The Needle Drop

Just a really quick post here: you guys (if anyone actually reads this blog- I doubt it, but whatever) should totally check out theneedledrop's youtube channel, which has some good and funny reviews on music. The guy also has a blog here and I've heard him mention he has a podcast too (but I have yet to check that out). Anyway, check it.

Some great jazz

Okay, here's the deal.
Over the course of the current week, I've been trying to listen to loads and loads of jazz (to rediscover the old and find the new, mainly). I'll recommend you some of my finest discoveries shortly, but first I should note this blog will be (even more) inactive starting next week (probably), since my classes are coming back. I don't honestly have that many hours, but I am really unsure how much time the projects will take. In either case, I hope to file at least one post every other week if possible.

Okay, on to some jazz discoveries. I've been recommended quite some albums in the bop style. I still have a little bit of a hard time describing the sound, but it's pretty upbeat, usually with sax on the front. The sax will likely be quite variated, backed by a tight bass and pretty fast drums (though not as fast as, say, Ornette Coleman's works). Anyway, here are some:



Make sure to check these out.
Also, if you want to hear the big band thing, try these:

One of my first and favorite jazz albums, which lead me to buy the band's album Bring It On (which features vocals and more variety, generally a much more poppier appoach). I'm also (probably) attending their show in my town soon. Also, check this one out:

This was recommended to me at the Music Advice Center last.fm group in response to my query about the intro-song to Cowboy Bebop (for you anime fans, you probably know it, but shame on you if you don't):

Which is, by the way, one of the best intro songs to an anime ever (Texhnolyze and Trigun also have great intro's in the psytrance and stonerish rock respectively).
Enjoy!

By the way, do check out The Needle Drop's youtube channel for hilarious and (imho) well done reviews (though I don't always agree, they're quite fun to watch).

Unknown Metal treats

Hey folks,

It's been a while since I posted. I think it's about time for a metal post. Here are two picks from the recent Unknown Metal posts. First off though, I'd like to point out that the new album that dredg put out in June is quite awesome. Do check it out if you haven't already. If you don't know dredg, then you should check this album out:

Here's the new album's cover:


Anyway, on to business.
First off, Akphaezya. This four-piece band from France plays music that is best described as being jazz piano combined with progressive metal and weird clean female vocals. People call this band as so many others 'avant-garde metal', but I don't think the term works to be honest. Anyway, if you like any of those, check them out. Here's the cover of the re-recorded version of their one and only album:

According to their myspace, which also has some tracks for streaming, they're working on a new album. There's also a buy link there for the above, or if you want to hear it, google can help you.
The Unknown Metal thread might have more information/opinions.
The album cover looks a lot more dark and obscure than it really is. I think non-metal fans will probably be able to enjoy this too (though if you're a jazz-purist, then perhaps not).


On to the next band: Aluk Todolo. This band, also from France, plays something that is probably best described as krautrock, but darker. It takes in quite a bit from noise and black metal, and it has a really metal feel about it. This is the cover of their latest album, Finsternis:

The Unknown Metal thread has more information and buy links. If you're just looking to hear it (or their other works), you can ask google.
I really wonder how this album ages, but right now I'm really digging it. If I buy it, it's probably going to be from Conspiracy Records since they're the cheapest method to buy in Europe that I've seen.