Built on a Weak Spot

You often hear about projects in which one person composes all the music and plays all the instruments on a recording, however most of the time that requires a full band to perform live. Not often do you see what Nathanial Rappole does under the moniker of Gull, a literal representation of the one man band. I’ll admit I was skeptical when I first learned about it. It seemed like it could just end up being a gimmicky item, but after having the pleasure of viewing some videos on Youtube of Gull performing I was sold on the idea and the music Mr. Rappole creates.

Some may recognize Rappole as a member of Ultra Dolphins and Snack Truck. If you’re a resident of Richmond, VA then it’s likely you’re already quite aware of Rappole and more specifically his project Gull as he said to often be spotted playing live throughout the area. You’ll notice that a few of the videos on the internet are him doing just that. The music for the most part is an interesting combination of mathy rhythms that often venture into some spacey psych territory during the four songs contained on this debut single. Naturally, the music has a bit more staying power when seeing the performance behind it all…but the songs simply standing alone do enough to recognize this as something more than just a guy making a bunch of noise. There is a legitimate showing of talent here.

Gull – Chain Saw it Coming [MP3]

For anyone interested in picking this up, it’s still available through Molsook Records. Definitely pick up and be sure to check out some more videos of Gull in action on MySpace or by browsing around on Youtube. Very cool.

It appears that Flowers of the Moon is the official debut for Jeff Suthers’ project Moonspeed, which has been around in some form or another since 2003 or so. I remember hearing songs the Flight Approved website from way back that were pretty interesting and made appearances on a couple fairly limited run discs. This however is the full-fledged album from the band and it’s a welcome addition to the already lengthy number of solid records I’ve heard this year. Suthers along with Shannon Stein have both worked together for a number of years, originally hitting the ground running with the more shoegaze angled Volplane in the mid 90’s then moving on to the incredible but sadly departed Bright Channel throughout a good portion of the 00’s. The next logical step for them was to focus their attention on Moonspeed, which takes a lot of the great traits from both of those bands fleshes them out further by enlisting a much larger cast of musicians. There is eleven to be exact, counting both Suthers and Stein.

What has kept me coming back all the years to the work created by Suthers and his collaborators is their ability to make music that really develops and works within a certain mood. There are few that have done it better than them if you ask me. Bright Channel had a very unsettling coldness to the music that was greatly contrasted by the volume, however with Moonspeed much is subdued and the music paints more of a picture of isolation with the numerous airy melodies that make up the nine tracks on Flowers of the Moon. Whether this ends up being up the release from the band or not, the tracks record of the members involved will be more than enough to follow them to wherever they may end up. It’s worked thus far and Flowers of the Moon leaves me no reason to believe it won’t last.

Moonspeed – Harvest [MP3]

For those interested in picking up Flowers of the Moon, the band has it available through eCrater or CD Baby. No matter, pick this up if you like what you hear and be sure to check out any of the other acts on the Flight Approved roster while you’re at it.

Coming out this Tuesday (EDIT: The album has been delayed until the beginning of February due to vinyl plant delays.) is the debut full-length from the electrogazers Screen Vinyl Image. Ever since hearing their first EP The Midnight Sun over a year or so ago the wait for a full-length has become increasingly hard. Thankfully that will all be alleviated this week when they release Interceptors. The album will come out on Safranin Sound & Custom Made Music. Anything that has been associated with Safranin thus far has been ace and Interceptors certainly continues that trend.

For those not familiar with Screen Vinyl Image, the band contains former members of shoegaze group Alcian Blue. Some of the members have also done work in Skywave and Ceremony. A lot of the darker atmospherics that were found in some of the aforementioned bands have certainly carried over to Screen Vinyl Image. Combine all of that with doses of harsh feedback that carry a very heavy psychedelic vibe and plenty of pop driven synth and you have a slight image of where the group is coming from. Interceptors easily makes good on the few releases that have come before it leaving no doubts that Screen Vinyl Image will certainly be a force for some time. Check it out.

Screen Vinyl Image – Fever [MP3]

For those interested in picking up Interceptors, it’s available for order right now through Safrinin Sound. Definitely pick this up if you enjoy what you hear.

Been meaning to get this release up on the blog; however that could be said for many other things I’d like to get around to posting about as well. Anyway, what I have here today is an interesting self-released split CD between two impressive New Orleans based instrumental/experimental bands, I, Octopus and Metronome the City. Each band has contributed one track on the release that clock in at just roughly over twenty minutes each.

The first track “Craig Has a Beard Now” is from the trio of Blake Lewis (guitar/keyboards), Michael Lentz (guitars/keyboards), and J. Steigner (drums) that is I, Octopus. The track almost immediately establishes itself with a bit of a spacey/psych vibe but with the added emphasis on keyboard and electronics there is a bit more “noise” to deal with here than one might expect. The tune rises and falls many times throughout its lengthy course, and during the slower/quieter parts is where a lot of the more interesting experimental aspects of the band take place in my opinion with various ambient noises peaking out from the haze before the band works into a larger guitar filled sound. While not the every day classic pysch/space worship band, I think I, Octopus should find plenty among that circle regardless.

Metronome the City, while a band of similar nature, takes a bit of a different approach for their contribution to the disc. Their track, which is evidently untitled according to the sleeve of the CD, is seemingly a collection of recorded jams that have been edited together to make one long full length track. For the most part this works out fairly well and at one point after three minutes has a pretty startling effect when the soothing mathy plucking of guitar simply drops out in favor of a much more ominous combination of guitar and lurching low-end that creeps in out of the echoing guitar lines. The band continues on with this sort of approach for a good portion of the track; however it’s hard to not be taken in by the bands cavernous and distant sounding guitars. It’s deceptive in its prettiness that keeps the listener hanging on for duration of the medley.

I, Octopus – Craig Has a Beard Now (excerpt) [MP3]
Metronome the City – Untitled Medley (excerpt) [MP3]

For more information on the release and on the bands, check out each of their respective MySpace pages (Metronome the City and I, Octopus). Enjoy!

Backfeed Magnetbabe was the first album from the Austin, TX based noise-pop/indie-rock group Sixteen Deluxe who formed in 1994 with members Carrie Clark, Chris Smith, Jeff Copas, and Lyman Hardy. Hardy would depart before the debut however to focus on Ed Hall with Bryan Bowden stepping in to record with them in the meantime. The album would then go on to be released in 1995 through the Trance Syndicate label, which was home to a number of other excellent Austin area bands. They would also find a permanent drummer in Steven Hall the following year. The success of their first single and Backfeed Magnetbabe would eventually land them a spot on the Warner Bros. roster where they proceeded to release one album (Emits Showers of Sparks) in 1998 before eventually being let out of their contract. The band would go on to release one final album in 2000 on Sugar Fix called Vision Take Me, Make Me, Never Forsake Me before calling it quits.

Not to slight any of the bands other material, or later material for that matter, however I’ve always been particularly fond of Backfeed Magnetbabe. I doubt it’s any coincidence that it happens to be their noisiest/loudest album, at least in my opinion. There are definitely some fine moments on later albums as well, but I’ll leave that up to you to explore if you wish. I’d definitely suggest it if either of the songs posted below do anything for you.

Sixteen Deluxe – Fetus [MP3]
Sixteen Deluxe – Floor 13 [MP3]

Although all of the stuff on Trance Syndicate is out of print these days it’s not hard to track down. In fact Amazon still has multiple copies of Backfeed Magnetbabe for as little as a penny. So definitely pick up a copy if you don’t already own it and enjoy the tunes.

It’s all too rare anymore whenever I check out a band that has some hype building around them that they actually live up to the amount of praise that is being heaped upon them. Sometimes not listening to what my gut feeling tells me to do is a good idea and despite it telling me over and over again not to buy into the things being said about Crystal Antlers, I did anyway. And boy am I glad I did as the band falls into one of those rare cases of actually being really damn good…just like everyone else was making them out to be in the first place. Stupid me, right? Obviously, yeah.

The Long Beach based Crystal Antlers are riding high off the growing success of their recently self-released EP simply dubbed as “EP”. Rightfully so though, as EP absolutely smokes through six songs that somehow blend elements of blues, psych, post-punk, prog, and god only knows what else into this finely crafted 25 minute package. Typically I don’t get too into what comes off as strictly derivative psych, so it’s incredibly refreshing to hear a band like this take it to a completely different level to the point where I don’t even really know what I am listening to at times. Crystal Antlers seem like a band that could go anywhere with their sound, and I think that’s what ultimately makes them the exciting listen that they are. Who knows what their next record could sound like; it’s pretty much a wild card after listening to EP.

Crystal Antlers – A Thousand Eyes [MP3]

For those interested in picking up a copy of the Crystal Antlers EP then just head on over to their MySpace.

Third Transmission: Meet Me On Echo Echo Terrace is the third album from the Austin, Texas based Experimental Aircraft. Having been absent for quite some time now, the band has come back as strong as ever with this wonderful album. As far as spacey/shoegaze releases go so far this year, this has definitely found a place among the top of the early pile. In actuality I should use the word shoegaze somewhat loosely with them, as they are much more than your average distortion heavy “wall of sound” type of band. They manage to blend elements of indie-rock and hints of psychedelic influence within the distant sounding fuzz. Experimental Aircraft sound very much like a product of where they are from, with songs that stretch and reveal a hint of haunting loneliness that one can easily be consumed by living in such an area. It sets the mood perfectly. Adding to it all is one of my favorite aspects of the band, which are the gorgeous vocals from singer Rachel Staggs. Her soft drifting vocals complement the bands overall forlorn sound perfectly with her injecting that slight ounce of hope among it all. Also making an appearance, more here than on their previous albums, are the additional vocals from TJ O’Leary. Who often sounds a bit more fluctuant but adds nicely to the bands palette. This is definitely an album to check out for fans of hazy/spacey indie-rock. Good stuff all around.

Experimental Aircraft – Stellar [MP3]
Experimental Aircraft – So Simple [MP3]

If you’re interested in picking up Third Transmission: Meet Me on Echo Echo Terrace, then head on over to Graveface Records and order a copy. Definitely comes recommended. Enjoy!

Safranin Sound is steadily working its way up the ladder as one of my favorite current running labels. Helping propel their ascent on said ladder is one of their latest offerings from the Tampa, Florida based band The Vera Violets. Now unlike quite a few of the bands on Safranin’s roster, I have been familiar with The Vera Violets for quite awhile now and it’s great to see they’re part of that family and releasing their latest album Dirty Rainbow through it.

On Dirty Rainbow the band has returned once again with twelve solid tracks of their fuzzy psychedelic influenced rock. Stepping away a bit more from the shoegazey drone found on their past efforts, The Vera Violets have dove a bit further into the depths of 60’s psych and garage rock and have come out with an even hazier druggy swirl than before. While the songs are definitely wrapped in a smoke screen type of fuzz, there is a noticeably evident jangle pop vibe going on that hasn’t revealed itself as much in the past. It serves the band well as it works as a nice change of pace mixed in with some of the bands more strung out and darker influenced songs which have particularly dominated their earlier albums. Those out there who are already fans of The Vera Violets definitely won’t be disappointed with this release as it features everything that is great about the bands past releases while still managing to work in some newer key focuses.

The Vera Violets – As You Are Mine [MP3]
The Vera Violets – In the Sun [MP3]

For those looking to pick up Dirty Rainbow it is available through Safranin Sound. Definitely pick this up if the tunes above are to your liking. Enjoy!

It’s tough when a bands discography is littered with enough highlights and good albums that it makes it entirely too hard to go back and justly cover it all. In that case I have to make the grand old hard decision of plucking one album out of the bunch and using it as reference point of some sort. Facing that dilemma today for Detroit avant-garde noise/psych greats Gravitar, I decided to go with one of my absolute favorite records they put out, You Must First Learn to Draw the Real released on Monotremata Records in 1999.

You Must First Learn to Draw the Real is sort of one of those albums that I feel could divide opinions among pure noise enthusiasts. It’s definitely full of noise and packs enough visceral punch to it that it’s by no means going to be mistakenly filed under “pop” in a record store. However, there is a structure here and even the occasional riff buried underneath all of the fuzz and tumbling feedback. It all falls on borderline noise, but it’s a hefty slab of very well done skronk that takes on a psychedelic groove in more than few instances. As with almost all Gravitar albums though the one constant highlight is the freaked out free jazz inspired drumming by Eric Cook. The track “U.R.R.” is worth listening to alone for that very reason as he basically drives the whole 8 minute tune with a barrage of beats and crashing cymbals. The live track tacked on to the end of the disc is another favorite that displays Gravitar’s overpowering and relentless volumed attack.

As a bonus I uploaded one of my favorite tracks by the band off their split with Universal Indians on American Tapes. Great stuff.

You Must First Learn to Draw the Real:
Gravitar – U.R.R. [MP3]

Split w/ Universal Indians:
Gravitar – Automaton [MP3]

You Must First Learn to Draw the Real is still available over at Amazon and most other online retailers. If that doesn’t happen to work out, then it’s also available through Emusic. Enjoy!

Boston’s The December Sound managed to nab a fair amount of attention with their debut EP Kill Me awhile back and have now just self-released their debut full length The Silver Album, which should surely net them some favorable responses once again. Just like on their EP, the band remains in their unpredictable ways by compiling together thirteen tracks that approach the areas of psych, shoegaze, and post-punk while meshing them together excellently. I can imagine it’s not easy for a band like The December Sound with the style that they play to set themselves apart from the past. There is always going to be comparisons to The Jesus and Mary Chain whenever there is an element of overblown distortion and dark moody psychedelic textures thrown into the mix. The December Sound certainly has that, but they’ve done so in a way that seems to cover so much more ground than that of just another rehash. It seems unfair to even mention that word in this write up. The Silver Album is just as much a shoegaze album as it is a full fledged rock album, and the heightened focus on songwriting instead of pure volume most definitely pays off for this band. I don’t think I’ve really heard a band that incorporates a true rock n’ roll aesthetic into their sound as well as The December Sound does here on this album since maybe Swervedriver. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t sound much like them but it most definitely has the same sort of rock under current and recklessness to it. The December Sound is yet another great addition to the rapidly growing amount of bands that are breathing new life into this type of music.

The December Sound – No Heaven Like Hell [MP3]
The December Sound – Reminder [MP3]
The December Sound – Maker [MP3]

For those looking to pick this up then head on over to the bands MySpace where they have both The Silver Album and their fantastic EP Kill Me available for order. For the time being, enjoy!