NEW.MUSIC.FRIDAY bringing you the gamut from mellow to Metal
and just a week before RECORD STORE DAY BLACK FRIDAY too!
MARTA DEL GRANDI - Until We Fossilize [LP/CD](Fire/Redeye)
On her exotic debut, Jazz vocalist Del Grandi finds a way to plaintively sing over compositions that shift and twist into Pop, Electronic, and even Classical. Del Grandi has a beautiful wistful high range that she uses for backgrounds. However, in contrast with her pure (read: only occasionally using vibrato) lead voice, Del Grandi sounds like the Pop singers of old. “Totally Fine” is already emotional with her soaring on the repetition of the title line. With subtle drums, classical guitars, and twinkling piano it builds to a thrilling peak without you knowing. “Birdsong” allows her to dance around the rhythms (both regular and Electronic,) while the heartfelt “Somebody New” crackles above reverent synths and noises that respond to her. “Until We Fossilize” taps into you, but never drains you.
BERK ICLI - Glimpses of An Eternal Bloom [LP](Zel Zele UK)
Neoclassical meets Ambient on this beautiful set of ethereal miniatures. The tracks on “Glimpses” fit together into one sequence that plays like a dream (for example the mixture of “Overture Pt. II”’s haunting strings, the Satie-esque “Lullaby for Laika,” and the Electronics of “Rite de Sortie” blend magically) and yet feels like it is over far too early.
WALT MCCLEMENTS - A Hole In The Fence [LP](American Dreams/Redeye)
If one hears the words “accordion album,” the tendency might be to run for the hills. Walt McClements transforms the instrument by running it through processing until it sings like a giant pipe organ or finds drone notes that will rattle your subwoofers. “A Hole In The Fence” is largely a more organic version of early Klaus Schulze with a dash of Terry Riley. The compositions are long and soothing enough to lure you in with small sounds (the opener “Beginning (still as ships”) until they escalate to mountainous peaks (the closer”Rinse (repeat repeat.)” "McClements is definitely on to something. We can’t wait until he links his Tim Hecker-ish chordal intensity with the wheeze and keys on the instrument itself.
AUF TOGO - Movements [LP](SaS UK)
Too funky to qualify as Musik Kosmiche, yet not ornately written enough to be Funk, Auf Togo discover a very interesting nexus where motorik rhythms function like that classic four-on-the-floor beat leaving their melodic bass lines (the addictive “Spatially Unaware”) and crystalline synths to fill in (some) of the space. “Movements” is full of skeletal grooves and even ventures into the Balearic sounds. Auf Togo makes music like a new New Order, “Movements” is both danceable and meditative.
Various Artists - BUGANDA ROYAL MUSIC REVIVAL [LP/CD](Nyege Nyege Tapes/Redeye)
Six centuries of music reduced down to thirty years of local recordings, “Buganda Royal Music Revival” does this impossible: strings 17 tracks together to provide you with just enough of the streams of xylophones, flutes, drums, and voices all giving praise to make the listening experience almost as transcendental as being halfway around the world. At times the speed of their fingers and even the smallest sounds are blinding, but they create images of worship and devotion. Every recording (and they range in years,) is obviously chosen for its ability to capture the fire of the performers. While this traditional music is disappearing in the modernity arriving on these distant African shores, “Buganda” could be the embers that keep it all alive.
KHEMMIS - Deceiver [LP/CD](Nuclear Blast)
Denver’s Khemmis explore the extremes of dark Metal on their Doom-y fourth album. Led by outstanding vocals, their songs lurch forward (“House of Cadmus”) and then spiral into anthemic choruses and 80s/90s guitar solos. “Living Pyre” rumbles along like a majestic almost radio-ready track with doubled voices and an awesome dual solo. “Deceiver” surprisingly takes Doom away from its Sabbath-ish base and reframes it with post-Thrash/90s sound.
CONVERGE/CHELSEA WOLFE - Bloodmoon: I [LP/CD](Epitaph/AMPED)
The union of singers Chelsea Wolfe and Jacob Bannon (as well as Cave In’s Stephen Brodsky) proves to make a thrilling counterpoint for Converge and Wolfe’s collaborator Ben Chisholm. Giving both singers the space they need to first build the tension and drama within their brooding songs and then the timing to slow-release, (“Blood Moon” is the primer, the stunning “Coil” is the perfection of their mastery of control) the musicians are just as important as the words and palette of emotions. “Bloodmoon: I” is Doom with the silver lining of Hardcore and a hint of Noise.
Various Artists - DEATH IN GOTHENBURG [LP](Busy Bee UK)
This 2017 compilation (Woah Dad!) pillages the mostly cassette archives of the transition of post-First Wave Scandinavian Metal (think NWOBHM and American Thrash) to a darker Metal that regularly shifts in both melodic force and intent. While the early In Flames and Dark Tranquility are its commercial attractors, Pagandom and Sarcazm are nascent Gothenburg Metal that needs to be heard. Pagandom’s 1990 cut “Protectors of Penetration” (and the rest of their brief catalog of tapes) slices right to the bone with odd harmonies and jackhammer “Master of Puppets”- style riffs. Sarcazm boasts future members of both In Flames and Dark Tranquility on the self-released “Snaildeath” EP. While “Summon For The Praise” from Braindead is the best of the old-school Metal tracks and Ceremonial Oath’s chilling “The Lost Name of God” shows the growing mission creep of what we now know to be Gothenburg Metal.
Well, another week, another list of several different styles and pursuits in music for you. Enjoy. Listen again. Share as you wish.
NEW RELEASES lovingly compiled for you from this very week!
T-BONES Records and Cafe is a full-service fast-casual restaurant and record store in Hattiesburg, MS. We are a member of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores and are the longest-running record store in the state of Mississippi. If you have questions - we have answers … and probably a lot more information just waiting for you at:
tbone@tbonescafe.com
Visit our website for more information and shop in our ONLINE store if you wish.
T-BONES ships the best music all over the United States daily. We also specialize in Special Orders. Let us know what you are looking for - we are thrilled to help.