Sonics XIII
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sonics XIII
Natura Morta by Cepia
Cepia represents yet another electronica band in my collection, another step into the world of electronic beats and sounds. This album ranges from downtempo to glitchy breaks, and everything just kind of weaves seamlessly in between one another. The album comprises of a lot of repetitive loops, crackling beats and bleeps over electronically produced melodies that seem to be coming out from the depths of a dream. Speaking of dreams, this album does indeed have a dream-like quality, like the soundtrack of your dreams. The same melody never remains in any track for too long, which is kind of like how scenes in a dream work. They never stick around for very long, and the songs progress into one another, back to back to back. To be honest, though, this album does not exactly deliver anything new to my collection of music. Though, that is not to say that it is the same thing being recycled over and over. Every electronica band that I have builds upon this giant landscape of electronica, somehow. They are all different soundtracks to different dreams of mine somehow, and if only I could put songs in my head while I dream. This album is definitely going to be on the playlist of my dreams tonight, if that really works out. Anyway, this album is another great addition to my collection, probably an evolutionary process rather than a revolutionary one.
Rockferry by Duffy
Everybody knows how little I care about mainstream music. It's not that I think all mainstream music is trash, I just happen to think most mainstream music is trash. The things that they play on the radio these days can be likened to the sound buses make when they are trying to break really hard at the bus stop. But then once in a while, you hear some really good materials out there, and Duffy is definitely one of them. The first time I heard Mercy on the radio in Felicia's car, I was immediately hooked. I suppose I have a thing for a modern take on 60s soul, and who cares if she is white? There has been a few criticisms in regards to a white twenty-four year old trying to imitate what the black singers did back in the 60s - to that, I really cannot care less. Duffy has such an awesome voice that I get floored every time I watch her live videos on YouTube. I love how she just stands in the middle of the stage while everybody behind her jams away on their instruments. With the little dress and the hair, I'd totally buy the possibility that she really came to our time in a time machine from the 60s. I suppose Amy Winehouse would be someone else who has tried to bring back the soul into mainstream music. But let's face it, Amy Winehouse is a train wreck, Duffy is an angel in contrast. And I cannot care less if you guys may think that I am selling out for mainstream music - I love Duffy.
This album represents the epitome of my desperation when it comes to finding obscure music. It took me forever to find this album, and it's not like the thought of actually buying it off the net worked either. I was willing to pay for it, since all the illegal avenues were shut off to me. The main store for their label only had a link to iTunes Store, which I cannot buy anything from - great. Dead ends after dead ends, I am starting to get used to the rejection already. The reason why I became so desperately in need of this album is probably the song "Elephant", sung in a strange language I have never heard before. Nonetheless, the difference in language did not stop me from falling head over heels with the music. Spiral System is like Zero 7 having a coffee one day with Thievery Corporation, and this is like their brainchild. I love how it is the combination of both great trip-hop bands, though I am not exactly a fan of those tracks with a lot of rapping in them. But they are in the minority, and most of the album are dominated by instrumental tracks, which are just great to groove or chill to on a nice weekend like this one. Spiral System is probably everything you love about downtempo and trip-hop, blended in together into this album of utter brilliance.
I have no idea who these guys are, of if it is really just one person hidden behind a computer and making electronica music somewhere on the other side of the world. One thing is for sure, though - they/he are/is good! First and foremost, I love the album cover. Maybe it is the strange penguin, or maybe it is the swirly designs all around. I appreciate it when a band puts in the effort to make their album artwork look pretty. Anyway, I love this album a lot. This album is like the combination of Psapp and Mum somehow, the kind of playful album that has the elements of innocence like that of a child. I think the song "When I Get My Ears" features a looped line sung in mandarin, though I am not sure, by a child. This is just an overall fun album from the band, great music to play in the background when you have a couple of friends over, and just chilling out into the night. This is definitely one of the best finds recently over on iTunes for me, and I highly recommend this album to anybody who enjoys good music. Besides, who doesn't like a nice little penguin as the album artwork?
Natura Morta by Cepia
Cepia represents yet another electronica band in my collection, another step into the world of electronic beats and sounds. This album ranges from downtempo to glitchy breaks, and everything just kind of weaves seamlessly in between one another. The album comprises of a lot of repetitive loops, crackling beats and bleeps over electronically produced melodies that seem to be coming out from the depths of a dream. Speaking of dreams, this album does indeed have a dream-like quality, like the soundtrack of your dreams. The same melody never remains in any track for too long, which is kind of like how scenes in a dream work. They never stick around for very long, and the songs progress into one another, back to back to back. To be honest, though, this album does not exactly deliver anything new to my collection of music. Though, that is not to say that it is the same thing being recycled over and over. Every electronica band that I have builds upon this giant landscape of electronica, somehow. They are all different soundtracks to different dreams of mine somehow, and if only I could put songs in my head while I dream. This album is definitely going to be on the playlist of my dreams tonight, if that really works out. Anyway, this album is another great addition to my collection, probably an evolutionary process rather than a revolutionary one. Albums by the band:
1) Dowry [2004]
2) Natura Morta [2007]
Pour L'amour by Lemongrass
Here we are, once again, reviewing the first band that I know which cannot be found on Wikipedia. I have three of their albums, and I have to say that this album is probably his best. This album is like the musical version of everything that is sexy. If you could grab sexy and then squeeze its juice out, it'd probably form the notes to this album. I mean, just listen to the song "For All Seasons", and you'd know what I mean when I say that this is sex crawling out of the speakers. More than that, however, this album breaks away the walls in your bedroom and then takes you to a beach somewhere. With the sun setting in the horizon and the waves breaking at the shores, that is exactly what I feel about this album. More than the electronic elements in this album, I have to applaud Lemongrass for blending in the jazz elements. When you are not on the beach relaxing to a cocktail, the rest of the album takes you into a lounge and then serves you with another round of drinks straight away. This album feels much easier to sit through than the rest, the way it just carries the listener from one song to another. This is one of those feel good albums that you want to listen to when you just want to kick back. It's brilliant for any occasions, really, and that is the brilliance of Lemongrass. It is just not possible for one to say "Wow this music is awful", because it is just that good.
2) Natura Morta [2007]
Pour L'amour by Lemongrass
Here we are, once again, reviewing the first band that I know which cannot be found on Wikipedia. I have three of their albums, and I have to say that this album is probably his best. This album is like the musical version of everything that is sexy. If you could grab sexy and then squeeze its juice out, it'd probably form the notes to this album. I mean, just listen to the song "For All Seasons", and you'd know what I mean when I say that this is sex crawling out of the speakers. More than that, however, this album breaks away the walls in your bedroom and then takes you to a beach somewhere. With the sun setting in the horizon and the waves breaking at the shores, that is exactly what I feel about this album. More than the electronic elements in this album, I have to applaud Lemongrass for blending in the jazz elements. When you are not on the beach relaxing to a cocktail, the rest of the album takes you into a lounge and then serves you with another round of drinks straight away. This album feels much easier to sit through than the rest, the way it just carries the listener from one song to another. This is one of those feel good albums that you want to listen to when you just want to kick back. It's brilliant for any occasions, really, and that is the brilliance of Lemongrass. It is just not possible for one to say "Wow this music is awful", because it is just that good. Albums by the artiste:
1) Lumiere Obscure [1999]
2) Voyage au Centre de la Terre [2000]
3) Windows [2001]
4) Skydiver [2003]
5) Time Tunnel [2004]
6) Fleur Solaire [2004]
7) Time Tunnel (72648H Retrospective) [2005]
8)Ikebana [2005]
9) Filmotheque [2007]
10)Pour L'amour [2008]
11) Beach Affairs [2008]
Rockferry by Duffy
Everybody knows how little I care about mainstream music. It's not that I think all mainstream music is trash, I just happen to think most mainstream music is trash. The things that they play on the radio these days can be likened to the sound buses make when they are trying to break really hard at the bus stop. But then once in a while, you hear some really good materials out there, and Duffy is definitely one of them. The first time I heard Mercy on the radio in Felicia's car, I was immediately hooked. I suppose I have a thing for a modern take on 60s soul, and who cares if she is white? There has been a few criticisms in regards to a white twenty-four year old trying to imitate what the black singers did back in the 60s - to that, I really cannot care less. Duffy has such an awesome voice that I get floored every time I watch her live videos on YouTube. I love how she just stands in the middle of the stage while everybody behind her jams away on their instruments. With the little dress and the hair, I'd totally buy the possibility that she really came to our time in a time machine from the 60s. I suppose Amy Winehouse would be someone else who has tried to bring back the soul into mainstream music. But let's face it, Amy Winehouse is a train wreck, Duffy is an angel in contrast. And I cannot care less if you guys may think that I am selling out for mainstream music - I love Duffy. Albums by the artiste:
1) Rockferry [2008]
In Your Dreams by Spiral System
This album represents the epitome of my desperation when it comes to finding obscure music. It took me forever to find this album, and it's not like the thought of actually buying it off the net worked either. I was willing to pay for it, since all the illegal avenues were shut off to me. The main store for their label only had a link to iTunes Store, which I cannot buy anything from - great. Dead ends after dead ends, I am starting to get used to the rejection already. The reason why I became so desperately in need of this album is probably the song "Elephant", sung in a strange language I have never heard before. Nonetheless, the difference in language did not stop me from falling head over heels with the music. Spiral System is like Zero 7 having a coffee one day with Thievery Corporation, and this is like their brainchild. I love how it is the combination of both great trip-hop bands, though I am not exactly a fan of those tracks with a lot of rapping in them. But they are in the minority, and most of the album are dominated by instrumental tracks, which are just great to groove or chill to on a nice weekend like this one. Spiral System is probably everything you love about downtempo and trip-hop, blended in together into this album of utter brilliance. Albums by the band:
1) In Your Dreams (2006)
The Electricity In Your House Wants to Sing by I Am Robot And Proud
I have no idea who these guys are, of if it is really just one person hidden behind a computer and making electronica music somewhere on the other side of the world. One thing is for sure, though - they/he are/is good! First and foremost, I love the album cover. Maybe it is the strange penguin, or maybe it is the swirly designs all around. I appreciate it when a band puts in the effort to make their album artwork look pretty. Anyway, I love this album a lot. This album is like the combination of Psapp and Mum somehow, the kind of playful album that has the elements of innocence like that of a child. I think the song "When I Get My Ears" features a looped line sung in mandarin, though I am not sure, by a child. This is just an overall fun album from the band, great music to play in the background when you have a couple of friends over, and just chilling out into the night. This is definitely one of the best finds recently over on iTunes for me, and I highly recommend this album to anybody who enjoys good music. Besides, who doesn't like a nice little penguin as the album artwork? Albums by the band:
1) Grace Days [2003]
2) The Electricity In Your House Wants to Sing [2005]
3) The Catch & Spring Summer Autumn Winter [2007]
4) Uphill City [2008]
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