Published by Marc October 23rd, 2006
in Free Tracks, Album and Review.
The new classic-tronic
Erik Satie, Brian Eno, Boards of Canada, Twin Peaks, Aphex Twin, Mum.
OK, this young woman is not european. Angélica Negrón is from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Classical piano and violin are quite present in her music. Normal, it’s said in her biography : She received an early formation in piano and violin at the conservatory of music of Puerto Rico. Her music is aerial, ambient and dreamy. Her web site is called Sad Music For Happy People. And the picture is great to give this mood :
One year ago, she released a great EP. Carte Postale, a Belgian label, released again this EP with two new tracks and five remix. But the best are the four original tracks of minimal classical electro music. After the folk-tronic, it’s now the classic-tronic. The album can be bought on Label web site (also a lot of links for reviews (majority in not English language).
Some other words in english from Angrape : Music for Students and Friends is an organic Múm at their best. Sweeping pianos fuse with soft synths to soothe and comfort. Sounds are muted, as in the opening track Beth Dorris, where minimal piano is articulated and built upon carefully, whilst looped samples are brought in alongside delicate cracked electronica. Loops are a staple part of the tracks, along with subtle voice samples and melancholy violin melodies. Negrón has created an album with oceans of charm which oozes innocence and warmth; it’s like wearing rose tinted spectacles.
I heard someone saying : this guy is boring with these albums we can not find in US. OK, the EP (with cover) is FREELY available on Observatory on Line or on her web site. Also listenable on Myspace…
Published by Marc October 16th, 2006
in Random, Free Tracks and Concert.
OK. To be short today.
I saw yesterday these guys and gal (drummer is a girl) from Leeds. These (Forward Russia with a reversed ! before and and a ! after) are completely mad and furious. Sort of crossover between Bloc Party and These Arms Are Snakes. They are absolutely not arty, juts playing an extra-strong rock. Influences? They are certainly post-punk, funk, coming from Leeds just as Gang Of Four. The incredible guitar let think of Sonic Youth (the guitarist name is… Whiskas). Les Inrockuptibles also name At The Drive In and The Rapture. Some shouting are also coming from a hardcore tradition.
Than, it’s certainly not Stockhausen but yes some pleasure… with some irresistible tracks.
Wikipedia
My Space (Four tracks : 19-9-16-12).
Video of Eigtheen On band web site.
(I forgot to say : the name of the tracks are… order in which they were released…)
Available on emu but is it for US?. Let know in a comment…
Published by Marc October 4th, 2006
in Random, Album and Review.
Hello.
Thanks of the invitation of the webmasters of this delicious Candied Pop, I am here.
First of all, I will ask to you to be indulgent : english is not my mother tongue. Le français est ma langue maternelle.
OK, because of this lack of skill and knowledge of language, I am not able to write so subtle and long reviews than my friends.
But, OK also, it will not be my aim. My aim is to try to promote some european albums that deserve a recommendation and aren’t probably not available in States. And I am well placed for this, living in Belgium!!!
I swear : I will never review an album yet reviewed on AMG or Pitchfork…
For the beginning, an pan-european album. “Unwound From The Wood” is released on the belgian label Quatermass. The members of the band are the Scottish singer and composer Luke Sutherland and German electro musicians Volker Bertelmann and Stefan Schneider. The first was the singer of the indie band Long Fin Killie that made excellent romantic albums in the late 90s (the excellent Amelia from 1998 is available on eMusic). The german musicians are in bands like Hauschka, To Rococo Rot and Mapstation.
It was not easy to imagine a crossover between these guys. Sutherland has one of the beautiful voice of the romantic rock. His voice is just like wind in autumnal trees (wow, piece of poetry!). The german are playing some mechanical and very interesting electro pop. Sometimes, 1 + 1 = 1. Sometimes, 2. Here, it’s three. This album can be compare (but in better) with some works of Lali Puna and Styrofoam. The plus is the voice of Sutherland. He is known also as a good novelist as I read. Than, I hope you will have this pleasure of the good language.
Hoping you will find it. Available on Boomkat. You can stream some tracks here.
(OK, next time I will try to put the cover and some links; Paris ne s’est pas fait en un jour!)