Human Don't Be Angry - Live At Leeds (2011)

Human Don't Be Angry - Live At Leeds

Label: Self Published
Format: Web
Country: Scotland
Released: 2011
Genre: Folk
Style: Folk, Rock, Ambient, Acoustic










Trackisting:

1. Intro
2. Asklipiio
3. Walk In The Park
4. Dreamer
5. Gone, Gone, Gone
6. Talking Shite For A Bit
7. Monologue: River

Download:
http://malcolmmiddleton.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-leeds

From Label:
Recorded at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds on the 20th March 2011 during an English tour with Aidan John Moffat

Comments: 
As a former member of the 90's/00's Indie rock/low-fi/slowcore wonderduo known as Arab Strab, lead songwriter Malcolm Middleton crafted somber, longing masterpieces to compliment his partner's unfiltered wandering mind and eye. As a solo artist, Malcolm's lyrical candidness with a dose of self loathing (of course) seemed consistently thorough for many years until his self imposed sabbatical in 2009. Human Don't Be Angry is what he returns with from the mountain-top and I couldn't be any more pleased with what he's brought back.

Acoustic meanderings that verge into ambient territories, drenched in reverb, almost shoe gazy but without the heavy distortion. The album is only $7.50 USD or so. And you can listen to the whole thing for free by clicking above. HDBA's debut album will be out shortly on the Chemikal Records label. Get it!

Fishmans - Long Season (1996)

Fishmans - Long Season

Label: Polydor
Format: CD
Country: Japan
Released: 1996-10-25
Genre: Dub, Rock
Style: Japanese, Rock, Dub

Trackisting:

1. Long Season (36:15) 

Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/?l8ycbanbnjg4x4a





From Label:
An album consisting of a 40-minute 1-song epic. Offering up to the world this smash hit album. Their previous album 'Sky Camp' presented the a step and shift change in the band 'Fishmans', and once again this albums takes it one step furter. With a loose rhythm, Shinji Sato's unique whisper-like vocals, this album takes that leftover summer heat and sees you off. It's an experimental concept album. Featuring UA on chorus.
http://www.ribb-on.com/fishmans/


Comments: 
Well, if my attempt at translating the official blurb, didn't sell you already, let me just say that this 35 minute music encompasses everything Fishmans had been about and would become after that. Dub, trip-hop, world music, rock, jazz, ambient, electronic and some Italian sounding accordian for good measure. This song has it all. Once you get past the high pitch shrill of Shinji's voice you'll immediately get lost in this textural world that transcends the language barrier and floats you away into this dreamworld. Originally this song started as a much shorter one called 'Season' that -only- lasts 6 minutes and features less of the world and dub influence to it.


The live version is even better to my mind and ears. Whereas the CD has a nice polished studio gloss, the live version has a fierceness that jumps out at you more. The vocals, guitar solo, the drum solo, the violin, they're all given ample time to shine above the mix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7RHUDkcjuA

William Cody Watson - Night Music For Driving (2011)

William Cody Watson - Night Music For Driving

Label: Self Published
Format: Web
Country: US
Released: 2011
Genre: Electronic
Style: Ambient, Drone, Laptop Electronica










Trackisting:

1. CORVETTE
2. KEYS TO ECSTACY
3. PUT ON YOUR LIPSTICK, WE'RE GOING FOR A RIDE
4. BLACK LEATHER NIGHT
5. PARKING GARAGE
6. I WON'T LET THEM THROUGH THAT DOOR
7. PEARL HANDLE
8. YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THE OCEAN?
9. NO HEAVEN FOR US

Download:
http://soundcloud.com/williamcodywatson/sets/night-music-for-driving



From Label:
As Watson puts it, his inspiration came not just from the Gosling action flick but “80s and 90s films, Gaspar Noé films, John Hughes films, Risky Business, License to Drive. Started thinking about my friends and ex-girlfriends. Started thinking about palms trees and the beach and shit. So yeah: music to cruise around to, hopefully at night.”

“Drive around. Make out. Get laid. Whatever you find works.”


Comments: 
This album was perfectly suited as I barreled up Route 64 going 90 miles per hour toward the Grand Canyon at 6am as the star-peppered sky was slowly bleached by the rising sun. It's an odd experience for me to wake up before dawn and this music complimented my dream-like state of mind. My mates slept and few cars were seen on the road giving me ample opportunity to do all of the above things Watson's described. Life. Physical Space. Girlfriends. And if you can't listen to this while driving at least listen to this late at night with the lights out!

Eluivum - Static Nocturne (2010)

Eluivum - Static Nocturne

Label: Self Published
Format: Web
Country: US
Released: 2010-10-15
Genre: Electronic
Style: Ambient, Drone, Laptop Electronica

Trackisting:

1 - Static Nocturne (50:18)

Download:
http://eluvium.bandcamp.com/track/static-nocturne



From Label:
originally released as a hand-assembled limited edition, that sold out in less than 2 days, this is the first release on the newly-formed label Watership Sounds (founded by Matthew Cooper of Eluvium)


Comments: 
Fennesz's On Invisible Pause, which I've played twice today, reminded me of this other dreamworthy work by Eluvium that I tend to play late at night when ambient and drone works best for me. While Eluvium tends to be more melodic with pianos and other symphonic-like orchestrations that would befit a soundtrack to some existential sci-fi movie, he does have his moments of noisy wanderings. Static Nocturne falls into the latter category with this zen-like meditation on a distant planet that has been worn away by the solar winds of a nearby star. A sci-fi movie with no plot, if you will.

Fennesz - On Invisible Pause (2012)

Fennesz - On Invisible Pause

Label: Touch
Format: Web
Country: UK
Released: 2012-01-06
Genre: Electronic
Style: Ambient,Drone, Laptop Electronica

Trackisting:

1 - On Invisible Pause (48:13)


 Download:
 http://www.touchradio.org.uk/touch_radio_73_fennesz.html



From Label:
On Invisible Pause, choreographed by Christopher Arouni, is part of Skånes Dansteater's performance HAZE, November 4th 2011 in Malmö's Skånesdansteater. Mixed by Christopher Arouni, Christian Fennesz & Anders Myhrman.


Comments: 
You think he'd release a CD, maybe a flac to be sold on his website, a vinyl split on two sides so the snap, crackle and pops add to the cinematic majesty. No, instead this insanely lush piece is free to download on Touch's website  It meanders but doesn't feel meandering at all like some other long-form ambient pieces.