Archive for the tag Music

Nine Inch Nail’s Ghosts I-IV

Out of the blue comes Ghosts I–IV, a new Nine Inch Nails project. A total of 36 experimental tracks created over a ten-week period. And now that NIN is no longer tied to a big record company, Trent has been able to release all these tracks (that all sound very unlike NIN’s previous work) in different formats. The first nine tracks are for free (Ghosts I). All 36 tracks are available as DRM-free downloads — high quality mp3, FLAC lossless and Apple Lossless, including wallpapers, PDF album booklet, and more — and in several physical formats.

Interestingly from an open source perspective is that the first nine tracks have been made available as torrents by the band, and are protected under a creative commons license. In stead of whining (I’m talking to you, Lars Ulrich), Trent Reznor embraces this new, digital world we live in.

Download/buy the album here!

(e)Music Discoveries and Downloads (February 2008)

Say Hi To Your Mom: Impeccable Blahs
How is it possible to make an album about “vampires” without turning it into a gloomy, gothic metal album? Say Hi to Your Mom — nowadays know as just Say Hi — just turned it all into a cutesy, happy, melody rich, electronic indie pop. The pink colored album is cheerful and uplifting, even in the more gloomy tracks, up to the point of, but never reaching the label of campy.
This album has some great tracks to run to, too.

Veruca Salt: IV
Amazingly enough, I’d never heard of this band so when I stumbled upon this namesake of a character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I just had to check it out. Straight forward poppy rock with nice female vocals. Great to run to, too. Enough said.

Hooverphonic: The President of the LSD Gold Club
Whenever someone claims that “this album is the best of their work up to date”, I usually stop listening immediately. However, the latest album by Belgian triphoppers Hooverphonic is indeed the best of their work. The Presidents sounds less electro then Hooverphonic’s previous work and is heavily influenced by seventies psychedelic rock. It all sounds like a polished acid trip, making it a very aptly titled album.

(e)Music Discoveries and Downloads (February to May 2007)

These are my “newly” (re)discovered albums through eMusic.

The Cinematics: A Strange Education
New Wave 80′s pop rock reminiscent of diverse bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Interpol and the Editors, though it also has a “Breakfast Club” (Simple Minds’ Don’t You Forget About Me) meets David Bowie feel to it. Break and A Strange Education are great tracks for longer (slower) runs.

Every Move A Picture: Heart = Weapon
Another modern edition 80′s re-mash band. Slightly more in the direction of Bloc Party (only so slightly) and the vocalist definitely has this typical 80′s voice. The more rocking guitars compensate the polka-dot bleeps.

Susi Hyldgaard, Blush
Sometimes bluesy, sometimes showy Jazz. Perfect music for just chillin’ on those lazy nights.

Pretty Girls Make Graves: Good Health, The New Romance & Élan Vital
At The Drive-in punk meets the typical Riot Grrl sound, and, in one occasion, French chanson-like harmonica. Loud, uplifting, sometimes eerily chilling and highly accessible alternative “punk-rock” with the cutest female vocals.

Scanners: Violence is Golden
This band has been compared to Bloc Party, though this comparison does not do Scanners any justice. Scanners stands alone. The vocals (and in a way also the music) reminds me of Susie Sioux’ enchantingly rocking voice. Definitely one of my favorite new discoveries!

theSTART: Initiation (Nitro Records)
Don’t confuse this band’s name with the similar name “The Start”. Where the latter plays nauseating teeny-bob pop-punk, the former plays a strong mixture of punk, hardcore, rock and metal. Think Faith No More with gritty female vocals picking up the pace a bit. Think partying all night on stale beer in dark venues. Think muddy fields at “A Camping Flight to Lowlands Paradise”. You’ll get my drift…

Album Review: The Gathering, Home

“Distance makes the heart grow fonder” and so does sheer anticipation! It’s been three years since The Gathering released their last studio album, Souvenirs. Meanwhile, they’ve released an outstanding semi-acoustic live-album (Sleepy Buildings) and a DVD recording from the same gigs (A Sound Relief), and a collection of B-sides and rare tracks (Accessories). But now there’s Home, their eight studio album (ninth if you count the EP Black Light District).

Though they have lost a lot of fans after their transgression from Symphonic and Gothic Metal to what they call Triprock, the fan base has only grown through the years. Nowadays the Gathering is known for their mixture of experimental progressive rock with sampling effects and a faint echo of their metal days. With Home The Gathering takes a step back and focuses more on a progressive rock sound instead of the pure experimental compositions like in Souvenirs. Whether this is a good decision is a matter of personal taste. In my opinion Home does not live up to my expectation. Does this mean it’s a bad album? Not at all! Home is a terrific album, it’s just more in line with their older work. Home relies heavily on the rhythm section, softly distorted guitars and, as always, on the seraphic voice of the lead singer, Anneke van Giersbergen. More (trip)rock and less Pink Floyd-esque experimentation.

Home is must-have for any The Gathering fan and can be a great addition to any musical collection. However, do not expect a new milestone in their discography. My conclusion: as long as you do not let your expectations get the best of you, you will not be disappointed.

Artist: The Gathering
Album: Home
Duration: 13 tracks (1:00:21)
Label: Psychonaut Records
Released: April 15, 2006

Listen to Shortest Day (mp3 with annoying announcements through it)

Album review: The Sedan Vault, Mardi Gras of the Sisypha

Mardi Gras of the Sisypha: anyone who remembers their high school greek mythology immediately recalls the king Sisyphus who defied death and was therefore punished to roll a rock up a hill, but whenever he reached the top, the rock would roll back down. The Sedan Vault captures the Sisyphean task of life in a six tracks of post-noise rock, though with a lot of melody. This is a concept EP and follows the story of three different characters who are trying to escape their views of our world. But in the universe of The Sedan Vault our world is haunted with delusions and distorted imagery.

The style of The Sedan Vault is hard to describe and label. It can be called progressive rock, but don’t expect Pink Floyd. It can be called postrock or noiserock, but don’t expect Mogwai in their old-school days. The Sedan Vault sounds mostly like the little brother of The Mars Volta, although Sedan’s sound is less chaotic and more melodic. The Sedan Vault focuses more on rhythm and melody than on pure artistic noise. The vocals by Rutger, Marius and Frederik Meeuwis do sound a lot like Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the singer of The Mars Volta.

Beside the obvious similarities to The Mars Volta, The Sedan Vault stands out lonely along the firmament of progressive noiserock, with their compositions sharpened like a surgical scalpel and their lyrics reaching literary heights. The album, though short in duration, sounds and feels complete, and should grace the CD collection of any respected music lover. Mardi Gras of the Sisypha is the musical equivalent of surrealistic imagery… and that’s quite a feat!

Artist: The Sedan Vault
Album: Mardi Gras of the Sisypha
Duration: 6 tracks (0:33:36)
Label: Funtime Records
Released: beginning of 2006

Listen to (Are Burning Walls A) Hologram? (ASX file)

mp3 Frenzy #3

Winter. Chilly wind, freezing rain, maybe even snow. So, stay inside for the next months and enjoy sulky winter music. This time, Parkside, Summer At Shatter Creek, A Northern Chorus, Death Cab For Cutie and Lawn for download. Continue reading this post»

Pandora: Find Music You Like

If you’re like me, a musicoholic, you’re probably always looking for the newest tunes and bands. If you’re like me, you’d probably enjoy Pandora, a creation of the Music Genome Project. It will find music based upon similar build-up, style, emotion, etc. Just enter an artist or the name of a song (or artists and songs!), and Pandora will create a slick “radio station”, exploring your “part of the music universe”. Give it a try and see if you can find some new tunes!
If you’re not a musicoholic like me, then what are you doing here in the first place!

Album review: Soon, Under the Wire

Wow! Mix the wave style of bands like Interpol and The Editors with modern rock, add some Emopunk and a cup of scene-setting lyrics and you have the recipe for Under the Wire, the new album by Soon. And what a savory musical taste this is!

Under the Wire is the second full-length album by these Flemish musicians, after releasing Please Accelerate in 2003. This newest miracle from Belgian soil is more balanced then their previous work and is more rock orientated compared to the rather emo orientated previous releases (no screaming, though). Repetitive guitar riffs are accompanied by varied lyrics, making it a perfect sensation of tastes. Sweet, sour, bitter, salt and savory. Soon crosses musical barriers, discovers new frontiers, though sounds very familiar. The latter because it just sounds great.

I can go on and on, making up analogies, allegories, keep throwing in superlatives, but it will do no good for Soon’s evolved energetic sound. I just recommend you to get a hold on their album and find out yourself.

Artist: Soon
Album: Under the Wire
Duration: 10 tracks (0:39:02)
Label: Funtime Records
Released: November 8, 2005

Listen to Secrets (mp3; right click – save as…)
Watch Serenade the City (mpeg)

mp3 Frenzy #2

Hurricane season down in New Orleans (and I’m not talking about the famous Hurricane drink!) What to do when tropical storm Arlene or Balkenende is tearing down the roof and flooding the area? Well, enjoy some music while you’re evacuating up North of course! Here are 5 new downloads for your playlist. This time you can download tracks by Soon, The Sedan Vault, Circle, Lamb and Mogwai. Continue reading this post»

Snow Patrol and Athlete at the HOB New Orleans

Their gig in Paradiso, Amsterdam, was sold out way before Snow Patrol actually rocked the stage. Every DJ was talking about it on the radio. People (like me) offered hundreds of euro’s just for tickets on eBay. Madness. But here, musically blasphemous as it may sound, the opening act for part of the European U2 tour played in a full but far from sold out House of Blues.
Continue reading this post»