Music Reviews of Techno, Trance, Industrial, Electronica
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
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WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Techno, Trance, Jungle, Trip-Hop, Industrial, Electronica, IDM, House, Drum&Bass
The Birthday Massacre — Nothing & Nowhere Buy it at Amazon
Metropolis Records knows that we all love the Birthday Massacre. That’s why they did us a solid and re-released this self-released out-of-print rarity. Their brand of aggressive electronica is happy, fun, and entertaining, leading us to precisely why their music is so loved. “Nothing & Nowhere” shows the band’s early beginnings and belies exactly how they’ve come so far and why they’re so celebrated.
- J-Sin
Recoil — Subhuman Buy it at Amazon
Alan Wilder (ex-Depeche Mode) finally comes back to the recording scene after a six year hiatus. Wilder collaborates with bluesman Joe Richardson whose Louisiana slurring vocal delivery gives it a New Orleans swamp blues feel and Carla Trevaskis an English singer that boasts huge range and dynamics. Blending electronica with a host of other off-kilter influences, Recoil is an intriguing listen that finds the audience discovering new nuances with each listen.
- J-Sin
Mother and the Addicts — Science Fiction Illustrated Buy it at Amazon
Holy Britpop batman! Take some clanky guitars, British nasal vocals, and off-kilter rhythms and smash it up. That’s Mother and the Addicts. Funky dance beats give it an element of disco cum electronica. The sultry synths sleaze things up a bit. While I could do without the sneer of the vocalist, I love the airy electro-pop musical landscape.
- J-Sin
Moe! Staiano's Moe! Kestra! — 2 Rooms of Uranium Inside 83 Markers: Conducted Improvisations Vol. 2 Buy it at Amazon
Avant-garde orchestral ambient music that was an album documenting two live shows in Oakland to bring about informing the public about Depleted Uranium being used in Iraq and Afghanistan by the U.S. Military. Incredibly intricate compositions that are a whirlwind of chaos and intrigue. The second half of this album was recorded in two separate rooms connected by a short hallway in between. Each of the two rooms was assigned the left and right channel respectively—now if that’s not an incredibly interesting way to record and conduct an orchestra, I don’t know what is! Improvisation music conducted in a way you’ve never heard before.
- J-Sin
Kraak & Smaak — The Remix Sessions Buy it at Amazon
Downtempo steamy hits of re-rubbings of some popular tunes by the likes of Jamiroquai and others. “The Remix Sessions” is mostly house music that is slowed down, gone a bit tribal, and perfect for a late evening club or lounge affair. Sexy synths slink back and forth throughout the well-mixed album. Bouncy rhythms provide a groove and vibe that is danceable and relaxing—no small feat for any remixer worth their salt.
- J-Sin
Christus and the Cosmonaughts — From Atop This Hill Buy it at Amazon
Bizarre free form electronic ambience that bristles with thorny synths and glistening samples. Richly textured atmospheric movements pad “From Atop This Hill” with their almost religious devotion to mysterious cold wave industrial. Haunting you with a caustic yet melodic vocal, Christus & the Cosmonaughts are a more spacey Pink Floyd with defiant acid rock jams and similarly intelligent electro pop hits. Think Genesis P-Orridge with a dash of Pink Floyd with a bit of the more eerie The Orb songs, and of course Psychic TV.
- J-Sin
Alice in Videoland — Maiden Voyage Plus Buy it at Amazon
This re-issue of the irresistible ’03 debut of Alice in Videoland features five additional bonus tracks of remixes and b-sides of out-of-print singles. Powerful dance-pop and synth-punk that is fully urbanized and ready for blowing up a dance club near you. Alice in Videoland is exclusive, sleek, and totally hip. Sexy electro sleaze that makes Gwen Stefani blush.
- J-Sin
Fauxliage — Fauxliage Buy it at Amazon
Nevermind the cute moniker pronounced “foliage”, Fauxliage writes serious music. A supergroup of sorts, Fauxliage features a lineup that includes the beautiful vocals of Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer) with the symphonic electronic pop constructed by none other than Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber who many know for their work with Frontline Assembly, Delerium, and a horde of other popular electronic and industrial bands. Nash first worked with the guys in Delerium by voicing “Innocente (Falling In Love)” off of the album “Poem” as well as two tunes off of “Chimera”. Nepotism aside, the group makes us all happy as they spent their time forging sweet and sugary electronic pop with Nash’s beautiful emotional voice, ethereal and celestial electro-fused hooks, and tight downtempo rhythms. Dream pop that’s goldenly essential, carefully intelligent, and daringly esoteric.
- J-Sin
Canartic — Bouncing Radar Beams Off the Moon Buy it at Amazon
Downtempo electronic ambient techno similar in vein to old school The Orb, Cnartic provides simplistic (sounding at least) beats that are dubby and removed from the tech-step generation. Think, PlateaU with processed guitar and more psychedelia. Vastly chilled out ambient that is rich in grooves and movements.
- J-Sin
Psychedelic Desert — Keshiki Buy it at Amazon
Japanese noise ambient group Psychedelic Desert bring you the dessert of electronica—blip-less, atmospheric, and eerie soundscapes. Noises collapse upon one another with minimalism well in mind. “Keshiki” displays elements of discordant chaos armed with a cacophony of noise, dreamscapes, pitch-shifting tones, and drones. Weird two tracks of 79 minutes or so but well worth the journey.
- J-Sin
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