Vate - Aeronáutica y otras tecnología

Rate: 9/10

This record it’s a great journey into a Kraftwerk-like electro-world and beyond. You can see it in the music, but also in the names of compositions, cover design etc., all that epanage that makes listening to music more than just listening to music. You may feel an atmosphere of a naive, self-ironic belief in science and its importance in art.
About the tunes:
Aeronáutica I and II – ground control and airplane samples create real aero-atmosphere. Great tunes.
PC music – good, little drum’n’based piece but it sounds like an unfinished scetch of Kraftwerk’s ‘Computer world’ remix.
Circulo Polar – my favourite. Fabulous ambient ascetic mood that really reminds you of the Great White.
Xalisko – Teléfono – extremely transformed and somewhat experimental but it has this telephone rush in it, that makes the cut exciting.
Shibari – not bad, but a little bland comparing to the rest of the album.
Summarizing, all I can do is to recommend this album to others. I liked all compositions with only few reservations mentioned above, that don’t let me give ten. However I’ll check another Vate records so, in the future, the highest note possible is not impossible ;-).

VS- VS

Rate: 9/10

Never had I heard such a Brit band from France! ;-) It was enough to listen the first piece, NoWay to hear tones and melodies from Radiohead, Archive with a little splash of Pink Floyd here and there. After the second song I added Mogwai and Sigur Ros (ok, not a Brit band but in the mood) to the collection. The vocalist’s manner reminds me of Paul Draper, Mansun’s singer (one of the most underestimated Brit-pop bands, BTW). As I’m keen on the most of the bands mentioned above, I had to like VS. This album really moves and touches, and, as it is really professionally made, it has a big chance to get into every rock-fan favourites. The best tracks, in my humble opinion, are: very melancholic Re_Verse, an atmospheric (thanks to keyboards) UnseenBox, and surprisingly floating Silencio. Overall, self-titled VS’ debut is a worth-knowing eight-tune solid modern-rock performance. I have only one remark, though gravious one: the band is not extremely innovative, as I had heard the things the band played before. I mean it’s good to be rooted into great bands, but VS sound like it wouldn’t want to go any further the band mentioned went. That’s a big disadvantage. In my private note measures I would give them an eight, but the cover is a real vertigo, so it’s nine, and I think I check the VS’ single VS-suite quite soon, because if guys evolved they may be big.
Hm... hearnig them live. It would be pleasure... I would love to if I had a chance.

big respect and greetings,

galaktycznyzwiad.

Pharmacopia – For the Stilling of Volcanoes

Rate: 7/10

The tunes on the record are good, but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have few remarks. First the good things – the Lp is undoubtedly a piece of solid and very climatic acid-jazz. It has a soft mood and nice melodies. The problem is that the record is too long and because of that one piece becomes a copy of another one. The tunes are so soft and easy that after a while it becomes nothing more than a background and, frankly speaking, you cannot remember if you had heard a particular composition or not. However, the album has its highlights. Samadhi with nice ethnic drumbeat, Long Time Baby with smokey woman vocals and For The Stilling of Volcanoes with pleasant keyboard combo in it, are definitely highly recommendable. But when Optico Angelica begins, it all becomes quite dull and I wanted to switch into another record. If I were the band, I would add two more tracks, and then I would split it up into two albums. It’s a solid music and technically skillful, but it’s just too much of it, however I think it would be more acceptable while listening in concerto.

my regards,

galaktycznyzwiad

Fonetik - demo

Rate: 8/10

This record should not be called ‘demo’ at all. Comparing it with other Jamendo albums (no offence ;-) its a decent full-length album. Fonetik is a very skillful jazz band, and it’s simply pleasure for ears to listen to such LP.
About the pieces… Dolorosa is a guitar and flute chill-out. Free gun, a crazy funky trip with amazing speech samples (an account with a free gun!). Poursuite – it’s too short to evolve into a serious piece, but still it sounds nice. Bigdaddy – an interesting ambient intro, and then a little bit to rock-drive for me, I would prefer it to be more electro jazz. Claris – it’s more jazzy, but I still lack some turntablist or sample craze.
Ok., I didn’t want to compare it to Revolution Void, but I will.;-) The band mentioned can mashup electro with jazz in such proportions that it’s almost a new electrojazz style. Fonetik is more straight jazz with some samples and ambient keyboards, so it’s not that ‘revolutional’ ;-), although it’s fun to listen to their music. It’s a good record, but not sensational, that’s why an eight and not ten his time. It’s only my humble opinion, of course, you must remember his.
Cover is nice, more electro than the music (ok., I’m getting boring ;-), and I would love to listen to them live as some lounge act.

regards,

galaktycznyzwiad.

Earl Grey and The Legomen - Plooms of Doom

Rate: 6/10

Well…mates from Liverpool, looks promising. So, let’s see. Britain in the rain - live instruments clashes the rhyming guys a little bit, but the chorus is melodic, so the thumbs goes up for that one. Retreat – interesting instrumental which sounds like a rehearsal jam so I won’t count it as a serious piece. Big man – quite depressive, headless vocals don’t work good there either. Catch me as you can – very good composition, if only it was recorded better! Secret Bunkers – Nice, Joy division like atmosphere, I think the best one on the record. Generally, it’s hard to say if Earl Grey and The Legomen might be giants or not. It’s just poorly recorded, with vocals too loud and the instruments too quiet. Plooms of Doom it’s a nice teaser, but I will wait for something a bit more professional to recommended further. For now, it’s fifty-fifty.
The cover is cool, and they got one point more for it. Reminds me of The Charlatans or Happy Mondays covers. Too bad the band is not from Madchester ;-)
I think their live act maybe interesting. If I got a chance I would go to see it for sure.

regards,

galaktycznyzwiad

Brad Sucks – I don’t know what I’m doing

Rate: 9/10

This record is an absolute killer for me. If you grew up in the 90s’ with its indie-rock revolution and post-modern mashups and you still like such music, I don’t know what I’m doing has a lot to offer to you. Brad Turcotte, a leader of one-man band Brad Sucks ;-) very neatly mixes digital tracks with guitar energy. Add a little bit surreal lyrics to that and what you get is an extraordinary blend reminding me of the best moments of Beck’s Mellow Gold.
My favourite songs of the LP are:very dancy Making me nervous and quiet and sentimental Overreacting. These songs are like two sides of the same gold coin. Work out fine and Look and feel years younger with its modern-rock ballad mood are also potential hits from the album.
The layout of the CD is very cute. This little lost mate in the boat is simply adorable! The description of Brad Sucks – one man band with no fans is also cool. You know that the author is self-ironic and thinks more about music and not stardom – an attitude hard to find these days. Personalny I think Brad doesn’t suck much – it rocks, dude! ;-)
The only disadvantage are tiny glitches at the end of some tracks. I think mp3 files should be smoothed out, because sometimes it steals the delight one has from listening to the album. One point down for that.
In summary I don’t know what I’m doing is the most frequent record in my player, and I suppose it will be his way for next few weeks.

Big respecto for Brad!

galaktycznyzwiad.

p.s. checking Brad Suck's website is a must.

Fresh Body Shop – orgamilk

Rate: 8/10

I should have got bored with the record which has only acoustic gitar/male voice arrangement, but I didn’t. There are two reasons for it. First of all, the songs on orgamilk are really good. Such tunes as nice day, all it gives, or big wood cross are genuine indie gems, and I can only regret that I haven’t heard them played by the full band yet. Second thing is that you can feel huge music erudition that Pedro, the one that recorded tracks, has. In his pieces I could hear gentle influcences from such bands as Dinosaur Jr., Sugar, Sebadoh, or whatever you may remember from inteligent independent college music scene from the 90’s. My suspicions can be certainly wrong, and the author may have slightly different precursors, but that’s how I see it in my humble opinion. The most important thing however is that Body Fresh Shop does not copy their music but builds their own upon it.
Why an eight then, and not ten. One major reason. There are two many songs on it. To create a perfect acoustic gitar rock record you should be either Nirvana (but even they had more instruments) or hm… noone else. My favourite unplugged is recently Godsmack, but they decided to go for EP and not a full 12-song album. A thing to remember.
The cover is all right and gives a gist what mood the record is. About hearing Fresh Body Shop live… Bring them on! It should be good whether acoustic or electric.

Regards and recpects,

galaktycznyzwiad.

Revolution Void – Thread Soul

Rate: 10/10

I have to admit that Thread Soul has been one of my favourite records lately. In order not to make this review a continous praise of how fabulous the compositions are I will just focus on the songs one by one:
Ventus Solaris – nice fusion jazz tune with buzzing electronica in the background.
Biomythos – good vibro with funky bass, highly recommendable.
As we may think – Philip Glass-like piano quite worth listening
City lights at night – groovy composition, you must checz skillful turntablism on that one!
Geodetic transmissions and Infornography - electro bass with breakbeat drums and jazzy keyboard - these pieces sound like some kind of technical evolution of the best Herbie Hancock moments on his 80’s records.
Encoded Designs – this one is a real jazzmtazz with fuzzed gitar solo and sax overlaping eachother.
Robot is dreaming – very acid and chilled out, although droning background may be a little bit annoying for some people.
Evolutionary Expanse – medidative theme with a bit of ethnic spice make the composition a perfect outro for the record.
I cannot see a weak point of this record, and I enjoyed listening to this one even more than to Increase the Dosage. What else can I say? I give the highest possibile note and let God bless ya.

Respects high and low,

galaktycznyzwiad.

Drunksouls – On verra plus tard...

Rate: 8/10

Good job. This is the best conclusion I had after listenning Drunksouls’ album. The LP begins with catchy postpunk Pain of life, which may be consider as a minor underground hit, and it doesn’t get worse through the Rest of the record. Give me a sign reminds me of the latest RHCP songs, but it’s not an accusation, but rather praise of band’s composition abilities. No more fighting it’s typical euro-reggae, a priori worse than Jamaican original, but song is a good effort. There is a place is similar to the previous song, but it’s got nice up-lifting strings and vocal intro. Barfly sounds quite like uninventive rock music, but it has this cold new wave mood that saves the composition. Dernière cigarette is a good rock drive with a little bit silly lyrics, but rock energy covers this imperfection. Obao is a bit pompatic and theatrical in a bad meaning of this word, and I think that this tune is simply unnecessary.
Generally, it’s an 8. A record very close to excellence, but with few slips while achiving it.
Cover fits the inside, and it looks nice so I would give plus for it.
I would like to see them some summer festiwal if I had a chance.

regards,

galaktycznyzwiad.

La Goutte au Nez – Ouverture facile

Rate: 8/10

It’s a very chilled-out and easy-going record - that was my general conclusion after listening to Ouverture facile. It sounds as if it was recorded with an enourmous lightness and profesionalism. From opening Hongroise les doigts till the very end the band comes easily from funk to klezmer music and the other way round with no apparent sweat. The best moments on the LP are: latino-style Mulato, extremely energetic Chicango and funky Police district. Anarchie au Temps Des Rois, with its wild roaring and shouting is a little bit verbatim, if you know what I mean. Paso Dub is irritating with its three-minute silence at the end. But I think that these are only small slips on his quite interesting and original album. What is the most important is that La goutte Au Nez has this creative freedom, totally not bounded by music fashion or glueing to one music style. They should just keep it that way.
I will wait for their next recordings on jamendo, and if I ever got the chance I’d like to see them live.
Respekto,

galaktycznyzwiad.

Tryad - Listen

Rate: 10/10

So there you have it. – I thought to myself when I put ‘Listen’ on. – I’m wondering if that one is as good as ‘Public domain’. Well... I won’t tell you yet, you’ll have to wait for the end of the review. ;-)
‘Listen’ begins fine with Struttin’, where professional beats mixes with anti-system rhymes. Breathe, which comes next is just beatiful. The girl, Serene her name, as I learnt form Tryad website, sings almost like Sinead and modest trip-hop background creates great atmosphere in his tune . Alone is nice with catchy chorus, hovewer the composition is not as uplifting as Breathe. Listen - great piano and again fabulous woman’s vocals. You are god – of course, we aren’t gods, there is no doubt about it, but this futuristic tune (keyboards reminding me of Vangelis’ Blade Runner) may be treated as a warning of the consequences of human’s vanity. Lovely is lovely indeed, nothing more to add ;-). Beauty is a little bit similar to the previous one, could be more original, although it’s still highly recommendable song. Empty - nice electronic bass line and good vocals. Mesmerize – a little bit sentimental at the beginning but it evolves into Brad Sucks cover afterwards,so the song was quite a pleasure for me. From this composition on, I’m certain that the piano has been chosen to play an important part on this album. All the same – I almost fell asleep during this one, but it’s a correct response, because the tune is dreamy. This – great, reminding me of Beach Boys choir very swiftly corresponding to electronic beats. Waltz into the moonlight is a bit dissapointing, maybe because it’s not waltz at all. ;-) Far away – a marvellous solo piano ending of the marvellous record.
In summary it’s ten. Great effort, one of the most mature and enticing records on Jamendo. Visiting tryad.org to know more about the LP (almost 20 people collaborating while producing it!) website is a must! Will I ever see Tryad live, I wonder. Well… I can only hope so.;-)

Stay cool!!!

galaktycznyzwiad.

J.T. Bruce –The Dreamer’s Paradox.

Rate: 4/10

This record is simply strange. I have always considered power or progressive metal with its expanded guitar-solos and specific mythology that supposed to be fearful (but it’s not) extremely funny, and I would think the same about Bruce’s pieces. The production of the album is almost professional and the guitar riffs and compositions are technically dexterous but still I am not convinced to such music.
A Skeptic’s Hypothesis has nice strings at the beginning, but it’s lost in the wall of nosie afterwards. Hypnic Jerk sounded as a nice sample-cuts piece, but t lass a half longer it should (10 minutes!) plus the story is ridiculous.
Regardless of these all disadvantages, it’s still 4 because the record is good in its kind, I just think that this whole kind of music is slightly pointless. However, you must remember that it’s just my humble opinion.

regards,

galaktycznyzwiad.

Greg Baumont – Wood

Rate: 8/10

The whole LP situates itself in the spheres of world ethnic ambient mixed with some electronic music. The project is very carefully produced and, technically, it sounds very well, although I have a few remarks concerning the compositions. Here they go:
La sixieme porte de Shanaaghar – good, meditative ambient piece, reminding me of first FSOL or ORB records.
Le nettoyeur – sounds like some criminal series theme, too soft for me.
The blue star – good electro, but the beat is too slow to make it hit for me. Big plus for sweet French accent ‘always togezer’ ;-)
Respire – Word-music ambient in the way that is too much predictable for me, I’m afraid.
Why – great ethnic vocals with techno trance background much better than Respire.
The new day – the words and the manner of singing make it too pompatic form me, but as an instrumental composition the song is really good.
Why (Trance remix by Ilya Malyuev) – I like trance, so I liked that remix, however it’s not a proper techno-trance as from Dragonfly Records for example.
La face cachée de la lune – very lunatic indeed, I quite enjoyed it.
Les chevaliers de l'Aar – Extremely good, nice descending atmosphere, great vibrating keyboard. One of my favourites.
Generally the record is too smoothed for me. I like it a little more experimental and raw but with more life. It cannot be seen on ‘Wood’ in every recording, and that’s why is ‘only’ 8. But, I must confess that the production of the LP is impressive.

Rob Costlow Solo Piano – Sophomore Jinx

Rate: 10/10

Only after I had read the description of these pieces I realized that this is Costlow’s first record! It’s sounded strange to me, because I like the first one better than the second one, although the compositions on ‘Woods of chaos’ may sound a little bit more sophisticated. But I’m a crude person, therefore ‘Jinx’ would number be one for me after all.
About the tunes… I will just enlist few of them with my comments, because if you know ‘Woods of chaos’ you may expect what to hear on ‘Sophomore Jinx’. It’s still the old good solo piano…
I do – melody comes into your mind swiftly and it doesn’t comes out! Wonderful.
L.A./Passing by – melancholic, reminding of slow walk At the coast of the ocean (In the USA they hale oceans not seas, lucky bastards!)
Lost or found – very quiet but highly emotional tune.
Bliss – upliting although quite long, not boring at all!
Goodbyes – extremely sad soundtrack to an etremely sad scene of the movie.
Oceans – eponymously oceanic, a little bit similar to I do, but it's by no means disadvantage
Family – there is some conversation at the end, or have I misheard it? Cute.

The cover is similar to the Woods of Chaos, so I can only say: Ok.
Live… I can only repeat myself. I would like to listen to Costlow’s music somewhere in the New England area, in some small city near Boston. It should be played from an abadonned house from the colonial times for better atmosphere ;-)

Greetings !

Galaktycznyzwiad.

Ehma – La plage de Blane-est

Rate: 8/10

I quite enjoyed this record. It has really great melodic lines resembling unforgettable ‘Amelie’ soundtrack. Although it’s not as neat and suggestive as Rob Costlow’s recordings, it’s still undoubtedly reccomendable. Nevertheless, there are some mistakes, for example too short sirene sound in Le chant des sirenes . I also think that Resemblances it’s just too simple and uncomplicated tune. When I was listening to the compositions I got bored after Sans histoire, but two last songs Le chant des sirenes III and a little bit experimental Le fin des vacances are quite unusual and interesting, so I went through the whole record without much dissapopintment.
The cover is nicely corresponding to the mood of the record, so it’s more than okay.
Abort live act… hm… I think such music is best listened alone At home but I would give Ehma a go If I had a chance.
Overall is an 8 for me because of few of the things mentioned above, but I think bigger fan sof such kind of music would rated it even higher.

Remember to stay cool!

galaktycznyzwiad.