A-Z: Clann Zú

Clann Zú  an Australian band who I 1st was told about on the dredg fans forum "Traversing" around 2007 when some discussion about Kiss Kiss was happening and there was a comparison.

I also discovered the American band Murder By Death per that discussion if i recall correctly.

Clann Zú were a band who had this very unique vocalist named Declan de Barra and combined Western folk tones with dynamics really well.

They only released 2 full length albums, Rua and Black Coates and Bandages. I waiver which one I prefer, as they are both pretty close to equally good. Rua the debut album (2002? or 2000? RYM and Wiki show different years) I suppose would be my choice if I had to pick.

"'Zu" as they have been called, use of piano violin really standout to me at times. And I would call it "Post Rock" of a kind, but with much emphasis on the vocals as the atmospheric instrumentation.

Declan de Barra has done solo music I know of, and I recall liking, but never loving. But the last time I listened to it was probably close to 10 years ago or more. I guess he resides in Los Angeles and he may be involved in other music that I probably should look into soon.

edit: Declan de Barra is a SCREENWRITER in Hollywood per Wiki, he's written for some TV like The Vampire Diaries and The Originals among others. Weird.

a bit of an Andy Sturmer thing there (Jellyfish had 2 albums like Clann Zú), although Andy I guess does music? in Hollywood.

Subterranean Masquerade - Vagabond (2016-2017)

8/11/17 12:00PM

New track "As You Are" and I edited-in the previous one "Nomad"

Liking these, although I can't help but be reminded of Green Carnation with their singer and not Paul Kuhr. So be it, love these tunes, the middle eastern parts especially,




7/18/17 11:54AM

New track "Nomad."

Will listen later of course.


6/13/17 12:31PM



Jeez another announcement, lol. Stoked for this one as I love their whole catalog including 2015's The Great Bazaar.

September 1st is the release date.

"Vagabond" by the way, I think of the Kiss Kiss song. Also cool they are signed for a 2-album deal and plan to tour extensively. Maybe North America finally? (Minnesota hopefully if so, like maybe if they open for a bigger/more well known band, etc..Opeth..Katatonia..etc)

Also worth noting is I guess this will be the 1st album without Paul Kuhr on vocals, but they have Kjetil Nordhus back (singer from Green Carnation), and Eliran Weitzman along with Tomer Pink to fill the growling need,

Facebook story

Israeli/Norwegian prog-rockers Subterranean Masquerade have signed with the Swedish label ViciSolum Productions (Persefone, Loch Vostok, a.o.) for a 2-album deal, starting off with the newly finished album "Vagabond", set for release on September 1st. The band features members of Orphaned Land and Green Carnation, and is one of the most exciting ethnic-influenced prog-artists to emerge from the underground layer these days. It's prog-rock, but it's also psychedelic 70'ies metal. It's "Jesus Christ Superstar" but it's also Israeli folklore and traditional heavy metal - all wrought through the grinder and delivered perfectly by a bunch of very talented musicians.

The album was mixed by Christer Andre Cederberg (Anathema, Tristania, etc.) and mastered by Tony Lindgren @ Fascination Street studio, which has secured the final crunchy approach in the sound, so all parameters are met for ultimate quality.

Tomer Pink (guitars) on the signing:
We all at Subterranean Masquerade are very excited to be a part of the Vicisolum family and together with them bring our music to the world. We can't wait for you to hear our new album and see you all at our shows.

The band is expected to tour extensively, in support of the album.

Line-up:
Kjetil Nordhus - Vocals
Weitzman Eliran - Growls
Tomer Pink - Guitars
Or Shalev - Guitars
Shai Yallin - Keys
Golan Farhi - Bass
Matan Or-El Shmuely - Drums
Ilan Arad - Brass אילן ארד

Subterranean Masquerade online:
www.submasq.net
www.facebook.com/submasq

Discography:
2004: Temporary Psychotic State (EP)
2005: Suspended Animation Dreams
2013: Home (EP)
2014: The Great Bazaar
2017: Vagabond

Bent Knee: MPLS Show w/Air Lands @ The Entry 7/24/17 + General Thoughts

So, I delayed this review unintentionally, just caught up in things with work, home, and then trying to finish the 1977 Albums Calendar.

And as I posted in that entry, I ended up skipping Roger Waters, in-effect for this show in some ways (the wife doesn't like me attending too many shows in 1 week, which I can see her reasoning to a point).

But Bent Knee I finally got to see on Monday evening at the Entry along with 2 local openers, Oklahoma and Air Lands.

Both the openers I found were good, Air Lands especially. And maybe partly per having Sarah Perbix from Cloud Cult play with them.

I should be checking out their studio recordings soon, but from the live performance, I would describe Air Lands as sort of Psych/Singer Songwriter. Kind of like Elton John or Warren Zevon (or Randy Newman I suppose) meets like The Besnard Lakes or The Beach Boys (I saw The Flaming Lips and Bon Iver among their influences, which I can follow and have no issue with despite not caring for those artists music much).

And Air Lands has 2 albums out I guess. They are from MN, went to NY at 1 point, and now have come back?

Anyway, certainly a band to watch further as they have a show at The Icehouse next week even.

But Bent Knee, here's what I guess is the set list (taken from the 25th in Kansas?)

Hole
Time Deer
Holy Ghost
Being Human
Insides In
These Hands
Land Animal
Leak Water
Belly Side Up
The Well
Terror Bird
Counselor
Battle Creek
Boxes

But their performance was awesome. Incredible energy, pulling off the dynamics and nuances live. They do have 1 member who is at a laptop but using some kind of sampler or sequencer or something, which I'm suspecting is for a lot of the string parts, etc.

But their violinist rocks out really well. Guitars, vocal sections from Courtney Swain and the rest of the band. Ferocious drumming, rhythmic bass lines from Jessica.

If I had only 1 issue, I guess was the mix. At times they were so loud, the vocals sounded drowned out, although I actually stood in front so maybe where I was hearing them had something to do with that.

So, to go on about Bent Knee. Great people as I met bassist Jessica, Ben Levin whose their guitarist, their drummer Gavin after the show. And I briefly got to speak with Courtney Swain their lead singer as well. Even mentioned the J.P. Bouvet track she sang on, etc Told her about the Art and All That Jazz festival from a few years ago, Super Pilots/Mike Linden, etc. She mentioned when they were at Berklee, his band and hers were kind of rivals, which is an interesting anecdote.

But I have not posted extensively about Bent Knee in here. I included Say So, on my 2015-2016 end of year list of course, but beyond that and the new album Land Animal, not a ton.

I kind of want to LOVE them, and am starting to get closer to that point. Their music has a ton going on. It's very schizophrenic. Circus Rock of a kind. I told Jessica, they remind me of 2 bands among others. 1 being Kiss Kiss, the other uneXpect. They have a lot of crazy time changes, textures, moods, etc. But I think maybe what works best for me is kind of like some Tech/Death or Fjokra or something where most of their songs have sections I absolutely love and look forward to. Maybe the best example is on the title track to Land Animal, the absolutely gorgeous/melancholy vocal melody that Courtney has "Sending out a message when I worry too much"..and then later it is echoed on Violin and other strings.

The title track to Land Animal, as I told Jessica, is definitely 1 of the best songs I've heard this year. It's haunting.

So, I purchased Shiny Eyed Babies and Say So on CD and Land Animal on vinyl at the show. I don't think I had ever heard SEB until yesterday. And my of my, it totally got my jaw dropping! There's 3 or 4 songs, just 1 time through that floored me. "In God We Trust" maybe being the most. "Battle Creek" "I'm Still Here" "Sunshine" among the rest of the album.

So, my take on Bent Knee and all the hype among the prog scene, I kind of follow, maybe more than before.

Now, if they could only go on tour with someone I would love to see them with. The Dear Hunter is an obvious one, and I guess Chris Baum? played on TDH's Migrant, so Casey knows him and likely the band.

But if not them, The Mercury Tree? (or Brice Plays Drums, or Bubblemath locally. Kai from Bubblemath actually was at the show and ended up hosting the band at his house I guess, which was very cool of him to do so).

The Reign of Kindo, The Family Crest, Bend Sinister would be some other obvious names who are active. Of course Josh Benash or a Kiss Kiss/Vuvuzela reunion (or uneXpect).

or SikTh too. the crazy, circus prog stuff would probably do well with their crowd.

Between the Buried and Me or Native Construct even.

Bent Knee are heavy enough, the (avant-garde/prog) Metal crowd likely would dig them. And they did open for The Dillinger Escape Plan a few years ago. I even met a guy at the show who was talking up In Flames and I brought up my favorite Melodic Death Metal bands to him (Dark Tranquility and Soilwork namely).

But to end this chapter in my Bent Knee-week excursion, I now am starting to see them as 1 of those bands who I hope continues to succeed and make awesome music and play great shows. I guess we'll see. I still haven't even checked out their debut album nor an acoustic record they did a little while back.

Oh and I thought Monday was their 1st MN concert, but it wasn't.

they mentioned playing in Minnesota once before. June 16th, 2014 at the Hexagon bar. If only I had known about them then, lol. 2 days before the 1 and only time I saw Agalloch (RIP) in Minnesota.
 link

Also 1 more note about Sarah, I ended up seeing her at The Depot before the show. Had no clue she knew about this show nor Bent Knee, which as it turns out, she hadn't. She's not really a progrock person, but yet she is a great musician and plays with Cloud Cult which I told her, I consider prog of a kind. And I can see why she would would work playing with Air Lands now. I wonder, if it made sense and were possible, if she may would contribute to some of their new music. A multi-instrumentalist and singer like her really could add a lot potentially to an already cool band.

Josh Benash - The Body Light [EP] (2015-2016)

4/13/16 2:00PM

Only a few weeks away now.



4/8/16 6:30AM


Vinyl Preorder which includes some Vuvuzela tracks!

3/10/16



The Body Light is an upcoming new EP from Josh Benash, which he was kind of enough to send me to check out early, before the May 3rd, 2016 release date.

Josh's last record, Stasis, from 2014 I liked a good amount, along with his 1st solo record The Dismal; The Beautiful from 2012 I also enjoyed a number of songs from.

Quirky, experimental, humorous, extreme and bombastic. And genre-bending/blending are many of the elements of his previous work.

I'm just sampling some of this tonight, and will try and add more perhaps tomorrow. Some of this sounds rather soundtrack-like, which Josh actually has also done some soundtrack work actually (an independent horror film titled Bleeding Hearts for example, and a number of others are listed on his imdb page here), so that doesn't surprise me.

Also, among the many artists I've been trying to feature on YouTube, I likely will try and make a video about Kiss Kiss and Vuvuzela as well as his solo music hopefully soon. Perhaps around the time of the release date of this new EP on May 3rd, on Motor Oat Records.

I imagine it'll be posted for stream and download, likely on his bandcamp page and on soundcloud, so I'll have to bump and include those links when they show up as well.

edit: So I've checked this out a couple of times now and this among his best work, although not a huge departure as it has the quirky, waltzy, circus-like tones and sarcastic lyrics and vocal personality. There's some nice female vocals that contrast well with Josh's voice (on the last 2 tracks,"Swim in the Blood" for one, I wonder if the title is a reference to Elizabeth Bathory? and "Extinction on Our Lungs.").

A lot of use of vocal distortion on this EP, which Josh Benash's music certainly has used, but maybe more prominently here. The title track I'm thinking of namely.

The final song "Extintion on Our Lungs" is sublime at times. The both melancholy yet beautiful ending which many of his records seem to have.





1. a moon by my side 4:01
2. the body light 2:46
3. prelude to pitchforks 3:00
4. swim in the blood 2;14
5. extinction on our lungs 3:56

Joey Eppard - Word to the Wise (2015-2016)

Per Neesh's post in Threedom Fighters, this album is coming out on June 21st. Which is a Tuesday, which is odd, but I'm not sure if it's released per https://joeyeppard.bandcamp.com/ if the Friday-only release dates really mean anything.

Regardless, should be great to hear. It's been 12 years as Neesh pointed out, since the release of Been to the Future.

No idea as far as stylistically, if this will be more acoustic-driven recordings like that record, or if it may include some other things like Orchestral stuff, maybe even with the assistance of Josh Benash, who I know is friends with Joey and Joey admires his work in many ways musically, namely the string arrangements with Kiss Kiss, Vuvuzela, and his solo music.

And it's been quite awhile since the last Three full-length album, being The Ghost You Gave to Me in 2011, so it'll be great to also just hear anything from Joey again. Although the 2014 Song of the Month project was cool, regardless.

Will bump when more info comes of course. I like the cover already.

Caravan of Thieves

1/29/15 5:17AM



Not much time to go into detail, nor experience with them yet, but I noticed someone share this video from the Connecticut band, on Cloud Cult's Facebook page and really liked this. Sort of melodic, energetic, percussive acoustic folk/pop/jazz. Maybe a little like The Family Crest without as many chamber instruments, or Miracles of Modern Science.

Good stuff; I guess I'll have to elaborate in due time about them. Last album was in 2012, so assuming they are still active, a new record may not be too far away from Caravan of Thieves.

edit:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/caravanofthieves

New 3rd LP coming is titled Kiss Kiss, a little ironically. CT ain't that far from where Josh Benash resides, the should play a show with either Josh, Vuvuzela, or if Kiss Kiss ever did another reunion, lol.

Regardless, I'm definitely checking their new record out. They also seem to like using the term "Freak" which either among jam band fans, or the Marillion refreence (...all the best Freaks are here), has me curious about Caravan of Thieves interest/use of it.

But hopefully their Pledgemusic campaign is a success and we'll get to hear their Kiss Kiss as well. Maybe they are big Roald Dahl fans like Josh?

Josh Benash - Stasis (2014)

1. And I'm Told 4:08
2. Soul Eyes 3:36
3. You Are Being Killed and We Do Not Care 0:59
4. For Two Weeks (You've Been Happy) 3:26
5. Will You Shine 3:11
6. Every Time I Close My Eyes All I Hear is Lil' Kim Screaming 0:47
 7. Your Word 3:19
8. Holy Holy Holy; Round and Round and Round 5:34

I wanted to wait and give this album another listening or two before going into *initial* detail, but what the hell, my schedule is so screwed up and unreliable with time, I'll go ahead and do it now.

This album is being released on August 12th (Facebook), but I was lucky enough to be sent a copy early to review.

Josh Benash, who is known for not only his debut LP from 2012 The Dismal; The Beautiful , but also his great current band Vuvuzela and awesome ex-band Kiss Kiss, is back again with another crazy collection of tunes.

Some of my early favorites are "And I'm Told,"  "Soul Eyes" and especially "For Two Weeks (You've Been Happy)." That track is odd with the tempo and the way Josh goes from his sort of Alfalfa-style falsetto (in a good/charming way), to his deeper contrasting vocals. But it leads to some really nice, simplistic, dreamy sections that even leave an ear-worm that if it doesn't appeal to you right away, may grow on you. And I can't help but like and relate in a lot of ways to the line "All I Want to doooooooo, is WATCH MY TV!!!"

Electronics, layers of vocal chanting, ambient textures, manipulated speeds of vocal recording, quirky, humorous twists and dynamic mood changes happen throughout this album.

There's a fair amount of dreamy, almost hypnotic moments. There's also a bit of acoustic sections, even what may be harp which I probably think of Vuvuzela for of course.

I am getting a sense of maturity and less-is-more from this album. Although every record Josh seems to make is of the shorter length, but I guess given how much I found The Dismal; The Beautiful more hit and miss, this record seems to last almost the right length and I am getting the sense it's best heard all at once.

"Stasis" I suspect refers to being under stasis as a medical stasis. So, perhaps Josh wrote some if not all of the music here from the perspective of someone whose hospitalized or at least is more or less confined to being in one place, perhaps indefinitely. Which sounds potentially horrifying or at least sad potentially. But, with Josh's dark almost black sense of humor, it doesn't come across so bleak.

It's odd how with each thing Josh does, he seems to do new different things, yet still remind you its him.

This album is about 1/3 more straight forward songs, and maybe 1/3 more slow tempo, atmospheric mood pieces and 1/3 of his odd quirky numbers. But it still is rather cohesive.

I would say it's only issue could be it leaves me wanting more or even just rather curious what may come in the future from Josh. He has consistently impressed me, which is why I still regard him as one of my favorite songwriters actively writing and making music currently.

The Mercury Tree: Excellent progressive rock band from Portland, OR

Steve Bergquist of local Minnesota bands The Royal Veil and Maeth told me about this Portland, OR based progressive rock band, who are looking to play live in Minnesota (and elsewhere on tour I'd presume) this Fall? I think he said. And with some similarly appealing bands who they could share a bill with. He said they were kind of like Porcupine Tree among some others.

I naturally suggested the likes of Between Two Skies and RisingSide..if not his own bands or Brice Plays Drums. The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra maybe as well. But that is still unclear.

So I naturally wanted to check their actual music and just hearing their latest release, a 2-track EP, I am already a fan. "Secrete a Matrix" got my attention right away. I love how it uses dynamics and time changes around the 2 minute mark. It's almost like Time of Orchids or Kiss Kiss or even Echolyn in a way. Harmonically using different textures and offbeats, and some chaotic slightly screamed vocals.

2014: Family Style [EP]



1. Glass Eye 03:11
2. Secrete a Matrix 06:41


 

2012: Freeze in Phantom Form



1. Anamnesis 02:05
2. Frontera 05:47
3. Avenues 06:03
4. Sepulchre 04:42
5. Cipher 06:10
6. Proteus 05:20
7. Zeta 07:41
8. Interspatial 02:26
9. Inflexus 04:25
10. In Partem Scalpere 09:31
11. Rotating Cast 05:20

So this album was their previous record. I have only just sampled some of it this afternoon, just in the background unfortunately. But I do like what I hear. I either will have to edit-in more hear about this record when I have time, or I'll try and post something in a separate entry as trying to listen to it right now, and describe my take/opinion about it honestly and accurately probably isn't fair. But I wanted to at least post some info about this band and the fact they may find their way to town soon.

Kiss Kiss - Reality vs. the Optimist on VINYL?

10/22/13 8:25AM

Funded. Nicer jacket. A day or 2 left to order one.


9/30/13 9:21PM


This is an incredible debut record that will sound all the more amazing on vinyl. And as Josh says, this will be a limited printing, and likely a 1-time only chance to put it out on vinyl.

And, I would imagine if it does succeed, the 2nd Kiss Kiss LP The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left may follow (and perhaps the Vuvuzela debut LP The Hollow Choir even at some point).

This campaign needs a little under $2K more in the next 3+ weeks.



Kickstarter Link

Our hope is to re-release this 2007 Kiss Kiss cult classic "Reality vs the Optimist" on vinyl as was always our intention.

For those of you who do not know Kiss Kiss, or "Reality vs The Optimist" here is a bit of history.

Kiss Kiss was a NY based band comprising of violin, vintage synths, guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. We wrote pop songs with a sort of carnival like demented quality, using lots of odd time signatures, textures, and unique melodies. But in the context of all this weirdness we strove to write the catchiest songs possible.

"Reality vs. The Optimist" was our first full length album for Eyeball Records ( My Chemical Romance, Thursday, and Murder By Death). We started recording it with producer D. James Goodwin at The Clubhouse studios in Rhinebeck in the winter of 2006. It was released in 2007.

Even as this was a debut record we stretched ourselves as much as possible and arranged the record to have full string sections, horn sections, and even a chainsaw.

If you have not heard the record someone put it up here to be streamed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpH3x9O1lUw

But for our fans who already know us, I know how special having your favorite album on vinyl can be. I am a music nerd/vinyl enthusiast myself.

On tour Kiss Kiss was always asked if we had vinyl, but alas we did not. With this kickstarter I want to remaster and re-release our cult classic "Reality vs. The Optimist" on vinyl for the first time and only time. For the fans that have been asking all these years, and for ourselves, who love music more then anything else in the world.

If this gets funded I will have the record fully remastered for wax, and pressed on 180 gram. And then mailed off to you with a smile.

Sincerely
Josh and Kiss Kiss

Risks and challenges

Risks: None.
Challenges: Money

Basically this is like a pre order. If we sell enough to cover the cost of pressing the vinyl will be made. If we fail to raise enough cash "Reality vs. The Optimist" will forever be stuck in the digital realm.

Vuvuzela - Like a Lion (live)

Despite the sound quality, great performance! From seeing Timbre, awesome to see another live harp from Stephanie.

Annuals - Time Stamp (2013)

I think the write-up at the bottom kind of explains mostly all of what needs to be known. I have known for quite awhile their future was uncertain if there was much of one. But I have posted in the last couple of years in this blog and various forums, they had an album in the can, with a supposed title "Born Raised," but due to Record Label issues, it was delayed. It kept on getting delayed, and then the band kind of went silent. And some of the members moved away from North Carolina. I recall Anna Spence is either a lawyer of some kind or in law school.

But I thought I saw Adam Baker post a few months ago about moving the LA with maybe 1 or 2 of the other members of the band.

At any case, I just bought the album and will check it out hopefully this week at least (my new job begins in 2 weeks and next week I'm on vacation).

I am happy they were able to put this out, unlike some bands like Fields or Superior, who made an album and never got to share it (or like Soundscape, who it took nearly a decade to finally share it).

But it is bitter sweet. Of course following the members, namely Adam's future music projects, should be worth doing. And some kind of reunion may happen at some point (see Kiss Kiss or TREOS for example).

But for now, this will have to do.

I think it may be worth mentioning how a band like Local Natives who I am still a very big fan of, owes a bit to these guys. And they likely would fully admit, just even the tribal drumming and such. It is a bit sad Annuals find this fate, and meanwhile Local Natives constantly get compared to the likes of bands like Grizzly Bear and The National, lol. While I rarely if ever have seen the Annuals name mentioned when talking about them. Maybe in due time (yeah right).

RIP.



1. Omnicide 04:09
2. Winslow 03:18
3. Sunday, 17 03:07
4. I Don't Care 03:42
5. Orbweaver 02:52
6. The Rotary 03:36
7. Whippoorwill 03:27
8. Watauga 04:59
9. Broke 03:12
10. Coffee 04:21
11. Lil' Pitlins 04:11




This is Time Stamp. Whether it's a swan song, a comeback, or something else... Even we aren't sure. This is the first Annuals full length in nearly five years with just five songs in between, and even those songs from Sweet Sister (which were supposed to be a quick "hold-you-over") have gathered some dust. 
There have been good, bad, hard, and harder times since our departure from Canvasback and Columbia records in 2010. It seems we've all individually landed on our feet but for better or worse in different, separate places. The majority of Time Stamp has sat in a near-completed form for almost 18 months, the final stretch towards completion would cost the band essentially all of the money it had left to it's name. It's here now, with some measured degree of hope, that people will care enough to see that this might be a last ditch effort. We know we have friends and fans across the USA and beyond, we've met you and we've shared many joyful evenings together over the years. We skipped the crowd funding and went straight to getting out a final product. We hope you care about the project, can put something back into it, and to share it with your friends and loved ones. Thank you for all of the love and support you've afforded us all these years. This is for y'all.
credits
released 23 April 2013 
All songs written and produced by Adam Baker 

For the making of this record, Annuals is and was: 
Adam Baker 
Mike Robinson 
Zack Oden 
Nick Radford 
Devin Downey 
Kenny Florence 
Whit Wright 
Anna Spence 
& Jenna Smith

Zookeeper's Palace - Red Sky Ruminations (2012)

4/2/13 12:15AM

I was informed by a former member, Matt Luker of the band 100Ft Snowman about this project. 100ft Snowman sadly broke up I recall towards the end of 2009. But as I wrote back to Matt, I still often think about them and what could have been. They are definitely among the best groups who never got their shot. The 2 EPs they released showed a ton of potential.

But that is more or less water-under-the-bridge now, and this is a new project of Matt's along with some other musicians. Stylistically, I can only guess from hearing just a couple of tracks thus far per bandcamp below. Their sound sort of mixes progressive rock with space rock and tribal percussion along with emphasizing things like vocal harmonies.

I'm digging what I hear thus far, but of course need a lot more time. And in a nutshell, I wish I had or even made that time, but sadly have struggled to find it even more of late.

Hopefully some of it can be made up for that lost time in the coming weeks/months. Although the work I've been doing without headphones of late, may become my new job soon, so, who knows. And I feel guilty about that, but I also know, I am doing what is best for me. That of course does pay my bills. AllMediaReviews does not. If it did, I probably would go into becoming the music writing machine I at times strive to be.

Blech, so anyway, this sounds like a sweet new band, whose name may or may not be related to the Mew song "Zookeeper's Boy." But with some luck, more will be heard by me and then contributed in this entry about them. I love(d) 100Ft Snowman, the same could be true here (see Kiss Kiss/Vuvuzela as 1 example).

Facebook Page






1. A Red Sky in Mourning 01:39
2. Grounded by the Air 04:31
3. Burn Together, Burn Forever 03:08
4. K(No)w Corrosion 04:41
5. Stop Signs 05:01
6. Perfect Picture 05:32
7. Nothing Left to Gain 05:40
8. Moments Like These 03:55
9. Final Heart Attack 04:42
10. Leaving You Lying Here 05:47
11. A Red Sky at Night 02:40
12. Bound to Dust 06:05

Vuvuzela - Rings and Things (Official Video)

Interesting video, which sort of reminds me of if the kid from Where the Wild Things Are was fixating on Lord of the Rings or Camelot. I'm not sure if the kid could be Josh Benash as-a-kid? just guessing. But like most of Kiss Kiss's videos, there's always a humor and quirkiness to it. This though, doesn't seem so political.

Now the messages about the contest that just ended, are now moot because the contest did just end, and Vuvuzela just lost I think, to some band called Fashions. I'm not sure all what they would have won, other than more exposure and a few others things. But hey, the winners of American Idol have sucked compared to the Runner's Up. Even Bend Sinister only finished 3rd in the Peak Performance Contest back in 2009? but the bands who finished ahead of them? I wonder if they are doing as well as Bend Sinister have since, as they have seen more growth, exposure and success in the last couple of years (especially this year), as they ever have.

Perhaps finishing so close will garner some unexpected attention for Vuvuzela. Let's hope.

Vuvuzela - The Hollow Choir (Early Review)

10/6/12

1 Our Ghosts 4:31
2 Star Shoes 2:50
3 Sylvia 2:54
4 Rings and Things 2:53
5 The New 4:30
6 Distracted Eyes 2:33
7 Like A Lion 3:10
8 The Hollow Choir 3:39


Release date is October 23rd on Motor Oat Records

"Using a clever story Waltz/Prog band Vuvuzela announce the date for their upcoming release."


1 Our Ghosts 4:31. There's a Gradual building Harp and piano interplay that sets the tone for the album."This House Holds Our Ghosts" "Memories from out (past?).."
One thing that sticks out is there are a lot of very Clean Cymbals in this song, that are High in the Mix.
2 Star Shoes 2:50. The Opening piano sounds like The Dear Hunter track "Lillian" from the Violet EP off The Color Spectrum..Tempo/Time Change "The Stars in My Eyes..They know nothing"..Quiet then Heavy/Slammed Piano.
3 Sylvia 2:54..This one starts off dreamy, almost like Mew, with a sad, dark, beautiful, romantic theme in the melody. Which may be about a relationship that went bad. This piece crescendos to an odd rhythm where the piano gets slammed.
4 Rings and Things 2:53.."Repetition is Blameless". Waltzy/Cicusy Piano and Bass leads to a Wall of vocal layers and a bombastic interplay Between the drums, piano and harp.
5 The New 4:30. The Intro is rather dreamy, with some subtle piano. There are tempo changes back and forth between slow and fast.."turns dirt to sand" the outro is gorgeous with the piano and synths layers and vocals. This is one of Josh Benash's best vocal lines ever. One line sounds like: "I don't care about the [ones?]..all I wanted. my one ..?"
6 Distracted Eyes 2:33..This piece feels almost like a segue song, but it is big and dreamy.
7 Like A Lion 3:10 This starts out dark with Screamy Vocals, then there's a Tempo change, the vocals are clean. Which is kind of Jekyl-and-Hyde thing in that sense. I love the way the bridge has a Circus-y/bombastic/dramatic twist to it.
8 The Hollow Choir 3:39 There's a lovely slow Intro with Harp and Piano.
"We are born beneath the waves"
"We Don't need Anyone or Anything"
(female harmony vocals)
"Don't Speak of that please. Don't Speak""Son of man says he's gone. Says he's saved"
The gradual crescendo on this song is tremendous, which then leads to a quiet Harp Outro.

This record has highly impressed me. It has a lot of what I love about Kiss Kiss, while still being different. The dynamics and less-is-more approach to songwriting. Kiss Kiss made a debut record that was 32 minutes long, this album is pretty close in length to that. It also *feels* longer than what it clocks in at.

Every track works in different ways, from gorgeous Harp layers, to infectious piano melodies, I really am getting a similar feeling when I first discovered my love for Kiss Kiss 6 years ago.

Many of the songs have those sad parts that strike a strong amount of emotion. While Vuvuzela's sound is for the most part acoustic, it has enough textures and instrumentation going on, it doesn't sound so stripped down.

I guess specifics after playing it only a couple of times, "Sylvia," "Rings and Things," "The New," "Star Shoes," and "The Hollow Choir" have my attention the most. But I'd say other than the screaming in "Like a Lion" every part of this record seems to fit.

4.5 stars and on par with both of the Kiss Kiss records.

http://www.wearevuvuzela.com

Vuvuzela - Hollow Choir (2012)

9/25/12 11:58PM

1 Our Ghosts 4:31
2 Star Shoes 2:50
3 Sylvia 2:54
4 Rings and Things 2:53
5 The New 4:30
6 Distracted Eyes 2:33
7 Like A Lion 3:10
8 The Hollow Choir 3:39

(track list info is from a promo that Motor Oat Records kindly sent to me to review, which should come soon as I'm already enjoying this album a fair amount just streaming on my pc speakers)



Release date is October 23rd on Motor Oat Records

"Using a clever story Waltz/Prog band Vuvuzela announce the date for their upcoming release."

http://www.wearevuvuzela.com


"Rings and Things" is pretty sweet. Rather Kiss Kiss-like, but with piano and other chamber instruments. Damn, I'm a bit more intrigued by this album now.

5/1/12 12:00PM




Band meeting today to start making plans for the release of our 1st lp "The Hollow Choir."

What was going to be a debut EP, has become a full-length debut record from among others, Kiss Kiss /Solo artist Josh Benash.

This also of course was helped/supported by a successful Kickstarter campaign last August.

Stylistically, from hearing what I have (which is not a ton), they are somewhat of a Chamber/acoustic group, using minor keys, and featuring harp? and other strings. I'm not even sure how much vocals they use, but my memory of that is a little cloudy.

the Kickstarter campaign had a video with some of that, which can be viewed here.

more to add in due time. But I'm pretty excited to check this out, now after 9 or so months (or more, since I heard about them probably around the 2010 CMJ Festival).

Also to add the fact Josh's solo record is pretty sweet, and of course his past work with Kiss Kiss.

Miracles of Modern Science - Dog Year (2011)

1. MOMS AWAY! 04:27
2. Strangerous 03:33
3. Tensity 03:18
4. Eating Me Alive 03:25
5. Quantum Of Solace 04:52
6. Luminol 04:40
7. Friend Of The Animals 04:55
8. Space Chopper 05:16
9. I Found Space 04:20
10. The Moon & Australia 01:13
11. Bossa Supernova 04:57



I heard about this band from of all people, Jim DeRogatis, take a shot at them after seeing them at SXSW, joking how about at least they didn't have a ukele amongst their other instruments, in his 2012 South By Southwest review on last week's Sound Opinions podcast. And given some of his taste and comments, and then doing a little reading about them almost being progressive rock at times, I was curious enough.

And wow, I'm glad I was as some of this record is fan-fucking-tastic! They combine the ole chamber/proggy styles of course, emphasizing acoustics and dynamics, along with a goofyness. In other words, as I wrote on facebook last week, they kind of mix bands like Kiss Kiss the Punch Brothers and new dynamic-acoustic discovery Buke and Gass (hopefully something will come in here about them as well).

I've only listened to this record twice, but I am already so won over, I ordered a copy on Compact Disc via their bandcamp page linked above.

I guess right now, I am going to continue to listen to hear new/definitive things about it, but the things I already love about it are the dynamics, vocal arrangements/melodies/harmonies, male/female vocal contrast, the use of violin which is at times a lead instrument. And I'd say from track 5, "Quantum of Solace" through the end of the record, every track really works in some way save for I believe it is the 11th/2nd-to-last track "The Moon & Australia" which is a short interlude-ish piece that unfortunately, I hear their singer swallow a number of times, I likely will always skip.

Although I am pretty certain, said to-skip track is not the 2nd-to-last in fact, and there is a hidden track that is one of the better, more interesting, and humorous songs on this record about a man needing to get an amputation. Very much in the audio-theater vein, but some of the instrumentation on that one is as great as many of the tracks on this record.

Another specific thing that I can't leave out, even as early in my time hearing it, is the 11th track "Bossa Supernova" has a melody that is almost IDENTICAL to a melody/interval pattern on The Receiving End of Sirens song "The Rival Cycle." So much so, I don't know if I'll ever be able to not think of that song when hearing it. However, it's still a great tune, but that part is almost the same for a portion of the track.

But this band definitely has impressed me a lot; and I envision listening to this record a good amount this year, and in the distant future. Perhaps I'll get to see them live and whatnot among other things. How great this record is/becomes and where it may have ended up in my 2011 Index is a question I'll ponder, but it wouldn't surprise me if it could have finished in the top 20 or even top 10; or historically, it'll become one of those albums I'll think about as among the best albums that were released in 2011, despite the fact I didn't hear it until many months after the calendar year was over.

But for now, Miracles of Modern Science aka MOMS are a band whose scored pretty high for new bands for 2012. Hopefully some other folks will catch on to them as well soon.

Josh Benash - The Dismal; The Beautiful (2012)

1 Sick of the Wreck
2 The Bodies of Trees
3 My Little Noose
4 The Pancake Song
5 A Million Spines
6 The Worst
7 Swarm
8 Asshole
9 Bury and Seethe
10 She Is Bad
11 I Like the Way You Sigh
12 ::::::::::::

yes yes yes, very cool! Josh Benash is the lead singer/guitarist of Kiss Kiss and and the upcoming Vuvuzela project, which by the way, I guess the process of mixing their debut EP is going quite well as they posted here on facebook the other day. 80% tracked.

But in the mean time for Josh/Kiss Kiss fans, we have this debut album to look forward to, as it's being released digitally next Tuesday February 7th.

Cool freaking beans! There's to stream/d/l with a pre-order sounds good, and makes me curious as to the electronic side to this album. "Shoegaze" and "Post Rock" are among the genres listed for this on the bandcamp page.

2012: the year of the bandcamp release continues.

11/13/11 Cynic with 3 and Iron Thrones @ Station 4

Okay, given the late hour, people might follow why so many concerts, tv, and movie reviews haven't found their way in here. (Time, discipline, etc. more to add soon. about that)

Iron Thrones: they played 5 or 6 songs I think, and I sensed among the 3 shows I've seen from them, they may have sounded the best from a performance standpoint. Now, just a point to make, when this tour was announced, Anathema was included as another potential band on the bill; but they couldn't make this show, nor the tour I don't believe. I think due to Visa issues, but I shouldn't be quoted about that.

So, someone who runs Station 4's facebook page asked for suggested local bands to open this show with Anathema canceling (and Scale the Summit, who will be coming with Protest the Hero in a few weeks). So I and especially my friend Josh suggested a few names (Brice Plays Drums, The Royal Veil and maybe 1 or 2 others), and Iron Thrones were among them. I had seen them with East of the Wall in 2010, and knew they were playing another show with EotW coming up.

So, I am glad they got to open this show, and if I had any reasonable part in helping them out, cool.

And their music, I guess I'd describe as slightly technical metalcore, is kind of hit and miss for me. I really enjoy some of the guitar tones they use, and when they use syncopation. Their vocals are a little hard to gauge given tonally their singer often sounds similar on more than one song. Although to be honest, that's hardly a huge factor for me, nor all that different than a lot of metalcore bands.

But the last point I can't forget is just Station 4. While thankfully tonight was not the Sauna that it can often be, namely in the Summer. The sound issues, namely the mix of the vocals and some of things, continues to disappoint me here and there. The vocals get drowned out by the distortion. It goes in and out, but I've experienced this issue there enough times to not be surprised by it. What they can do about it, I dunno.

3:
My Divided Falling
Battle Cry
Numbers
Alien Angel
Sparrow
High Times
Bramfatura
Jam
Amazedisgrace

they didn't have the extra members to jam on the tom drums like at Progressive Nation 2008 or when I saw them at the Entry in 2009. However, Joey and the others still had a great energy which is one of the biggest reasons why they stand out live. Although I'd be lying if the absence of those drummers/drumjams wasn't missed.

But like Iron Thrones, I found Joey's vocals going in and out and muffled at times. Now part of that could be he wasn't always directly on his microphone when he was really extending himself (and his head or neck). However, I spoke to him both after and before the show. And I actually asked him about them playing the song "Only Child" and he said they are looking to debut it at a show on December 30th in their hometown (Woodstock, NY). It making more sense to play it live the right/full way, etc.

But one reason he said they'd never do a song like that at a show like the show tonight is they didn't have a SOUNDCHECK. So, there you go. His vocals were drowned out sounding at times, go figure without a soundcheck.

But overall, especially the energy and some of the songs like "My Divided Falling" and "Alien Angel" really were enjoyable. And the "Bramfatura/Jam/Amazedisgrace" is always worth the price of admission. Joey popped a string on his acoustic and was sorta animated and tempted to smash it. But unlike Pete Townshend or Jimi Hendrix, a guitar smashing doesn't work too well in the budget.

It was cool chatting with him, Billy and some of the other members of 3 afterwards. Joey mentioned that they may, or have been approached to do some kind of split EP with Between the Buried and Me. Also perhaps Josh from Kiss Kiss/Vuvuzela could be working with them, playing with 3 as another guitarist and/or some new original music (if the opportunity was given). While many may not be aware (although not myself before last night) Joey is a big fan of Kiss Kiss. And that may largely be a result of when Three toured with Kiss Kiss, going back to 2006 with Kaddisfly, and I recall at least 1 or more tours a few years later.

As a fan of Josh and Kiss Kiss along with 3, I'd love to see that happen. Also The Dear Hunter as Joey knows and have done some shows with them. A tour with them could happen next year, if the timing were to work. Now whether those 2 bands doing a full-scale North American tour together, and it coming to St.Paul or Minneapolis is still a bit of wishful thinking right now. But logically it would be a great tour, and The Dear Hunter and 3 have gained at least a little more of a following in this town of late.

Cynic:

I'm guessing this is the setlist as it is given for the show from Friday.

Hieroglyph
Amidst The Coals
Carbon-Based Anatomy
Evolutionary Sleeper
How Could I
Adam's Murmur
Celestial Voyage
Elves Beam Out
King of Those Who Know
Veil of Maya
Wheels Within Wheels
Integral / Integral Birth
Box Up My Bones
The Space For This

given I love Focus, but also think/know it best as a complete, flowing record, this Cynic concert and setlist was a bit hit and miss for me. I do find their new EP Carbon Based Anatomy interesting, but not necessarily addictive or as Cynic-like. But I did enjoy the music from it, the samples and atmosphere tonight. However, compared to seeing the complete Focus back last year, this show didn't engage me throughout.

I will say, the best moments got my attention enough. They have this hypnotic quality often in their music, which really works wonders. And I think the sound issues were less noticed during their set for some reason. But overall I ended up getting an uneven reaction. Maybe it's just the material, mainly the Traced In Air work which I've never loved. Or maybe Station 4 had something to do with it. I would enjoy seeing them at another venue if possible, but the odds seem almost nil for that to happen. And given their interest (and lack of promotion in this town) I suppose there shouldn't be many reasons to be disappointed.

I also overheard someone mention they have a new record coming next year. I wonder how much of the ambient, post-rock kind of work (like from their new EP) it'll include.

Vuvuzela - TBA (2011)

8/11/11 12:35AM - 8/16/11 4:30AM, 8/22/11 12:28PM

Kickstarter campaign is a Success! Sometimes, you can't be sure how unlikely $ may come in, even down the stretch. Can't frigging wait to hear their ep.

See the page

$2,190 and there's still about 34 hours to go!





an updated video from the other day. 7 days left and about $1600 to go. Odds?

I guess I'm not sure if I understand the thinking or projections for some of these Kickstarter campaigns. The amount of $ I get, at least to a point. But the AMOUNT OF TIME I rarely follow. $2,100, while not an outrageous amount, in a few weeks or even a month, really is a bit high for such a short window of time. I suppose had they mentioned the kickstarter thing many times over the last few months, and then launched it on August 1st or whatever date they did recently, at least the pre-campaign campaign would have been done.

A few other campaigns that I tried to help out, that failed, ran into the same problem. Now one of them being Water & Bodies album, ended up being relaunched and lowering the goal, and was successful the 2nd time around. Perhaps if this initial Vuvuzela Kickstarter campaign isn't successful, they'll try again like Water & Bodies and have success the 2nd time around.

But in the mean time, perhaps a lot more help will come in down the stretch here over the next week. I guess we'll see.




just pledged $25 to their campaign. 5-8 songs they want to start recording on August 24th. They need $2,150 to reach their goal by the end of the 23rd. I hope a lot of the Kiss Kiss fans find out about this SOON.

4/19/11 10:59PM



Assuming they reach their goal for the campaign, this should have a chance to come out this year. New songs sound nice.

Related: Vuvuzela - (Kiss Kiss's Josh and James new project)

The Age of Rockets Album Update

8/15/11 12:32AM

This was sent directly to those who are part of the successful Kickstarter campaign. The samples I've heard since the last update still sound awfully promising, and the progress, certainly reasonable. I am looking forward to getting to hear it around X-Mas or early in 2012. I just hope Andrew doesn't have to bend over backwards after facing the changes in recording time crunch (along with that 1 backer who apparently *backed out*).

But to expect it as part of the 2011 Index probably pretty unlikely now. So be it, here we may have the early leader for 2012 for that reason.

The Age of Rockets
Monday Aug 15, 12:06am EDT

Here is a long update on album progress. It's difficult for me to properly explain some things, so I hope you will not be offended at some of the vagueness. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the album ended up falling 100% into my lap. Saul, Bess and Adam will be a part the record, but not nearly as much as originally planned. This bummed me out for a while, but it is what it is, you know? I took a small break from recording while I produced the most recent mc chris record, but that is done and I am hoping to finish up the basic recording of the record by the end of November. The first disc is just missing vocals, one track of cello and a few electric guitars. Not including vocals, it will be done by mid-September and then the rest should be far easier and quicker.

Disc one is the "over the top orchestra record", and while it's one out of three discs, it was 50% of the total time and work the album needed. I am hesitant to give an exact release date because some final lyrics are not done and I am just beginning to work out artwork & things like that, but I would like to think that you Kickstarter backers will have the full three-disc album by Christmas. The goal is for you to be sick of it by the time it's actually released.

Not really.

Certainly if it's not completely done by Christmas it will be done soon after that, and by mid-Autumn you will surely have another big update on the progress.

While it pains me greatly to acknowledge the haters, I must address what Kickstarter backer Mike Finkel angrily said on the comments section today. I will gladly give him his money back and have his name appear nowhere on this project because he addressed his concerns in a totally inappropriate way, but he is right about there needing to be more updates. You all deserve that.

As always, you can hear some clips of the new record on theageofrockets.com and see how things are coming along on my blog. You can always message me on Facebook if you have any specific questions or concerns. I love talking to you guys and I hope you know that you can always reach out to me.

I really, really appreciate all the people who took to the comments section of the Kickstarter project and defended me and this record. It warms my heart to know how patient you all are and that you have my back against mean-spirited people. While I am sure this won't be the last Age of Rockets record, I am wary of doing anything else after it because I don't know how to top it. I am truly excited about this album and I can't wait for you all to hear it.

Additionally, I am going to record disc three alone in a cabin in the woods in the late Fall for a week. I think I am going to document it because it will probably be spooky and there is no interent there, so I will need a camera to talk to/go insane The Shining-style at. If that sounds at all interesting I'll send you guys the results.

Thank you again for everything you've all done for me. Knowing that people truly believe in something I care about so much is all I could ever hope for.

Much love,
Andrew Futral

4/21/11 8:31AM
a couple of bits:

4/20/11 Facebook post
sneak peek clip of a new song
still missing vox and cello
http://soundcloud.com/theageofrockets/sneak-peek


SNEAK PEEK by theageofrockets

sounds a bit like Kiss Kiss, which is a good thing.

Holy shit. Disc 1 is going to be hard to beat. Nothing like a 16 piece string section to make an album feel like the end of the world!


all violins for disc 1 are done. Disc 1 might actually be done this month.


Good to read about progress. Whether it'll be done and available in 2011 is still up in the air tho.

12/1/10 1:28AM

UPDATE!
By The Age of Rockets For Backers Only

Hey guys and gals,

some of you recently and kindly have asked for an update on this album. I will totally give you one. I have been working with all of my free-time to get this sucker done. I decided to tackle this album 1 disc at a time. So far I am extremely happy with the progress. Currently there is about 2-3 more days of guitar tracking for the 1st disc and then all of the strings and horns and then i will move on to disc 3 (disc 2 will be recorded last) . As some of you may or may not know Hannah was made mostly by myself. Saul, Adam and Bess did vocals but only helped on The End of Faith and Actors/Ghosts. I am thrilled with how that record came out but I really want the whole band to be part of this record and so that means it will take a little longer (as they are all doing their own musical things all over the place). The end product will also be a little better. The concepts behind the discs are: Disc 1 is the over the top disc, meaning that it will be huge and loud and have giant orchestras everywhere. Disc 2 will be the subtle album. It will be full band as well but will be made with a "less is more" attitude. Disc 3 will be the weird album. It will kind of be like If I made "The Drive Home" now. The concept behind disc 3 is that songs will be recorded for the sake of a weird idea more than for the sake of the song. For example one idea is that there is a song that I am going to learn how to play backwards, record backwards, then reverse and record some additional stuff on top of it so that the whole thing sounds like a reversed track but also sounds 100% correct. Something like that totally excites me as a person but I would never have the balls to actually release it if it were just 1 disc. Disc 1 so far has been pretty much arranged by just me and Adam. Disc 2 will be much more collaborative and I am hoping disc 3 will have tons of friends on it.

If you want to hear any clips from songs you should follow the official age of rockets webpage / blog at www.theageofrockets.com/ i have been posting lots of recording things there. The album is going to (hopefully) be done by the late spring and around that time I am going to start to deal with kickstarter prizes. A lot of the prizes are musical things and I would really like it if all my creative energy was spent on 1 thing at a time.

I am really excited for everyone to hear this new record / new direction.

thanks so much for all of your patience.

A lot of what makes Age of Rockets special to me is that I make sure I am always "earning it". In that I have tons of other projects going on all of the time so that this record is the thing that I am working FOR. I think it makes for a better product. It keeps me passionate but also makes things take a hair longer. I am sorry I work like this BUT there will be new Field Mouse music soonish, a Lauren Zettler EP that I am producing and a bunch of other fun things.

Some of you may have seen the Favorite Day music video for Bess Rogers. I edited that footage and also helped direct it. I am about 24 hours away from launching a second kickstarter to get a camera so that I can help make music videos for age of rockets, field mouse, jenny owen youngs, weiss, and Rogers. Probably more people as well. Making videos is something that it is hard to do cheaply and so I am trying to make it be something that requires less doing. I want to make sure you all don't feel weird about me launching a second kickstarter. This will in no way slow down kickstarter 1 or album 3 progress and will only add to the amount of fun things I am able to do.

COOL!

I care about you all.
also if we are not currently facebook friends we should be
facebook.com/andrewfutral

DOUBLE COOL!

- Andrew

Okay, so reading about this, obviously the best news is it's coming along and let's hope it actually is released next Spring or Summer ("late Spring" unless it's a digital download, probably means Summer with printing, promotion, etc) sometime. On the surface, the 3 cds on this "super-pretentious choose-your-own-adventure-style concept record"

-the 1st CD is the meat for me. That's The Age of Rockets I would assume that will resemble the work to a point from 2008's Hannah.

-The 2nd more subtle, "less is more" sounds to be good as a blending. Perhaps in the whole mixing of songs off each record together, etc..maybe a little like The River Empires: Epilogue, the last dredg album, or of course The Dear Hunter Act III in some ways. Who knows.

-And the 3rd disc it sounds like is out of left-field a bit. That one may make or break just how unique this record really is. That's the "avant-garde" or actual "experimental" side to this thing. Sort of the maudlin of the Well, Deerhoof approach in some ways.

So now thinking about this, I can say I'm probably as, if not more intrigued. But the proof will be in the pudding. It could end up disappointing, but I'd rather that happen than it never happen at all of course.

edit: of course it's mentioned in that update about sound clips being up. http://theageofrockets.tumblr.com/.

um, wow. This stuff sounds potentially awesome! the most recent clip marching piece "Darling Street (Unmixed Clip)" namely...Fuck, I wish I had known about these clips months ago when they were shared, lol. Better now than later of course.

Now Andrew has also launched a NEW kickstarter campaign for making videos I decided to put $10 towards it, in the hope/belief that it will lead to some cool things and more long-term work for him, Field Mouse (who I also donated to), and The Age of Rockets of course as well. I guess we'll see.