!!! Royal Blood, Full of Hell, El Michaels Affair

@@@ Royal Blood: Hook, Line & Sinker (Warner, 2017)  Some classic FM radio rock swirled up with a dash of cock rock.  I like the guitarist but he plays too much and the singer is most def stashing cucumbers in his leather pants.  The production is meticulous but the lyrics are so cliche and un-clever I can’t really roll with it.  Go for the early ZZ Top records if you want some memorable guitar playing.

@@@ Full of Hell: Trumpeting of Ecstasy (Profound Lore, 2017)  This is no soft, shiny metal for wannabes.  Yikes, this is the burning, blasting full monty that I got to via the CFUV weekly email.  Fast tempos, grinding guitars and both an orc and a caveman on the microphone.  Might be two different singers, who the hell knows, it’s really the punishment the band delivers that matters here.  10 songs in 24 minutes, short volcanic blasts.  Good shit, check it out.  This fourth tune, The Cosmic Vein, is fucking ridiculous.

@@@ El Michels Affair: Return to the 37th Chamber (Big Crown Records, 2017)  Obviously influenced by the legendary Wu Tang Clan record this is funky instrumental music.  The music is more tongue in cheek than the ghetto blasting from the Wu and more focused on the NPR party crowd.  A little more dirt and some more muscular funk would work better for me but I’m just one man.

YTD recordings listened to: 314
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 184
Not good music: 122

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM

Music for 5/20/17 !!!, Dragonforce, Grizzly Bear

@@@ !!!: Shake the Shudder (Warp, 2017)  Slotted as alternative dance I like this first tune, save the vocals.  It’s a mash of funk and disco.  There are an awful lot of Prince vibes and once again I really appreciate how Prince’s guitar playing gave his disco/funk so much more dimension.  Dang, this third tune comes out of nowhere and really gets things right for my ears.  This by far the best of what I’ve heard on this record but unfortunately I can’t find it on the GooglePimp.

@@@ Dragonforce: Reaching Into Infinity (Metal Blade, 2017)  69 minutes of epic metal.  the opening track is massive and orchestral with friggin’ yuuuuge guitar sounds and I can only imagine what the singer is gonna bring.  This is the kind of music Attorney Jeff Sessions listens to when he pees on hookers.  As far as I can tell all of Trump’s associates are ‘hooker peers.’  Oh my they’re playing fast and the singer is on stage and he’s all  right.  Not too epic, though he might just be getting warmed up.  This is not the kind of metal that I really dig but if you like the epic, shiny metal these guys are doing an energetic and heartfelt job of shooting cheesy metal across the sky.

@@@ Grizzly Bear: Mourning Sound (Grizzly Bear/RCA, 2017)  A pre-release track off Apple Music’s hot tracks section.  Very nice bass sound and not too much for me to feel after that.  So steeped in ’80s sounds it makes you wanna dig up Ronald Reagan’s corpse and dance on it.  I’m not sure if Grizzly Bear had a burlap sack of indie credibility, but the weight of that has been lifted as this is straight up mainstream synth rock.  It doesn’t stink but I don’t like it.

YTD recordings listened to: 311
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 182
Not good music: 121

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM

Music for 5/19/17!!! Selena Gomez, Noveller, Laurence English

@@@ Selena Gomez: Bad Liar (Interscope, 2017)  Ripping off a classic Talking Heads bass line Selena gets classy as she rocks a hoe/saint vibe.  I’m a tad surprised she name checks the battle of Troy.  She’s also biting the old Guns ‘n Roses serpentine dick reference.  Excellent sounds, a little too polished for my taste, and lyrics that are not only ripped but a bit above her pay grade.  She might actually think she’s an artist where she’s more of a mannequin for the producers.

@@@ Noveller: A Pink Sunset for No One (Fire Records, 2017)  Off a list of shared ambient records that I got to via the Twatter.  I love the Twatter yo, much more than the Zuckibook which I loathe.  This first tune centers itself around a tasteful bass pulse, but then the synth sauce over the top is just a tad New Age for me.  Let’s peep some more.  Oh boy, I don’t like this guitar sound in the second tune — I tend to not like guitars in my ambient music.  One more track.  Yeah this doesn’t work for me — it’s a combination of New Age and uplifting that I find kinda depressing.

@@@ Laurence English: A Cruel Optimism (Room 40, 2016)  More ambient music off the Twatter list.  This first tune is darker and more blustering than the record above.  It’s got a nice static swirl moving through and it feels like weather.  I like these tunes without loving them.  It’s very cinematic and the black and white visuals in the video below are apt.  The sounds here don’t come off as futuristic synth sounds, though they may be created in that fashion.  Solid B.

YTD recordings listened to: 308
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 180
Not good music: 120

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM

Music for 5/18/17!!! Radiation Flowers, Girlpool, Hayride Casualties

@@@ Radiation Flowers: Radiation Flowers (Sundown Sound, 2017) Some Paint it Black era Rolling Stones style rock that I got to off the CFUV weekly playlist email.  With a  smooth female singer on the mic they also swirl a little Bangles vibe into the Proceedings.  Part jam band, part trippy sound circus let’s peep more.  I’ve checked out pieces of the first four songs and the first tune is the best and the others are more standard indie rock with other sub-genre flourishes.  A little trippy, a little fuzzy which was an e.e. cummings poem.

@@@ Girlpool: Power Plant (Anti-, 2017)  I’ve hesitated to check out this record as my inbox has been repeatedly violated by their publicist and I don’t really appreciate it.  This first tune has a California pop/indie feel to it — Byrds’ guitar sound, indie vocal stylings.  If you don’t dig the vocals this album is not going to work for you.  They’re sort of dreamy if not a tad flat and the indie rock arrangements are pretty standard.  Sections of quiet then sections of crunchy guitars (another e.e. cummings poem!)  This is retro indie trip I don’t personally need to take but if you want some it’s here for you.  I say have a red bull and gimme some energy.

@@@ Hayride Casualties: The Catskills Ain’t for Sale (Self-released, 2017)  A hippie rock protest single I got to via a music publicist email.  It’s not full hippie rock which I appreciate — it has some quirk to it.  The singer is good, the lyrics are interesting and the arrangement is much more engaging that your usual protest rock music.  I appreciate that.

http://hayridecasualties.bandcamp.com/track/the-catskills-aint-for-sale

YTD recordings listened to: 305
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 178
Not good music: 119

Buys: 5
Honorable Mentions: 2

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM