Battles - La Di Da Di (2014-2015)

Not that I'm highly excited for this album as I found their last album Gloss Drop, from 2011 rather forgettable. They missed Tyondai Braxton terribly, and by all accounts, it doesn't seem he will be involved with this record either.

But, I do enjoy Mirrored a lot from 2007, and still hold optimism about them making more music. I just worry if they will not have any vocals/vocal-effect how it will sound ultimately (or who they have, and who and how the writing of the vocals are)

Story
9/17/15 Release Date





1 The Yabba
2 Dot Net
3 FF Bada
4 Summer Simmer
5 Cacio e Pepe
6 Non-Violence
7 Dot Com
8 Tyne Wear
9 Tricentennial
10 Megatouch
11 Flora > Fauna
12 Luu Le

Adebisi Shank RIP

Not a ton to say, right now namely since I gotta head to bed. But this does suck, but at the same time, does not come as a huge shock I suppose. They really were one-of if not the most interesting kind of math-rock that I discovered since getting into Battles debut LP in 2007. That 1st record had this amazing energy about it, so much so, I went back to it frequently for a window of a few months back in 2008.

The 2 LPs that came after were not bad, although I'm not sure I will ever ultimately like as much. I did like the new and what is final LP that came out a few months ago, more, and probably need to give it a little more time before fully knowing right now how it may compare to others this season and in their catalog.

Sorry they are calling it a day, but they did release 3 LPs, more than many bands/artists even. And the new LP (This is the 3rd Album By a Band Called Adebisi Shank) may not be a bad swan song no matter.

I would have liked to have seen them live, but well, they are from the UK so the odds were not that likely in the States save for them blowing up, which sadly, never did quite happen.

But, that's all to add for now. I will have to put some of their stuff on soon in tribute especially.

https://www.facebook.com/adebisishank/posts/10152652377859361

THIS IS THE END OF A BAND CALLED ADEBISI SHANK

Dear friends,

We hereby announce the end of a band called Adebisi Shank. From the three of us to all of you, thank you for coming with us on this crazy journey. To Cathy and the Sargent House crew past and present, thank you for believing in us.

Life and music moves on - Lar is making music in All Tvvins, Vin is producing/mixing, working on video games and other cool stuff as VMC Sound, and is also one half of Speed of Snakes. Mick will continue to train for his UFC career.

This Thursday and Friday in Whelans, we will play on an Irish stage for the very last time. Join us if you can. After that, we intend to honour our one existing overseas tour commitment.

To any kids starting bands we offer one piece of advice - play music you love, with people you love, for the people you love.
We saw a million faces
Vin, Lar + Mick (-_-) xxx

Adebisi Shank - This is the Third Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank (2014)

7/11/14 10:35PM

I have posted about this UK-based instrumental energetic Math/Post/Prog band of a kind. I really got into their debut LP in 2008 I recall/ The constant energy on that somewhat short (30 minutes?) debut record was off the charts. It almost was like workout music or something.

I recall the follow-up their 2nd album of aptly titled "This Is the 2nd Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank" I remember liking somewhat, but didn't find as addictive. Some people compared it to sounding almost too much like the band Battles. I guess I don't recall that so much, as it didn't quite have that amazing energy anfd flow that the 1st album did.

That being said, I actually rated it at 4-stars on rateyourmusic.com, so I must have liked a fair amount of it regardless.

Anyway, this record drops on August 12th. There's some of it to stream already plus a humorous teaser of sorts.



1. World in Harmony
2. Big Unit 04:35
3. Turnaround
4. Mazel Tov
5. Thundertruth
6. Sensation
7. Chaos Emeralds
8. Voodoo Vision 06:00
9. (trio always)

Preorder Link

http://adebisishank.bandcamp.com/

The Book of Right On - All These Songs About Music (2010)

1 Pinpointing the Exact Moment Hollywood Said Good Enough 5:18
2 Year of the Acronym 4:28
3 Obligatory Jam for the Lady Folk 3:51
4 Manchild at the Helm 4:50
5 Frankly, Ms. Janke 3:07
6 Silk Scarves & White 'Zin 5:04
7 Sense of Entitlement is the New Herpes 6:57

Wow, yet ANOTHER local Minnesota band who are really good, who I just heard about. This band opened for Zebulon Pike on Saturday night at the Triple Rock. There's more to why I even ended up at that show, and ZP themself which hopefully I can share soon in here.

But this band more or less floored me. After their set, I had to pick up both this record on vinyl (+ a download card of course) along with a limited to 100 pressing 7" single of theirs which I have yet to hear actually (no d/l card, although it's supposedly online on 1 of their links to stream).

But referring to this, their debut LP of around 30 minutes, it's pretty much without an uninteresting song. Quite percussive, very organic sounding at times, and many of the songs transition rather well into different sections, including 1 with I think 3-part vocal harmonies. They even use 2 drummers at times, one of them named Kelly, also plays keys and guitar.

The lead vocals are a bit odd, and pretty lyrical in emphasis, but at the same time, the lyrics seem so random and esoteric, they almost sound like they are being used for-how-they-sound (rather than what they mean literally).

I should try reading through them though, as I have yet to do so, and I recall noticing on their myspace blog seeing them posted. And in chatting with their trumpet/sax player, David I think he said his name is, the lyrics are rather significant to what they're doing. Their singer, seems rather opinionated, almost to the point of outspoken-ness, but I think he actually gives them a distinct element that adds a lot to what they are doing. At the show on Saturday, at one point, he was doing a Spoken Word of sorts and ranting pretty good at times. And I guess some of the Hip-Hop fans/community actually digs them, perhaps even just due to that side of the band.

Is there any spoken-word specifically on this album? no, not really. But there certainly are many moments to enjoy. I guess comparing them to other music, stuff like Primus, Battles, or King Crimson makes a little bit of sense, but the melodies, namely from the guitar parts, really adds more to their style.

At times they're atonal or just rythmically driven, but other times the melodic sense shines.

My only really criticism about this album is how short it is. It seems more like an EP being only 7 songs and about half an hour. I guess that's why among other reasons, I am really curious on what they do next. Definitely one of the best new bands, or bands in general, in Minnesota. And one of the best I've found out about for the 1st time in 2011.

Minnesota, land of 10,000 sadly unknown, yet still incredible bands. The Book of Right On being another, and one of the best, which a lot more people would like if they were given the exposure to them. Including the progressive rock scene, as they are most definitely doing (the good kind of) prog. They should get on bills with local bands like Brice Plays Drums, The Royal Veil or even Run at the Dog among a number of others.

The Book of Right On facebook
Reverb Nation