NEW MUSIC FRIDAY with TBONES and a plethora of new releases for YOU!
Enjoy the width and breadth of these offerings as well.
PLURALONE - I Don’t Feel Well [LP/CD](ORG Music)
The optimism that provides the undercurrent to Josh Klinghoffer’s sophomore album is the biggest surprise. You would expect a former Red Hot Chili Pepper to flash his teeth as he moves into a solo career. Not Klinghoffer, “I Don’t Feel Well” speaks more to his overall talent as a songwriter. “Red Don’t Feel” moves you without really moving. “Steal Away” is a gorgeous string-laden ballad where romanticism comes from its waves of emotion. While “Mother Nature” says so much about how we say so little. Pluralone echoes how we all feel, but makes sure to show you that we have to keep looking forward.
FELBM - Tape 3/ Tape 4 [LP](Soundway UK)
JUSTIN PINKERTON - AAK’AB [LP/CD](El Paraiso/The Orchard)
FELBM also known as Dutch producer/multiinstrumentalist Eelco Topper composes songs that so easily beautiful, the contents of “Tape 3/Tape 4” are “Library Music Excellent.” While most instrumentalists are most interested in displaying their craft. FELBM rides the ebb and flow of melody on almost every song. “Filatelie” could be a TV theme. “Herausweh” builds beautifully around a beeping loop as Eelco Topper folds his composition over and over with breathtaking chord changes, countermelodies and the juxtaposition of sounds. Composing with his guitar and a four-track, there is a natural sensibility here (Tape 4’s “Brunnengasse” with its guitar and windchimes) that reminds you, the best composition must sound easily conjured.
Fresh, from The Golden Void and Futuropaco drummer Justin Pinkerton makes a bold move from drums to synths with his awesome minimalist “AAK,AB".” Pinkerton’s manipulation of sequencers has the hyperactive nature of a drummer - always pushing the same rhythm in a variety of paths. “Ix Chel” threatens to calm down, but only relents in time for you to want it to speed up. “Kumulkan” doodles with polysynth patterns, while the lengthy “Yumil Kaxob” finds a way to make you want his long swaths of washy chords last forever. The criticism of Synth/Modular music has long been that it is far too serious, Pinkerton finds a way to make it sound like fun.
FAZER - Mara [LP/CD](Squama)
Munich-based Jazz quintet that combines polyrhythmic work (listen their two drummers build it on "Elephant Rave") and Modern horn-based interplay locking in with guitar and bass like a more mellow Chicago Underground Duo. Simon Popp and Martin Brugger are fresh from the more experimental "Runden" release with Carlos Cipa (also recommended.) The compositions on "Mara" find warmth ("Woody") and a sweet but sorrowful textured cool ("Glow, Glow" and "Babel.") Another promising release from Squama in Germany.
KNOWSO - Specialtronics Green Vision [LP](Drunken Sailor UK)
Cleveland has a rich history in the ramp-up to Punk Rock that is often ignored. Angular, technology-based experimental Rock originated with DEVO and Rocket From The Tombs. Knowso knows this history and digests it to the point of making their music sound like it belongs on the timeline. Songs are thunderous ("Calamine") with pounding toms and bass, while the monotone lyrics above as political ("Open Up The Book",) apolitical ("Digital God,") and even philosophical (the brilliant "Peaceful and Extinct.") Knowso (like U-Bahn earlier in the year) is definitely one to watch.