[1977] John Greaves, Peter Blegvad, Lisa Herman - Kew. Rhone.

One of the many gems from the Canterbury Scene, Kew Rhone is the resulting work of three important figures from that time, whose combined experience gave birth to an album strongly hinting at Slapp Happy's art pop vibe and what would later become Art Bears, with a remarkable jazz influence typical of the scene. Joyous and mysterious at the same time, the album is plagued with occult references and hidden clues not only in the lyrics but also in the cover, on which several clues are denoted with roman numerals and paired together with some phrases within the songs. Definitely, anyone with at least a mild interest in the 70's british prog scene should check this excellent album.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it from Amazon here.

[2010] No Balls - Less

Another gem from Streaks Records, but in this case it's explicitly related to hardcore. With some sexual undertones, No Balls gives off some of the no-wave vibe from Teenage Jesus and Glenn Branca's post-punk works to the heavy, relentless hardcore, which, far from disappoint, gives off a great impression at the very first listen. Most songs are, unfortunately, instrumental, but that doesn't give away its overbearing vibe.

Download it here: [V0]


Buy it directly from Streak Records here (scroll down).

[2001] The Thing - The Thing

Weirdly enough, this is the first Swedish band I ever post on my blog...
This is the unofficial first release of the trio that will later be known as The Thing, formed by Mat Gustafsson (sax), Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (bass, double bass), and the prolific drummer Paal Nilssen-Love (drums). A very intense debut, released under Mat Gustafsson's label, Crazy Wisdom (now defunct), which features one of the most energetic deliveries from Gustafsson in the sax (highly prominent throughout the whole album). Definitely a good start with a band that later featured collaborations with famous musicians such as John McPhee and Jim O'Rourke, denoting their strong improvising vein in each one of these.


Download it here: [320][V0]

Currently unavailable.

[2009] Orchestre National de Jazz - Around Robert Wyatt

A very interesting release, which gathers plenty of classic compositions from popular albums in which Robert Wyatt (such an inspiring figure of the canterbury prog scene of the 70's and beyond) contributed and took part of, ranging from his solo albums, the Blegvad/Greaves/Herman collab known as  Kew Rhone, to Matching Mole and many others, reinterpreted by the Orchestre National de Jazz, and even with his own participation in a good part of them. Without losing a bit of their original quality, the songs are embellished with noteworthy contributions, such as Rokia Taoré's soul-influenced vocals, full of warmth and innocence, or Yael Naim's folky vibe, giving it a kind, retro feel to Wyatt's compositions.

Download it here: [320][V0]

Buy it directly from Abeille Musique here.

[2011] Thymolphthalein - Ni Maître, Ni Marteau

A somewhat unlikely ensemble coming from France and Australia, delivering a rhythmically complex sonic assault, revolving around electro-acoustic improvisation and electronic, self-made instruments to create tones hard to identify among the spastic array of fractured sounds. Surprising debut, recorded and performed live at the SWR2 New Jazz Meeting in France, 2009.

(meant to be played loud given its extreme frequency range, which perhaps could be benefited from a higher bitrate)

Download it here: [192][V0]

Buy it directly from Editions Mego here.

[2009] The Low Frequency In Stereo - Futuro

Futuro is the noisiest, most daring effort of this norwegian band which has been likened to bands like Stereolab and Radiohead in the past (particularly the former), but in the reality is more than just that. Noisy riffs reminiscent of the no-wave era and heavy motorik drums akin to Neu! (along with the bold use of feedback) are the most obvious highlights here, but the combination of female and male vocals with a garage rock feel, and the campy, light sound of the trumpet (like in the song Solar System) makes this band really stand out as it deserves.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from Rune Grammofon here.

[2010] Haggatha - Haggatha

Second release (and first LP) of this new Canadian act, formed by members of Goatsblood and linked to 3 Inches of Blood, delivering a furious slab of sludge not too unlike Thou, Deathcrawl and Moloch, particularly the former (which can be heard in the crust-influenced vocals). In rare occasions I hear solid debuts like this one, which carries some of the past influence with Goatsblood and gives it a slower tempo, enhancing the heaviness.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from Blind Date Records here.

[2007] Ultralyd - Conditions For A Piece of Music

The least accessible Ultralyd album, focusing more into free jazz and improvisation to a greater extent, compared to their latest efforts. It still has plenty of energetic moments in which the best of their noise-rock/jazz fusion is displayed, but it also focuses on their darkest aspects with guitar-oriented free improv, one half of the album. This is sort of a middle ground album, and it could please those already familiar with bands like MoHa!, since it swings that way at several parts with its dissonant noise-rock.

Download it here: [320][V0]

Buy it directly from Rune Grammofon here.

[2009] Tim Catlin & Machinefabriek - Glisten

I've been in such a big Machinefabriek bing lately, that's an understatement. I think it's mostly because of his collabs more than anything else, although Machinefabriek by himself does a great job at adjusting and molding soundscapes and field recordings the way he wants, and every collab is merely an extension of said ability.
In this case, Tim Catlin (experimental guitar composer from Australia) assumes the task of spicing up Machinefabriek's usually low key compositions, by adding guitar-based, unrecognizable sound patterns, turning what once was basically ambient music into a bittersweet experience, constantly changing song after song. The only downside: it's as short as an EP (clocking at 35min), which may not seem enough for a release of this caliber.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from Low Point here.

[2008] UFO Gestapo - Vatependr!

First full length of one of the greatest new acts coming from France I've heard so far. Somewhat resembling the hazy, slow-dragging riffing style of bands like Noothgrush, UFO Gestapo stands out with his mix of hardcore anger with dark, paranoiac humor.Overall bizarre band, with some drug-fueled moments from time to time.

Download it here: [320][V0]

Sold out in Streaks Records.

[2011] 40 Watt Sun - The Inside Room

5 years after Watching From A Distance and splitting up, leaving their fans with only a few records in their back catalog (and none as good as the former), the Warning guys reform with a different bassist (William Spong) to form 40 Watt Sun. Pretty much carrying where they left, The Inside Room is an exercise in despair and melancholy, with the same load of sentimental purity that characterized Warning's now classic album. Musically speaking there's a better use of dynamics and atmosphere exploration in this album, although a similar approach is given to the songs: slow, somewhat simple hooks with little bass focus, and emotional vocals going hand in hand with the depressing vibe. An instant favorite, at least for me.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy directly from Metal Recycler (Cyclone Empire's Webshop) here.

[2009] Laudanum - The Coronation

Hateful sludge/noise from Cali, comprised by members of Asunder and Graves At Sea, with an unusual approach, relying a lot in minimal outbursts of feedback and background noise combined with heavy, mid-paced sections of the best hardcore-laced doom the genre can offer. Two vocalists constantly swap parts in the songs, varying from high shrieks to deep grunts, but allowing the lyrics to be clearly heard.

Download it here: [V2][V0]

Buy it directly from 20 Buck Spin Records here.

[2007] Whitehorse - Whitehorse

Released under the Olympia-based record label 20 Buck Spin Records, this s/t is one of the few studio releases of this band since their formation, even though they've released a series of live albums before, which makes them more of a live act. It's not surprising seeing as their heavy, merciless sound in total disregard of duration is a sign of the huge focus on live atmosphere they have. Slow building structures, yet elaborate since the start (don't expect a post-rockish approach to doom metal, so common and tiresome these days), rage-fueled hardcore vocals and chaotic guitar noise are the main highlights here. They've performed with plenty of well-known bands of their genre, along with other excellent australian acts such as Dad They Broke Me and Teargas.


Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from 20 Buck Spin Records here.

[2007] The Stargazer's Assistant - The Other Side of The Island

The Stargazer's Assistant is a collective fronted by David J Smith and conformed by Daniel O'Sullivan (Ulver, Mothlite) and Antti Uusimaki (also from Mothlite), whose deeply layered soundscapes seek to evoke the ever-changing geological structure of the Earth, decaying and resurfacing every new era. Amazingly diverse material ranging from vocal arrangements to sparse percussion, this album is a truly entrancing piece of work, way beyond run-of-the-mill ambient music, and a display of the rich, organic compositions O'Sullivan and Uusumaki are capable of, also heard in Mothlite.

Download it here: [V0]


Buy it directly from Aurora Borealis here (scroll down).

[2009] Gregg Kowalsky - Tape Chants

While the previous efforts relied in purely electronic chain arrangements, Tape Chants was recorded incorporating tapes with specific tones, tuned and mixed to each other, placed in several locations within a room. The resulting effect, which is later arranged with oscillators to give a sense of rhythm, is one of the most interesting drone recordings I've had the chance of listening. Some other percussive instruments were used albeit subtly, to avoid disrupting the overbearing feeling infused by the oscillating drones.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from Kranky Records here.