In Continuum.

This album is one of those finds purely based upon the name of the artist and the design of the album cover. I know they always tell you not to judge a book by its cover, but this one is simply too beautiful to resist. Benoît Pioulard is the pseudonym of American singer-songwriter Thomas Meluch. His music tends to have a rather fantastic and surreal element to them, relying heavily on distortion and electronic elements to create a vast music landscape that is both tangible and vivid. On top of that, however, he uses traditional instruments to create a sense of timelessness, and his vocals definitely lends itself to the dreamy effect of the entire album. This is the kind of album you listen at the end of a busy day, just sitting at your sofa and then listening to it with your business suit still on your body. It definitely has the quality of a relaxing massage somehow, an album that acts very much like a catharsis. Tracks like Moth Wings even has a very distinct Asian root to it, which reminded me of a buddhist monastery or a temple somehow, with a twist of European trance. A very peaceful album that borders itself on chaos and commotion, a very unique standalone album all by itself. 

Albums by the band:

1. Précis (2006)

Admittedly, I am rather new to the french band, M83. They must have fallen under the radar for me over the years, after being too engrossed in their neighbor from the other side of the Atlantic as well as the English Channel. I don't suppose I am very familiar with the french music industry on the whole, but it should be proud that the rest of the world is being introduced to it by a band like M83. This is another electronica band that I have discovered in the past week, and they belong to the "shoeglaze" type of music, which is characterized by a rather ambient element. Like My Bloody Valentine and perhaps Brian Eno, M83 has a very grand and sweeping style of music that does not lack, in any way, a lush and opulent emotional journey. Different to My Bloody Valentine, M83 does at times sound more like a post-rock band more than anything, but relying more on their electronica roots more than anything. It reminds me of the Ágætis Byrjun album by Sigur Ros, banking on repetition of a single riff through a song at times. Nonetheless, this is a brilliant band and a great album to be say the very least. I have gotten my hands on their other two albums as well, and I find that this one is the most accomplished one of them all, so far. 

Albums by the band:

1. M83 self-titled album (2001)

2. Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts (2003)

3. Before the Dawn Heals Us (2005)

4. Digital Shades Volume 1 (2007)

5. Saturdays = Youth (2008)

Red Sparowes is an American post-rock band that has a much smaller discography as compared to its peers. More often than not, the term "post-rock" is usually too big an umbrella term to be used for this genre of music, since you obviously cannot put Red Sparowes and Sigur Ros on the very same page. This band has been often compared to bands like Godspeed You Black Emperor and Mogwai, but I suppose it has more similarities with the former rather than the latter - which is a good thing. Red Sparowes paint and depressive and dark landscape with their wordless music, creating a sort of war zone like environment that commands the attention of the listeners. The band speaks of social and political issues through their instrumental pieces, and it is evident from the titles of their songs, which forms a poetry about the Great Sparrow Campaign in Communist China. Their second outing is significantly darker than their first one, and it is definitely not an album you want to listen to on a day to day basis, simply because it is too contagious when it comes to the general mood of things. Nonetheless, that factor alone should not discredit the band, and most of all it shouldn't discourage music lovers to check out their material. Their music is vast, grand, and in a way terrifying to behold. 

Albums by the band:

1. At the Soundless Dawn (2005)

2. Every Red Heart Shines Towards the Sun (2006)

We Started Nothing by The Ting Tings

This band has a horrible name, and a strange music video to go along with its publicity. Rest assured, however, The Ting Ting is a force to be reckoned with in the near future. The band first gained public recognition after their show at Glastonbury last year (their fourth public show) as well as the usage of their song in one of Apple's commercials. The Ting Tings belongs to a distinct group of musicians who have gained fame through the Apple commercials, and it is not difficult to understand why. The Ting Tings is simply a very fun band from England, with irresistible tunes and melodies that force you to dance on your own two feet. This band represents a new direction in pop/rock, something which should act as an example to a lot of other trashy bands out there. This band is fun, but not fun to the extent that they become irritating and self-absorbed. They do not feel like hyperactive cheerleaders at a football game, but they are genuinely great to listen to. Especially after being exposed to a band like Red Sparowes, you want a band like this one to unwind. Besides, Katie White is hot as hell - what's not to like?

Albums by the band:

1. We Started Nothing (2008)

Amongst the band's albums, this album is perhaps the greatest departure from their usual style of music. Their other albums feel more like a replica of Explosions in the Sky, but this album has taken a step backwards in the right direction. It reminds me a lot of Icelandic band Amiina, though we less variety of instruments. In this album, the band used sounds of coins falling on the floor, the sound of ropes being tightened, and the sound of rusty swings as percussion instruments, and that alone is enough reasons for you to check it out. It tells the story of the relationship between a marionette and a music box, and an unicorn that comes to disrupt their relationship halfway through the album. Now, how many bands make music like that anymore? Unwed Sailor is an unique band in its own rights, and it is never more true than in this album. It is a peaceful album, populated by rather short tracks (2 to 3 minutes each on average) throughout the album. The basic message is clear however, and the theme that can be observed is a delightful one. It is an album that I highly recommend, not just for its brilliant sounds but also the creativity. 

Albums by the band:

1. The Faithful Anchor (2000)

2. The Marionette and the Music Box (2003)

3. Little Wars (2008)