Arg my brain! For at least the first minute or two this album was just too much for me. I like some pretty challenging music but I like to be sonically seduced. A nice acoustic intro, maybe a synth. I need something that prepares me for an onslaught. This album is like meeting someone for the first time and offering to buy you a house. Mad thrashy math metal like Tomb Mold … [Read more...] about Tomb Mold – The Enduring Spirit
review
Blue Lake – Sun Arcs – Review
One of the joys of working my way through the Pitchfork list of the best 50 albums of 2023 is that when I press play I never know what's going to come out of the speakers. I deliberately don't look up the band before listening, so if I don't know the name, I'm making assumptions based on the cover art. Which is titchy on Tidal. I was expecting something ambient from Blue … [Read more...] about Blue Lake – Sun Arcs – Review
Parannoul (파란노을) – After the Magic – Review
The start of this album totally caught me off guard. It starts like any one of millions of landfill indie records. It's all lightly strummed, mildly distorted chords. But then… WHOOOMP! The music lifts, like a hot sonic geyser. The sound is lush, immersive, powerful and uplifting. The second track 'Insomnia' stutters and shakes in a way that I've never heard before. It … [Read more...] about Parannoul (파란노을) – After the Magic – Review
Purelink – Signs – Review
When this album starts I was sure I knew what I'd be getting. The gentle meandering synths chords convinced me that I'd spend the next 39 minutes listening to meandering synth chords and not much else. A concept I'm often on board with. But then a bass the depth of the Mariana Trench almost shook my speakers off the shelf. It sounds warm, punchy and clean. I find the sound … [Read more...] about Purelink – Signs – Review
Sweeping Promises: Good Living Is Coming for You – Review
I had to check my stereo settings when I hit the 'play' button on the first track of this album. It's got almost no mid or bottom end. I even checked it with my studio headphones. As an aesthetic choice, it's interesting. I'm pleased to note that despite there being less low end than an orbiting satellite, the bass guitar can still clearly be heard in the mix. But I would say … [Read more...] about Sweeping Promises: Good Living Is Coming for You – Review
