August 31st 2012

Guru Guru – UFO (1970)

*** Three stars

One more krautrock record, a band who’s name I’m familiar with but never checked out the music before. This album is their debut, and probably isn’t their best. It sounds a bit half baked, it could be an early Pink Floyd record. Though there is enough here to suggest their later stuff may be much better so I will be looking to check that stuff out later on.

Link: Official site

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August 30th 2012

Brainticket – Celestial Ocean (1974)

** Two stars

A fairly obscure 1960s experimental krautrock band. Another krautrock lp inspired by the sounds of Egypt. Unlike yesterday’s pick, this fusion of traditional krautrock and Egyptian sounds does not quite work as well. This album sounds a bit disjointed, it doesn’t really work and is at times cheesy. Its music you would expect from an episode of Lost in Space! I really wanted to like this album, but I can only give it two stars as I really lost interest half way through.

Link: Official site

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August 29th 2012

Agitation Free – Malesch (1972)

***** Five stars

Agitation Free was a German experimental krautrock band.  This is another gem of a krautrock album. The opening track is a beast. It opens with a mega bassline over a dramatic synth pad, it turns into a really epic instrumental piece and is worth the price of the album alone! The rest of the album follows in similar vain, with some African influenced sounds amongst the usual krautrock sounds. The sound of Egypt especially is prominent throughout, and it works well. If you enjoy Can, checkout this album!

Link: Official site (outdated)

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August 28th 2012

El Ten Eleven – These Promises Are Being Videotaped (2008)

***** Five stars

A post rockduo from California. Very funky too, not your typical 12 minute epic guitar stramash tracks. They sound a bit like Big Country on a couple tracks too which I found amusing, especially on Fat Gym Riot. Not too dissimilar to Holy Fuck either. But maybe that’s being unkind as they have a really original sound for the most part, I love it and will be checking out more of their stuff when time allows. Really love the melodic vibrant Chino. A really strong album well worth checking out.

Link: Official site

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August 27th 2012

The Lumineers – The Lumineers ( 2012)

**** Four stars

Another indie folk rock band, this time from Denver Co. The singer sounds allot like Ryan Adams, the music sounds allot like certain Ryan Adams albums too! Ho Hey is the big lead single off the album that’s dominated the rock radio here in the US is very catchy. They also remind me a bit of Mumford & Sons, no doubt riding on that wave. Not a bad album in fact, well worth checking out if you enjoy abit of folk rock.

Link: Official site

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August 26th 2012

Blind Pilot – We Are the Tide (2011)

*** Three stars

Indie folk band out of Portland Oregon USA. I love the sound, but for me the songs are just not here. Half Moon is a good track, in fact the album did keep me interested throughout but I was left feeling nothing at the end. It could be a grower, but I doubt there was enough to have me listen again to be honest.

Link: Official site

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August 25th 2012

Magenta Skycode – Relief (2010)

**** Four stars

A group from Finland, though they sound really British with their sound. A really good indie pop album, with nice keybaords and tons of jangly guitars. They remind me a bit of The Cure, but a bit more uplifting! Standout track, the brilliantly titled Night Falls on the Rife. A really enjoyable album, well worth checking out if you enjoy a good slab of indie pop.

Link: Official site

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August 24th 2012

Wolfgang Riechmann – Wunderbar (1978)

***** Five stars

August has not been one of my favourite months of the challenge, but this album will live long in the memory. It has the catchyness of Kraftwerk (title track) then the epic krautrock as all good 70s German albums should have, this one in the form of track five – Himmelblau which is a an epic 8 minute romp of rigid groves that sits in nicely with the most delightful warm synths. Like the article I linked below, this track has the Rother/Dinger stamp all over it. A brilliant album, so sad to read the artist passes away so young in tragic circumstances.

Link: Head Heritage article

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August 23rd 2012

Peru – Macchu Picchu (1981)

**** Four stars

The Dutch Tangerine Dream by all accounts! I can definitely hear that. Though to me they do sound like poor cousins to Kraftwerk, the sound is fabulous but the synths do sound a bit of their time, maybe a bit too rickety! I love the idea of a concept album about Macchu Picchu and for that I will give it four stars.

Link: Youtube (sorry its all I could find!)

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August 22nd 2012

The Dirt Daubers – The Dirt Daubers (2009)

*** Three stars

A good old American blues/southern music album. A band from Kentucky, which you would never tell from the sound! Just good all round hoedown music.

Link: Official site

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August 21st 2012

Populous – Quipo (2002)

***** Five stars

Populous is an Italian electronic artist Andrea Mangia. This album released 10 years ago, and is by all accounts a classic in electronica circles, its quite easy to hear why. The music you would imagine would fit rap/r&b music perfect.  Track 7 Hi Hat the Ro: Q’s is just shear brilliance, if you enjoy electronic music of any kind then this record is a must for your ipod.

Link: Soundcloud

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August 20th 2012

Primitive Radio Gods – Rocket (1996)

***** Five stars

A truly awesome guitar record! Its starts off brilliantly with Women. This is 90s rock at its best! Standing Outside… the hit I knew these guys by is still a classic single, will never tire of it. I was once told this band is a bit of a one hit wonder and to not bother with the album, how wrong was that. This album is anything but, I just love the guitar work on it especially. The production is top draw, as is the drumming. Well worth checking out!

Link: Official site

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August 19th 2012

Cats on Fire – Our Temperance Movement (2009)

* One star

This album is terrible, they sound like they were going for the Smiths kind of sound. It doesn’t work at I’m afraid, I struggled to make it through til the end but I did but only just. Moving on..

Link: Official site

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August 18th 2012

Burning Hearts – Extinctions (2012)

**** Four stars

Here we go with another fantastic Finnish based band. The Swallows sounds allot like a famous Depeche Mode hit, though a lovely song. The lyrics throughout the album are like poetry, some really good dream pop here well worth checking out. They do remind me a bit of Stereolab with the sometimes hypnotic female vocals.

Link: Official site

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August 17th 2012

French Films – Imaginary Future (2011)

***** Five stars

French Films are a band based out of Finland. The opening track This Dead Town is a brilliant opener, allot like New Order. The rest of the album is equally as good. Think the uptemponess of Phoenix with the edgy soaring synths of New Order, then you have French Films. Def one of my favourite albums of the challenge so far. Fave track is hard to pick, the opener is brilliant, Pretty in Decadence is also quite brilliant. Def an album you shold be checking out.

Link: MySpace

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August 16th 2012

Lowe – Evolver (2011)

*** Three stars

A synth pop trio from Sweden. They sound allot like Depeche Mode, sometimes it works (Adorable) but for the most part whilst the album is listenable hence the three stars, its just not at all remarkable. Instead check out Villa Nah!

Link: Official site

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August 15th 2012

The Cinematics – A Strange Education

*** Three stars

A indie band from Dingwall Scotland. The band sound as if they are unsure if they want to be the Clash or Echo & the Bunnymen. Some punk fused with some really epic rock songs. I love the title track and Sunday Sun. The rest was a bit forgettable. Perhaps the struggle with the direction of the sound ultimately lead to the band breaking up.

Link: Official site

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August 14th 2012

Alasdair Fraser – The Road North (1989)

***** Five stars

A truly inspirational album by Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser. All the reels on here have a haunting but melodic quality to them all, its a beautiful listen. If you enjoy Scottish music check this one out. Th fiddle is accompanied by some lovely keyboard sounds by Paul Machlis who I intend on checking out. He saved the best til last with the title track finishing off the album in some styles, a really catchy piece that sums up the album lovely. Slow Train half way through was another favourite, another album added to my favourites of the challenge list.

Link: Official site

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August 13th 2012

Sharon Shannon – Saints and Scoundrels (2009)

***** Five stars

Ireland’s most famous accordion player Sharon Shannon I have been aware of for ages mainly due to her work with the Waterboys. This is the first time I have checked out one of her own studio albums and its really quite the thrill.  This album flies all over the place you have traditional Irish sounds, then you have American Jazz,  American bluegrass, its all here.

Lets Drink for Once Dead is a beautiful rough ballad. I have known the song she did with the Waterboys Saints and Angels for a long time and it still goes down as one of Mike Scott’s best penned songs. The last track Rake at the Gates of Hell who I believe was down with Shane McGowan is also quite beautiful. A brilliant album!

Link: Official site

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August 12th 2012

Seams – Tourist/Sleeper (2012)

**** Four stars

An interesting collage of electronic sounds, I believe this is a double EP rather than an album though released as one. Its a very melodic album, I really love the track Platz. A unique sounding electronica album, with some really cool dark sounds. Punch sounds abit like Kraftwerk, but with a more modern twist, perhaps like their Tour De France album.

Link: Soundcloud

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August 11th 2012

New Fast Automatic Daffodils – Pigeonhole (1990)

**** Four stars

Alt rock band from Manchester. with a really interesting sound. Think Joy Division, Interpol & Happy Mondays meshed together. Its a brilliant album, lyrics are a bit bizzare which adds to some of the really odd sounds in truth.Love the drumming, not sure why it just stood out. Favourite track was probably Working for Him. If you enjoy the artists mentioned above then check this out!

Link: Myspace

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August 10th 2012

Camel – Stationary Traveller (1984)

**** Four stars

English prog rock band from England. The vocalist sounds allot like David Gilmour, in fact the band does sound allot like Pink Floyd. The themes they write about seem really interesting,this album  being centered around the trials of East German refugees attempting to cross the Berlin Wall into West Berlin.

Naturally the album does sound very proggy, if a bit more adult pop at times. The use of more current of the time 80s synths add nice touches to the more 70s sound of the album. Not a bad album this, I suspect its not their best so I will probably be checking out more of their material in the future.

Link: Official site

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August 9th 2012

The Dream Academy – The Dream Academy (1985)

**** Four stars

A dream pop band from London England. This record was recommended to me, and I can see why. I knew the first track instantly, Life in a Northern Town was a smash hit everywhere. I just didn’t know who the artist was really. The rest of the album is a bit more subdued, kind of reminds me of Howard Jones in places. I wouldn’t have guessed the album was produced by David Gilmour! Anyhow this is a great 80s dream synth record, I’d be interested in checking out more of their work.

Link: Fansite

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August 8th 2012

Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist (2010)

*** Three stars

Feel good catchy guitar band from Northern Ireland. I knew the lead single What You Know, just didn’t know it was these guys. Its a generic indie album, only the track Do You Want it All really stood out. Can’t think of anything to say about it, so moving quickly on..

Link: Official site

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August 7th 2012

The Field Mice – Snowball (1989)

**** Four stars

The Field Mice were a indie pop band from London England, This is a lovely C86 like jangly guitar album. They could be the Smiths (vocals/lyrics) meets New Order wth the lovely flourishing synths that dominate the abum. Love the track End of the Affair. Another band who’s later stuff I need to check out, if you are wondering what I plan to do in 2013!

Link: Ltm Bio

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August 6th 2012

The Chills – Submarine Bells (1990)

**** Four stars

Have been meaning to check out groups from different countries, so here is a band from New Zealand! Actually this album is brilliant, not quite 5 stars brilliant, but it did surprise me. Tied Up In Chain is my favourite track, lots of radio friendly guitars & keyboards, its just a brilliant catchy pop song, which sums up this album nicely. Perhaps New Zealand’s answer to New Order? Which is a compliment as love NO!

Link: Official site

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August 5th 2012

Covenant – Northern light (2002)

*** Three stars

Covenant are an electronic band from Sweden. This album is a mix of yesterday’s pick & Depeche Mode. Its goon parts, the first half especially. The stand out track Bullet is a beast of a track, sadly the album doesn’t have many more moments like it. A decent album, again just not that memorable.

Link: Official site

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August 4th 2012

And One  – Bodypop (2006)

****** Five stars

This album has bits of all styles of electronic music, which is cool as I always assumed they were an EBM band which isn’t really my cup of tea. The Dream has an OMD melancholy to it, with some lovely pad/strings, locked into a really catchy groove. The lead single Military Fashion Show is as catchy as hell and is a brilliant synth pop song. The album has hints of Yazoo, Kraftwerk and they do have their own sound going on around all the fatty synth lines. This is a brilliant album, I need to check out more their work! If you enjoy OMD/Yzoo you should dig this album.

Link: Official site

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August 3rd 2012

Fergus & Geronimo  – Unlearn (2011)

*** Three stars

Sounds abit early Pink Floyd/Syd Barretish with a heavy 60s influence going on. Not that memorable in truth, the music is all over the place with folk, electric guitar it all sounds a bit uneven. The songs themselves. the singles espcially are pretty good hence three stars.

Link: Label site

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August 2nd 2012

Prefab Sprout – From Langley Park to Memphis (1988)

*** Three stars

Always enjoyed the lead single off this album, The King of Rock n Roll. The rest of the album is a bit so/so. Some of it sounds good, some it sounds really outdated. This is a band I have huge respect for, love their best of lp. They are a huge influence on one of my favorite Canadian bands Stars. I maybe need to check out another studio album.

Link: Fansite

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August 1st 2012

The Sundays – Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic (1990)

***** Five Stars

This is quite a lovely album. Another 80s sounding jangly guitar album, with more of a edge towards dream pop. Harriet Wheeler’s lovely fragile vcals really sit well with the jangly guitars.It starts off really well wit the opening track Skin & Bones, which is a good hint to what to expect on the rest of the album. My favourite track is the atmospheric Can’t Be Sure.

It sounds a bit Smiths like at times, maybe not surprising considering the band is from Manchester. But make no mistake this is a really strong alt pop album.

Link: Facebook

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